The diversity of information sources available online about gas grilling tips for beginners complicates the process for newbies. Don’t worry, though! We have put together this gas grilling guide specifically for those who are new to grilling. The information is presented straightforwardly, so there are no misunderstandings.
Let’s get started!
Gas grilling is known for its convenience and operational efficiency.
Before turning the grill on, you need to take care of the following things:
1. Take Care of Cleanliness
Newbies often complain about undesired flare-ups and messy smoke levels that begrime the entire barbecue event of the day. The flare-ups and inconsistent smoke destroy the taste and flavor of the cooked food, besides damaging the outlook and tenderness.
Deep Cleaning
While this method may prove highly beneficial to cleaning the grill regularly, no one can dispute the importance of thoroughly cleaning the grill at least twice a year for optimal results.
For that purpose, you need to remove the grates from the grill. Clean the grates thoroughly and set them aside. Try to clean everything, including burner tubes, lids, ash deposits, and other inside components of the grill.
You can also consult the user manual provided by the company to find out what you can clean and which components need special treatment.
2. Get a Propane Gas Tank
Propane is still one of the most powerful heat sources for grills and pellet smokers. Some people prefer natural gas to propane, but that is not suitable for newcomers in the field as it is less powerful than the conventional means.
You can visit any grocery store to buy the first propane gas tank for you. The initial investment in buying the tank is greater, as it includes the cost of both the tank and the gas itself. However, you will only have to pay for the gas once you purchase the gas tank.
Additionally, it is pertinent to mention that propane is extremely dangerous and can blow down the entire property if not handled properly. That is why never bring the gas tank inside the garage or kitchen to avoid any potential damage. You can store them in the courtyard or any other convenient place outside.
We have reviewed the top 7 Best 2-burner Gas Grills
3. Turn On Your Grill
After cleaning the grill and arranging an adequate propane tank, it’s time to fire up the grill. Before turning the device on, do not forget to open the lid. There are different ways of lighting the grill for the first time. Some machines have an “autoignition start” option, while others need to turn off the knob to get things done in this regard.
However, in some cases, gas grills do not automatically turn on this way. To that end, these grills have a manual ignition hole that requires the insertion of a match stick to turn the grill on for the first time.
If you have never used a gas grill before, don’t forget to read our complete guide on how to use the gas grill for the first time.
4. Temperature Management
The most important thing that can decide the success of your first barbecue journey is efficient temperature management. Maintaining the temperature of your grill within the required limits can be accomplished in several ways.
No one can deny the importance of having a thermometer that you can use to check the temperature of your food. Many high-end, expensive gas grills utilize temperature sensors to help users monitor the real-time temperature of the cooked material.
Heat Settings
BTU figure of any grill also matters a lot. If you use a burner with over 25000 BTU, you should use it in a medium setting for optimum efficiency. As far as preheating is concerned, you can use the same settings for 10 to 20 minutes to get the grill ready for the job.
Avoid using high heat settings continuously. I would not recommend continuous high heat settings, even for searing. When you are searing, switch to medium heat after 5 to 10 minutes of high heat. You can rely on medium heat for the rest of the cooking until you are done.
Read our review on the best Pit Boss Pellet Smokers.
5. Heat Zones
As a beginner griller, you should also know that you can create multiple heat zones within a grill. The intensity of heat in one zone will be high, while the other one will have low heat settings. However, this is only possible if you have a grill with multiple burners. For an excellent execution of the plan, you need at least two burners to create different heat zones.
Direct and indirect heat zones are helpful if you want to utilize different temperature settings for a particular recipe. It enhances your maneuverability as you have complete control over which temperature settings to use for a particular item.
For instance, you can create multiple heat zones to simultaneously cook several burgers at a time. By utilizing both direct and direct heat zones, you can efficiently control the intensity of heat for the burgers you are cooking. For quicker results, you can use a direct heat zone and vice versa.
6. Searing
Searing refers to cooking food in high-temperature settings to obtain a crusty, brown texture coupled with a smoky flavor. In other words, it’s a way of making the meat brown and golden by using high-temperature settings on a grill.
There are several things that you can follow in this regard. Try to get rid of moisture from the meat before you try them on the grill. Keep flipping the meat frequently after regular intervals to prevent the complete burning of the food. Maintain sufficient space between different meat cuts to obtain the desired results.
You can also use one of the best pellet smokers for searing too.
7. Utilizing the Lid
One thing that can help you master barbecue skills is the maneuverability of the lid on the grill. It directly affects the speed and efficiency of the entire cooking process.
You have to check the thickness of the meat before you adjust the lid covering. If the thickness of the food is less than ¾ inches, you do not need to cover the lid. But, you will undoubtedly close the lid if the thickness is beyond ¾ inches.
8. Maintenance
Regular maintenance of the gas grill will help you utilize the device for years. It is common for some parts of the grill to demand some maintenance after extensive usage. Everything from burners to air vents requires regular maintenance for proper functioning.
That’s all from us. We have discussed all the most important gas grilling tips for beginners thoroughly. Let us know what technique helped you master this skill the most.