Grilling 101

[homespunhome]

Several friends and neighbors have asked me lately how to grill, or seem incredibly impressed that I do it so often (at least 4 times a week). I only learned how to grill two summers ago, and wanted to share some of the basics I learned along the way since it's actually really easy, means I don't have to heat up my apartment in summer, saves me

Comments

[jadedsurprises]

Thank you for this! Incredibly helpful :)

[homespunhome]

Wonderful! Glad to hear it!

[randomstasis]

thanks! I like your little grill- it's adjustable? I've been looking at those- how do you like it?
I have a Son of Hibachi myself, similar style opened out, but the grills tilt a bit, but it is more portable

[homespunhome]

It's adjustable-ish. The grate flips over to stand on its little legs so it's about an inch or two higher, and the other side of the grate is a bit flatter (better for doing stuff like pizza). I love this grill though. The only minor complaint I have is that sometimes the ashes are a pain to clean out but I put a disposable foil pan under the bottom grate and that works well.

I just looked up the Son of Hibachi and that looks like an interesting contraption! The Lodge probably takes up less space overall, but is less easily portable. But then I never have a need to bring it anywhere. During winter I just tuck it under a bench on my porch.

[anita_margarita]

My husband does the grilling (Man make fire! Man gooood!) and I do the sides & dessert. Tomorrow it's NY steaks - just with sea salt & freshly ground black pepper.

[homespunhome]

Ha, I definitely know what you mean, grilling seems to be a men's club kind of thing. I'm sure half the time I go to the bbq store to pick up charcoal they assume I'm getting it for my husband.

Those steaks sound great!

[senseandsarcasm]

What do you sit that grill on? It's a perfect small size, but I think I would just have to put it on the concrete patio, which would make it pretty low.

[homespunhome]

I have a little table from Ikea that folds into a triangle (I got it several years ago, not sure if they still sell it) that fits right in the corner of the porch with two heavy (about 3 inches thick) stone pavers underneath the grill to keep the table itself from getting hot. Plus the stones lift the grill up high enough that I don't have to hunch over to use it, which makes it a lot more comfortable.

[homespunhome]

Thanks for the comments about my blog :-) I've looked into getting a small, easy to use smoker (the ones I've liked are ones for the stove), what kind do you have?