How do I know when the charcoal is ready for outdoor barbecue? I love to barbecue. Hv hard time knowing when charcoal is ready. I used ready fast, just igiite. When too hot burn meat or end w/raw meat as out of fire. Please help. I am barbecuing today.
by 
rosie
ANSWERS: 7
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Use the hand test. Place the palm of your hand about an inch above the grilling surface. If you can keep your hand there for... 5 seconds - the grill is cool 4 seconds - the grill is medium 3 seconds - the grill is medium/hot 2 seconds - the grill is hot 1 second - the grill is very hot
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You need to let all the crap burn off the coals and let them get good and hot. Do you ever notice that they are still very hot after cooking for a long time? Wait about 25-30 minutes before cooking q:) Oh yeah, also spread the coals out a bit after they heat up.
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Different foods should be cooked at different temperatures. Steak should ideally be placed on the hottest grill, so that it sears the outside, thus sealing in juices. Vegetables like onions should be cooked slowly so that the heat reaches the center before the outside is charred. My rule of thumb is that the coals should have gray/white ash over at least 2/3 of the briquettes on average.
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honestly, you should get a gas grill ... much easier to cook with and clean up afterwards ... i only use charcoal for very specific things (like slow cooking ribs or a roast, NEVER over direct heat)
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I agree with Garster, spread the coals out for even heat distribution. Also you should par-boil your ribs before putting them on the BBQ. This procedure boils off most of the fat, reducing the flare ups and speeding up the cooking time before the meat burns. It works the same with chicken. When preparing chicken I soak my chicken pieces all day in salt water, and it doesn't affect the taste. Put the BBQ sauce on very last, stand guard, and turn constantly.
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The flames should have started to die down significantly, and the edges should be turning a nice gray/white color. If the meat you are cooking has a lot of fat the flames may flare up a bit, but you can control that with a few easy sprays from a water bottle with a sprayer tip...just a few spritzes will do.
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Visual test easy peasy "Wait until your charcoal has burned to an even temperature before placing any meat on the grill grates. When the charcoal firsts turns white, it is hot on the outside, but still cool on the inside. You want to wait until at least 2/3rds of the charcoal have turned white and the charcoal has stopped smoking."
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