Tis the season for grilling, and hallelujah to that!!

I love to grill and in fact, we grill almost nightly during the grilling season.  With that, I would like to share a couple tips to make your grilling experiences safer and more flavorful.

Enter today’s Quick Tip Friday!

My first tip is to avoid using lighter fluid, as it can release volatile organic compounds into the air, leave an unpleasant residue on food and pose a serious danger if used improperly.

Instead, use a Weber chimney starter.  You can find these in most hardware and home improvement stores and they cost less than $20.  Just place crumpled paper in the bottom of the chimney, fill it with charcoal and light the paper.  In about 20 minutes, the coals will be ready to spread evenly in the bottom of the grill.  This Weber chimney starter will change your life.  Seriously!!

My second tip – Never use cooking spray on a hot grill.  This could cause a burst in flames and you could have an out-of-control fire on your hands in a matter of seconds.

Instead, oil it up.  Reduce sticking by oiling your hot grill rack with an olive oil soaked paper towel.  Hold it with tongs and rub it over the rack.  Another game changer, indeed.

And my final grilling tip today is to brush it off.  After each use and while the grill is still hot, brush your grill rack with a long handled wire brush.  You need to clean all charred debris off the racks.  This will help keep bacteria away from your grill, and will prolong the life of your grill racks.

Enjoy today’s Quick Tip Friday!