Grilling Vs. Barbecue

Grilling and Barbecuing, two of the most popular cooking methods in the U.S., especially in warmer weather. There are some who know the difference between grilling and barbecuing, and some who don't. Do you?

To put it simply, Grilling is fast cooking over high heat, while barbecuing involves a slower cooking method, over a lower heat.

Grilling is generally done over a gas flame, or hot coals. Tender cuts of meat are best for this cooking method. The quick cooking and the high heat seal in the juices, creating a juicy piece of meat, but leave the meat on too long, and it will dry out, as with any dry cooking method. Barbecue sauces can be used, but since the heat is so high, it should be added right at the end of the cooking time, especially for sweeter barbecue sauces, so that the sugar in the sauce doesn't burn. Vegetables and fruits can also be grilled, as they don't need a long cooking time. Peaches and pineapple are particularly good for grilling, the natural sugars in the fruit carmelize over the high heat. When you grill food, you need to pay attention to it, so it doesn't get overcooked. You need to stay by the grill the whole time.

Barbecuing is typically done over charcoal or wood, although gas can be used. I've seen kalhua pig being cooked slowly on a gas grill, but usually, barbecuers will use either charcoal or wood. The meats usually used in barbecuing are tougher cuts of meat, such as the beef brisket, or pork ribs. These meats benefit from the long, slow cooking process, becoming so tender that they will just fall off the bone. Since the cooking process is slower, and the heat not as high as grilling, barbecue sauce can be brushed onto the meat throughought the cooking process, forming a delicious glaze on the outside of the meat. Apple juice is sometimes sprayed onto the meat to keep it moist and flavorful. Damp wood chips added to the fire add a delicious smoky flavor to the meat.

Some meats, like chicken, will benefit from either cooking method. It's great either grilled quickly with a glaze or barbecue sauce applied towards the end of the cooking time, or slowly barbecued, absorbing the flavors of the smoke.

Tim Sousa is the webmaster of Classy Cooking, an online library of great recipes, cooking tips and more.

---

The Almighty Beer-Can Chicken

A popular method of cooking chicken in recent years both... Read More

The Right Grill for Your Barbecue

Barbecue is a mix of talents. There is the choice... Read More

Cooking -- What You Need To Know

From ancient times till the nineteenth century cooking was basically... Read More

Fruit Cake

Are you the fruit cake in your family? Before you... Read More

Eating Healthy with a Meat Grinder

While it may be surprising, owning your own meat grinder... Read More

The Barbecue Pit

The barbecue pit has been around since 1920,s and it... Read More

The Noble Crescent Roll - How to Roll a Masterpiece

Ahhh?the noble crescent roll. In some forms it has its... Read More

Is Your Cookware Poisoning You?

For over 40 years scientists have known that the fumes... Read More

How to Make a Cajun Roux

The process of preparing Cajun food is in no way... Read More

The Art of the Marinade

It's a sad fact that these days it has become... Read More

Understanding Baking: How Yeast Works

Did you ever wonder why flour tastes like sawdust but... Read More

Save Time in the Kitchen - Cook Pasta the Way Restaurant Chefs Do

Have you ever wondered how a restaurant can get a... Read More

How to cut a cake

Have you ever wondered how to cut a cake? I... Read More

10 Smart Shopping Tips To Protect Your Family From Getting Sick

Prevention of food poisoning starts with your trip to the... Read More

How to Cook Rice Right

The easiest way to make rice well every time is... Read More

What You Need in a Gourmet Kitchen

The best way to decide what you need in your... Read More

10 Deadly Bacteria That Can Get In Your Food (And How To Stop Them From Getting There)

Thousands of types of bacteria are naturally present in our... Read More

Two for One Dinners: Beans

If you find leftovers boring, uninviting or downright "yuck," then... Read More

Prepare the Best Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Would you like to prepare the best Garlic Mashed Potatoes... Read More

Troubleshooting Machine Bread

Bread machines-wonderful inventions that they are-don't think very well. You... Read More

Slimming Secrets From The Kitchen

To get the svelte figure, start in the kitchen. Slimming... Read More

The Wonderful Wok: Stir Frying Basics

Want to enjoy the tantalizing taste of Asian food at... Read More

Moms Easy Cooking - Fast Meal Ideas For Busy Moms

Every busy mom worries about how to prepare fast, nutritious... Read More

Weber Grills Reviewed: Quality that Lasts

Barbecuing has long been a favorite pastime for many and... Read More

Better Breakfasts Ideas

Nutritionists tell us that breakfast is the most important meal... Read More

Cake Baking Tip Guide

Successful cake decorating is all about preparation. Baking and preparing... Read More

Seasoning An Oven

Untreated cast iron rusts, especially around water. To prevent metal... Read More

The Best-Kept Secrets of Beef Revealed! Get Ready to Become the Meat Expert in Your Family!

Do you helplessly stand at the meat counter looking from... Read More

Easy Herb Butters

Since herbs are plentiful this time of year, why not... Read More

What?s the Thick on Roux? Thickening Soups and Sauces

Soups and sauces can be thickened in a variety of... Read More

Baking Bread in a Dutch Oven

Dutch ovens were made for baking. In the hands of... Read More

Family Meal Planning Made Easy

As moms, we have hectic lives. Whether we work out... Read More

How to Prepare the Best Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Would you like to prepare the best Garlic Mashed Potatoes... Read More