Barbecuing, grilling, cooking out. Those three names are all used at different times and locations to refer to the practice of cooking food on a grate over an open flame or glowing coals. In some areas, barbecuing or BBQ is used only in reference to cooking pork. There is even a little cutesy phrase the purists use, “If it ever did moo, it ain't 'cue!”

  So we are gonna use the all-inclusive term, “grilling”. (Or more colloquially, grillin’. ‘Cause if you want to speak Southernese, ya gotta drop the R’s and G’s!)

  One sure sign that spring has arrived is the smell of the first cookout of the season. Our neighbors started the grilling off right this year, with a nice, juicy steak. Unfortunately for us, they somehow let inviting us over to ‘help out’, slip their minds. However that unmistakable, irresistible aroma wafting across the road stirred the primal need to consume burnt flesh. At least that’s how the “Master Griller” justified buying a new, all stainless, charcoal and propane, multi rack super heterodyne, ceramic coated, Wi Fi and surround sound ready Giant Bluish Egg Grill Supreme.

  Here are a few hints to make your next cookout better:

  * Never add lighter fluid to a fire after it has been lit.

  * If you use a platter to take raw meat out to the grill, wash it thoroughly before using it to take the cooked meat off the grill. The same goes for any utensils.

  * Coals are ready for cooking when they are glowing a dull red and are mostly covered with a dull gray ash.

  * Cleanup will be much easier if you spray the grill with a non-stick cooking spray before using it. Or, using tongs dip a wad of paper towels in vegetable oil and mop the grate with it before firing up.

  * To prevent flare-ups, trim the fat from the meat. To control them after they occur, keep a spray bottle of water handy.

  * You can add more flavor to grilled meats by adding wood chips to the fire. Mesquite, hickory and apple are especially good. Soak them in water for an hour before using them.

  * Last but not least, hold off on adding the barbecue sauce until the last 15 minutes of cooking. Adding it sooner will burn the sugars contained in the sauce.

  Camping season is upon us and there are a few things you can do to make your trips safer, easier and fun.

  The first thing to do before you even leave the house is to check your equipment over. Set up the tent in the backyard and let it air out. Check it for holes and patch them. Apply a coat of waterproofing to it. Check the poles and make sure they’re not cracked or broken. Replace as needed. Picking up a spare pole/repair kit to carry with you on your adventures is a good idea.

  Not a tent camper but an RV owner? It’s time to flush the water system to clean out the antifreeze you pumped in last fall. Run water through the system until all of the pink color is gone and the water tastes good coming out of the faucets.

  Check all of the appliances. Is the frig cooling properly? Does the water heater operate correctly? Does the stove and oven burn right? Check the 12 volt and 120 volt electrical systems. And most importantly, is the A/C cooling? Be sure to clean the air filter on the A/C unit. Also wash out the coils on top. Poor airflow is a main cause of poor cooling.

  While on top, clean and treat the rubber roof. Check your local dealer for the proper cleaners and protectants. Proper maintenance of the roof insures years of good service. Also check the vents for cracks. Those plastic vents take a beating from the sun and deteriorate over time and have to be replaced every few years.

  Check the sealant around the vents and seams. Seal as needed.

  Make sure to check the tire pressure and don’t forget about the spare!

  When was the last time the bearings were packed? Better to do a little preventive maintenance now than stuck on the side of the road replacing a burned out bearing.

  One thing every camper needs to check over is the first aid kit. Resupply bandages and ointments. Check expiration dates on medicines and restock.

  Is your sun block expired? If there’s no date on the bottle or you can’t remember when you bought it then buy new stuff. The ingredients break down over time rendering it ineffective. When you buy a new bottle, write the date of purchase (D.O.P.) on the bottle with a Sharpie so you can easily keep track of the newer stuff from the older stuff.

  With all of the talk of the Zika virus this year, make sure to have plenty of bug repellant on hand. If you like to hike you might want to use Permethrin to treat your clothes. You can also use Permethrin on tents, chairs, sleeping bags but never on your skin. Follow the directions on the package!

  One other thing you might want to invest in is a weather alert radio. They can run on A/C or D/C power making them very versatile. Once programed and they are very easy to set-up, they will automatically alert you to bad weather 24 hours a day. You can also get the local forecast by simply pushing a button.

  Do your lanterns and flashlights work? Install new batteries and take extras with you.

  Have things that run on propane? Make sure you have your tanks filled and have extra of those little bottles to take along.

  Once you’re at the campground it’s important to remember to that everyone is there to have fun. Being nice to your neighbors and hopefully they are nice to you will make it a pleasant trip.

  Observe quiet hours. Not everyone likes to stay up until 2am nor does everyone get up at the crack of dawn.

  Pick up after yourself and don’t burn trash.

  Only burn firewood that is obtained from a local source. Most states now have bans on the transportation of firewood from out-of-state or from area to area to avoid transporting pests in particular the emerald ash borer.

  Keep your pets on a leash and don’t leave them unattended. And remember to pick up after them!

  Don’t bring fireworks and be sure to check the rules on having firearms.

  Being prepared for your campout and fixing problems at home will pay big dividends before arriving. Using common sense and being courteous will make for an enjoyable time. Have a safe, fun summer.