Ah, May! Let’s get grilling! Since it’s National Barbecue Month, make sure your grilling skills are top notch to wow your guests for your next cookout. Following a few key steps will make the process smoother and will leave you with a more delicious meal.

Step #1: Choose gas or charcoal

This one’s up to you, but you should be aware of how the different cooking methods will affect the flavor of the food. Gas burns cleaner, so it won’t impart the food with any extra flavors; charcoal, on the other hand, adds a rich, smoky taste. It does, however, emit more carbon monoxide, so it may not be the best option for folks who want to go green!

Step #2: Keep it clean

Use a wire brush to clean the debris off the grill rack that you left on there after the last cookout (don’t worry—we all do it!). Pro tip: it’s easier to remove the debris when the grill is already hot, so wait until it’s preheated to do your scraping. When you’re ready to cook, grease the grate to avoid sticking by rubbing a greased paper towel on it (don’t spray it with cooking spray!).

Step #3: Turn up the heat

Preheat the grill for 15 minutes to make sure it hits the right temperature. You can also do a simple hand test to check the temperature of the grill: hold your palm 5 inches above the rack. The temperature is high (400-450°F) if you have to move your hand in 2 seconds, medium (350-400°F) if you have to move your hand in 5 seconds, and low (250-300°F) if you have to move your hand in 10 seconds.

Step #4: Add flavor

Don’t forget to flavor the meat before you put it on the grill. There are several ways to do this: you can use a dry rub, a wet rub (which includes wet ingredients like oil), or a glaze (which includes something sweet like honey or syrup).

Step #5: Cook to perfection

Make sure you give the food time to sear. Don’t turn it over until grill marks have formed, and check the cook times for different meats, fish, and vegetables so that you don’t over- or undercook them.