Before you Start Cooking

Starting a Grill

Firing Up the Grill

Ever notice a chemical taste when eating grilled food? Dousing briquettes and lighter fluid or using instant-light charcoal may not be a good idea. Sure, they are easy to light, but they are made from pulverized charcoal and contain additives which make them simple to use.

The best way to start a fire is using a chimney starter. Chimney starters are both easy to use and better for your health. They resemble a large cylinder, open at the top and bottom of each end. Using a chimney starter is safe and easy. Crumpled newspaper is placed into the bottom of the cylinder and charcoal is then placed on top. After lighting the newspaper, the charcoal ignites and the flame is contained within the cylinder. After the coals get hot, the charcoal is then poured into your grill.

Lighting a Gas Grill Safely

The first step to lighting a gas grill is to open the lid. If the lid is not open, gas could accumulate and cause a mini explosion.

Preheat gas grill for at least ten minutes longer than recommended by the manufacturer. This will ensure the grill gets as hot as a charcoal grill.

Make sure your propane tank has an Overfill Protection Device (OPD). An easy way to determine if you have one is by the valve handle. If the valve handle on your tank has a triangular shape, your tank is a newer model and already has an OPD. Older models that don't have an OPD usually have a round or star-shaped valve handle. Federal Safety Regulations mandate that all propane tanks come with an OPD.

When is the Grill Fire Ready?

Testing the heat of your flame is simple. Hold your hand approximately 5 inches above the grill grate and start counting. Over a hot fire, you will be able to count two or three seconds before being forced to remove your hand. Medium-high fires will allow you to count about four to five seconds and medium-low fires about seven to nine seconds.

Aluminum Foil As a Grilling Helper

Laying a sheet of aluminium foil over your grill grate helps to concentrate the heat and keep it from escaping. Simple cover the grill grate, light the fire, and wait approximately fifteen minutes and then peel the foil off and discard. The temperature of the grill bars increases dramatically and creates perfect grill lines across any sizzling steak!

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