Here are our foolproof ways to prevent embarassing barbecue flare-ups at your next grilled dinner.

• Keep your grill clean. Scrub with wire brush to remove large food particles. Turn heat to high after each use until grease and residue burn off. Or preheat your grill to clean it before your next meal.

• Trim excess fat and skin from meats. This will limit the amount of fat dripping onto hot coals.

• Don't glaze too soon. Because barbecue sauces and sweet glazes burn easily, brush them on only during last 5 to 10 minutes of cooking.

• Soak wooden skewers. Immerse them in water for 30 minutes to prevent kindling effect.

• Wrap any narrow exposed bones on chops or roasts in foil to prevent charring and igniting.

• Douse flames with baking soda. Baking soda is more effective against grease than a squirt of water.

Barbecue resources you won't want to miss:
Lip-smacking barbecue sauce recipes
Homemade barbecue sauce will set your grilling apart from every one else on the block. These eight lip-smacking recipes for barbecue sauce will name you Master of the Grill!

Great Canadian grilling steak recipes
Beef up outdoor summer dining with our recipes for juicy and delicious steak. From tender grilling steaks to less-tender marinating steaks, we've got all the information you need to learn how to achieve grilling perfection.

The world's best burgers
We dipped into the pantries of the world to flavour up this much-loved sandwich. Now we're grilling!

Want more grilling ideas? Try our 7 delicious steak recipes.