Secrets To Using Your Propane Grill Properly

Did you know that May is National Barbecue Month? Of course, the way to celebrate is to go out to your backyard and do some fun outdoor cooking on your propane grill. To whet your appetite, here are tasty grilling recipes from the Iowa Beef Industry Council from beef kabobs to balsamic marinated flank steak to zesty barbecue cheeseburgers and much more.

If you’re planning to show off your cooking skills during the Memorial Day weekend at the end of the month, you’ll want to know about the secrets of cooking like a professional chef on your propane grill.
First, today’s propane grills are renowned for providing precise temperature and heat control, which is a major reason so many Iowans love using them.

Simply by turning the dial, you can instantly adjust the grill to give off more or less heat. If you’re grilling a variety of dishes, whether it’s a quick weeknight supper for a backyard barbecue party, that control gives you the power to cook everything to perfection. Propane Can Do That—charcoal can’t!

You have the choice of using different temperature modes or heat zones when you’re using a propane grill. Turn the dial to high heat on one side and low heat on the other, and that allows you to sear on the hot side and transfer it to the cooler side to finish cooking.

Direct Heat And Indirect Heat With A Propane Grill

Being able to use direct heat or indirect heat, or both at the same time, is another reason why propane grills are so versatile and popular.

Direct heat cooks food hot and fast. It’s great for searing meats, or grilling thin cuts of meat and quick-cooking foods like vegetables. Indirect heat is how you grill barbecued chicken and pork shoulder. You can even use indirect heat to bake bread. To grill with indirect heat, simply turn off the burners directly under where you want the food to cook, keep the other burners on, and close the grill lid.

But keep in mind that indirect heat takes longer, so be patient. But that patience will pay off when you hear the praise you get from family and friends for the food you have prepared for them!

Grilling Meat Safely

Here are a few tips to help you keep your grilled meat as safe as can be:

• Trim excess fat before cooking to prevent flare-ups
• Use rosemary in your marinade, as studies have shown this can significantly reduce toxins. Garlic, lemon juice and onion are other recommended marinade ingredients.
• Make sure the meat is cooked to a safe temperature by using an instant-read thermometer. It also prevents you from over-cooking those gorgeous pork chops.
• Don’t put your cooked meats on the same platter you used for the meat when it was raw. Use a clean platter to prevent the spread of bacteria.

Searing On A Propane Grill

If you’ve ever marveled over the beautiful crust that steakhouses get on their meats, you can do it at home on your propane grill. It’s all about searing, whether it’s beef, lamb or pork. Here’s how to do it.

• Take the meat out of the fridge 20 to 30 minutes before grilling.
• Pat the surface of the meat dry with paper towels before seasoning; et meat steams instead of sears. If you’ve marinated the meat, use paper towels to blot off excess marinade.
• Turn your propane grill on and set it to high.
• Wait about 10 to 15 minutes until the grill is hot before putting the meat on. Go here to read more about this.
• Once the meat is on the grill, leave it alone for at least one minute before turning it, at least two minutes if you have a thicker cut. After turning the meat, reduce the heat.
• Use an instant-read thermometer to make sure your meat is grilled to the safe and desired doneness.

Propane Grill Maintenance And Safety

Your propane grill will work better for a longer time if you take care of it with regular maintenance. If you use your grill often, you have to be diligent about keeping it as clean as possible and inspect it regularly for any potential problems that could put a damper on your next barbecue.

Read more about propane grill safety.