Summer Grilling

Ok, so you've got a backyard full of friends and family,
the grill is hot & they're hungry.

Wanna grill like a champ but don't know your flank from your shank?
We offer up some universal grilling truths
from the masters to help you obtain grilling zen.

Gas vs. Charcoal? HOW DO I KNOW WHEN IT'S DONE???
How hot is too hot? & Secrets to Perfectly Grilled Corn.


Bobby Flay from SeriousEats.com

Flay on Gas vs. Charcoal: "I am on record many times as saying that I prefer the ease and consistency of gas grills. However, that doesn't mean that I don't use charcoal grills myself from time to time. Charcoal burns hotter than gas, allowing for a better sear and more flavor from the smoke; but I have never had a problem getting a really good sear on the gas grill and I also like to add flavor to my food when it's grilling (with spice rubs and glazes) and after it comes off the heat (with vinaigrettes or salsas)—so for me, it's a wash."

Testing for Doneness: "I prefer the touch test, which is really easy and makes total sense. As meat cooks, it becomes firmer and firmer to the touch. Rare meat feels spongy, medium meat feels springy, and well-done feels taut. This is true for pork, poultry, and steak-like fish such as tuna, salmon, and swordfish, too."

DETERMINING GRILL TEMP from HOWSTUFFWORKS.COM

How Hot Is It?
Your recipe says to heat the charcoal grill to 375°F. Like most cooks, you probably guess and then hope for the best. But there is a pretty reliable way to gauge the temperature of the coals without resorting to ripping the thermometer off the deck railing.

A quick and easy way to estimate the temperature of the coals is to hold the palm of your hand about four inches above the coals. Count the seconds you can hold your hand there before the heat forces you to pull it away. Then use the handy chart below to determine the temperature.­

Seconds	Coal Temperature
2	375°F or more
3	350° to 375°
4	300° to 350°
5	200° to 300°

GRILLING YOURSELF SOME CORN.
Grilling corn is easy. The trick is to not let it burn so don't walk away from the grill once you start, at least not for too long. Here is a great way you might want to try at home.

FROM RELUCTANTGOURMET.COM