Summer brings with it days spent out in the sun and get-togethers around the BBQ grill. As more people venture outdoors to spend time with their friends and families, one thing seems to be on everybody’s must-buy list – a good grill.
There are many options out there, but maybe one of the best is the Char-Griller E1224. In order to help you out, we thought we’d take a look at the grill itself, its features, and how you can set it up for success. So just keep reading to find out how to set up Char-Griller E1224.
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An Overview of the Char-Griller E1224
The Char-Griller E1224 is also called the Smokin’ Pro. So not only is it a grill, but it is a Texas-style designed smoker as well. It is utilized by professional barbecuers and normal backyard grill lovers all over the world. It’s versatile and has a large cooking area which is finished by a side firebox.
But in order to really understand why this model is such a great choice, you have to look at all the features. So let’s do that now!
Features
The grill is designed with a cooking area of 850 square inches and heavy-duty steel construction. Finished with a powder coating, the unit has a long-lasting life for its external and internal parts. When it comes to the grates themselves, they are crafted in premium-grade cast iron and are adjustable.
The E1224 is outfitted with a side firebox and an easy dump ash pan for improved ability and easy cleanup. The side firebox offers 250 square inches to help the barbecue enthusiast to be able to not only grill but smoke their meats. When it comes to the cast iron grates, they are included to help provide even heat. This ensures the meat placed on it is seared to perfection, locking in the flavor for excellent results.
Of course, there are more details to the Char-Griller Smokin’ Pro and if you would like a full list, see our full review.
Tools You Will Need for Assembly
Before you get to set up the grill for actual use, you have to do the assembly first. Though the manual will walk you through the basic assembly process, we wanted to look at some tools you may need to have on hand.
By knowing the tools you need, you can ensure that you are prepped and ready so that you can get to grilling as soon as possible! The actual assembly will take two people and you will need a set of pliers, a Phillips head screwdriver, and a 7/16″ nut driver. Altogether it is approximately a 40-minute job to unbox and assemble the Char-Griller E1224.
How to Set Up Char-Griller E1224
Once you have your grill unboxed and assembled, it’s time to set the grill up. Though many people might think setting up was the assembly, other aspects of the process are important to ensuring a good result.
Here are the three main factors for setting up your Char-Griller E1224 after it has been assembled.
Placement
Placement is key. You want to find someplace to set up a solid grill placement that offers a flat surface. Along with this, having good wind shelter is important. Also, ensure that there are no overhead obstructions and that it is at least 12 feet away from any wall or appliance.
Ventilation is key, so you want to ensure that all the grill openings are unobstructed. Another factor when it comes to the placement is ensuring that it is not in an area where water can come into direct contact with it on a regular basis.
Seasoning
The next part of the setup is the seasoning and preparation of the grill. This is done by utilizing oil on the grates and the lid to create a non-stick surface for improved flavor as well as easier cleanup.
Once you have the oil on, you will want to heat the grill up, getting it extremely hot. Cover the lid and leave the grill for up to 30 minutes. When this is done, you will have a perfect non-stick surface with good flavor.
Lighting
The next part of the setup is actually getting the charcoal lit. We’re going to start with a small stack of approximately 15 charcoal bricks in a pyramid. Then coat it with lighter fluid and light the coals in several places. Once the charcoal bricks begin to ash and turn gray, you want to spread them out and this is when you can start cooking.
Some Extra Tips…
Those are the main parts of your setup, but we also want to give you a few other quick tips that could be quite helpful.
- If you want to reduce flare-ups, cook with the lid in the down position.
- Cleanup is important, so you want to ensure that ashes in the bottom of your griller are removed as soon as possible. They tend to hold moisture and can cause rust even in the highest quality steel.
- Sometimes heat gauges attached to the unit can collect moisture, causing them to steam out. The gauges within this unit can be removed and calibrated in the oven to ensure you get the most accurate temperatures on your cook.
- If you’re preparing to smoke some meats, you might want to add water-soaked hardwood to the side firebox. This will create a richer smoke flavor.
- In between each use, you can coat the lid and grates with vegetable oil. Let it heat up and this will help reduce the chances of corrosion, which in turn will extend the life of the griller.
For an in-depth look at the process of setting up the Char-Griller E1224, check out this video.
Final Thoughts
Making sure you assemble your Char-Griller E1224 is important. Still, the preparation before the actual grill is maybe even more important.
Ensuring that you have the right placement, seasoning, a good understanding of the lighting, and some extra tips can ensure that your grill is going to not only work to its peak performance but deliver amazing results that have your friends and family complimenting you for days.