Step 1

Jumbo hot dogs work better, but the regular classic size will work just fine, and you can also spiral-cut sausages

Step 2

To make spiral-cut hot dogs, push a metal skewer through the center of each one. Place onto a cutting board, and run a sharp knife at an angle scoring them into a spiral all the way down each one to the end, but don't cut all the way through.

Step 3

Carefully pull the hot dog off the skewer, and it is ready to grill. Clean your outdoor gas grill or charcoal grill grate with a wire brush and brush some oil on the grate to create a nonstick surface. Preheat your grill on medium high for 5 minutes. For a charcoal grill, light it and be sure the charcoal has some white ash and is burning hot, then grill.

Step 4

Grill on medium heat for about 7-10 minutes over low open flames until grill marks are all over the surface appear. They will darken, char, and curl slightly and get deeper slits while grilling. Turn them often using tongs every few minutes. You can also cook hot dogs in a cast iron grill pan right on the stove. Pull the cooked ones over to indirect heat to keep warm.

Step 5

Load onto bread buns with toppings, and serve in a food basket lined with paper for easy cleanup. You can toast the buns over the grill for a couple of minutes, some people spread a little butter or oil to get a nice toast. Load up with your favorite toppings and enjoy! Try my homemade Hot Dog Relish, it is fresh crunchy, and delicious.