Skewer your shrimp or use a basket

Skewer your shrimp or use a basket.

Yes, you need something to keep them from slipping through. Without it, they’re gone.

Shrimp are small and they curl when they cook, which makes them perfect candidates for falling between standard grill grates. The easiest fix: metal skewers. Thread them through the center of each shrimp, packing them tightly so they can’t twist. Wooden skewers work too, but soak them first so they don’t burn.

A grill basket is the lazy but effective alternative. Spread the shrimp in a single layer, toss them with oil and seasoning, and shake the basket halfway through. No skewering, no losing dinner. If you don’t have either, lay down a sheet of heavy-duty foil with some holes poked in it. It’s not as pretty, but it works.

Also: buy jumbo shrimp. Bigger = harder to fall through. You’ll thank yourself.

A five-dollar basket saves a lot of frustration.