Nothing says summer like the mouth-watering smell of burgers, franks and chicken on the barby. Mmmmm! And no matter what level you're at - from the most unskilled griller to the BBQ connoisseur - there's always more to learn about summer's hottest cooking technique. Just take it from Jamie Purviance, author of Weber's Big Book of Grilling and Weber's Art of the Grill: Recipes for Outdoor Living. "All of the recipe development for my books is original material, but sometimes when I'm looking for inspiration or advice, I turn to the Web," he says.

'Cued Up

If you're a beginner, there are some things you've got to know upfront, like the difference between barbecuing and grilling! We'll give you a hint: One's slowly smoking over low heat, while the other is quickly searing over super hot coals. Check out the Barbecues & Grilling sections of About.com or Epicurious for more. Of course, you're on your own to figure out if the correct spelling is barbecue or barbeque!

Now that you can talk the talk, consider what you'll need to get cooking. The first is, obviously, something to cook on! You might want to see what major manufacturers (Weber and Char-Broil, for instance) have to offer. Weber even has a Buyer's Guide that can help you figure out whether you need charcoal or gas for your purposes.




The girls from Girls at the Grill prepared a list of questions to ask when going grill shopping. And take a look at About.com's top 10 gas grill picks. For the more ambitious, About.com offers tips for building a barbecue pit in your own backyard. Depending on how handy you are, you might even want to make your own charcoal!

But that's not all: Don't forget the cooking thermometer, basting brushes, marinating bowls and skewers. Make sure you have the right grilling gear with this Epicurious checklist.

Ready, Set, Grill

OK, so once you're all set with the paraphernalia, it's time to know the rules. Safety first: E-how can show you how to have a high-taste meal with low risk. Before you light up, know the 10 BBQ Commandments from the expert author of The Barbecue Bible. They include gauging the fuel, preheating the grill to the correct temperature and cleaning before and after. "These are words to live by," Purviance says. "Steven Raichlen has been all over the world several times researching the various practices of barbecuing."

For step-by-step instructions, head over to the Beginner's Corner at Barbecue'n on the Internet. There you'll learn how to light the fire and know when it's ready to cook. Of course, with meat, you'll want to be sure you know when it's done. Allrecipes and Epicurious offer approximate grilling times. Girls at the Grill shows you how to test for doneness based on USDA guidelines.

Think you're ready? See if you qualify for your Ph.G. (Doctorate of Grilling) with this Grill Skill Test.

Turn on the Eat

There's no limit to what you can throw over the coals. But if you're going to stick with the tried and true, you might try this guide on buying ribs for the barbecue or the Know-How Hamburger Heaven section of Allrecipes.com.

If you're bored of the standard fare, spice it up with some recipes from the Internet. "Allrecipes.com has a barbecue section that includes a wide range of recipes," Purviance suggests. "All of them are rated and described in detail, so it is easy to find something you might like."

May we suggest the Lemon and Thyme Lamb Chops or the Barbecued Marinated Flank Steak? Some other fresh ideas include grilled vegetables, prosciutto-wrapped figs with walnuts and saga blue and even grilled chocolate bananas. There's a new recipe every week at Barbecue'n On The Internet.

Marinades are one way to make meat interesting. Check out Epicurious for marinades like Minted Turkish Delight and tips like letting meat soak in glass or ceramic rather than metal. Or stop in at Culinary Café for a list of wet and dry rub recipes as well as sauces.

And don't forget that side dishes, such ase Jicama, Cucumber and Chile Slaw, are a necessity for any outdoor meal. Go to Epicurious for more.

If for some reason you can't find a recipe that fits your fancy, many sites provide links to quality cookbooks. About.com lists their top five. Or you can swap ideas with other grillers at the Girls at the Grill Message Board. Still have questions? Ask Betty the Barbecue Expert.

View more recipes, articles, questions, tips or tutorials.