This creates smoke, but dampens the enthusiasm of the fire. Now, it is time to put the steaks on the grill. I use a rack with a long handle so that I can turn the steaks all at once. As soon as I have the rack of steaks positioned over the flame, I pour a cup of vegetable oil over them. This causes an immediate and dramatic impact on the fire.
Flames boil out of the grill and shoot into the air.
They are nice and crisp on the outside and tender and juicy in the middle. Sometimes, when the fire is particularly hot, I use welding gloves to handle the racks of steaks. These gloves protect my hands from the hot fire. In 1969, Dr. Jernigan, whom I had just met, showed me that it is possible for a blind person to cook over an open fire. Now I do it regularly and as a matter of routine.