Troubleshooting Common Problems With Barbecuing Over Gas

Barbecuing over gas is, in many ways, simpler than barbecuing over charcoal. However, there can still be a bit of a learning curve after you have your gas barbecue installed, especially if you have been a dedicated charcoal grill user for many years. Below, you will find common problems that people experience when using gas barbecues, along with simple solutions to those problems.

Problem: Your food is not getting a nice crust

Is your barbecued food coming out done but without the crispy, crunchy exterior that you desire? There are a couple of things you may be doing wrong here. Are you preheating your grill? If not, the food may be cooking to slowly and at too low a temperature to get a nice crust. Try preheating your gas grill for a few minutes before you put the food on. 

Are you starting your food with the cover off? If not, try this. Sear both sides of the food with the cover off, and then put the lid down to finish cooking. This approach lets the grill get hotter, as there is more airflow with the lid off. Then, when you put the lid on, the temperature comes down a little and the food is able to finish cooking from all sides.

Problem: Your food is sticking to the grill grate

This is a bigger problem with gas grills than with charcoal since the grates on gas grills are typically further from the heat source — which means they do not heat up as quickly. If your food is sticking to the grate, try two things. First, make sure you preheat the grill with the grate in it. Second, try rubbing a paper towel soaked with vegetable oil over the grate just before you put the food on. Hold the paper towel with tongs so you don't burn yourself.

Problem: Your grill is not getting hot enough

Is your temperature stuck down at 250 or 300 degrees F? There are a few things that could be happening. First, check that your gas valve is all of the way open. If it's partly closed, your grill may not be getting enough gas to burn hotter. Second, make sure you are closing the lid. If the lid is open, the grill won't get up past a second temperature. 

Cooking on a gas barbecue can take some getting used to, but once you have gone through a little troubleshooting, it's an excellent way to cook. Reach out to a company like Thompson's Gas Inc for a gas barbecue installation. 

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