Cooking by direct heat is a method of cooking food that involves exposing it to a direct flame or heat source. Grilling and broiling are two common methods of cooking by direct heat. Grilling is a method of cooking food over an open flame, usually on a metal grate. Broiling is a method of cooking food under direct heat, usually in an oven. Both grilling and broiling are popular methods of cooking by direct heat and can be used to cook a variety of foods.