Gear Up For Grilling

The sky is blue, the work week's done, and you can't stop thinking about jumbo shrimp and savory steak tips cozied together on the barbeque. Whether you plan to fire it up several times a week or twice a season, keeping your grill (and its surrounding area) organized will simplify your prep work, streamline your cooking process and, perhaps most importantly, cut down on clean up.

GET READY:

A Grill's Best Friend:

Most backyard barbeques come up short on counter space and storage. Solve both problems by purchasing a rolling cart to serve as a barbeque sidekick; one with a heat-resistant, stainless steel top can do double duty as a work surface and serving area while the shelves below provide ample storage for baskets of cleaning supplies, paper goods and grilling tools. At only 36 inches high, such a cart (like the Seville stainless steel chef's work table, $101.99 at Target), can be tucked beneath the grill's side shelves when not in use.

Keep It Clean:

Most grills need a little TLC. Before cooking, scrub the grate with a wire brush or a ball of tin foil and give it a generous dousing of oil so your food won't stick. Because the overspray from aerosol cooking oil can cause build-up on your grill components, opt for a more direct method of applying oil to the grate, such as by using a soap-dispensing dish wand filled with cooking oil. When the grill needs a touch-up, squeeze the handle to dispense the perfect amount of oil into the sponge and rub it directly on the grate.

SAVE TIME:

Mess-free Marinades:

Save yourself from dirty dishes by marinating meats in large zip-top plastic bags. When you're ready to grill, snip the bottom corner of the bag and squeeze the excess marinade into the trash. Set your steak on the grill to sizzle, and toss the empty bags into the garbage.

Simple Sauces:

Nothing improves the taste of grilled food like a quick basting of sauce. Use a squeezable condiment bottle (available at any dollar store), and fill it with sauce. When it's time to baste, squeeze the desired amount directly onto the food and spread it with a silicone brush or lettuce leaf.

Spice Control:

Why bother going back and forth to the kitchen for spices? Create a second set just for the grill by picking up a few magnetic spice containers at a kitchen store. Fill the jars with seasonings, and attach them to the top or sides of the sidekick cart. They'll stay put and you will too.

Superb Sides:

Keeping freshly grilled food warm while you finish cooking a side dish or second entrée can be a challenge. Create a warming plate by using a large granite floor tile (available at any building supply store). Place the tile on the grate while the grill is preheating, and then set the warm stone on your sidekick cart. The natural heat-retaining qualities of the granite will keep finished food warm until the side dishes are ready. When it's time to serve, roll the cart to the table or place a trivet on the table and set the food-laden granite tile on top.

CLEAN QUICKLY:

Grime Buster:

If you've just spent an hour grilling the perfect summer meal, the last thing you want is a time-consuming cleanup. Let the barbeque grill do most of the work by cranking up the heat and closing the lid for 10 minutes. The high temperatures will burn off most of the residue and make subsequent cleaning much easier. If stubborn grease and food remain a problem, place the grill grate in your oven during its next self-cleaning cycle.

Soapy Solution:

Sticky barbeque tools and saucy dishes can be a hassle and an eyesore at any backyard gathering. Get rid of them in a flash by filling a rolling cooler with hot, soapy water and placing it near the grill. As you finish cooking, toss messy utensils and plates into the cooler and shut the lid. Once your guests have gone, drain the water and then roll the cooler into your kitchen for a more thorough cleanup.

Summer cooking is all about simplicity. With these stress-saving strategies in your barbecue repertoire, dust off your tongs and fire up the grill