The Smart Woman's Cheat Sheet: 10 How-To Tricks

7. How to Start a Barbecue

A juicy burger is especially good without the added flavors of lighter fluid and singed hair.

The easiest way to get it right:

• Buy a little gizmo called a chimney starter at your local hardware store; it will cost you about $10.
• If you can't find one, put a few pieces of crumpled newspaper in the bottom of the grill.
• Cover with charcoal briquettes or lump hardwood to build a pyramid, light the paper, and let sit for about 25 minutes, or until the coals are hot and covered with a thin layer of ash.
• Once you've got the charcoal going, use a pair of tongs to distribute the pile evenly, then cover the grill for about 10 minutes to heat the grate.

To check the temperature:

• Put your hand two inches away from the grate. If you can hold it there for a couple of seconds before you have to pull away, it's perfect.
• If it's too hot, spread out the coals and let them burn down for a few minutes.
• Not hot enough? Add more briquettes or compact the pile (if you don't need a larger cooking area).

Bonus Tip: Skip the lighter fluid -- it just stinks up the chow.

Source: Mike Stines, author of Mastering Barbecue (Ten Speed Press, 2005)