How to Prep a Gas Grill Cooking Surface
Gas grill cooking surfaces require preparation in two phases. The first entails curing the cooking grates of a brand new gas grill, a process that essentially burns a protective grease coating onto the grates to inhibit rust and provide a stick-resistant grilling surface. The second phase involves the greasing of grates prior to cooking for producing attractive grill marks on food and to replenish protective coating. Diligently perform these steps, and your gas grill will provide years of enjoyable cooking. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Gas grill
- Vegetable oil grilling spray
- Long-handled wire grill brush
- Bowl of hot water
- 2 cloth rags or towels
Instructions
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Curing a New Grilling Surface
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1
Open the grill lid and wipe down the inside of the grill and cooking grate with a rag or towel soaked in hot water. Dry it with a fresh towel or rag.
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2
Remove the cooking grate and lightly coat it with vegetable oil grilling spray on both sides.
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3
Place the grate back on the grill and fire up all burners before closing the grill lid.
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4
Adjust the burners to heat the grilling chamber to about 300 degrees F.
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5
Allow the greased grate to bake for about two hours until the grease stops smoking and a protective dark coating covers the cooking grate.
Ongoing Grilling Surface Prep
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6
Scrub the cooking grate with a long-handled wire grill brush to remove all leftover debris and char from previous cookouts.
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7
Coat the grate lightly with vegetable oil grilling spray, top and bottom.
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8
Fire up all grill burners, close the lid and allow the grill to preheat to the desired temperature for about 10 minutes before adding meat, poultry or vegetables.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Keeping the grilling surface clean and lubricated are the keys to successful gas grilling.
Use only vegetable oil spray formulated for grilling as this sustains higher direct heat without burning and leaves attractive grilling marks on food.
Never light gas grill burners with closed grill lids as this can lead to gas buildup and explosions.
Use heat-resistant grilling gloves or mitts when handling hot grill lids and grates to avoid burns.
Use long-handled grilling tongs and spatulas to handle meat to avoid burns from grilling heat or flareups.
