Tips for firing up the (charcoal) grill this weekend

Go with charcoal: Gas grills are fine, but I prefer the flavor achieved with a standard charcoal grill.

• Mastering charcoal grilling helps if you want to graduate to smoking or other outdoor cooking techniques.

Get a charcoal chimney: These chimneys are inexpensive and a foolproof method to light your briquettes without covering your coals in foul-tasting lighter fluid.

Use proper tools: Standard kitchen tongs and spatulas can work in a pinch, but your hands and arms will benefit from using longer grilling utensils to avoid getting too close to the heat.

• A grill brush is a must to clean your grate between uses.

Adjust the heat: Once your coals are hot, move them around to create hot and cool spots so you can cook at various temperatures.

Get creative: Burgers and dogs are always a winner, but veggies, fish and breads also taste great off the grill.

• And don't be afraid to fail this weekend — every grill master has a good disaster story!