| Last summer my friend Jake (not his real name for | | | | pounds or more. Or there's the simpler kettle grill that |
| reasons that will soon be obvious) invited 30 of his | | | | you've probably seen at your local supermarket. |
| closest buddies over, thinking he'd impress them with | | | | Some wood grills provide different height cooking |
| his barbecue know-how. There was poor Jake, arms | | | | surfaces, offering more control of your heat source - |
| flying as he was furiously flipping burgers on the tiny | | | | which will no doubt improve your reputation with |
| Hibachi grill he picked up at a yard sale. Jake knows | | | | your friends at the fire department! You can cook |
| now that when it comes to barbecue grills, size DOES | | | | pretty much anything from beef to buffalo on this |
| matter. | | | | grill. Add some flavored wood chips, a great sauce, |
| This is only the tip on the iceberg of Jake's barbecue | | | | and you're ready to go. |
| troubles. I'll never forget the time he poured half a | | | | The gas barbecue grill, which is excellent for broiling |
| can of lighter fluid on the charcoal. The ensuing | | | | burgers and weenies, derives its heat from gas like |
| explosion singed his eyebrows and had the neighbors | | | | propane, butane, or natural gas, and doesn't use |
| running over with their garden hose, cell phone in | | | | wood or wood substances for heat. A gas burner |
| hand to call the fire department! | | | | heats the permanent briquettes in the bottom of the |
| Jake's dog, Bruno, was one of the few who looked | | | | grill radiating the heat evenly. |
| forward to his backyard get-togethers. Bruno | | | | Gas grills are convenient to use, especially for the |
| pranced impatiently around the barbecue grill, waiting | | | | barbecue challenged. Simply turn the knob, push the |
| to fall heir to those rock-like hamburger patties, which | | | | starter button, set the temperature and start |
| he was sure were some new chew treat made | | | | cooking. The maintenance and clean-up with a gas |
| especially for him. | | | | barbecue grill is a little more involved however. |
| I recently read Randy Pryor's Barbeque Secrets | | | | Once you've got your barbecue grill and invited your |
| Revealed! and, using the information in this book, | | | | friends over, you can tell the fire department to |
| even someone with singed eyebrows and the fire | | | | stand down and get ready to create your barbecue |
| department on speed dial will have no trouble | | | | masterpiece. Here's one my favorite recipes from |
| creating the killer barbecue feast of his dreams. | | | | Barbecue Secrets Revealed! for a great sauce that's |
| A good place to begin is finding the perfect barbecue | | | | sure make your guests forget that last untimely |
| grill. Even though no barbecue grill will guarantee your | | | | explosion. |
| beef brisket wouldn't be better used as a doorstop, | | | | Amazing All Purpose Barbecue Sauce |
| it will certainly help. Consider these important | | | | 1 cup Catsup |
| questions: | | | | 1 tbl. Worcestershire sauce |
| Would you rather cook with gas or charcoal? | | | | 2 dash Bottled hot pepper sauce |
| How much meat would you like to cook? | | | | 1 cup Water |
| How much money do you want to spend? | | | | 1/4 cup Vinegar |
| Barbecue grills come in all price ranges - from a few | | | | 1 tbl. Brown sugar |
| dollars up to about $6,000. Yes, it's possible to spend | | | | 1 tsp. Salt |
| a month's salary on a fancy-schmancy barbecue grill, | | | | 1 tsp. Celery seed |
| but it's probably best to start somewhere between | | | | 1 tbl. Minced onions |
| yard sales and mortgaging Bruno's doghouse. | | | | Combine all ingredients in a slow-cooking pot. Cover |
| Barbecue grills using wood as a heat source usually | | | | and cook on low for 2 to 3 hours. |
| have an adjustable grilling surface that can be raised | | | | This recipe makes 2 - 2 1/4 cups sauce. It's tasty on |
| or lowered to control cooking. The classic wood grill | | | | pork chops, spareribs, chicken, and sliced roast beef. |
| can handle anywhere from 20 to 80 pounds of meat | | | | Oh, remember Jake? He ended up building his own |
| at one time, while a professional grill will cook 100 | | | | backyard barbecue grill - but that's another story! |