Operation Manual

7
Preheat each and every time.
If the cooking grates aren’t hot enough, food
will stick, and you will likely never have a
chance of searing properly or developing
those handsome grill marks. Even if a recipe
calls for medium or low heat, always preheat
the grill on highest setting first. Open the lid,
turn up the heat, close the lid, and then let the
cooking grate heat up for about ten minutes
or until the lid thermometer reads 500° F
(260° C).
Don't grill on dirty grates.
Tossing food onto the cooking grates before
they have been cleaned is never a good idea.
Leftover “stu” on the grates acts like glue,
binding it to the grates and your new food.
To avoid tasting last night’s dinner on today’s
lunch, make sure you are grilling on a clean
cooking grate. Once the grates are preheated,
use a stainless steel bristle grill brush to
make a clean, smooth surface.
Be present in the process.
Before firing up your grill, make sure that
everything you need is within arm’s reach.
Don’t forget your essential grilling tools,
already oiled and seasoned food, glazes or
sauces, and clean cooking platters for cooked
food. Having to run back to your kitchen not
only means missing out on the fun, but could
also result in burning your food. French chefs
call this “mise en place” (meaning, “put in
place”). We call it “being present”.
Create a little elbow room.
Packing too much food onto the cooking
grates restricts your flexibility. Leave at least
one-quarter of the cooking grates clear, with
plenty of space between each food item, in
order to get your tongs in there and easily
move the food around. Sometimes grilling
involves split-second decisions and the ability
to jockey food from one area to another.
Sogive yourself enough room to operate.
Try not to peek.
The lid on your grill is for more than just
keeping the rain out. Most importantly, it’s for
preventing too much air from getting in, and
too much heat and smoke from getting out.
When the lid is closed, the cooking grates are
hotter, the grilling times are faster, the smoky
tastes are stronger, and the flare-ups are
fewer. So put a lid on it!
Only flip once.
What’s better than a juicy steak with a deep
sear and plenty of beautifully caramelized
bits? The key to accomplishing these results
is to keep your food in place. Sometimes we
have the tendency to flip our food before it
reaches the desirable level of color and flavor.
In nearly all cases, you should turn food just
once. If fiddling with it more than that, you are
probably also opening the lid too much, which
causes its own set of problems. So step back
and trust the grill.
Know when to tame the flame.
When grilling, sometimes the most important
thing to know is when to stop. The most
reliable way to test doneness of your food
is to invest in an instant-read thermometer.
This slim little gem will help you pinpoint that
critical moment when your food is at its best.
Don’t be afraid to experiment.
Back in the 1950s, grilling meant one thing:
meat (and only meat) charred over open
flames. The modern day backyard chef
doesn’t need a kitchen in order to prepare a
full course meal. Use your grill to make char-
grilled appetizers, sides, and even desserts.
Register your grill to receive special content
that will inspire you along the way. We’d love
to join you on your grilling adventures.
GrillingDo’s
andDon’ts
TIMER
Avoid the disappointment of torching
your dinner by simply setting a timer.
Nothing fancy needed—just one
that is reliable and easy
to use.
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SPATULA
Look for a long-handled spatula
designed with a bent (oset) neck
so that the blade is set lower
than the handle. This makes it
easier to lift food o the
cookinggrates.
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Tips and Hints