Barbecue and Grilling Tips

O, The Oprah Magazine | From the June 2007 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine

Feel the Heat

Don't look to the timer to tell when the grill is ready. Get in the habit of testing the heat before you add the food, and you'll become a better, more intuitive griller. Here's how:

Hold your hand 6 inches above the coals. If you can stand the heat for only two seconds, the fire is hot and good for searing.
If you can take it for three to four seconds, it's medium-hot, ready for grilling.
If you can stand the heat for five seconds, the fire is medium and right for grilling heat-sensitive foods such as fish.