Outdoor family gatherings would not be as fun or enjoyable without a barbecue. Outdoor cooking brings friends and family together for a good time with delicious foods. Whether you’re cooking meats like chicken or beef, or vegetables like corn, barbecued foods exhibit a taste that if quite unique.

There are multiple cooking methods that can be done with your simple outdoor grill, some which include grilling and barbecuing. In the method of grilling, foods are exposed to what is known as “dry heat”. Dry heat is derived from a heat source which is high in temperature and does not emit smoke. Foods like steak and chicken are cooked quickly, creating grill marks on the surface. Experienced grillers can cook their meats to any degree of doneness, ranging from rare to well-done. Some grills such as those which use electricity have drip pans which collect fat and juices from the foods. This creates portions which are lower in fat and calories. However, charcoal and gas grills remain the most popular in outdoor kitchen environments.

The second type of outdoor cooking method is called barbecuing. Some people think that grilling and barbecuing are the same thing, but in fact they are not. When you barbecue foods, you not only introduce dry heat but hot smoke as well. Both the smoke and heat are used to cook the foods. The smoke seeps into the food itself, adding a distinct smoky flavor which is so desired in barbecued foods. You can actually alter the flavor of the food by changing the smoke source. Some people place wet wood chips over the fire to create different flavors of smoke.

You don’t need a fancy stainless steel grill to cook using these methods. In fact, a metal grate placed over a campfire will work just fine. Grilling and barbecuing are very down-to-earth cooking methods which require only basic outdoor kitchen designs.