Summer BBQ Must-Haves

As the temperature rises, the desire to turn on the oven or the stove to cook a meal dips. No one wants to increase the indoor temperature by 10 degrees unless it’s for a good cause, like a sinful chocolate dessert, right? That’s when we turn to outdoor cooking alternatives, namely the charcoal or gas grill (or hibachi if you are an urban apartment dweller).

You could spend a fortune on barbecue accoutrements. From rotisseries to corn on the cob roasters, there is something for everyone. But to help you make your grilled food healthier, I’ve come up with a list of some flavor enhancers and gadgets that aren’t terribly costly (or that you can make yourself). These work equally well on charcoal or gas, and can even be taken camping and used over a wood flame. (You may notice that rubs and sauces are omitted from this list, but have no fear. These items deserve an article all to themselves, which will be available later this month.)

So keep that house cool, invest in some healthy barbecue tools, and enjoy the summer outdoors.

Wood Chips
Wood chips can be used to add a new flavor dimension to your food. While you can use them alone to cook with, the predominant and more economical use is to add them to your charcoal or gas grill. Typically you will soak your chips for about 1/2 hour to get them damp and so they will not burn too quickly leaving a charred taste to your meat.