If you’re new to grilling and don’t know how to use a gas grill, keep reading. We’ll be showing you step by step how you can put one to good use.
From learning how to turn on a gas grill for the first time to grilling perfectly cooked meats, we’ve got you covered.
Gas grills have become one of the odds-on favorites compared to charcoal grills.
One of the primary reasons is that gas grills take less time to warm up. On top of that, you can control the temperature more easily.
If the recipe calls for you to make adjustments to the temperature, it can be done quickly with a gas grill.
Another reason why it’s a popular choice is it allows you to retain more flavor and have a little less “smoke” to deal with.
How Do You Use a Gas Grill for the First Time?
Before we get moving, there are some additional things you’re going to need. Most of these are made from stainless steel.
For starters, the tools you need are a pair of tongs, wire brush, spatula, and scissors.
You’ll also need a meat thermometer since you want to double-check and see if your meat is thoroughly cooked.
Before we forget, you’ll also need your favorite foods to grill.
Since you’re just starting, let’s keep it simple (hamburgers or hot dogs will be a good start).
Last but not least, you’re obviously going to need a gas grill.
You’ll want to make sure that you are connected to a fuel source. Gas grills run on natural gas or propane. We’ll teach you how to use a propane grill later on.
Now that you have everything you need, let’s get grilling.
Step 1: Connect the Gas and Turn It on.
First and foremost, we’ll show you how to turn on a gas grill.
Before we go any further, determine what type of gas you are using. Is it propane or natural gas?
If you are using propane, the first thing you need to do is thread the regulator onto the valve located at the top of the tank.
Thread it and make sure it’s secure (avoid over-tightening it).
Once you know for sure that it’s connected, turn on the propane tank with the valve turned all the way.
Another thing you’ll want to do is keep a second propane tank nearby.
That way, you’ll have a spare in case you run out or if something is wrong with the tank connected to the grill.
Remember to exchange your tanks after they run out. Doing this is the cheaper option compared to an outright replacement.
If you are using natural gas, most sources are connected within your home.
The concept of connecting natural gas to the grill is similar to propane.
Find the grill’s gas supply hose and regulator and connect it to the gas valve. Then, turn it on all the way.
As a safety precaution, you’ll want to keep a fire extinguisher close by.
Fires can happen at any time and when you least expect it. The more prepared you are, the better.
Step 2: Light It Up.
Before you light up your grill, one more thing to mention is that your grill should be in a well-ventilated area.
Whether it’s charcoal or gas, never use your grill indoors.
Not only will this pose a major fire hazard, but the likelihood of carbon monoxide poisoning or long-term exposure to gas fumes can cause serious illness or death.
Inside your garage is one thing, since all you have to do is open up your garage door, and it will provide you with enough ventilation.
What you’ll also need to check for is whether or not your gas grill has an ignition button.
If there is one, press down on the button while slowly engaging the burner control knob closest to it.
Next, you’ll want to check if the burner tube has ignited. You can check by looking through the cooking grates on your grill.
If the tube is ignited, release the ignition button and shut off the burner control knob.
Wait for the gas to dissipate and try it again after two minutes. Repeat the process until the rest of the burners are warmed up.
Alternatively, a gas grill without an igniter will require a lighter wand or long matches.
Step 3: How Long Should You Let a Gas Grill Heat Up?
Once all the burners have been turned on, make sure the heating level is set to maximum and close the grill lid.
After 10 or 15 minutes, or when the grill reaches 400 degrees (whichever comes first), reduce the burner settings to medium heat.
Most gas grills will have a built-in thermometer, giving you an indication of the temperature.
Step 4: How Do You Cook on a Gas Grill?
Now that your grill is started up and well-heated, it’s time to cook some food.
As mentioned earlier, you’ll want to keep it simple. For the sake of this example, let’s go with hamburgers.
The good thing about burgers or steaks is they don’t need to be “well-done” to be well-cooked. And that’s why we call it simple.
The first thing you need to do is place your burgers on the grill. They should be at least an inch away from each other.
Let them sit for several minutes until you need to flip them. One side of the burgers should be cooked until browned.
Once it’s browned enough, that’s when you’ll flip them over until you repeat the process.
When flipping, use tongs or a spatula (whichever is easy for you).
One thing to keep in mind is that if your burgers can be lifted off the grill easily, that’s the perfect time to flip them.
Repeat the process a couple more times until you get to that desired preference for burgers (medium rare, medium well, well-done).
Before preparation, you’ll want to use your meat thermometer. When cooked thoroughly, burgers should have a temperature of 160 degrees or higher.
You can also use your stainless-steel scissors to further inspect them to see if they are done.
If there is some slight pink, no need to worry. If you prefer a little pink, that’s fine. One inspection will indicate that the rest is done and ready to go.
Step 5: Shut it off.
Last but not least, you’ll want to shut off the grill.
Shut off all the burners, check to see if the knobs are in the Off position, and turn off the gas supply.
Allow the grill to cool down before shutting the lid.
Tips on How To Use a Gas Grill
Now that you have used it for the first time, give yourself a pat on the back. You’ve cooked for the first time on a gas grill.
Whether you are using a propane grill or one that runs on natural gas, knowing how to use a gas grill can be one’s best culinary achievement.
However, different foods are not always cooked in the same way as burgers.
With that said, here are some tips you’ll want to consider when using a gas grill:
1. Not all foods are cooked equally.
While burgers are simple to cook, some foods are not so simple and will need a longer time to cook.
For example, it will take an hour or more for you to cook ribs on a gas grill. That’s because you are dealing with larger amounts of meat.
Also, some foods will need to be at a higher temperature to be considered done.
Ribs, for example, will need an internal temperature of 195 to 200 degrees before they are considered completely cooked.
It doesn’t matter if you know how to use a propane grill or a charcoal grill; the concept is still basically the same.
2. Never lift the lid frequently.
Simply put, your foods need plenty of heat to be cooked properly.
Don’t lift the lid repeatedly, but you can do so on specific occasions to check on them. The more heat they lose, the longer it will take for the food to cook.
When you are using a propane grill, it’s better to let the heat sit underneath the lid so that it can work its magic.
3. Always clean your grill after use.
Another no brainer tip. You’ll want to clean your grill after use.
You don’t want food built up from the last cooking session to get mixed up with the next thing you’re grilling.
Also, dirty cooking grates will lead to plenty of sticking.
To do this, wash the grill using hot soapy water and a scouring pad.
It’s like doing the dishes, but you are using something a bit more heavy-duty to get all the potential buildup off.
Cooking on a Gas Grill
Using a gas grill for the first time can be an exciting experience. The setup is not so complicated, nor is using the grill itself.
Since you’re just starting out, you’d want to keep it simple.
If you feel more confident cooking different foods that may take a while longer, have at it.
You should try your hand at grilling ribs or even vegetable kebabs.
All it takes is one online search to find the perfect grilling recipes, and you’re ready to take on the challenge.
Happy grilling!