How to Grill: The Complete Illustrated Book of Barbecue Techniques, A Barbecue Bible! Cookbook (Steven Raichlen Barbecue Bible Cookbooks) Paperback – May 1, 2001

I was undecided whether to buy this book or "Weber's Charcoal Grilling: The Art of Cooking with Live Fire". The reviews on both were very good so I just decided to buy both. Now that I have the two, I can tell "How To Grill" is definitely better than the other book in so many ways. I've picked random recipes, and compared the two in each book. So far, I can tell that the recipes on this book are more appetizing than the other. For example, I did the Barbecue Ribs, and tried to come up with the best from both worlds. At the end, I used this book's instructions for everything:1. Cutting the ribs (pictures were more clear, and instructions too in a step by step fashion)2. Barbecue Rub (liked the ingredients better)3. Barbecue mop sauce (other book didn't have this one)4. Barbecue sauceThe book excels even at recommending sides for each dish, which I don't find as much in the other book which I consider to be just a set of segregated recipes.Another aspect that I really liked about this book, is that it gives you a very good introduction to almost all aspects of grilling. For example, it very clearly explains the difference between the different charcoal placement method, including pros and cons of each one. Also, they have a pretty good section explaining all the meat cuts, and the characteristics of each one (for example, explains that the rib eye contains more fat inside therefore you need to be more careful of flames when you are grilling this cut).So far, I've experimented with the recipes below, and all of them, without exception have been very illustrative and simple to follow:- BBQ Ribs (including rub and 2 sauces)- Grilled Asparagus- Grilled tomatoes- Grilled pineapple (dessert)- Grilled Pizza (including detailed steps to make the bread from scratch, which I did without any issue and no previous experience)There is only one recipe that has caught my attention from the other book, grilled artichoke hearts. They were very good too, no complaints.I do not have anything against the other book, actually has helped me to fill some minor gaps that this book has (like finding a recipe for artichokes) but if I would have to decide for one book, I would go for this one without any doubt. I have to rate this 5 stars, but I could go more than this if I could. I think that the book goes above and beyond on some aspects that are not grilling related (making bread from scratch for example), which I believe is very valuable for someone that is trying to grill more seriously than before.

I just received my second copy of this book, this time as a hard cover because I used the paperback copy so much it is falling apart. I have bought this book as gifts for several friends and and family, and have shown it to co-workers who also purchased the book. It is a great resource for nearly anyone, and especially a great starting point for those new to grilling.Several years ago I bought this book after more than two decades of using grills and I was shocked at how much technique I did not know as a casual griller. This book includes plenty of pictures that tremendously aid in the understanding of the relatively simple and very straight-forward grilling techniques which are explained very clearly by the author. Along with the descriptions are some interesting and brief background stories that makes the reading even more enjoyable. 'How to Grill' also covers true barbecuing, and explains the differences between grilling and barbecuing. This book covers the 'basics' with enhanced recipes such as hamburgers, hot dogs, potatoes and corn-on-the-cob, but also shows how to grill some more unusual and perhaps unexpected foods including many kinds of vegetables, and fruits. Included are some unexpected recipes such as grilled pizza and turkey pastrami and even tofu. Adding to the usefulness of the book the included recipes are delicious and unique, and yet simple enough to make almost anytime using ingredients that are typically not hard to find. Techniques explained also include how to properly set-up and use grills (gas, charcoal, and smokers of nearly all kinds) and even how to clean them when you are done.'How to Grill' is a useful book to have for nearly anyone's collection, and is an ideal first grilling book for a novice to begin working towards being a true grill master. This book is Ideal as a gift, too; it is received very well.

I am not an easy Amazon grader, but given the option, I would give this 1,000 stars. What an incredible book.My dad was an avid griller. My parents lived 20 minutes away and we would go over for dinner often. Everything he cooked was delicious - roasts, pork chops, ribs, whatever. I LOVED going there to eat. I don't know if I always assumed that he would be there, but I was too stupid to ask him how he did it. I just took it for granted. Well, 2 1/2 years ago he died unexpectedly. He and my mom were on a cruise, he got a gum infection, and was dead within 24 hours. My mom died of cancer 18 months later and whatever they knew, went with them to their graves. If I could do it all over again, I would spend hours with him and soak up all he knew about grilling, but I missed that opportunity.Enter How to Grill. This book walks you through picture-by-picture what to do. There are no assumptions and no ambiguities, this really is a great book for people who have never done it before. Today I cooked spareribs and this may be one of the top ten meals I have ever eaten. I used his recipe for the rub and for the BBQ sauce and wow! They were positively amazing. This may sound silly, but when I grill, I feel closer to him, as this was something he absolutely loved to do.While I think it would have been fun learning how to grill from my dad, I feel so thankful for this book. This is brilliantly written and will get anyone to a good comfort level. I find that many beginner books (whatever the topic) often try to cover too much, sacrificing basic information. This book is all you need to start grilling.Nine months after my dad died, our adopted son was born. I have so many hopes and dreams for him and our life together. He is 22 months old now and I dream of the day I can teach him how to throw a baseball, how to camp, and how to grill. This book has given me a chance to learn something I should have learned years ago.Thank you Steven Raichlen -- this really is much more than just a book to me.