Another advantage of using a cooling rack in the oven is for baking bread. After shaping your dough, you can place it on the rack to rise. The airflow can help create a nicely developed crust, as it allows for maximum evaporation of moisture during the baking process. This is especially helpful in recipes that require a high-heat environment for a crusty exterior.

The Ultimate Guide to Portable Fold-Up BBQs

At higher cooking temperature, when drippings from the meat hit the charcoal below, the oils, sugars, and proteins burst into smoke and flame. That heat creates new complex molecules that rise in the smoke and warm air to coat the food you’re grilling. So it’s pretty safe to say that the characteristic flavor of grilled food comes from the drippings, not the fuel. But remember, the smoky flavor comes with a price — cancer-causing chemicals such as HCAs and PAHs.