Barbecue basics

Every other weekend, Tony Paustian said, he pulls the grill out of the garage, and his son or son-in-law fires it up for the evening's family dinner.

"I like grillin' food, but I don't like to stand out in the heat and the bugs long enough to grill it myself," the retired railroad man said.

As summer nears, many people will be taking the grill out of storage. Whether they do the grilling themselves or hand the spatula off, a few steps should be taken in preparation.

First, the burners and gas valves need to be cleaned, said Michelle Busch, Grand Island Ace Hardware patio and grill sales associate. A valve brush or wire brush can be used, she said.

"I wouldn't recommend using soap and water," Busch said, "unless you plan to start the grill right away. If you don't get the grill burning soon, it will rust."

Starting the grill before adding food is an easy way to clean the grates, she said.

Letting the grill burn for 10 minutes after food is finished and removed, Paustian suggested, will clean the grill and reduce preparation time in the future.

Once the grill is clean, check to ensure that it is in good condition, Busch said.

"Visually check the burners, the grates and the lighters," she said. "Check for rust spots and parts that are completely burnt out and need replaced, and put a heat plate over the burners."

Finally, Busch said, make sure the propane tank is not leaking. When you begin cooking, never light a grill with the lid closed and always move away from the house, she said.

"If the grill is checked and cleaned, it is good to go for almost any food you want to cook on it," Busch said.

Paustian's family regularly grills steaks, hot dogs, hamburgers and bratwurst. These are easy, he said, but some foods, such as chicken, are not.

"Most people make the mistake of just throwing chicken on the grill, like you would with anything else," Paustian said. "But you'll get dry, rubbery chicken. Cut the chicken into small pieces and cook it in a pot of water for 20 minutes. Then throw it on the grill."

For some, grilling meat offers a healthy alternative.

"All the fat just drips away. That's why I like it," said Mike Robertson, a retired truck driver.

With the meat on the grill, Paustian said, one more thing must be remembered.

"Don't forget the sides," he said. "I never have a grill-out without deviled eggs.”