GRILLING BASICS
Whether you are a first time griller or a seasoned pro these grilling tips will get you going!
Starting Up
Charcoal: On the charcoal grate, place crumpled newspaper or fuel cubes. Cover with charcoal briquettes to form a pyramid. (If you are using lighter fluid, soak the briquettes with a liberal amount. Tightly recap and store fuel container far from the grill and any flames. DO NOT ever add lighter fluid to a lit fire.) Light the charcoal. Charcoal is ready when briquettes are coated with a light grey ash, in about 25 minutes.
Tip: For easy charcoal setup, use a quick-start grill. Fill starter with briquettes, place over fuel cubes or crumpled newspaper in center of charcoal grate, and ignite paper or cubes. In about 25 minutes briquettes will be ready.
When charcoal is lightly coated with ash, arrange coals evenly across charcoal grate for the Direct Method or place on either side of grate for the Indirect Method.
Gas: Open grill lid. Open tank valve. Turn front/first burner to High. Allow 2 to 3 seconds for gas chamber to fill. Push ignition button firmly. The burner should light after only one or two pushes of the button. Once first burner is lit, turn middle/ next burner to High and repeat with other burners until all burners are lit. Close lid. Allow grill to preheat on High to 500- 550°F. Place food on cooking grate and adjust burners to temperatures and cooking method given in the recipe.
Note:
• Always keep the bottom tray and grease catch pan of your gas grill clean and free of debris. This not only prevents dangerous grease fires, it deters visits from unwanted critters. A sprinkle of red pepper is another safe way to discourage animals.
• If a flare-up should occur, turn all burners to OFF and move food to another area of the cooking grate. Any flames will quickly subside. Then, light the grill again. NEVER USE WATER TO EXTINGUISH FLAMES ON A GAS GRILL.
• Do not line the funnel-shaped bottom tray with foil. This could prevent the grease from flowing into the grease catch pan. Grease is also likely to catch in the tiny creases of the foil and start a fire.
• For the first few uses, the temperature of a Weber gas grill may run hotter than normal. Once your grill is seasoned and the inside of the cookbox is less reflective, the temperature will return to normal.
• The handy food thermometer that comes with a Weber gas grill is an instant-read model. Placed in its holder, it registers the cooking temperature inside the grill. You can also remove it (wear a mitt) and use it as a probe to check the done- ness of food. Promptly replace it in its holder after taking a reading on a piece of food. Never leave it in the meat dur- ing grilling because the thermometer’s glass face could shatter.
When grilling safety is a must! Be safe by using the right equipment and grilling tool like the grill glove!
