Outdoor grilling is a very popular method of cooking. In fact, approximately 75 percent of U.S. households have a grill. A grill consists of a cooking surface, typically made of parallel metal bars or a porcelain-covered metal grid, over a fuel source capable of generating intense heat, usually up to temperatures of 500 degrees Fahrenheit (260 C) or more.

Grilling is done all year, but is most popular during the spring and summer.

There are several different types of grills, but gas and charcoal are by far the most common.

In this article, you will learn about the parts of a grill and how they work together. You'll learn what charcoal is and how it is made, as well as about the differences between liquid-propane (LP) and natural-gas grills. You'll also find out about other less-common types of grills and their fuel sources.

Let's start by taking apart the trusty charcoal grill.