This week's hot videos

Most Watched Videos

Lifestyle questions and answers

Ask a question on any topic and get answers
from real people on Yahoo! Canada Answers

The Healthy Plate

BBQ rules

Posted Thu, May 14, 2009
POST A COMMENT »

Circa 1,000,000 BC

We open on two Cavemen sitting by an open fire in the middle of the woods the May 24 weekend.

Friggo
(Poking the fire with a long stick)
Great fire, Lexico. Pass the boar.

Lexico
(As he passes the raw meat it falls into the flames)
Holy brontosaurus, there goes dinner.

Friggo
(He reaches in and grabs the meat)
AHHHHH!? (Licks hand) Hey, hold the spear there my friend, this taste awesome. Try it.

Lexico
(He takes a bite)
Friggo, my main man, you're genius. Wait till we tell the women.


Okay, this may not have actually been the way BBQing was invented, but I'm probably not that far off.

Man has been fascinated with fire ever since he first discovered it. Cooking over it turned into a definite perk.

Modern man is no different. His dilemma? What type of fire to cook over? Is it a charcoal fire or a gas fire?

To figure out which type of BBQ will best suit your cooking style answer the following questions with a yes or no:

Are you always in a hurry?
Does the memory of Scout Camp bring tears of happiness to your eyes?
Do you have any reoccurring dreams about hunting for food clad only in the carcass of a dead elk?
Does your idea of outdoor cooking involve matches?
Have you ever burned off all of your eye lashes while lighting a camp stove?
Do you love the taste of mesquite?

Scoring:
If you answered yes to questions 2,3,4, and 6 you are Charcoal
If you answered yes to questions 1 and 5 you are Gas
If you answered no to questions 2,3,4, and 6 you are Gas
If you answered no to questions 1 and 5 - you are Charcoal

Now that you know what type of BBQing suits your lifestyle, choosing a grill is based on the following criteria:

  • Size. Yes, size matters. Most women have known this for centuries. What size BBQ will fit your needs? In the world of nutrition and healthy portion control, one serving of protein is equal to the size of your hand. Do you usually cook for 2 people, 4 people, or more people? Choose a grill that matches that many hands.
  • Easy assembly. Are you really going to be able to assemble your new Q without ruining your relationship with your loved one? Look for ease of assembly.
  • Warranty - choose a charcoal grill with a 5 year warranty and a gas one with 10 years.
  • Great reputation - choose a company you know that stands behind their products. Look for a website or phone # on the grill or paperwork it comes with. Store it away just in case you need it.


    • Charcoal Grills:
    Look for a high quality steel BBQ with a baked on finish.
    Legs should be welded on.
    Stainless steel or nickel plated grates - rust resistant and good for cleaning up
    Stay cool handles
    Hopefully it has a built-in thermometer

    Gas Grills:
    Look for a high quality steel BBQ with a baked on finish.
    The cart should have the legs welded on.
    Stainless steel or nickel plated grates - rust resistant and good for cleaning up
    Burner design that allows for direct and indirect cooking - this will let you grill, roast, or even bake. Look for a 3 burner configuration
    Stay cool handles
    A built-in thermometer
    Easy ignition button
    Optional side burners so you can do all the cooking outside
    A side table built into the cart
    Locking wheels
    Propane tank holder

    My personal BBQ is a Weber. I've had mine for going over 10 years and I love it. I like the fact that it has a burner configuration that allows me to cook with either direct heat, using all three burners or indirect heat, which uses the two end burners with the centre burner turned off.

    This 3 burner configuration is an excellent feature allowing me to roast beef, a turkey, or even bake a berry crisp right on the old Barbie.

    Tips for BBQ perfection:

  • Always preheat your grill
  • Oil the food you are going to cook, don't oil the grill
  • Cook to time and temperature. You really need a meat thermometer.
  • Always cook with the lid closed. Yes, you read it right. A closed lid. A BBQ is really an outdoor oven. Every time you lift the lid you let out heat and extend the cooking time. Keep the lid closed and leave the open lid concept to the world of Television.
  • No poking or jabbing - you just let all those wonderful juices run out.
  • Make sure that you keep your BBQ clean. Clean it with a brush when the grill is still hot. This really helps food from sticking as well as extending the life of your grill.


    • Next week- Gas Grilling 101 Tips to help you cook like a pro.

    Average (11 Ratings)3.27 out of 5 stars

    Back to Index | « Prev Post | Next Post »

    Showing 7 of 7 Comments

    • 1. Posted by Osorpresa on Sat, May 23, 2009

      this is none sense, who ever worote it knows nothing about BBQ. typical noths american uselessness and lack of creativity. Gas BBQ are for people that don't have a clue how a good piece of meat should taste. It should be either charcol or just wood. a thermometer to know if the meat is ready, don't make me laugh! what are we scientists??

      Report Abuse

    • 2. Posted by bay boy on Sat, May 23, 2009

      everybody knows that you can't beat charcol barbecue but don't overdo it,you can't beat the taste and that's the problem,enjoy.

      Report Abuse

    • 3. Posted by PO on Sat, May 23, 2009

      With gas grill, you still can have a taste from charcol barbenue, just use some wood chip for smoke. BTW, cooking steak on charcol or gas grill, the steak need to be bake and rest after on the hot grill with direct fire, in order to taste good and crispy on the outside. Enjoy!

      Report Abuse

    • 4. Posted by sh_tty on Mon, May 25, 2009

      ilke the part where he/she stated they've had their weber for 10 yrs and in the nexy paragraph it says 5 yrs....PTTTH! i like to slow smoke my food over apple chips!! now thats good bbq!

      Report Abuse

    • 5. Posted by jim_bone_smith on Mon, May 25, 2009

      funny, cooks on food network say you SHOULD oil the grill for certain foods.

      Report Abuse

    • 6. Posted by Diligence on Sat, Aug 01, 2009

      Wow, really do think thatz great, One Luv

      Report Abuse

    • 7. Posted by Greg on Mon, Aug 03, 2009

      I AGREE WITH SOME TIPS... SO TAKE SOME TIPS, LEAVE SOME... BBQ'ING IS ABOUT THE FUN OF EXPERIMENTING TO FIND WHAT WORKS FOR YOU... WITH A DRINK IN THE OTHER HAND! OOPS SORRY FOR CAPS :)

      Report Abuse

    LEAVE YOUR COMMENT
    character(s) remaining

    You must sign in to leave a comment

    Yahoo! Canada Lifestyle

    » All Yahoo! Canada Lifestyle

    Our partners

    » Yahoo! Canada Home

    Things to do