You asked, we answered
Seems like more and more people are cooking these days. We’ve been flooded with questions like How do I smoke a brisket? What’s the best way to clean my grill grates? How do I mail-order a gas grill? What’s the best way to build a wood fire?
These questions are music to our ears. It means more people are cooking outdoors! If there’s one good thing about staying closer to home, it’s this: it’s the perfect opportunity to get outside and give your grill or smoker some love. This could be the year that you make your best brisket ever. Or maybe it’s time to sharpen your knives on a whetstone. Then you can use them to break down a whole beef tenderloin to fill your freezer with steaks and roasts for the coming months. Or maybe now is a good time to build that hog pit you’ve been dreaming of. Or just smoke-roast some nuts to snack on. You could even smoke some ice to make a killer cocktail to go with tonight’s dinner. Or maybe you just want to know the best way to stay safe when handling and cooking food.
No matter what you want to know about outdoor cooking, or why you should know about it, you’ll likely find an answer here. Type your questions into the big magnifying glass on this page. If you don’t find an answer, send us a note telling us what you want to know. Our experts will do the research, dig deep, consult with as many sources as we can, and give you the best possible response. In the meantime, here are answers to your most burning “how to” questions about barbecue and grilling equipment, ingredients, and techniques. Just click the links!
Equipment
How to buy a basic charcoal grilling starter kit
How to buy the best griddle grill
How to buy the best portable grill
How to buy the best pellet smoker
How to buy the best outdoor pizza oven
How to buy the best grill grates
How to buy the best grill tools
How to buy the best grill gloves
How to buy the best cut resistant gloves
How to buy the best charcoal starter
How to buy the best indoor grill
How to buy the best stovetop smoker
How to buy the best thermometer
How to buy the best knife sharpener
How to buy the best pots and pans
How to maintain a grill or smoker
How to troubleshoot a grill or smoker
How to calibrate a grill or oven
How to design an outdoor kitchen
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Ingredients
How to understand food safety in the age of coronavirus
How to break down a whole hog (scroll down to “whole hog” for a video)
How to break down a whole beef tenderloin
How to remove the membrane from ribs
How to spatchcock turkey and butterfly chicken
Techniques
How to make a brine for juicier meat
How to make the best spice rub
How to make the best herb paste
How to get started with charcoal grilling
How to set up a charcoal grill for smoking
How to set up and modify an offset or barrel smoker
How to make the best burnt ends
How to roast the best beef prime rib
How to grill the best London broil
How to make the best hamburger
How to smoke the best pork shoulder
How to make the best porchetta
How to grill the best pork belly
How to grill the best pork chops
How to grill the best pork loin and pork tenderloin
How to smoke the best pork crown roast
How to roast a whole hog or suckling pig
How to make the best pulled pork on a gas grill or in a smoker
How to grill the best chicken wings
How to grill the best chicken breast
How to grill the best whole chicken
How to grill and smoke the best whole turkey
How to smoke the best Peking duck
How to make the best duck confit
How to make the best leg of lamb
How to make the best grilled lamb chops
How to make the best grilled gyros
How to make the best smoked salmon
How to make the best grilled salmon
How to make the best grilled catfish
How to make the best grilled oysters
How to make the best grilled shrimp
How to make the best grilled lobster
How to make the best grilled corn
How to make the best grilled vegetables
How to make the best smoked vegetables
How to make the best barbecued mushrooms
How to make the best caramelized onions
How to make the best cole slaw
How to make the best grilled pizza
How to make the best French toast on the grill
How to make the best garlic bread
How to make the best grilled sandwiches
How to make the best smoked nuts
How to make the best baked beans
How to make the best roasted garlic
How to make the best grilled watermelon
How to make the best mac and cheese
How to smoke on a kettle grill
How to cook sous vide and barbecue
How to keep food from sticking to the grill grate
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How to get the best bark on ribs, brisket, and pork shoulder
How to get past the stall when smoking meat
How to make the best BBQ sauce
How to make the best burger sauce
How to make the best steak sauce
How to make the best board sauce
How to make the best hot sauce
How to carve a turkey or chicken
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