Expert: John Langenfelder - 4/13/2009

Question
When I barbecue, it seems the chicken or steak comes out greasy.  I am thinking of two problems.  I don't have the pit hot enough.  The gauge on the pit says the temperature it hot enough. When I barbecue I have a pretty good heap of charcoal.  Or the pit may need to be cleaned from the smoke condensate built up in the pit.  Another thought is he how far should the steaks be from the goals.  I have a pit several years old, but is a well constructed pit.

Answer
Mike,

You don't say the type of pit you have, how big it is, how high the temperature is or how you are cooking on it.  It sounds like maybe you are slow smoking them.  Steaks and chicken are best grilled over an open flame (direct, not indirect).  For steaks, the fire should be hot.  Using the Steve Raichlen method, holding you hand, palm down over the grilling surface a high fire is a 2-3 count as in 2 or 3 mississippi.  If you have to move your hand away at 2 or 3 you have a hot fire.  For chicken, a medium high fire, 4-5 count or a medium fire  6-8 count.  Be careful not to burn yourself.  

What type of steaks are you cooking?  Are they very fatty?  This may be part of the problem.  But first make sure you have your fire set up properly.