Is MSG Bad For You?
The Truth About MSG And How To Use It Wisely MSG (a.k.a. monosodium glutamate) is a first rate flavor enhancer that amplifies the natural flavors found in food. It is salt bound to glutamic acid, an amino acid; it is naturally present in our bodies; and it occurs in nature in many foods, among them […]
The Thermodynamics of Cooking and How Different Cooking Methods Work
Learn about thermodynamics: the basis of all cooking! Find out how heat transference works by conduction, convection, radiation, induction, and infrared heat in your grill, bbq, and smoker.
The Science Of Slow Cookers
Slow cookers are not truly “set it and forget it”. If you just throw everything in the crock, turn it on and walk away, you’re likely to get soggy, bland results. A little effort yields much more delicious food. Check out this list of Do’s and Don’ts to maximize your cookers strengths and minimize its weaknesses.
Conditioning And Seasoning A Pizza Stone
You should condition and season a new pizza stone or baking stone before using it. Here are simple instructions on how to do it so your pizza cooks perfectly the first time you use the stone.
Video: How To Buy A Grill Or Smoker
Are you in the market for a new outdoor cooker? Watch our video buying guides to avoid buyers’ remorse. We show you all the pros and cons of gas grills, charcoal grills, and various smokers so you can make smart buying decisions.
How to Grill and Smoke Everything
More and more people are cooking at home. And more cooks are asking us: 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? Here are answers, including how to stay safe when handling food in the post-COVID era.
Food Safety From The Store To The Table In The Age Of COVID-19
Can you get coronavirus (COVID-19) from food? Check out these tips on how to prevent food poisoning. Learn all about viruses, bacteria, food safety, proper food handling, safe cooking temperatures, pasteurization, sterilization, and best practices for general safety when using a grill, smoker, and oven.
How To Season, Clean, and Repair Cast-Iron Cookware
There’s only one thing to remember with cast-iron cookware: maintain the seasoning. All the tips about cooking and cleaning cast-iron are meant to maintain its seasoning. Find out what seasoning is, how to build it up, how to clean cast iron, and how to repair it if it’s badly rusted. We bust a few myths along the way.
Temperature Guide
Meat Temperature Guide
Top 7 Grilling Mistakes And How To Avoid Them
When you’re playing with fire outside, lots can go wrong. From singed eyebrows and running out of propane to undercooked chicken and burnt burgers. Avoid the worst grilling mistakes with these simple barbecue dos and don’ts.
All You Need To Know About How To Sharpen And Hone Knives
Sharp knives cut. Dull knives slip. Stay safe by keeping your knife sharp. Here’s a guide to honing and sharpening your knife using a honing steel and sharpening stones.
The Science of Knives
Before you drop serious cash on a knife, bone up on what distinguishes a good knife from a great one. The science of different metals, shaping techniques, and manufacturing technologies all influence how a knife sharpens, dulls, feels in your hand, and holds up over the long haul.
The Science Of Peppercorns
Black pepper is the most popular spice in the world. How are black peppercorns related to white peppercorns and pink peppercorns? Are black peppercorns related to red hot chili peppers too? Find out all about different peppers, peppercorns, and the different compounds that make them taste pungent.
The Science of Injecting Meat: No Wait, No Waste, More Flavor
Forget marinating: inject instead. The truth is that rubs, mops, marinating, brining, and sauces can deliver a lot of flavor to the surface of meat, but if you really want to get salt or flavor deep into meat, the solution is injecting. Here’s the science behind it, recipes, and reviews of various injectors.
Barbecued Mushrooms Use a Revolutionary (and Delicious!) Press and Sear Technique
Looking for something new to barbecue? You’ll love big cluster mushrooms cooked low and slow with this innovative press-and-sear technique.