How To Use a Gas Grill

Have you bought a gas grill and don’t know how to use it? It is normal to have doubts regarding its use especially if you have never lit or grilled meat on a gas grill.

Unlike the charcoal grill, the gas grill is much simpler to use. Most of the time this is the main reason why a person decides to opt for a gas grill instead of a charcoal grill. Learn more about top recommendations for gas grills on a budget.

In this guide, you will learn how to use a gas grill step-by-step. We have put together some useful information for everyone from the beginner to the grilling expert.

How to Use a Gas Grill: A Quick Guide

As mentioned earlier, one of the reasons that motivate a user to buy a gas grill is the speed and ease with which it can be used.

The advantage of this type of grill is that most have a push-button ignition. Here are the basic steps for using a gas grill:

Press the ignition button at the same time as turning the burner knob. If it does not have an ignition button, use a long stick lighter or a match.
Allow the grill to preheat for about 10 minutes with the lid closed before starting to cook.
Place the meat on the grill and begin cooking. To brown the meat, use high heat for a short period. Use medium heat to cook food more quickly or low heat to cook food more slowly or to keep your cooked food warm. To grill thicker meats, close the grill lid.

The gas grill allows you to be cooking in a matter of minutes, thanks to the ability of gas grills to ignite and preheat with minimal effort. And that’s it; you’ll be enjoying your grilled sausages and burgers in minutes!

Before Using a Gas Grill

Cleaning

Even if your grill is new, a gas grill should be thoroughly cleaned before use as it may contain traces of undesirable materials that were used while it was being manufactured. In any case, all manufacturers recommend cleaning the grill thoroughly at least once a year to ensure its good performance.

Fuel

With the grill cleaned, it is time to access the fuel source. The most common type of gas grill is a propane grill, so you won’t have any difficulty getting one. Remember that if it is the first time you are buying a gas tank, it will be more expensive, however, the next time you refill the gas, you will only have to change your empty tank for a full one which costs less.

Remember that the gas tank must be stored in an outdoor space. Even if your grill or barbecue is stored in the garage, the tank should remain outside.

Lighting a Gas Grill

Once you’ve purchased and connected the gas tank, it’s time to light the grill.

Open the grill lid so that gas does not build up in the cooking chamber.
If your grill is propane gas, open the tank valve fully while turning the knob counter clockwise as far as it will go.
If your grill has an ignition button, turn the knob on the first burner up and press the button.
If your gas grill will not light, you may choose to light it manually by using a long match to light the main burner.
Light the rest of the burners.
Close the lid and allow the grill to heat up for 10 to 15 minutes.

Let’s cook!

Your gas grill is now hot and ready to use.

Use a grill brush, wood grill scraper, or aluminum fiber brush to clean the hot cooking area. This will remove any food residue from previous grilling.

Before placing your food on the grill, be sure to use tongs to run a piece of oil-dampened paper over the entire length of the grill.

Place the meat evenly on the grill. Be sure to leave enough space between one food and another to be able to turn them easily.

Cooking Food on a Gas Grill

Direct Heat

This is the heat provided by the burner that is directly under the food. You can use it for browning to achieve crispy textures and a soft center. Direct heat is recommended for certain cuts or small pieces of food such as:

Hamburgers
Chicken
Fish
Sliced vegetables
Boneless

The approximate cooking time for these foods is 20 minutes.

Indirect Heat

It is provided by one or two burners (turned off) that are located to one side of the direct heat source. In this case, the food must be placed over the unlit burners. This indirect heat method is used for thick cuts of meat that require a much longer cooking time. It is generally used for foods that dry out easily when in contact with direct heat. For example:

Roasts
Chicken wings
Whole fish
Ribs
Whole chickens

Try not to open the grill lid continuously as each time you do so you interrupt the cooking time, and you may not get the expected result. It is also important to emphasize that you should not constantly turn the food, only do so when it is ready to be turned.

The Best Tools to Use with a Gas Grill

The cooking utensils that you usually have in your home are very useful when cooking with a gas grill. However, there are some extremely important tools that you should have if you are going to cook on a gas grill.

Thermometer

A digital probe thermometer is a must-have when cooking on the grill. With this tool, you will enhance the use of your grill and get more accurate results in your grilled meats. You will also be able to offer your guests different degrees of cooking and let them choose the one they like the most. Even if your grill includes an integrated thermometer in the lid, it is good to have one for greater precision in cooking your food.

Long Tongs

You can use the mitts you use in the kitchen, but it is best to have good, reliable long tongs. These tongs will help you turn the food more easily without risk. 16-inch tongs will suffice. You will feel like an expert in front of the grill.

Skewers

A good wooden or stainless-steel skewer will make cooking asparagus, peppers, shrimp, or any small food easier. With this tool, you won’t need to use a grill basket.

Other Tips

Over time, you will develop more experience and you will become a grill master. With these extra tips, you’ll be on your way to getting it your grilling done in the shortest amount of time, with the best flavor.

Make sure you have a spare tank of propane gas available, so you don’t run out of fuel.

Turn food only once during cooking.

Season your food with marinades a couple of hours before grilling.

Constantly check the meat thermometer instead of opening the barbeque lid every time. This will ensure that the meat is cooked to the right temperature at the right time.