• A BBQ cooker takes center stage at an outdoor party.Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
  
  The delicious scent of barbecue wafting through the backyard is a sure sign the outdoor cooking season has reached your neighborhood. When you cook for your family or entertain a group of friends, barbecue is a stylish way to serve up a meal with minimal fuss. Select a BBQ cooker that matches your culinary expertise and uses fuel easily obtained from nearby sources. The rest is up to you and your yummy, signature BBQ recipes.
  
  

Charcoal Grills

• The traditional black, kettle-shaped cooker with its domed lid may be a reminder of family cook-outs with dear old Dad flipping burgers. Tradition aside, today's charcoal-burning BBQ cookers come in many forms, from standard designs for backyard use, short-leg kettle versions for small yards and patios, and small, rectangular "hibachi" cookers suitable for apartment decks, the beach and camping trips. Fueled by charcoal briquets,, heat is controlled by spreading or mounding the burning coals, putting on or removing the lid, or adjusting the lid vents. Remove ash and clean residue from charcoal cookers routinely to keep them in optimal working condition.
  
  

Gas Grills

• BBQ cookers fueled by propane offer easy ignition and greater control over heat levels by adjusting the gas flow higher and lower. Propane grills come in small sizes, easy to pack for camping and picnics, and in large sizes for backyard cookouts and entertaining. In addition to a grill for barbecuing, the cookers often have side burners and built-in warming trays. Propane cylinders come in both small and large sizes to fit the various BBQ cooker models. Natural gas BBQ cookers tap directly into a house's gas service.
  
  Safety precautions include checking for gas leaks before use, keeping the cooker away from buildings and flammable material, and always using it outside, never indoors.
  
  

Electric

• Opt for an electric BBQ cooker if gas and charcoal grills are prohibited at your apartment or condominium. Electric grills are also an alternative for those who don't want to bother with cleaning up coal ash or the safety concerns of storing gas. Use a large, free-standing electric grill on the patio for a barbecue party. A smaller version is suitable for camp sites with electric hook ups, recreational vehicle outings and even indoors if the space is well ventilated. Food is cooked on the solid plate covering the heat elements of an electric BBQ cooker. The plate is typically coated with non-stick material, which eases food handling and cleanup. Ridges built into the cooking surface provide the classic grill cross-hatch marks on barbecued meat and vegetables.