A Newbie's Guide To Using A Gas Barbecue
Gas barbecue grills are more convenient and easier to keep clean than charcoal grills. However, there does tend to be a bit of a learning curve when you first install one. Never fear; these gas barbecue tips for those new to gas grilling will have you turning out delicious eats in no time.
Preheat the grill on medium heat.
With a gas grill, there is no waiting period while the coals burn down, but you can't just toss your food on a cold grill, either. Always preheat the grill on medium heat for at least 10 minutes before you start cooking. If you're going to be starting with a high-heat sear (see below), then you may want to preheat for 15 - 20 minutes.
Sear smaller cuts of meat on high heat.
Whenever you are cooking a smaller piece of meat, such as a steak, a chicken breast, or a burger, you want to start by searing the meat over high heat to get a nice exterior crust and some grill marks. Sear for about 1 minute per side, with the heat cranked as high as it will go. Then, turn your gas grill down to medium heat to finish the cooking.
Dry food off before putting it on your gas grill.
You don't want to get the burners too gummed up with drippings, or they'll block the flow of heat and require extensive cleaning. So, if your meat has been soaking in a marinade, pat it dry before grilling it. This will also help it brown more evenly.
Create a warming zone.
One awesome thing about gas grills is that most come with multiple burners. You can set one burner to high heat and another at a cooler temperature. Consider turning one burner on the end way down to low. Then, as you finish cooking food over the hotter burners, you can move it to this low area to keep warm until you're ready to serve it.
Clean it while it is hot.
The easiest way to clean a gas grill is to scrape the grates while it is hot. So, after grilling, but before you turn the gas off, use a wire brush or metal scraper tool to remove the gunk from the grates.
Now that you have a new gas grill, it's time to learn how to use it! Start with the tips above, and don't be afraid to experiment a little; you'll soon figure out what works best for you. For more information or recommendations about specific grills, reach out to a local grill supplier, like Thompson's Gas Inc.