Burgers and Barbecue

If you are the neighborhood grill master and want to brush up on your techniques to enter a barbecue competition, I can point you towards some resources, but this is primarily a site for beginners.

With that out of the way, if you are considering a backyard barbecue or a cookout, and you have some questions, read on. Maybe you have never used a grill before, or maybe your experience is limited to grilling hot dogs and hamburgers, and you would like to try a barbecue chicken or a smoked turkey.

We’ll cover that. And other questions like:

• What’s the difference between a barbecue and a grill?

• Is barbecue cooking different from direct or indirect grilling?

• What’s a kettle grill? How is that different from a brazier?

• Can I barbecue on a spit ? Is a spit the same thing as a rotisserie?

• When should I use a barbecue sauce ? Or a marinade? Or a dry rub? Or a mop sauce?

• Where can I find recipes for Kansas City Style Ribs, or Beer Car Barbecue Chicken?

• What is the best wood for a water smoker or pit barbecue?

• Should I cook with wood, propane, charcoal, or just use an electric grill?

• Which is the correct spelling: barbecue, barbeque, or BBQ?

• Whats the difference between a horizontal and a vertical wood smoker ?

• How can I prevent my barbecued or grilled chicken from flaring up and burning?

• How do you get a charcoal grill lit? Is lighter fluid and charcoal even safe?
• How can I control the temperature in my new smoker?

• And most important - Is it done yet?

Relax. Chill. You can do this. Both barbecue and direct grilling are cooking methods practiced by drunken people in their back yards or at tailgate parties. All the methods are just variations of direct and indirect grilling, and both are very simple and forgiving methods of cooking. The trick is knowing which method to use when and that ’s all covered here. Let’s get started.