Steven Raichlen, host of TV’s Barbecue University, has written dozens
of books on grilling. Here, he distills a library of advice into 10 simple tips
to mastering the grill.
1. Grill over wood
Forget about the gas-versus-charcoal debate: Wood is the only fuel that adds real flavor to food. If possible, use whole hardwood logs in a wood-burning grill.
The next best option is to burn hardwood chunks in a regular grill. (Light them in a chimney starter as you would charcoal.) As a last resort, toss some wood chips onto the coals of your charcoal grill–you use hardwood charcoal, right?–or in the smoker box of your gas grill just before you begin grilling.