Prior to cooking on the barbecue grill you should remove the meat from the refrigerator for about an hour to let it warm up. This will make the meat cook faster and it will be juicier.

Food safety is a critical issue so always be sure that you cook the meat completely. Slice the meat in the thickest part and sure that the juices are clear to be sure that the meat is thoroughly cooked. At all times be sure to store utensils used to handle the uncooked meat apart from those you use to handle the barbecued meat. Cross contamination of bacteria can be as hazardous as eating uncooked meat. You want your barbecue to be both enjoyable and safe for the whole crowd so always be careful.

Do not forget to give your barbecue grill a thorough cleaning after each use. If you have a gas grill, you can fire up the grill on for ten to fifteen minutes to allow it self clean. Charcoal grills require cleaning with soap and water using a hard wire brush. Here are a couple really good barbecue sauce recipes you can try at your next barbecue:

Kansas City Rib Sauce

Ingredients:

•1 cup ketchup

•1/4 cup water

•1/4 cup vinegar

•1/4 cup brown sugar

•3 tablespoons olive oil

•2 tablespoons paprika

•1 tablespoon chili powder

•2 cloves garlic, minced

•1 teaspoon cayenne

Directions:

Heat oil in a saucepan. Add garlic and sauté until brown. Add remaining ingredients and reduce heat. Simmer for 15 minutes until thickened.

Mustard BBQ Sauce

Ingredients:

•1 cup prepared yellow mustard

•1/2 cup balsamic vinegar

•1/3 cup brown sugar

•2 tablespoons butter

•1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

•1 tablespoon lemon juice

•1 teaspoon cayenne

Directions:

Mix all ingredients together and simmer over a low heat for 30 minutes. If your making this sauce for a whole hog multiple the ingredients by about 8.

Sweet & Spicy BBQ Sauce

Ingredients:

•1/3 c. cooking oil

•1 med. onion, chopped

•1 c. Karo syrup

•1/2 c. water

•1 1/2 c. ketchup

•1/3 c. white vinegar

•1 c. Kraft onion bits BBQ sauce

•2 tbsp. prepared mustard

•2 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

•2 tsp. salt

•1/2 tsp. pepper

•1 1/4 c. brown sugar, packed

•A couple of dashes of your favorite hot sauce

Directions:

Heat oil in quart pot. Add onions. Cook until tender. Add remaining ingredients. Bring to a slow boil on medium heat, stirring once in a while. Turn to warm setting. Simmer for 30 minutes. Yields: 3 to 4 cups.

Texas Style BBQ Sauce

Ingredients:

•1 cup water

•1 cup ketchup

•1/2 cup cider vinegar

•1/4 cup butter

•1/4 cup minced onion

•3 stocks celery, chopped

•3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

•2 tablespoons spicy mustard

•2 tablespoons honey

•2 cloves garlic, minced

•1 beef bullion cube

•1 tablespoon paprika

•2 teaspoons chili powder

•salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Melt butter in a medium sauce pan. Add garlic, onion, and celery. Saute until lightly browned. Add water and bullion cube. Stir until bullion is dissolved. Add remaining ingredients, stir and simmer for about 15 minutes.