Barbecue

Barbecue, (also spelled barbeque, or abbreviated BBQ) is a method of cooking food with the radiant heat and/or hot gasses of a fire, the cooking of food in a sauce that includes vinegar, the end-result of cooking by one of these methods, or a party that includes such food. Barbecue is usually cooked in a covered environment heated by an outdoor open flame of wood, charcoal, natural gas or propane. Restaurant barbecue may be cooked in large brick or metal ovens specially designed for that purpose.

Techniques

Wood

The choice and combination of woods burned result in different flavors imparted to the meat. Different types of wood burn at different temperatures. The heat also varies by the amount of wood and controlling the rate of burn through careful venting.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Charcoal

This generally begins with purchasing a commercial bag of processed charcoal briquets. A charcoal chimney starter is a traditional (but generally underused) method for getting a consistent heat from your coals. Alternatively, they can be lit in a pyramid directly inside the charcoal grill after presoaking with lighter fluid (or using pre-treated briquets). Once all coals are ashed-over (generally 15-25 minutes), they are spread around the perimeter of the grill, and the meat is placed in the center for indirect cooking. For additional flavor and attractive appearance, thicker cuts of meat may optionally be seared over direct heat (outer perimeter of grill) prior to indirect cooking in the center. Water-soaked wood chips (such as mesquite, hickory, or fruit trees) are often added atop the coals for an extra smoky flavor. As with wood barbecuing, the temperature of the grill is controlled by the amount and distribution of coal within the grill and through careful venting.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

An alternate way of using charcoal briquets is used on Boy Scout campouts. Chicken quarters (legs and thighs) are placed into a Dutch oven (a large iron pot), and a 2-liter bottle of cola and a large bottle (32-40 ounces or about 1 kilogram) of ketchup are poured on top of the chicken. The lid is placed on the Dutch oven, and the hot coals are heaped around the base, sides, and on top of the lid. The ketchup-cola sauce caramelizes onto the meat, and about an hour later, everyone enjoys the barbecue.

Related Topics:
Dutch oven

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

An alternative to charcoal briquets is lump charcoal. Lump charcoal is wood that has been turned into charcoal but unlike briquets it has not been ground and shaped. Lump charcoal is a pure form of charcoal and is preferred by many purists who fear that artificial binders may be used to hold briquets in their shape.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Natural gas and propane

Gas grills are easy to light. The heat is easy to control (via knob-controlled gas valves on the burners), so the outcome is very predictable. They result in a very consistent and tasty result, although some charcoal purists argue it lacks the flavors available only from cooking with charcoal. Advocates of gas grills claim that gas cooking lets you "taste the meat, not the heat" because it is claimed that charcoal grills may deposit traces of coal tar on the food. Many grills are equipped with thermometers, further simplifying the barbecuing experience. However propane and natural gas produce a "wet" heat that can change the texture of foods cooked over such fuels.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Gas grills are significantly more expensive due to their added complexity, and higher heat. They are also considered much cleaner as they do not result in ashes (which must be disposed of) and also in terms of air pollution. Proper maintenance may further help reduce pollution.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Another name for a barbecue that is fueled by charcoal is a Charbecue.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~