Food

A Grilling Guide for Beginners  

Nobody is born a BBQ master. This guide will show you how to grill like a pro from the very first time you light up the charcoals or crank up the propane strong

Before I begin, I’d like to make a few disclaimers. As with all cooking, grilling can be dangerous. If in doubt, refer to your grill’s manual. Always heed safety warnings. Louisiana grills Kamado charcoal grill produces very high-quality grills. They are large enough to cook lots of food. If properly stored, it will last for a very long time. Although I can offer general advice based upon my experience with grilling, I cannot give specific advice for your equipment. Use a grill with care.

Identify the Type of Grill

I hope you weren’t scared off by my words! I want everyone to be safe. You’re still here? The first thing you need to know is which type of grill you have. You can use gas, propane, or electricity. You want to know which one? The electric grill is the easiest to identify. Why? They have cords that must be plugged into an outlet. An electric grill has a cord. Are you sure that your grill doesn’t have an electrical element? Look under your grilling device. A propane grill is likely to have a tank if you can see it. Are you unable to see a cord or tank? You should inspect the grill face. Are there buttons and knobs on the grill face? You probably have a gas barbecue. These grills are different from propane because they tap into the natural gas supply of your home. This means you won’t need to worry about running low on cooking fuel as you do with propane. A charcoal grill will work well if your grill has no knobs or buttons and looks more like a drum.

Properly prepare your grill: Clean and season

You can begin to prepare your grill once you know what type of grill it is. Clean your grill before you can have a great experience grilling. To clean cast iron or steel (non-coated), grates, use a stiff-bristled, steel brush. This will remove any gunk, grime, or rust. To avoid scratching porcelain-coated cast iron (or any other non-stick coating), use a nylon-bristled toothbrush. You may have a grill that has a specific tool that can fit the contours of your grates. Use it if it does. Next, clean the grill’s bottom. Sometimes things can become stuck and block heat sources. This is especially true for charcoal grills, as the ash and coals leftover from the previous grill session can be kept inside.

Next, season your grill grates. This helps to create a nonstick cooking surface. Before turning on the heat, apply a thin layer of canola oils to the grates. My experience is that Pam sprays best on grates. Then wipe off any excess oil with a paper towel. Keep in mind: You want a thin layer of oil. Too much oil can burn and cause a buildup that you don’t need!

Get ready to turn up the heat!

After your grill has been cleaned and seasoned, it’s time to check that the fuel source is working properly. You must ensure that the valve in your gas line that allows gas flow to your grill is opened for gas grills. The valve on propane grills is located under the grill and must be turned counterclockwise to allow propane to flow. You can plug an electric grill into an outlet. For electric grills, simply find an outlet and plug it in.

Now it is time to heat the grill. It’s similar to preheating an oven. There are many grills on the market. It is best to read the manual for your grill and follow the directions for how to start it. Many manuals are available online. Here are the basics.

Make Your Grill Your Favorite

Gas, propane, or electric grills are easier to use because you can adjust the temperature with a knob. Do you need more heat? Increase the heat. Reduce heat. Simple.

You will need to adjust the temperature using charcoal by adjusting oxygen flow, direct heat vs indirect heat, and coal volume.