How To Store Propane Tanks Safely
For safety, propane tanks should always be stored outside. Its okay to store the tank underneath the grill, especially if the grill is covered. Its not okay to store the tank inside a garage or a shed.
You can keep the propane tank connected to the grill, but be sure to close the valve fully after each grilling session. If youre not planning to use the grill for a while, you can disconnect the tank.
Best Natural Gas Grill
- Side Tables: 2 stainless steel topped fixed shelves
- Other: one 10,000 BTU side burner, Rotisserie spit and motor
Looking to invest in a bright, delicious grilling future from the comfort of your patio? The Regal Broil King is ready to serve your outdoor grilling needs.
The die-cast aluminum and stainless steel body holds up to the weather, retains heat and looks modern.
The solid 9mm stainless rod grates sit over burner tubes which jet out on from both sides which maximizes coverage and efficiency.
The control knobs take advantage of the total range of motion to provide the widest possible range of flame control.
The illuminated knobs help you keep cooking into the evening. The grease management system pan and ignition battery sits inside an enclosed lower storage cabinet which keeps tools and other necessaries clean and dry.
The Regal covers other grilling support functions, like the solid side work table and wide flat 10,000 BTU side burner. In addition to the side burner, an electric powered rotisserie motor demonstrates versatility.
Broil King makes a point to source their manufacturing to North America and it is important to them. The design also spoils you with small details like hooks, condiment racks, large handles and a lid tool.
Different Types Of Grills And How To Use Them
There are a lot of factors that can influence the choice of a great camping grill. Propane grills, for example, are more convenient to use than charcoal or wood. They are easy to start and simple to turn off. They come to optimum heating temperature quicker as well. An electric grill like a George Foreman grill or an infrared grill is similarly easy to use and is probably the safest form of grilling. Many prefer charcoal grilling because of the additional flavor that is added in the process. Portable grills like many PK Grill models add convenience and portability when grilling for a small group. Many have terrific memories of camping and grilling out over a wood fire and the smoky flavor it provides.
The type of grill you choose may be affected by initial costs, cost of use, convenience, ease of cleaning and size of the family. Additionally, the use of a grill stand can offset some of the ease of use no matter what type of grill you use. Here is a list of the popular forms of outdoor grills and the benefits and drawbacks of each.
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Add Light Oil To Vegetables
Even if asparagus, zucchini, and squash arent your favorites, they take on a new personality when grilled outdoors. Grilling many vegetables is amazingly simple. Just slice, add some light oil and toss on some salt and pepper.
Grilling vegetables can benefit from the purchase of a vegetable grilling sheet or pan that allows the flames and heat to directly contact the vegetables without having them soak in oil. Many prefer to cook vegetable combinations in chunks or slices. Try making a medley of carrots, green peppers, onions, zucchini, and squash. Grilled thick onion slices with a drizzle of olive oil, salt and pepper make superb toppings for burgers. Add some sugar for a sweeter flavor.
Grilling vegetables is a terrific way to expand your diet and your grilling skills. Explore and enjoy!
Best Gas Grill Under $500
Weber Spirit II Propane Grill at a Glance
- Fuel: Propane or Natural Gas
- Cook Area:424 sq inch main, 105 sq inch indirect rack
- Burners: Three 10,000 BTU burners
- Side Tables: 2, one folds down
- Other: Weber iGrill compatible
The Weber Spirit II brings features and functionality into a compact gas grill to a reasonable price point.
Reversible cast iron cooking grates provide one thin side for cooking delicate food and a wider side for larger foods.
Strapped to the side, the propane tank hangs on a weight-based fuel gauge which takes the guesswork out of monitoring fuel.
The majority of the cart is stainless steel, and features 2 side tables complete with 6 tool hooks. One of the tables fold down, allowing you to customize your set up and save on space.
Under the grill hangs an easily accessible grease trap over a slotted painted stainless steel rack.
At the front of the grill is a slot to fit a Weber iGrill smart thermometer unit and the lid accommodates the wire for the probe.
If you need to feed large groups of people and are space-conscious, the Weber Spirit II balances space, accessories, and ease of use.
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Preparing The Grill For Cooking
Its really important to start with clean grill grates. Burnt-on bits will not only impart off-flavors, but they can also cause the food to stick. You wont get perfect grill marks if half your steak sticks to the grill! When the grill is preheated, clean the grill grates using a wire brush. If you dont have a brush, you can use one of these hacks instead.
Then to season grill grates, rub a small amount of oil on the grates to give them added nonstick protection. Dip a folded towel in neutral cooking oil and hold it with a pair of long-handled tongs. Rub the towel on the grill grates, moving it from the back of the grill to the front to protect your arms from potential flare-ups.
Prepping The Electric Grill For First Use
Oil must be used on an electric grill, so lightly very lightly spray cooking oil onto it. Avocado oil and olive oil are some healthy fats that are recommended in spray form. Canola is a bit less healthy but preferred by traditional cooks.
Next, its time for you to preheat the grill. Many open as well as contact grills simply have an on/off setting with a dial, which is why its important to read your manual to learn about correct times for different foods. Other open grills will have a temperature dial, and youll need to learn the cooking times for various items you plan to cook. Many chefs find its easiest to start out with 400 degrees Fahrenheit, which is the temperature many outdoor charcoal grills will reach when its time to throw hamburgers and hot dogs on.
An electric grill is still hot; so dont use your fingers to put food on it. Follow good food safety practices and use tongs as well as plastic kitchen gloves. Youll prevent any type of foodborne illness if you get into this practice, as long as the meat is still good. Find the correct cooking times for the meat you want to use, and check it with a meat thermometer before you remove it from the heat source.
Read Also: How To Convert Gas Grill To Natural Gas
What Is An Indoor Grill
An indoor grill is exactly what it sounds like: A grill that is designed for use indoors. Most models are electric-powered griddles that feature raised ridges on the griddle plate, leaving grill marks on the food as it cooks. The ridges also keep the food elevated from the grease, allowing it to drain off and reducing the overall fat content of the dish. Like electric griddles, they often come with several temperature settings, too.
You can also use a grill pan as an indoor grill. These pans are designed with the same raised ridges as the electric models, but theyre used on your stovetop. Learn more about the most common types of grills.
Lay Your Cinder Blocks In Place
Now, its basically time to start building.
You can begin laying your concrete blocks out in the shape of your grill setup.
Ideally, youre going to make a rectangle shape with a spot for your grill in the center.
On the left, you will have the stainless steel cabinet doors installed, and on the narrow end of your concrete wall, youre going to have space for that vent we put down on the list.
Do a mockup of this at first to be sure you know where everything is going.
Mix some more concrete, and begin solidifying your cinder blocks in place.
If your grill isnt too difficult to drop into place later, then continue building as you see fit, but if you have a very heavy duty grill, then you might want to find a way to position it now so that you can build the cinder blocks around it.
I recommend what were going to be doingdropping it into placebecause that way you know for a fact you made the dimensions properly to remove the grill when it needs service or maintenance.
Build your cinder blocks all the way up to your countertop level, and let the concrete sit tod ry.
Also Check: What Is The Best Indoor Smokeless Electric Grill
Clean Out The Grates As Best As You Can
Cleaning out a public grill before you use it is fairly similar to cleaning out a regular kettle charcoal grill, and the first step is cleaning out the grill grates. Youre not restoring them to a sparkling clean, just using a grill brush or a wadded-up piece of foil to scrape off any carbon or food stuck on there. Do your best but know youll be covering the grates with foil or scrubbing the grates again once the grill is hot.
Keep Fire Safety In Mind
According to the National Fire Protection Association, between 2011 and 2016 US fire departments responded to an average of 9,600 home fires started by grills per year. Don’t let your cookout turn into one of those fires.
Whether you’re cooking indoors or out, it’s always important to keep a fire extinguisher nearby. If you don’t have a good place to store one outdoors, keep it inside the nearest entrance to your home.;
Fire safety when grilling also means making sure the area around the grill is clear of any flammable objects, as well as checking the grill’s grease collection tray. A full tray should be emptied to avoid a grease fire.;
Always keep a fire extinguisher close by while grilling.
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You Can Cook Fast And Cook Healthier
One bigger benefit with an electric grill is it heats up efficiently and quickly and requires less preparation which then translates to a low cooking time. You can attain the best nutritional gains from food as it grills lightly.
Moreover, it allows you to cook healthier food than other types of grills. This is because you can effortlessly monitor the food while grilling and prevent it from overcooking which leads to nutritional loss. Besides, it cooks food with fewer fats, so you dont need to worry about your diet. Electric grills can melt the fat off and catch the drippings in a removable tray. Even some high-quality models such as Forman outdoor electric grill claim to reduce the fat content by over 80%.
So, no more calories count and enjoy healthy grilled meals within a short time with an outdoor electric grill.
Safety Tips For Portable Cylinders
Follow these safe practices when handling portable propane cylinders.
- Always store or place a propane cylinder outdoors and in an open area, not in a basement, garage, shed or tent.
- Always be mindful of the company your cylinder keeps. You dont want to have it near a stove, a fireplace, or another heat source. For the same reason, you should not store a spare cylinder under or near your barbecue grill.
- Always stay aware when you are handling cylinders. You dont want anyone smoking near it. And make sure your cylinder does not come into contact with ignition sources such as flames or spark-producing electrical tools.
- Always leave the care and repair of a cylinder in the hands of a skilled propane professional. You should not make any attempt to modify or repair valves, regulators, or other cylinder or appliance parts.
If you have any questions about safety for your propane grill, or if you want to learn more about your options in new outdoor grills, please reach out to your local propane company. You can also read more propane safety tips here.
We wish you happy, safe and healthy outdoor cooking this year with your propane grill!
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Grilling Time And Temperature
- By monitoring your time and grilling temperature you avoid overcooking your food.
- Use a timer!
- If you are grilling in a colder climate or in a higher altitude, the cooking times will be longer. If the wind is blowing hard, it will lower a gas grill’s temperature and raise a charcoal grill’s temperature.
Preheating Your Pizza Stone
The beauty of a pizza stone is that it retains a lot of heat, but you have to preheat it before it is ready to turn out beautifully melty, golden-brown, crisp pizzas. With your grill off, place your pizza stone on top of the grill grates. If you are cooking other foods with your pizza, make sure to place your stone off to one side of your grill. Make sure your grill is completely cool before placing your pizza stone on it a cold stone on an even moderately hot grill can cause it to break. Not only is this an inconvenience, it can also be dangerous as small shards can fly out and cut you or anyone else who is standing near your grill.
If youre using a charcoal grill, you will want to place your stone on the grates before your light your coals. Even if you are using a chimney to start your fire, place the stone near it so that it comes up to temperature simultaneously with your grill and coals. After you arrange your glowing embers in your charcoal grill, you can adjust where your pizza stone is on the grill to make it easy to access. Make sure to close the hood or place the cover on your grill to help the pizza stone heat up. When your grills temperature gauge reaches the correct temperature , you are ready to grill your pizza.
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Make Sure Your Grill Is Clean
Whether your grill is a hand-me-down or fresh out of the box, youll want to make sure that its clean and ready to rock before lighting it up. Grill manufacturers recommend cleaning your grill at least once a year and twice is nice for best performance.
Make sure the fuel source is off and start with removing and scrubbing the grates. From there, clean the grill components under the grates, paying special attention to burner tubes, and wipe out the interior of the lid before wiping down the exterior. Check your owners manual for specific cleaning know-how whenever possible.
Pro tip: Clean grates will create better grill marks and prevent the primary cause of sticking dirty grates.
A detailed guide: How To Clean Your Gas Grill
Lay Your Countertop Down
The look of a brand new, stainless steel countertop is glorious.
We dont want to damage or mess with the aesthetic and function of the steel, so were going to lay it down on the top of our cinder blocks, around our grill, and see how well it fits.
For the most part, the fact that you have that strip of metal going behind the lid should be enough to keep it in place, if everything was measured accordingly.
But if not, you can affix the countertop to the top of your cinder blocks.
Dont use concrete to put it down.
Instead, use a few brackets on the outside edges of the countertop, and use small screws to apply them to the underside of the counter.
You can then apply the other side of the bracket to the concrete.
This is the best possible way to affix your countertop, because, at some point, you may need to unscrew it to get the grill out.
Gas And Propane Grills
The Hearth Patio and Barbecue Association estimates that 72% of US households have a grill and more than 200 million people can enjoy outdoor cooking. Natural gas and propane grills make up the majority of these grills and there are many styles to choose from.
all operate similarly, with burners typically emitting around 40,000 BTUs of heat, firing on three, four, or more burners to cook your food from below with either direct or indirect heat.
Part of is that they are convenient, they heat up fast, and there are many accessory options available to enhance the cooking experience. Accessories such as , lights, integrated food thermometers, and dedicated meat searing areas combine gadgets and gimmicks, and the industry is always adding new innovations.
Gas grills, like gas stoves, are instantly on and require the shortest amount of pre-heating before you can start grilling. This is convenient, but gas burns very clean and will add little additional flavor compared to charcoal or pellet grills.
Checking The Amount Of Propane Inside Your Tank
Propane grills have the advantage of being portable and relatively easy to use. However, its essential to check how much propane is inside the tank. If you skip this crucial step, you might end up running out of propane during a barbecue.;
Theres a simple method that requires no tools. Pour some hot water down the side of the tank, making sure the entire side gets wet. Move your hand from the top of the tank to the bottom by sliding it on the surface. As soon as you feel a cold spot, you know thats the level of your propane. Its not a very accurate method, but it can be helpful. Using a pressure gauge is a lot faster and more exact.;
