Better BBQ through chemistry

A few timely tips for late-summer grilling

WASHINGTON — As summer winds to a close, backyard grillers may be looking back on their last barbecue and asking some rather pointed questions: Why was the grilled chicken so dry? Does eating charred meat really cause cancer? Why did Uncle Fred pucker and cringe after each sip of beer?

BACKYARD SCIENCE Some complicated chemical reactions take place on the grill, scientists say.