Ye Olde Hotline

For the third summer, Weber is providing a barbecue hotline. You can ask your barbecuing question of a home economist operator from 6 a.m to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday through Labor Day (Sept. 2). At other hours and on weekends, you’ll get a tape recording of basic barbecue information.

Last year, Weber’s hotline took nearly 73,000 calls, 71% from charcoal barbecuers and 21% from gassers. The No. 1 question was: “How do I light the fire?”

The number: (800) 474-5568 (GRILL OUT, more or less). At the same number you can also request a free 28-page booklet, “More Backyard Barbecue Basics: Volume II” or order a cooking video, “Great Chefs Grill Out Seattle” ($5.99 shipping and handling).