Grilling is a great way to get dinner on the table fast. But there’s more to grilling than simply turning on the propane and tossing some food on the grill. Take care of your equipment and follow these tips for better results:
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Regular grill maintenance ensures better cooking results and also extends the lifespan of your grill. |
| Grilling mistakes can have a significant impact on the taste of grilled food, so it is crucial to know about them and avoid them. |
| Proper grill cleaning is as important as cooking on it, so always keep your grill clean to get the best taste out of your grilled foods. |
| Experts’ tips can help you maintain your grill properly and keep it running smoothly all season long. |
| Knowing the science behind grilling can help you improve your grilling skills and serve delicious grilled foods to your guests. |
Do Clean Your Grill Regularly
While it may seem counterintuitive, cleaning your grill regularly is one of the best ways to prevent rust and corrosion from forming. It’s also a great way to extend its life.
You’ll want to clean your grill after every use, but you can also take care of a thorough cleaning at least once every few months or so. The first step in this process is making sure that all burners are turned off and cooled down before proceeding with cleaning (and yes, this goes for gas grills too).
Then remove the drip pan under each burner by lifting it up; if you have an electric stovetop model, just flip off the power switch on top of the unit. Next come those pesky grates: Use a grill brush to scrape off any debris stuck onto them while they’re still warm you don’t want food particles getting mixed in with everything else during this process!
Finally, use a scraper specifically designed for removing carbon buildup on burners themselves (this should be included in any starter kit)
Maintaining a clean grill is critical to getting the best taste out of your grilled foods. Find out why cleaning your grill is just as important as cooking on it by reading our article on the importance of grill cleaning.
Don’t Use A Wire Bristled Brush
Avoid using a wire bristled brush. A wire bristle brush can scratch the surface of your grill, causing it to rust and become damaged.
The heat from cooking will also cause the metal bristles to break off into your food, which can cause serious health problems if ingested.
Additionally, high heat from grilling can damage your grill’s paint job because it melts onto the metal grates and then drips down onto other parts of your grill as well.
If you must clean a wire bristle brush after use (and we hope you don’t), make sure to wash it thoroughly with hot water and soap before placing in warm soapy water for drying.
| Grill Brush Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Nylon Bristled Brush | A soft brush that is safe to use on all grill grates, including porcelain and cast iron grates. It is a durable option that can last for several grilling seasons with proper care. |
| Brass Bristled Brush | A slightly stiffer brush that is good for cleaning stainless steel grates. It is a durable option and lasts longer than nylon brushes. |
| Wooden Scraper | A safe, natural alternative to wire bristled brushes, wooden scrapers are designed to fit the shape of your grill grates and remove foods and debris. |
| Balled-Up Aluminum Foil | A low-cost alternative to grill brushes, balled-up aluminum foil can be used to clean your grill grates by gently scrubbing it with the foil. |
Do Check Your Propane Tank.
At the beginning of each grilling season, it’s a good idea to check your propane tank and make sure it’s full. Check all of the following:
- Gauge
- Pressure
- Regulator
- Hose connections
If you’re using a butane-powered grill, make sure that you have enough fuel in your canisters. And if you’re using charcoal briquettes or hardwood pellets as fuel, be sure to keep an eye on how much is left in your bag or bucket (you may want to start saving some for another time).
Don’t Forget To Flip Your Steaks At The Right Time
When flipping steaks, it’s important to note that you don’t want to flip them too soon. When grilling steak, it’s best to wait until the meat has cooked for about half of its total cooking time before flipping it over.
If you try and flip the steak too early, there is a chance that it will stick or burn on one side before being fully cooked through on both sides. On the other hand, if you wait too long before flipping your steak, then your meat could be undercooked by the time you turn it over.
In order to avoid these common mistakes when grilling meat at home or at a cookout with friends and family members…
Improve your grilling skills and impress your guests by learning the science behind grilling. Find out how to get perfect results every time by reading our article on The Science Behind Grilling.
Do Find A Good Gas Supplier
In addition to finding a good gas supplier, you’ll also want to find a good grill. A reliable grill can save you time and money by allowing you to cook food more quickly, so it’s worth investing in the right one for your needs.
This might involve doing some research on the internet or reading reviews from other users of a particular model that has caught your eye.
When shopping for a new grill, there are several things to consider:
Is this grill affordable? In order to get the best possible value for your money, look at prices across different brands and models before deciding which one is right for you.
Does this product have positive reviews from previous customers? By looking at comments left by others who’ve bought similar items in the past (and how many of them), it should be easier to make an informed decision about whether or not any given item is worth purchasing based on its performance history alone.
| Supplier | Benefits | Drawbacks |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Rhino | Widely available, affordable, and recyclable, Uses clean-burning propane that results in less grime and pollution on the grill | Not easily portable due to heavy metal tanks, Propane tanks sold only in exchange and not for refill, Prices may fluctuate based on demand |
| AmeriGas | Widely available, Offers a loyalty program that rewards customers with discounts on future propane purchases | More expensive than Blue Rhino, Propane tanks are sold only in exchange and not for refill, Not portable due to heavy metal tanks |
| Home Depot | Offers a range of propane tank sizes, refill and exchange options, Competitive pricing, Widely available | Inconsistent inventory of propane tank sizes, Some stores may not offer a refill option, Customer service varies between different locations |
| Costco | Competitive pricing, Offers a range of propane tank sizes, Refill and exchange options available, Widely available | Requires membership to Costco, Not all Costco stores offer propane refills |
Don’t Leave Your Grill Unattended.
Avoid these common mistakes:
Don’t leave your grill unattended. You might think that you’re saving time, but in reality, it’s just going to make your food soggy.
Don’t use your grill for anything other than grilling. It’s true that some people like to start their day with a cup of coffee or tea and a nice breakfast on the patio, but this is not what the grill was made for!
If you want to do something like that, then buy an outdoor table and chairs so that when guests come over they have somewhere else to sit besides directly on top of whatever you’re cooking (which could ruin their clothes).
Don’t use it to dry clothes or shoes. Just because something says “waterproof” doesn’t mean that means it can stand up against high heat coming from an open flame—and if someone tells you otherwise then they probably wrote those instructions themselves just so they wouldn’t get caught by anyone else who knows better than them!
Proper maintenance is essential to keep your grill in top shape. Follow our ultimate grill maintenance checklist on how to keep your grill in top shape to ensure your grill performs at its best every time you use it
Do Store Your Grill Correctly In The Off-Season
If you don’t keep your grill clean, it will rust.
If you want to avoid this, always remove all grease from the grill before storing it. Grease will attract moisture and cause corrosion over time. If possible, store your grill in an open space where air can flow around it and prevent water damage.
Don’t store the grill in an enclosed space or place where there is high humidity or heat (like an attic). This will also lead to corrosion of metal parts over time
Don’t Over-Marinate Meat
One of the best ways to add flavor to meat is with a marinade. Marinades can also help keep your meat moist during cooking, but you need to be careful how long you leave it in the marinade.
You should never leave your meat sitting in a marinade for longer than an hour or two (don’t forget about it!). Meat that gets over-marinated will become mushy and less flavorful. If you’re making a big batch of marinade, divide it into separate containers and only use what you need at the time.
Don’t let common grill maintenance mistakes haunt your summer grilling party. Read our article on expert tips for grill maintenance and keep your grill running smoothly all season long.
Do Replace Dirty Grilling Mats
You should replace your grilling mats every year. If you notice that they’re looking a little worse for wear and not working as well, it’s time to get new ones.
You can clean them by hand or in the dishwasher, but be careful a lot of people recommend hand-washing because it’s easier to control how much moisture is absorbed into the fabric and avoid ruining your cleaning job.
Also note that you’ll want to avoid using bleach if you’re going to put these mats in the dishwasher. Bleach can weaken the material of some mats over time, so check with the manufacturer before doing this yourself!
When shopping for replacement grilling mats, look for something made with heat-resistant materials like silicone or fiberglass. Both are great because they won’t burn underneath hot temperatures (and neither will melt).
Look also for non-slip surfaces (like Teflon) that help keep food from falling through cracks between grids on your grill as well as nonslip edges so nothing falls off when sliding things around while cooking
| Grilling Mat Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Teflon Sheets | Non-stick sheets that can withstand high heat and are easy to clean. |
| Silicone Mats | Food-grade, non-toxic mats that are dishwasher safe and great for cooking delicate foods. |
| Copper Mats | Durable mats that conduct heat well and are perfect for searing meat. |
| Mesh Mats | Porous mats that allow smoke and heat to pass through while preventing small foods from falling through the grate. |
| Disposable Aluminium Foil Pans | Low-cost and convenient, these disposable pans can be used as a makeshift mat for temporary use. |
Don’t Add Sauce Too Early In The Cooking Process
If you’re going to add sauce, it’s best to do so during the last 5 minutes of cooking. The reason for this is that if you apply sauce too early in the process, it can burn and create harmful carcinogens.
Also make sure you don’t put your sauce directly onto your meat; instead, place it on an area where it won’t come into contact with flames or coals (your meat should be indirect heat).
When applying your barbecue sauce, try using a brush to paint a thin layer across the side of your meat instead of slathering it all over top. This will help prevent any excess sauces from burning while still giving them plenty of flavor!
Grilling can be challenging, but avoiding common mistakes can help you serve delicious grilled foods to your friends and family. Learn more about common grilling mistakes and how to avoid them by reading our article on grilling mistakes you’re probably making.
Conclusion
So, there you have it: the dos and don’ts of grill maintenance. Be sure to keep these tips in mind as you’re getting ready for summer, and happy grilling!
Further Reading
How to Avoid the Top 6 Barbecue Mistakes: Learn about the top six most common barbecue mistakes and how to avoid them, with helpful tips from Weber experts.
10 Common Grilling Mistakes to Avoid: Read about 10 common grilling mistakes that you should avoid if you want to improve your grilling skills.
12 Common Grilling Mistakes and How to Avoid Them: Learn about 12 common grilling mistakes and how to avoid them with tips from the experts at America’s Test Kitchen.
FAQs
What are some common grilling mistakes?
There are several common grilling mistakes, including cooking with cold meat, not preheating the grill, and not cleaning the grill grates properly.
How can I avoid cooking with cold meat?
To avoid cooking with cold meat, take the meat out of the fridge 20 to 30 minutes before cooking, so it will reach room temperature, allowing for more even cooking.
Why is preheating the grill important?
Preheating the grill is important because it allows the grill grates to heat up properly, ensuring even cooking and preventing food from sticking to the grates.
How often should I clean my grill grates?
You should clean your grill grates after each use, while the grates are still warm, to ensure the grates remain clean and free of debris.
Should I oil the grill grates before cooking?
Yes, you should oil the grill grates before cooking to prevent food from sticking to the grates. Brush a light layer of oil onto the grates before cooking, using tongs and a folded paper towel.
Hi there! I’m Hellen James, and I’m a grilling enthusiast. I’ve been grilling for years, and I absolutely love it. I love how it brings people together and how you can feed your family with just a few minutes of work.