If you are the fortunate purchaser of a new stainless steel gas grill, first congratulate yourself and then get ready to enjoy many years of outstanding outdoor cooking.
To keep your grill in top shape and to produce outstanding culinary treats, just follow these five tips.
Clean it Every Time Undoubtedly, one reason you bought this grill is its reputation for easy maintenance.
Stainless steel grills can be cleaned by letting them cool down and then wiping the grate with a damp cloth.
But you must do this every time! If you wait weeks and weeks and let stuff just bake on, then you'll have a more difficult problem.
So keep in mind that you made an investment and that it is well worth keeping up! Do Not Pulverize Although there are commercial stainless steel cleaners available, you really don't need them each time.
You should avoid anything that is abrasive or likely to scratch the surface of the metal, like steel wool or wire brushes.
Although stainless has earned its reputation for hardiness, it can corrode or become pitted if it is deeply scratched.
To maintain the beauty of the outside of the grill, just wipe down the barrel and lid, again avoiding scratching.
If you do want to use a special cleaner occasionally, ask your dealer for a recommendation specifically suited to stainless steel and remember to wipe any residue off the cooking surfaces.
Be Wary of Unnecessary Heat High quality, heavy gauge stainless is in fact one of the most durable and beautiful products you can buy, but it is capable of discoloring.
The better the steel used in your grill, the less this problem rears its head, but with any stainless gas barbecue you can minimize the likelihood of discoloration by being observant and regulating the heat sensibly.
With gas, you don't need to preheat for half an hour or more, so avoid that: get the grill to the desired temperature quickly.
Keep the heat even and constant; no need to charge up the flames when you first set your steak down on the grate.
When you are done, keep the lid open to promote quick cooling.
Cook Like A Pro Use your grill! Your stainless steel heavy gauge grate is just waiting for you! Many folks believe that a stainless steel grate improves food flavor because it is generally so clean and free of old cooking smells and debris, so use it well.
Preheat as necessary, but don't overdo it; most food does not require terribly high initial heat.
Prepare your dishes appropriately; some cuts of meat will need marinade, for example, while veggies may need to be snugly wrapped in foil.
Don't poke, prod, and hover over your gas grill or open the lid every second.
Just be aware of your cooking time and check in when the sear is set and flipping is in order.
Don't use a fork! Turn meats and other items with tongs, gently preserving the moisture within.
Be Versatile Investigate what accessories are available for your grill so that you can vary your cooking techniques.
Most gas versions are versatile enough to accommodate accoutrements like smokers, rotisseries, and solid burners or grooved grill tops.
Your cooking style will come to resemble the great Bobby Flay's if you start learning and using all of the capabilities of your gas grill.
Enjoy this culinary adventure!