Cooking Tips For Gas Grills
How to Use A Gas Grill In Simple Laymen Terms
Gas grills can be tricky and a little scary for the novice “Grill Master”… I suggest starting with learning the rack itself. Most gas grills are sold in stores where they have a unit on display and an “intelligent” salesperson who can walk you through the features of your grill.
Have them tell you all the functions of the knobs and where to hook the gas up as it can be hazardous if you don’t hook it up correctly and then go to light the grill.
Tell them to show you all the necessities you need to be successful in learning how to use a gas grill properly.
In most cases, you can have the grill assembled right there, and then all you have to do is hook up the propane (gas) tank to it and get started. Just make sure to double-check the gas tank where you hook it up to the grill.
Be sure it is screwed on even and tightly so as not to have any gas leaks. Most grills have an igniter switch, so you don’t have to worry about a long match or lighter either. (Although I keep one on hand just in case!)
Once you have all that established and you are ready to go, you need to decide what you would like to grill first.
I think steaks are one of the easiest and least time-consuming meats to grill. When you cook steak on a gas grill, you may want to do a little prep work to help it along.
You can start by marinating your steak in something flavorful that you like.
Some folks use a prepared marinade; some make their own. Either way, it gives your steak a great flavor and keeps it from drying out and tasting like an old shoe! (Not a good experience either by the way.
The “shoe syndrome” can ruin the potential of a future Master Griller!) Then, as always, you should prep your grill a little too. I do this by spraying Pam for grilling (sold in most grocery stores) or by wiping the grill grate with a gentle lint-free cloth coated with a bit of olive oil.
Once you have mastered your first grill party, you will never want the old humdrum stove again!
There are several things one can do on a gas grill; your only dilemma will be what to try next. You can skewer (meat on a stick) some chicken, pork, shrimp, or scallops with some fruit, onion, and peppers. Or you can skewer some beef, peppers, onions, and mushrooms. Or you can grill old fashioned BBQ chicken. That is still a prized entre, let me tell you!
Pick up a book of cooking tips for gas grills. There are a million cookbooks out there for the novice griller up to the master griller. You can even keep the vegetarians in your family happy by skewering or grilling veggies like corn, peppers, tomatoes, zucchini, squash, onions, and all kinds of other beautiful things!
Cooking guides for gas grills are available all over the Internet or in most libraries or book stores to help you get started. You only have to decide what you want and how you want it.
In most cases, gas grills come with both a manual on assembly and parts as well as a guide to cooking on the grill already included.
So go on now… Get started showing your SKILLS! You will be the talk of your family once you master grilling. But be careful… if you are too good, you will always be asked to play grill chef!
I know that a gas grill can be intimidating; after all, you are entering a man’s domain. But you light your gas stove, don’t you? And if your spouse is overseas, you don’t wait for him to get home to re-light the gas water heater! So put on your big girl sexy panties and get grilling! Don’t miss the fun of entertaining outdoors! Just keep in mind you are dealing with FIRE, so use sound judgment and take the time to familiarize yourself with the owner’s manual for your specific grill beforehand.
- Always follow your owners manual/safety instructions.
- Never, ever smoke near a gas grill.
- Be aware of your surroundings. Make sure that you see clouds, stars, or sky when you light your grill; never cook with your gas grill in an enclosed space.
- When you’re done cooking for the day, turn the gas off at the grill, and then at the propane tank.
- Never store a propane tank inside; always keep it outside, at least 5 feet away from the house or garage.
Don’t be afraid of the grill!
Remove any burner covers before you contemplate the grill-lighting procedure. These are light-weight, usually aluminum, and lift right off. To light the grill, the first thing you will do is turn on the gas at its source, and for most of you, this will be on the propane tank. Next, and this is important, OPEN THE LID!!
This will keep the gas from staying enclosed in the grill and prevent a mini-Hindenburg explosion in your back yard. Then you will open the gas valve on your grill.
You should hear a wooshing sound, just like you do on a gas stove before the burner ignites. Most gas grills have push-button manual ignition, but if not, use a long match or Aim-N-Flame to light the burners. Use tongs to place the burner covers (which are flame diffusers) back over the burners.
Allow the grill to burn at almost full throttle for about 5-10 mins while you go inside (keeping an eye on the grill!) and prep your food. This will burn off any remaining food or grease particles left from the last use. Then, adjust the temperature to your grilling needs, and you are all ready!!
Grilling can be a fast (hamburgers or steaks) or slow process (pork butt, brisket), so follow the cooking instructions with the recipe of your choice and pay attention to the recommended grilling temperature hot, medium or low. The knobs on your grill will be well marked. Make sure you use a food thermometer (sold at most hardware stores) to thoroughly cook any meat, especially poultry, to the temperatures recommended in your recipe.
The most essential thing is to get outside and enjoy your friends and family. So tell the guys to move on over: the Girls are coming to grill!
