For gas grills:
Step 1: Preheat gas grill for 5 to 10 minutes.
Step 2: Set grilling temperature at medium heat.


For charcoal grills:
Step 1: Place charcoal in bottom of grill in a grid-like fashion. All briquettes should be touching. For approximately 45 minutes of grilling time, build a double layer of charcoal in an 8 x 8 grid.
Step 2: Cover coals with lighter fluid and light. Let it burn down about 30 minutes, coals will look ash white. The grill is ready at medium heat.


Distance from the heat

• Be sure grill grate is 4 to 6 inches from heat source.
• Open grill vents so air circulates to fuel coals and cook steak evenly.

Handle steak with care

• Turn only once halfway through cooking time.
• Use tongs. Don't pierce with a fork because juices will run out.
• Test the steak for doneness with a meat thermometer.
• Salt after cooking to minimize juice loss.

How to get perfect grill marks
Place your steak directly onto a hot grill for a few minutes. Then, using tongs or a spatula, give your steak a quarter turn to create the second set of marks, resulting in a crisscross pattern. When it's time to flip the steak, repeat the process of grilling for a few minutes and then give it a quarter turn.

Some grill masters claim that lightly brushing the grill with olive oil results in nice dark marks.