Summer Grilling Guide
If you grew up in the 1950s or 1960s (or if you've caught a sense of that era from vintage TV) you know what barbequing used to be -- a shallow grill on a tripod of aluminum legs or, for homeowners with more refined backyards, a built-in brick grill that was included as part of the patio design. Barbequing was popular largely because it helped keep the heat of meal preparation out of those un-air-conditioned houses. While most of the cooking at the time was relegated to Mom, it was Dad who almost always handled the grill . As for the fare -- most Dads pretty much kept to hamburgers, steaks and hot dogs.
Today, it's a whole different picture. For starters, most people call it "grilling" now. And a lot of those old-fashioned grills have been replaced by gas or kettle grills, complete with lids to enclose the foods and the heat, and features such as rotisseries, smokers, prep centers, and a host of gadgets and grilling utensils.
Eight out of ten households, according to the Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association, now own an outdoor barbeque grill or smoker. And, while we tend to view the start of summer as the start of the grilling season, the truth is, many barbequers -- over 60% -- now use their grills year-round, and not just at home. For many tailgaters, packing the grill and the coolers into the back of the SUV for the culinary entertainment that takes place before and after the game is every bit as much a part of game day as getting inside the stadium.
The old fashioned picnic hasn't gone out of style, either. It offers an ideal combination of getting away from it all and the fun of grilling. (If you're picnicking -- or even grilling inside -- you can enhance your meal with delicious iced tea and other cool drinks.)
Another big change is that we're much more creative about the foods that go on the grill now -- practically any food group in the food pyramid can be found on the grill today. All cuts of beef, pork, poultry, wild game, sausages, fish, vegetables, beans, soy foods, side dishes, and even fruits and breads are prepared over hot coals for the delicious, savory flavor that only this method of cooking can provide.
There are a few important pieces of equipment you should have stationed near your grill at all times.
The gas grill comes with its own set of instructions, but if you're new to charcoal grilling, there are a few things you need to know before getting started.
