When I told my husband what I was writing about for this week's How-to tutorial, he chuckled under his breath. "What are you laughing at?" I asked, hands on my hips and tapping my foot impatiently. Of course, I knew very well why he was so amused. Doing a step-by-step tutorial about turning on a grill sounds a little silly. However, if any of you have the same fears I had five or six years ago, you probably refuse to have anything to do with things labeled as "propane" or "ignition". Before I learned this easy process, I was certain that one false move would cause me to blow up a city block. So, I always left it up to my husband, which wasn't terribly convenient when I wanted to get dinner started early. So, I asked him for a lesson and now I am the master of my grill domain - there is no stopping me.
How to do it:
Disclaimer: I am by no means a barbecue expert, so be sure to refer to the owner's manual for your grill before use.
Be sure your grill is situated in a well-ventilated area, and open the lid of the grill.
Turn the valve on the propane tank one full turn counter-clockwise.
I used to turn the valve as far as it could go until I learned that enough gas is released with just one rotation. In fact, it is safer to do this. If there is ever a problem, you will be able to turn it off and stop the flow of gas quickly.
Turn the burner control that is closest to the ignition switch to High. Press the ignition switch one to two times to light the burner. If the grill does not light, turn off the burner and the propane. Allow the gas to dissipate for a few minutes before trying again.
Turn the other burner(s) to High. You should be able to hear them light as the flame leaps from one to the other.
That's it! You did it.
Let the grill heat for about 10 minutes, then adjust the heat according to the recipe you are making.
Turning it off:
After removing the food from the grill, turn the heat to High and allow any remaining food bits cook off, about 5 minutes. The only way I remember to turn off the grill (because I'm busy eating) is to set a timer. You might want to do the same.
Turn off the valve first by turning the knob clockwise. By stopping the flow of the propane before turning off the burners, you insure that no gas will be caught in the hoses. Turn off all of the burners. Let the grill cool before closing and covering.
Now there's no stopping you. So, get out there and get grillin'.
Dan
I remember a colleague losing his eyebrows once 🙂 He was fine, just traumatized.
Sommer@ASpicyPerspective
There's always a need for "How Tos" in my book. Great tips! 🙂
A Canadian Foodie
Very timely, Dara! When I retweeted your original tweet - I actually got back several tweets (four) thanking me for retweeting it as they were all very afraid of their gas grill! I would have never thought to post a post like this and it is clearly necessary, so good for you! And that should place the big smile on your lips instead of hubby's!
🙂
Valerie
Traci
Love to grill. This story reminds me of the time that I came home and my husband had taken his eyebrows off and singed his hair tips trying to light his new grill.
Shana
Funny! Are we related? Last year was the first time I finally did the grill myself. I will need to have the hubby repeat the lesson at the begining of each year tho. If I don't use it, I lose it!!! (Too much 80's trivia in my head..no room to retain things I'm not using )
Barbara | Creative Culinary
OK, I have to chuckle...for all of the women so afraid of turning on the grill...do they fear for their husband's lives each time they ask him to do it too?
I've been single for a long time (OK, tempted to say cause the hubs was starting the grill one night and whoosh he was gone; only wish it had been that simple!) but I've become so grill proficient I have guys asking me for tips. I cook on the grill year round so ladies...take Dara's advice and get your grill on! I NEVER cook anything in the oven that can't be put on the grill and that includes a turkey at Thanksgiving. Think ease of cleanup and now you know why!
Lana @ Never Enough Thyme
Dara - Thanks for writing this! I've always been scared of starting the grill. I have visions of the whole thing going up in a huge whoosh of gas and flame. Now maybe I'll give it a try 🙂
shelly (cookies and cups)
great tips!!
and this is coming from someone who singed her eyebrows last year trying to turn on her gas grill 😉
Delishhh
I think this is a great tutorial. I am not sure i understand the fear though, maybe because i have been grilling since i was a kid and LOVE IT, i will turn on the grill snow, rain or sun. When i have a craving i really do not care if it snowing outside i will open the grill and put on some kebabs or meat on it - just because it tastes so much better. But great tutorial - you should do one for charcoal now 🙂
sippitysup
I think this is seasonal and appropriate. GREG