When people think of cooking food on the BBQ, they picture a hot sunny day with family and friends. While that is truly a dream summer get-together, grilling can be done all year long. And one of the easiest ways is with a gas grill.
If you are new to gas grilling, then you are in good company. Everyone started as a beginner. It can be frustrating trying to figure out how to BBQ. You will make mistakes, but with some expert guidance, you will be a master in no time.
Everyone likes to eat outside, and cooking your food on a grill tastes great. Start building up your grilling skills by trial and error. Yes, you may burn some food, but be patient and you will be a grill master in no time. Here are six tips on how to do gas grilling for beginners:
Assemble your gas grilling tools
No job can be done right without the proper equipment. This is especially true with grilling. By assembling your BBQ tools before starting, you will have everything you need and have a better chance of success.
Start with your gas grill. It can be propane or natural gas if you have the setup. For propane, have two bottles, so you don’t run out halfway through your grilling. Pick the size of the grill to fit your family and entertainment goals.
Get a set of stainless steel cooking tools. These will include:
- Spatula
- Tongs
- Wire brush
- Thermometer
- Skewers
Also, get yourself a basting brush for sauces. Don’t forget a small fire extinguisher for emergencies and a cover to keep the weather off the grill. Now you are set and ready to start.
Clean the gas grill
Ideally, you have purchased new gas grills for cooking your delicious meals. Alternatively, you may have acquired a used one. Either way, every grill should be cleaned before the first use. Wash all the parts, including the grates and other grilling components. Wipe down the outer housing too. There will probably be some cleaning information in the guidebook if the grill is new.
This will set up a successful BBQ experience. Make sure to clean the grates and warming rack before each use and check the grease tray for buildup.
Connect the fuel source
You most likely will be using propane, but natural gas hooks up the same way except with a different connection setup. Make sure you tighten the threaded coupler onto the nozzle of the tank. Make it snug enough, so no gas leaks without over-tightening. Turn on the gas valve and smell for leaks. You can tighten it up more if needed. Now you should have your fuel running into the grill, and it’s time for lighting.
Light the gas grill
This is where the magic starts. Turn your gauge to high and make sure the lid is wide open to avoid gas buildup. If your grill has an automatic starter, it is a simple button press. You should first follow the included guidelines on starting your particular grill. Shut off the gas if it doesn’t start with the button after a few attempts.
Wait a few minutes and try again. There should be a hole in the housing for manual lighting to reach the burner with a match or candle lighter. Light your match and turn on the gas. It should ignite right away. You may have to repeat this process for each burner as they may not catch from the one beside it.
Pre-heat your grill
Now you want to bring your grill up to temperature. This is a good way to burn off any leftover food from when you used it. Once it reaches around 400 degrees, you can get your wire brush and scrape the grates clean.
One of the biggest problems with BBQing is food sticking to the grill. It is usually because there wasn’t enough heat, so make sure to get the grill up to cooking temperature before putting on your food.
Grill the food
It’s time to cook. No matter what you are planning on grilling, you want to make sure not to overcook it. You should use your grill in two ways. The first is with direct heat. This puts your meat or veg over the burners for searing and quick cooking.
The second is using your grill as an oven. Indirect heat will use convection cooking and cook your food internally. Place food off to the side of the burners and close the lid. Take advantage of the warming rack to toast buns, melt the cheese, and keep warm while finishing the cook on other stuff. Heat management is the key to successful grilling.
Remember that your grill isn’t just for protein. You can take advantage of your BBQ to prepare the whole meal. Vegetables cook up easy and tasty amazingly on a grill. You can even grill fruit! Experiment with different foods and take full advantage of your grill.
