The Memorial Day long weekend is finally upon us, which means grilling season has officially begun. For many of us, this precious season isn't long enough, so getting the most out of the little time we have is of extreme importance.

We at PartSelect.com have put together the ultimate A - Z guide to BBQ essentials, to keep your grills hot and your bellies satisfied this year. Whether it's recipes you're looking for, maintenance tips and tricks, or just a few fun facts about BBQ's, you'll find them all here.

At least once a year your BBQ should be cleaned thoroughly (this in on top of your usual cleaning after each use!)

Beer Can Chicken: If you haven't experience this BBQ delicacy you're absolutely missing out. Beer can chicken is like the prime rib of the chicken world - it's moist, tender and filled with the kind of melt-in your mouth flavour you can only get from BBQin'. The best part of beer can chicken is just how easy it is to make. This video tutorial from the BBQ Pit Boys will get you well on your way, but if you're wanting a great recipe, the folks at Epicurious have the best one around.

Clean the grill after each use: Light the grill, close the lid and let it preheat to 500 degrees or so. Open the grill and brush the grates with a sturdy brush to get it really clean.

De-rusting and re-oiling the barbecue: Scrape off any flaked rust and then give the surface a good scour with a wire brush. Wash all the parts and then spray with cooking oil before they rust up again.

Essential BBQ Utensils: With the right utensils, lifting and carving large roasts or flipping a whole fish on the BBQ should be a piece of cake!

Fun BBQ fact: Ten per cent of households claim to grill year round. That's dedication!

Grill Daddy: Steam clean your BBQ with Grill Daddy, the self-touted fastest and easiest way to keep your grill clean.

Hot and Spicy BBQ Beans: Although you don't cook them on the grill, beans are a great side dish to accompany your other BBQ dishes. Meat lovers will appreciate this recipe, which combines ground beef, bacon and three different types of beans. Enjoy!

iBBQ: This official App for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch includes recipes, tips and video guides for the ultimate on-the-go BBQ fan.

Jamaican Jerk: No BBQ list is complete without mentioning jerk chicken - a dish Jamaica is absolutely famous for. Check out this Squidoo page for everything you need to know about jerk chicken and master this specialty in no time at all.

Kalbi: Whip up a batch of these Korean BBQ short ribs that will leave your guests wanting more.

Lemon Pepper Marinade: Some say that marinating is the key to delicious meat. This recipe is diet friendly and will satisfy even the testiest of taste buds.

Make your mark: Use a branding iron to personalize your steak, separate your rare, medium and well-done meats, or just for an added bit of BBQ fun. Purchase them pre-cut or request a special design that screams your name.

National BBQ Month: Did you know that May is National BBQ Month! What better way to celebrate than hosting a Memorial Day BBQ. Here are a few more tips on how to enjoy this tasty occasion.

Oops! Most common BBQ Blunders: Stop opening the grill top! Avoid these BBQ mistakes to keep your grill, your food and your guests happy.

Pizza! That's right, the BBQ isn't just for burgers anymore. Whip up any old recipe for homemade pizza, or pick-up a pre-made one from the grocery story. Using a traditional pizza stone, pop your pie right onto the BBQ and wait for the cheese to melt and the crust to brown. Once you've enjoyed the smoky flavour and crispy crust of BBQ'd pizza, nothing else will do. For a bit of added awesomeness, use BBQ sauce instead of tomato.

Quick tips for a safe and healthy BBQ season: Don't let unnecessary accidents get in the way of your BBQ season. Keep these tips in mind and to stay safe and worry-free.

Ribs, ribs and more... ribs: Everyone has their own tried and true recipe for what they consider the 'best BBQ ribs ever', so we're not even going to try and offer ours. Instead, here are a few things to consider when purchasing ribs for the grill.

Skewers: A fun and tasty treat to add to your BBQ this weekend, but remember to soak your skewer and kabobs sticks before grilling so you don't burn them! So many different kinds of skewers are able to be made, one of our favorite is the Pineapple Chicken Tenders.

T-Bone Steak: The T-bone steak consists of a T-shaped bone with a different type of meat on each side. The larger side contains meat from the strip loin and the smaller side contains the beef "tenderloin". To cook, start by preheating your grill on high heat or to glowing red coals. Apply salt and pepper to both sides of the room temperature steak. Place the meat over the coals to sear and cook on each side for 2-3 minutes. Move to the opposite side of the coals, or to a low setting temperature, and cover the grill to cook the steak to your desired "doneness". Cooking at a low temperature will allow you to cook the steak to medium or well done without it burning.

Ultimate BBQ Sauce: This DIY sauce is a well-balanced blend of sweet, sour and spicy. Mix everything in a saucepan and simmer for about 15 minutes, then get ready to dazzle.

Veg-tastic Memorial Day BBQ: Whip up one of these veggie-friendly BBQ recipes and impress all your guests, vegetarians or not!

WD-40: Clean stainless steel BBQs (and other home appliances) with a little bit of WD-40. Always remember to go with the grain when cleaning stainless steel.

XXL BBQ:World's largest BBQ that can cook more than one thousand sausages at once!

Yikes! Chunks of cinder! Avoid hearing those four words shouted by everyone this year at your Memorial Day gathering. Keep the heat low and constant to serve up juicy and tender meats this long weekend - just follow these easy tips (and don't be scraping off that black and bitter coating ever again).

Zesty BBQ Shrimp Skewers: Add a little surf to your turf with this delicious recipe from the Food Network.Not a fan of shrimp? Try scallops, lamb chunks or just straight veggies instead for an equally tasty meal.

Eat well and prosper America :)

Photo Credit:

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