Grilling Month

In honor of Grilling Month on YumSugar, we're kicking off a new series, BBQ U, where we coach you on all the fundamentals of grilling, and then some. So you've mastered everything you need to know about lighting a grill, but when the propane tank on your gas grill runs out, what do you do with it? It's not as simple as throwing the tank in the trash.

If you've never needed to replace a propane tank, you'll know yours is empty and needs to be replaced when your flame extinguishes suddenly. For this reason, you'll always want to have another propane tank ready, lest it happen mid-grillout.

Whatever you do, don't throw your propane tank in the garbage or attempt to remove the valve off your tank — if there's any fuel remaining, the pressurized tank has potential to explode. If you're in need of a new tank, then bring your old tanks to a hardware store like Home Depot or Lowe's, which usually offer a tank exchange like Blue Rhino. There, you'll be able to exchange your tank for a new one.

If you're done with grilling and don't need to exchange your tank for a new one, call your local waste management company for pickup, or look up gas and propane companies in your area who might be willing to take the old tank off your hands.

Is this your first Summer to face a grill? If so, don't be afraid to face the coals head-on: we've got you covered with a new series, BBQ U, where we coach you on all the fundamentals of grilling, and then some. Today we're tackling skewers, which, if you've never tried, are worth taking a stab at; after all, just about everything seems to taste better on a stick.

Kebabs are a barbecue staple, but it's important to be diligent in the prepping process. No matter how good the ingredients, seasoning, or sauce, if the ingredients are not properly cut and arranged, the kebab will not cook evenly and thoroughly on the grill. If you've experienced issues in the past or are new to kebab making, these five tips will help you perfect your prepping technique.

1. Soak the skewers: Always soak wooden skewers before loading them up with vegetables. It will ward off splinters as you load them up with veggies, plus it prevents skewers from burning or catching on fire prematurely. Simply soak them in water for half an hour to an hour as you chop the veggies.
2. Cut similar-sized shapes: Just as with other methods of cooking, the pieces of veggies and meat will cook at different rates if they are not the same size. Whether it's a mushroom or a piece of meat, make one item on the skewer the designated size, usually about an inch, and cut the other vegetables the same size.

Read more kebab tips.

Is this your first Summer to face a grill? If so, don't be afraid to face the coals head-on: we've got you covered with a new series, BBQ U, where we coach you on all the fundamentals of grilling, and then some. First things first: firing up the grill. It may sound like a no-brainer, but when you're playing with fire, you'd rather be safe than sorry.

Depending on whether you're working with a gas or a charcoal grill, your instructions for heating will be rather different. If you're working with a new grill, as always, be sure you've read the instructions particular to your grill, and then follow some basic grill-starting guidelines.

It's grilling month on YumSugar, and if you ask us what makes our flame-licked meat so delicious, we'll tell you that the secret's in the sauce (or dry rub). Each individual seems to have a different definition of true barbecue from the next, with a choice sauce or dry rub (or both) that takes meat to the next level. Perhaps you're all about the dry rub, a spice set of sugar, chili powder, and a variety of dried herbs that's rubbed into the meat right before cooking. Or maybe you gravitate toward barbecue sauces, which contain dry rub ingredients, along with ketchup, vinegar, or water. You might marinate the meat into the sauce, slowly cook it with the sauce, or possibly serve it on the side only. Tell us: what do you use to make your barbecued meats indescribably drool-worthy?

A Summer backyard barbecue isn't complete without sweet ears of corn, so why is that key element often the most lackluster on the plate? This season, we're grilling up succulent, juicy ears that pack as much flavor as the rest of the cookout spread. We've taken a stab at a famous Mexican street food delicacy, and today we return south of the border for more corny inspiration.

This recipe relies on an old corn favorite — butter and salt — but gets its punch from a squirt of lime, a dash of chili powder, and a spray of cilantro. The grilling technique, inspired by Rick Bayless, uses the husks to trap in all that juicy goodness during the first cooking stage, but then you peel back that protective jacket to soak in the flavors of the grill. What results is a blend of sweet, tangy, spicy, salty, and herbaceous profiles that you'll want to gnaw right down to the cob.

Ready to bone up on your corn grilling repertoire? For the recipe, keep reading.

Are you a newbie to grilling this Summer? If so, have no fear — know that it's all about timing. But know this: standing in front of a hot grill absentmindedly flipping and shifting the grill's contents around not only makes time move at a snail's pace, but it's also the worst thing a griller can do.

Master the grill by keeping a kitchen timer next to your station for more accurate cooking time, and to achieve perfect grill marks, resist the urge to move the meat and veggies around as you wait. From proper prep to exact timing, here are some beginners tips to telling when food is done on the grill. Everything is in order of longest to shortest cook time, so you can organize your grill efficiently.

• Corn: Corn involves a two-step process, and the first step is steaming the corn in the husk. Keep the corn in the husk, and roast on the grill until the husks are completely blacked, about 15-20 minutes. The second step is roasting the exposed corn kernels. Rotate shucked corn every few minutes until the tips of the kernels turn light brown and kernels begins to pop, about 10 minutes.
• Portobello mushrooms: Grill caps, stem side down, until portobellos appear wilted, about eight minutes. Flip once, and grill until condensation appears on the ribs of the mushrooms and grill marks form on the top of the mushroom cap, about six minutes.

Learn the secrets to perfect hamburgers and hot dogs.

We're just kicking off Summer, and there's still plenty of time to throw your biggest grilling bash yet. Prep your backyard, secure a spot at the park, or haul your ice chest down to the beach. Follow these tips for a seamless Summer soiree that you'll actually be able to relax and enjoy.

1. Choose an adaptable menu. Chances are, your guest list will include a variety of eaters, some of whom will want meat and some of whom will not. Choosing a menu that can be easily tweaked to suit different tastes will ensure that you don't spend your entire barbecue cooking up five separate meals. Sausages (pork, chicken, and soy), burgers (beef, turkey, and veg), and kebabs (meat and veggies on separate skewers) are versatile and delicious options.
2. Add a signature detail. If you're feeding a crowd, it's probably not the time to tackle labor-intensive dishes with pricey ingredients. Instead, keep the majority of your menu simple and easy, but add one signature detail or dish that will make your party stand out. If you're known for your seven-layer dip, take the time to whip up a fabulous batch, but serve it alongside premade hummus. Into canning and preserving? Make your own pickles and relishes to serve atop of store-bought 'dogs.

For the rest of my suggestions, read on.

I have yet to munch on Mexico's famed elote asado on a street corner in its home country, but sometimes I dream about it. The charcoal-grilled juicy ears of corn slathered with rich crema and rolled in dried, ground chiles and crumbly cheese usually pops into my thoughts just as Spring warms into Summer, and I can't shake the craving until those first silky husked bundles begin showing up at produce markets.

This weekend, I could stave off the vision no longer, so we hopped down to San Francisco's Mission District to load up on fresh produce, handmade tortillas, and a bounty of Mexican sundries. Our bags weighed down with a block of salty queso añejo, a fresh batch of Mexican crema, a bag of smoky ground pasilla chiles, and plenty of corn, we set about crafting a grilled street food feast.

Using Rick Bayless's technique of first grilling the corn with the husk on produces a plump, juicy ear that pops with each bite, and the rich fixings highlight but don't hide the sweet flavor beneath. This recipe may have sated my initial Summer craving for corn, but thankfully there's plenty of season left to enjoy it again! For the recipe, just keep reading.

It might seem unconventional to throw pound cake on the grill, but doing so transforms the buttery cake into a warm, smoky treat that pairs well with ice cream or whipped cream and fresh Summer fruit. And grilling pound cake is a cinch, because its batter is dense and sturdy and won't crumble or fall apart on the grill.

This recipe combines rose water, pistachios, and cherries for a Middle Eastern spin on an American dessert. Rose water and honey impart a floral, fresh take on the old whipped-cream standard. Toasted pistachios add a bit of crunch and texture contrast. The ripe, red cherries, at their peak season in June, burst with sweet syrupy juice that ties this amazing dessert together. Seize the short growing season of cherries by making this striking grilled pound cake recipe.