How to BBQ at the Beach

Get the most out of your trip to the beach by planning a BBQ. There's nothing quite as delicious as freshly grilled meats and veggies. Cooking with raw elements like fire, wood and metal can be a uniquely satisfying way to enjoy the great outdoors and fresh beach air.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Coals
• Grill
• Meats
• Cooler
• Matches or lighter
• Tongs
• Metal spatula
• Lighter fluid

1. Prepare a wide selection of foods to grill. Marinate your meats overnight to lock in extra flavor. Consider bringing some vegetable alternatives, such as bell peppers, corn or eggplant.

2. Bring plenty of charcoal briquettes. While a portable gas grill might be easier to light and maintain, it will offer a bland, inauthentic BBQ experience. If you're going to have a beach BBQ, you owe it to yourself to do it the right way.

3. Remove the grill's surface grate and stack a pyramid of charcoal in the center. By forming a pyramid, you'll allow the heat to rise through your coals, spreading the flame and heat.

4. Douse your coals in lighter fluid. You can skip this step by investing in a pre-soaked charcoal brand. These briquettes will ignite on their own, without the aid of lighter fluid.

5. Light the coals and allow the fire to burn. Give the coals about 20 minutes to ash. Your coals are ready to cook when their individual surfaces have turned grey.

6. Flatten your pyramid. Make a smooth, even layer of charcoal across the bottom of your grill.

7. Replace the rack.

8. Throw your meats on the grill. Check individual recipes to determine the appropriate cooking time.

9. Soak some woodchips in water for twenty minutes and throw them on top of your coals. This will create a rush of fragrant smoke which you can circulate over you cooking meats by using the grill's lid as a fan. Smoking takes more time than cooking over a direct flame does, though the taste is uniquely special and worth the wait.

10. Flip your meats by using a metal spatula or extra-long grill tongs. Plastic cooking utensils can melt over a grill's extreme heat. If you use a short pair of tongs, you may singe your arm hair while cooking.

11. Serve your freshly grilled meats and veggies with side salads, chips and fresh fruit. Have something available to suit every taste and lifestyle, if you're cooking for a group.

12. Dump the ashen contents of your grill only after the fire has been completely extinguished and the coals have cooled. Individual beach rules may restrict where you're allowed to dump the leftover ashes.

Tips & Warnings

• Some public beaches provide BBQ grills for visitors to use. Other beaches will expect guests to bring their own grills. You'll need to check with the beach you're planning to visit before you arrive for a BBQ.
• Not all beaches allow guests to use grills. These rules are often meant to protect the natural environment, especially in regions susceptible to brush or forest fires.