Grill like a rock star with these super easy, super handy grilling tips.

Men and barbecues go together like Romy and Michele. I’m not sure if it’s because of the whole open flame thing or the ginormous steaks thing or even the kitschy apron thing, but grilling is basically as manly a ritual as the man cave. Since I’m pretty sure we can get our grill on without resorting to buying pink grilling tools, let’s put the social stigma to rest, shall we?

Here are 9 grilling tips to help you master your next summer soiree like the girl boss you are:

1. Prep accordingly

First things first: You want to make sure your food doesn’t stick. Preheat your grill for 15 to 20 minutes—longer if you’re using charcoal. This will burn off any food left over from the last time you grilled. Next, dip a small, rolled-up towel in olive oil and rub it on the grill.

2. Choose your grilling method

The two methods you have to choose from are direct and indirect heat. If the food you’re cooking takes less than 20 minutes to cook, then use direct heat, which means the flames are directly under your food. Foods that take longer to cook, such as bone-in chicken, roasts, and whole chickens, use indirect heat, which means the flames are on either side of your food.

3. Don’t overthink

Learning something new takes trial and error. No matter how many grilling tips you read beforehand, there will always be error as you get to know your grill—but that’s no reason to psych yourself out during the process. Most cuts of meat take about five minutes on either side, though it’s best to flip a little sooner to make sure nothing’s burning. (If the meat is sticking to the grill, that means it’s too early to flip.)

As for your veggies, toss them in a light coating of oil to prevent them from drying out, and keep in mind that how you prep them will dictate how long they’ll take to cook. If you want them to cook quickly, then cut them into smaller pieces and use skewers to keep them on the grill. Cut round veggies like onions or eggplant into thin discs to allow for a crispier outside.

To make sure you know when your food is done, invest in a quality instant-read thermometer, and follow the government’s safe temperature guidelines to avoid icky food-borne illnesses.

4. Soak your skewers

If you’re venturing into kabob territory, soak the wooden sticks overnight to avoid burning them. Also, skewer your food along the sides of the chunks instead of the middle. This will make it easier to cook them evenly.

5. Keep your marinades simple

There’s no rush: You can get all fancy pants with your marinades once you’ve mastered your grill. For the time being, simply pop your ingredients in a bag with some olive oil, salt and pepper, and massage into your foods before grilling.

6. Watch your eyebrows

If you’re cooking meat, don’t forget the fat is flammable. If the flames get out of hand, don’t panic and head for the water. Instead, just close the lid to cut off the oxygen (and remember to breathe).

7. Only flip once

Unless the recipe says so, try flipping your meat only once—and use proper tongs so as to not lose any of the juices.

8. Add barbecue sauce near the end

Barbecue sauce contains sugar, so if you add it too soon you run the risk of burning it. Depending on the meat, slather on the sauce during the last five to 10 minutes of cooking.

9. Let your food rest

Let your food sit for at least five minutes before serving to allow the juices to re-absorb—then sit back and get ready for the rave reviews!

What are your favorite grilling tips?

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Woman grilling image via Shutterstock

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Though it’s technically not summer in the U.S. for a couple more weeks, many of us consider the recently long holiday weekend as the jumping off point for three months of sun and fun anyway. As you’re dragging out tiki torches and festooning your patio with umbrellas and lawn chairs, here are five solar-powered gadgets that can add flair to anyone’s summer.

Helios Solar Grill Slap some garden burgers and skewers of vegetables on this sun-driven oven set-up and skip the lung-irritating charcoal. We’ve mentioned the Helios before, and as long as you don’t mind looking like you’re trying call in alien spacecrafts as you cook, the Helios is a great way to get your grill on.

Solar Ant Charmer Any ant can ruin a good picnic, but if you live in a region prone to fire ants, you know they’re more than just a nuisance – those little buggers hurt! Stab this little gadget into a fire ant hill, open the solar powered top, and let the little beasts drop into the cone. The Charmer emits a small electric charge that keeps the ants busy squirming as it fills up with their partners in crime. Once you’ve collected a nice batch of ants, dump in some warm, soapy water and send them to their watery graves. An ant killer with no harsh chemicals.

The Loon This 22-foot solar-assisted electric pontoon boat carries eight people and runs up to six hours on a charge. At a top speed of almost 10 MPH, you can put about 50 miles on this party barge without leaving a trail of emissions and other nasties behind.

Solar Powered Golf Cart If you’re a land lubber, tool around your neighborhood in this golf cart tricked out with 72 photovoltaic cells built into the roof to collect solar energy. Its maker claims the cart runs 33 percent longer than typical battery-powered golf carts and can tote you and your bags around the greens for a full ten rounds of golf before needing a recharge.

Juice Bag This beach tote has solar panels to recharge your mobile devices while you catch some rays of your own. Just plug your phone, camera, iPod, or GPS into the bag’s adapter, and the 52 waterproof micro solar cells will continue to charge your stuff as long as the bag is exposed to sunlight. The solar panel pops off for cleaning, and the bag itself is made from recycled PET products.

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