How to Use a Propane Grill

Propane grills are a popular alternative to charcoal grills. They heat up in 10 minutes, as opposed to the charcoal grill's long preparation time. They also make much less mess, with no old charcoal or ash to clean up after cooking. All you have to do is clean the cooking grates. Propane grills are often better suited to grilling delicate food, such as vegetables, fish and chicken, because their heat is easier to control and they don't get as hot.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Propane grill

1. Open the grill lid to disperse any gas that may have collected inside.

2. Make sure the grill burners' knobs are in the off position so gas doesn't start flowing until you're ready to light them.

3. Open the propane cylinder's valve counterclockwise to release the propane gas so it will move toward the burners.

4. Start the grill's ignition. This is usually a button located on the front of the grill near the grill burners' knobs. If it doesn't have an automatic ignition, light the burner manually with a long fireplace match or barbecue lighter.

5. Turn on the grill burner closest to the ignition first by turning the knob to the on position. Once the burner closest to the tank is lit, light the other burners if you need them.

6. Close the grill's cover and let the grill heat up for about 10 minutes before cooking your food.

7. Use the grill's burner knobs to control how hot you want the burners to be. Grill your food in the desired manner---either directly over the lit burner, or on the grill over a burner that isn't lit if you want to grill with indirect heat, as you would with baby back ribs or delicate foods such as fish.

8. Leave the burners lit for about 10 minutes after you've finished cooking to burn off any food that might have fallen and that could interfere with the burner the next time you grill.

9. Close the propane cylinder's valve, then turn the grill's burner knobs to the off position.

10. Allow the grill to cool before closing its lid and covering it for storage.

Tips & Warnings

• If your burner does not want to light on the first try and your gas has been on for more than five minutes, you may want to turn the gas off to let any collected gas in the area disperse before trying again to light the burner.