3 Things To Do Before Using Your New Gas Grill For The First Time

During the warm spring and summer months, nothing beats preparing a delicious meal on a gas grill. Grilling food gives it amazing flavor and taste, and when you use a grill outside, you don't have to worry about heating up your kitchen while you are cooking. Whether you just bought your first gas grill or are replacing an old one, it is important to take several steps before you begin to use your new grill. These steps will help ensure that you operate the grill correctly and your food comes out tasting great. Take the following steps before you prepare your first meal on your new gas grill:

1. Read the Instruction Manual 

Operating a gas grill may seem easy, but every model of gas grill works differently, so it is extremely important to read the instruction manual that came with your new gas grill before you try to use it. In addition to having instructions on how to operate the grill, the instruction manual will also include safety tips and directions on how to properly clean and maintain your grill so you can use it for many years to come. Failure to read the instruction manual can result in damage to your grill if you don't know how to use it, and injuries are also possible if you turn up the gas or flames too high due to operational error.

2. Properly Place Your Grill

When you get your new gas grill home, it is essential to place it in the right spot outdoors. Your grill should be placed in an open, well-ventilated area -- make sure there are no flammable objects or plants or trees that could catch fire in the vicinity of the grill. It is also a good idea to put your grill in a low traffic area of your backyard to ensure that children, pets, and guests do not get to close when the grill is hot. 

3. Season the Grates of Your New Grill

Your shiny new grill grates may look beautiful, but they are not the best for grilling. If you want flavorful food that does not stick to the grill grates while cooking, you will need to season the grill before its first use. Luckily, seasoning grill grates is really easy -- just apply a very light coat of oil to the grates, turn the grill on, and allow the oil to burn off. Make sure that you use an oil that can tolerate high heat, such as canola oil or peanut oil. Allow the grill to cool down completely after you season the gates before cooking a meal on it.