The Perfect Spot

Once you have your grill assembled, the next thing to decide is where to put it. A patio or deck makes a logical choice—preferably near a door off your kitchen. (Most of your prep work will take place in the kitchen and that’s where you’ll find that basting brush or bottle of barbecue sauce you should have remembered to bring outdoors but didn’t.)

A grill puts out a lot of heat, so you should position it several feet away from the side of the house (especially one with wooden shingles) or any plants or shrubbery. You’ll have an easier time with heat and smoke control if you choose a spot with good ventilation, but that’s sheltered from the wind. (However, it’s axiomatic that wherever you place the grill, the smoke will blow in your face.)