Natural Gas Grills

When shopping for a natural gas grill, consider quality, price, features and service.

• Quality versus price – Weigh the price of the grill you are buying against the quality. Buying a high quality model will cost more up front, but a grill constructed from higher-quality parts will generally have a much longer life.
• Features – Important features often overlooked include handy shelves and racks, easy-to-clean cooking surfaces, dual burners, and split cooking grids.
• Service – A natural gas grill can last for years if it is cared for and maintained properly. Buy from a company you can trust for service if you need it down the road.
• Reputable company – A natural gas grill is a major appliance. Be sure to buy from a company who you can trust to install it safely and efficiently.
• Ask around – Your friends and neighbors will tell you about their grills and where they purchased them.

Use these natural gas grilling tips as a guideline. Consult your owner's manual for details.

• Temper the coals before the first use by heating for 15 to 30 minutes.
• You may need to preheat the grill for foods that need searing and quick cooking. Five minutes on ‘high’ with the cover closed is usually enough, but never leave a covered grill on ‘high’ for long periods of time.
• You can adjust burner controls, lid position and food location during the grilling process to expertly control how your food cooks.
• Experiment and learn. There is no "one best way" to grill anything.
• Use the warming rack for heating sauces, breads, pre-made dishes, and to keep food warm.
• Some flaring and smoking enhances flavor and appearance. To limit flare-ups, select low-fat meats and trim excess fat from around the edges of steaks and chops.
• Use your grill for roasting, braising, frying, baking and stewing in foil pans and Dutch ovens (with flameproof handles).
• Save energy with your gas grill by cooking an entire summer meal at once. Cooking outside saves your home from the heat of a range or oven and additional load on your AC.
• Several factors can affect the heat pattern and speed of cooking on your gas grill:
• wind and air currents
• outdoor temperature
• location of the grill
• amount of fat and juice drippings, which cause flare-ups
• preheat time
• To light your natural gas grill, follow your owner's manual and only light as directed.

Consider these natural gas grill maintenance tips, but consult your owner's manual to best care for your model:

• Coals are self-cleaning. Leave the burner on HIGH for 10 to 15 minutes after each use, with the lid closed. This will burn off accumulated food residue and drippings. Use tongs to rotate the coals and clean all sides.
• Clean the cooking rack while it’s still warm, using a stiff wire brush or wet nylon scouring pad. When necessary, soak in hot sudsy water and scour with a nylon pad.
• Clean the inside of the grill box occasionally, especially if there is a buildup of grease or ash on the bottom. Heat the grill slightly to soften the grease. Then scrub with hot, sudsy water; rinse and dry thoroughly.
• Periodically wash the outside of the grill box with hot, sudsy water. Rinse and dry thoroughly. Exposure to weather may in time oxidize and lighten black paint; renew color by wiping on a thin film of vegetable oil.
• Occasionally brush the burner with a stiff wire brush. Use wire or pipe cleaner to open any clogged ports. Replace burner in exact original position so it is correctly aligned.

Follow instructions in your owner’s manual for safe natural gas grilling, and always remember to:

• Keep the grill away from combustible surfaces such as wood siding or deck railings.
• Never use a gas grill in a garage, doorway, enclosed porch, or under low eaves or overhangs.
• Only use your grill on a stable surface.
• Keep loose clothing and hair away from grilling surfaces.
• Keep children and pets away from hot grills. In direct sunlight, a grill’s metal surface may be hot enough to burn skin even when not in use.
• Don’t use starter fluid (unless your owner’s manual instructs you to).
• Be prepared for a fire, by having baking soda and a fire extinguisher on hand.
• NEVER throw water on a grease fire.