The act of Barbequing or Grilling has been around for centuries. Cave dwellers rapidly understood that food tasted great after it was prepared over an open fire.
Barbequing has ended up being an essential American tradition for families. The reason behind it is apparent. The food that comes from barbequing has a taste that is unmatched by other cooking methods. Moreover, barbequing provides a rationale for households to gather.
In this article, we are going to tell you what you need to know about gas grills.
About Gas Grills
Gas grills work by a trigger igniting the gas within the grill. Gas grills generally have a knob or button that you turn or press. This, in turn, activates a small hammer. The hammer hits the top of an ignition crystal. The burner combines the gas with oxygen and spreads it all over the cooking surface.
Gas grills are available in all sizes and shapes, making them ideal for practically any type of barbequing celebration. Smaller-sized gas grills give you the portability needed to plan barbeque celebrations far from the house.
On the other hand, larger gas grills are handy and efficient for cooking larger quantities of food rapidly and without the mess caused by different types of grills. So after determining that a gas barbeque grill suits your particular requirements, there are many aspects you should consider before purchasing your first one.
Weight
Gas grills are available in all sizes and shapes. The kind of grill you need depends upon how you plan to utilize the grill. If you foresee camping trips, barbeques at the beach, or tailgate celebrations, you might want to think about getting a smaller-sized gas grill.
Smaller gas grills can range from anywhere from 10 to 40 pounds. Portable gas containers are likewise readily available for these types of grills. If your strategies are more focused on home cooking, then larger grills will suit you perfectly.
Large grills such as five burn grills run well over 100 pounds.
Cooking Surface areas
Unlike some other grill types, gas grills can come with various kinds of cooking surface areas. These different cooking surface areas include a direct flame barbeque grill, a flat grill, and a ribbed grill.
Some grills even provide other types of surface areas such as non-stick, which allow you to prepare an entire range of foods that you would not be able to cook on a grill otherwise. You will have the ability to make your complete meal, consisting of side meals if you plan correctly.
Some gas grills even consist of a Wok-type surface for cooking pasta and rice dishes or a complete rotisserie set that enables you to prepare rotisserie chicken.
Area
Like weight, you ought to think about the amount of cooking area you will need, depending upon the situation. If you are only cooking for yourself or a dinner-for-two, you may opt for a gas grill with a smaller surface area, as it will be easier to clean.
You will want to consider a gas grill with a larger surface area if you prepare to hold celebrations or cook for a bigger family. This surface area might also consist of different types of cooking surfaces. Look for one that matches you best or is interchangeable.
Things to Consider When Cooking with a Gas Grill
Get the Grill Hot
Similar to charcoal grills, gas grills require some preheating time. However, they take relatively less time. Once you have lit the grill, increase the burners’ heat and preheat for around 10-15 minutes. After this, you may turn off the burners or lower the temperature, depending on the recipe.
Know the Zones
Even if you know nothing about grilling, you will become a master in no time if you understand this. Zone cooking refers to a grilling method that combines both indirect and direct heat to ensure maximum efficiency.
You can get direct heat from a burner set to medium-high or high. It is ideal for quick-cooking shrimp and vegetables, as well as searing. On the other hand, indirect heat is when a burner is placed next to the turned-off direct source.
This method works through convection, so you will be required to shut the grill to trap the heat. It ensures slow and low heating, similar to an oven. You can use this method to cook meat to the right internal temperature or cook vegetables throughout without burning their exterior.
Utilize the Top Rack and The Lid
Understanding how and when to use your gas grill’s lid is also essential. As previously stated, if you cover the grill, it creates a convection environment. The food gets simmered via indirect heat. This heating technique is perfect if the meat has a thick cut.
Moreover, you can also bake in this environment. Do remember, though, covering a grill results in a hotter environment, so it is easy to overcook thin fish fillets or steaks with this method.
The top rack or secondary shelf inside the lid is also handy. It is the perfect spot for warming buns or melting cheese on sandwiches/burgers.
Conclusion
No matter what kind of method you use, the purpose of grilling is to produce delicious food. It gives you a chance to enjoy yourself while you are at it and learn what you need to know about gas grills.
Patience preparation and practice are vital if you want to ensure a successful BBQ.
Check out our How to use a Masterbuilt Electric Smoker: A Beginners Guide