The argument in this article is that most marinades don't penetrate, so just a few seconds is enough to coat the surface and invade the cracks, and should be repeated occasionally while the steak is being grilled. Marinades with enzymes that digest the food a bit are another matter, but not appropriate for steaks. I would think sauerbraten might disprove this theory, but several days of marinating and then stewing in the marinade may be a different story. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2008/06/10/ST2008061003017.html Jim in SoCal with peppers doing nicely so far -- one Anaheim and the Marconi already bearing nearly-pickable ones, and pods underway elsewhere including the hotter ones.