Grilling With the Guru of Good Life, Part 2

	Sizzling Steaks
Photo: Bill Bettencourt

Memorial Day is almost here, and you're at the point of no return -- the sun is out, blue sky glows above you, fresh green grass is under your feet. You've made your decision about gas or charcoal grilling.

You've got the chicken, steak, burgers and dogs ready to go. Now it's time to prepare the field. So crack your knuckles, smear some barbecue sauce underneath your eyes and get your game face on -- the time is here!

Sound too dramatic?

Well, getting ready to grill is serious stuff. Without the right preparation, grilling becomes a giant hassle. Everything sticks, nothing gets that beautiful char and you turn into a big grilling loser.

So, here's your essential guide on grill preparation. No tricks, just the facts -- what to do first, what to do the minute you slap that beautifully marinated steak on the grill and what to have handy throughout the process.

Get Ready, Get Set

The first step? Clean that grill like you've never cleaned it before.

It's crucial to remove any residue from the last grilling session to ensure your food not only tastes good, but also cooks properly. Charred substances -- which are essentially carbonized organic matter -- will stick to your food and make it taste like what you grilled last Memorial Day. ...