By RITA DeMONTIS
When the days get balmy, you know barbecue season's here.
And, although we should be enjoying this wonderful way of preparing foods year-round, there's just something about the smell of sizzle on warm spring days that drives us crazy for the grill.
But before you fire-up your grill for the first time this year, the good folks at Weber-Stephen Products Co. suggest the following to get your barbecue ready for the grill season. Follow these few simple tune-up tips and get grilling!
- Check the gas hose or supply line for nicks, cuts, cracking or abrasions. Replace only with factory authorized parts if found to be defective.
- Check all gas connections with a soap and water solution. Any bubbles that form or grow indicate a leak. If bubbles occur, shut off the gas, tighten the fitting and re-test. After checking, rinse the soap solution off with clean water. If a leak should persist, do not use the grill. Shut off the gas and call for a service person.
- Check under and around all valves, control knobs and burners for dirt, leaves, cob webs or anything that would affect the flow of combustion or ventilation of air. These areas must be clear.
- Check the burners for obstructions such as spider webs. Clean out if necessary.
- After placing the grill in position, check screws, nuts and bolts for tightness.
- Give your gas grill a good, thorough cleaning at least once a year. Clean the cooking grates with a brass grill brush before each use.
- Never test the grill in an enclosed area. Use your grill outdoors only.
- Refer to your owner's manual yearly for required maintenance and be sure to read all "Warnings" and "Operating Instructions." Safe grilling is great grilling.
Making the Most of Your Gas Grill
If you already own a gas grill, there are several things you can do to ensure good results. These basic tips, also courtesy Weber-Stephen, apply to all gas grills:
- Consider removing the warming rack. This rack is often very close to the cooking surface and it can be hard to reach foods positioned underneath the rack. Unless you know you are going to use the warming rack, remove it before lighting the grill.
- Always preheat the grill for 10 to 15 minutes, with all burners turned to high and the lid down. Once the grill is good and hot, it's easy to scrape the surface clean with a brass-bristle grill brush. Food is likely to stick to a hot, clean cooking grate.
- Adjust the heat level before putting the food on the grill. Although you should preheat the grill with the burners set to the highest possible setting, most foods will char if grilled directly over high heat. Once the grill is hot and clean, adjust all burners as indicated in the recipe. Foods such as vegetables and seafood should be cooked over moderate heat. Foods cooked longer than 30 minutes or foods prone to flare-ups, such as chicken parts, should be cooked using the direct cooking method.
- Close the lid to trap the heat. If the lid is open, the heat will dissipate and your food will take longer to cook through. With the lid down, keep a close eye on the sides of the grill. At the first sign of smoke, open the lid and reposition foods as necessary.
- Use an instant-read thermometer to tell when foods are done. Only a pro can tell by touching or looking at a steak if it's medium-rare. Use an instant-read thermometer, sold in any kitchen shop, and you won't overcook (or undercook) expensive chops and steaks ever again.
Gas vs charcoal
Both gas and charcoal grills have definite benefits. Blind taste tests indicate that there is no significant difference in flavour either way.
Why? Because it's the juices that drip down and create smoke that give food that distinctive grilled taste. While taste tests have established that most people can't tell the difference between food cooked on a charcoal or gas grill, some people do have their preferences.
The decision on what type of fuel to use is a personal one - although some "grill fanatics" avoid making the choice and use both types.
If you are in the market for a charcoal grill, you should look for one that is well-built, low maintenance and made of quality materials that will stand the test of time.
Some prefer charcoal because they enjoy the hands-on activity of building and starting the fire. Charcoal is a traditional method of barbecuing, the grills are portable and easy to move and the investment is less expensive than a gas grill.
On the other hand, a gas grill preheats and is ready to cook in 10-15 minutes. They’re easy to light, it’s easy to control cooking temperatures, they’re inexpensive to operate and gas grills are easy to clean.
Gas Grill Checklist
When choosing one model over another, evaluate each grill feature:
- Burners: Walk past any grill with less than two burners. Single-burner grills will unnecessarily limit your cooking horizons.
- Cooking surface: Minus the warming rack, it should measure at least 350-square inches. An even larger grill is best if you entertain often. Size may be an important consideration. If you have a large family or host frequent gatherings, a larger cooking surface will make it easier to prepare main dishes and side dishes simultaneously. If you have a small family and don't grill too often, a small or medium-sized grill is fine. Frequently, people purchase a grill that is too small and then they are limited to grilling small quantities of food.
- Drainage system: Don't buy a grill without a proper system for draining grease. Look for a drip pan on the underside of the grill well below the heat source to catch fat drippings. Avoid grills with lava rocks, which tend to absorb the fat and cause flare-ups and fires.
- Thermometer: Make sure it registers real numbers (not just low, medium and high reads).
- Fuel gauge: This indicates how much gas remains in the tank.
- Work surfaces: These are convenient for holding platters, tools and sauces.
- Side burner: This is a plus for heating sauces or side dishes but is not essential.
- Manufacturer's warranty: Look for a limited lifetime guarantee.
- Heat distribution: If possible, ask the salesperson to light a sample grill. Let the grill heat up and then check the heat distribution with your hand held several inches off the cooking grate. The corners and sides of the grill should be just as hot as the centre.
- Stability: Grills should be sturdy and standup well in all kinds of weather. It should be stable, with the weight evenly distributed on all sides and all four legs must be level.
Remember, a high-quality gas grill is a good investment. Look for one that is manufactured by a company you can trust. A well-made gas grill should be easy to use and last many years before it needs to be replaced.
Find the Grill of Your Dreams
Whether your choice is gas or charcoal, you should approach the purchase of a new grill as you would any appliance. Determine your needs, focus on features that matter to you rather than bells and whistles, choose the right product to suit your lifestyle and look for the best quality for your budget. Ask yourself these questions before you make your purchase:
- How often will I use the grill? Should I buy a grill that can stand up to weekly use, or will I grill only three or four times a year?
For more frequent use, look for grills with stainless-steel or porcelain-enameled cooking surfaces, which are more durable than other types of grill materials.
- How safe is the grill? Will it tip over if bumped, or in a strong wind?
Do a "wobble test" when in the store. Lift the lid up and down several times and move the grill around to check for sturdiness.
- How long is the warranty? What is the projected life span of the grill?
A well-made grill should last years, even decades, before it needs to be replaced.
- Does the grill come with the accessories I want?
An ash-catcher that keeps the ashes from blowing around, and hinged cooking grates to make it easy to add more charcoal when necessary, are popular components on charcoal grills. On gas grills, many people look for side burners, smoke attachments, sturdy work surfaces and instant-read thermometer.
- How large a cooking surface do I need?
For a family of four that doesn't do a lot of entertaining, a small-to-medium-sized grill will suffice. If you have a large family or plan to host frequent gatherings, a larger cooking surface will make it possible to prepare main courses and side dishes simultaneously.
- How many burners do I need on a gas grill?
You can buy a gas grill with one burner or six. Don't sacrifice here. You can't properly grill many foods on a single-burner grill. You need at least two burners so you can cook using both the direct and indirect cooking methods. A three burner unit provides more flexibility than a two burner grill. A six burner unit is a luxury item.
Source: Weber-Stephen Products Co.
