Grilling
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Arrange coals in a strip down the middle of the grill to get the most from cooking space around the fire.
On a 36" grill, this allows moving six or eight pieces of meat around, whereas using half the grill only allows three or four.
one person who lived it
Use grape seed oil instead of coconut oil to protect a charcoal grill from rust.
Grape seed oil has a higher smoke point (420 degrees) than coconut oil (350 degrees).
one person who lived it
use a welder's blanket on your grill in cold weather to retain heat
one person reported keeping heat in during -12F temps
one person who lived it
If you are paid hourly, calculate whether the time spent on a maintenance task earns less than your wage; if so, consider outsourcing it.
Salaried people usually aren't poor, but for hourly workers, time is money.
one person who lived it
Focus on studying for high-weight exams over perfecting low-yield assignments to get the most from your overall grade.
Students wasted a day of study for extra points on a notebook worth a small fraction of their grade, instead of studying for a final worth a large portion.
one person who lived it
Light charcoal using a chimney starter with newspaper instead of lighter fluid.
They are the cleanest, most efficient way to light charcoal.
one person who lived it
remove grill grates after every use and store them indoors if you struggle with rust
one person found this prevented rusted grates and insides
one person who lived it
Open the propane tank valve slowly before turning on the burners to prevent regulator safety lockout.
Turning the knob on too fast causes a regulator safety problem that results in a low flame.
one person who lived it
Dry cast iron grill grates completely after washing.
Water causes rust if the grates are not dried completely.
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Use briquettes for smoking or long cooks where consistent temperature and uniformity are preferred.
Briquettes provide a more stable burn and uniformity of temperature, which is helpful for long cooks like brisket.
one person who lived it
Thoroughly clean the grill after every use to prevent buildup on the burner.
to extend lifespan
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Ask the manufacturer about recalls for grill regulators when experiencing issues.
Recalls may exist for specific brands like Weber.
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