In summer you really want to go out in the open air and taste juicy ribs, fried sausages, kebabs or grilled vegetables. Everyone is used to using charcoal grill for barbecues. But recently, gas portable grills have become increasingly common. They can be used both for outdoors and for cooking at home.
Advantages and disadvantages of portable gas grills
Dignity:
- Quickness of heating. You can start cooking with the gas grill a few minutes after it is switched on.
- Temperature adjustment. In a normal charcoal grill there is no possibility to regulate the temperature of heating, and in the grill there are several burners with which you can easily control the temperature and choose the best one for this product. Moreover, it makes it possible to cook several different dishes at the same time.
- Easy to use. No ash is produced. And your clothes will not smell of smoke. It is almost impossible to burn food when used correctly.
It also has disadvantages:
- High cost. If the charcoal grill or gas grill cost about 200 dollars, the portable gas grill – a few thousand. But notice that a bag of charcoal for the charcoal grill costs quite a lot, but it will not last long. At the same time, the price of gas is lower, and the cylinder is enough for the whole season.
- The taste of meat cooked for gas will still be different from kebab fried on coals. But add some liquid smoke to the marinade and you’ll get a flavorful meat.
Gas grills are superior to charcoal grills in many ways, so more and more people are buying such devices for outdoor recreation, fishing trips and just for cooking grilled meat at home.
View: tourist, mobile
Portable gas grills are conditionally divided into two types – tourist and mobile.
- Movable ones are moved by means of trolley with wheels. It also provides space for a gas cylinder and additional shelves for tools and products.
- Tourist is compact and light, but productivity is not so high. They have no additional functions, but are easy to carry. Some outdoor enthusiasts purchase special bags to carry the device. This is convenient if you have to walk to your resting place. The most economical tourists use regular bags or boxes.
Use of gas equipment
These grills are popular for the following reasons:
- convenient ignition, similar to a regular gas stove;
- fast heating (takes much less time than coal and wood barbecues);
- the simplicity and convenience of adjusting the heat;
- there are devices with several burners: each of them can be set to a different temperature, which allows you to cook several different dishes at the same time according to a pre-defined menu;
- easy to repair and maintain.
The safety technology is similar to conventional gas stoves. There is one drawback: in winter, the gas pressure in an unheated cylinder decreases as it cools down and it is difficult to cook in the open air.
Rules of operation
When using the gas grill, certain operating rules must be observed.
How to connect the gas cylinder to the grill
Before connecting the gas cylinder to the unit, make sure it is safe and away from flammable substances and materials. The cover of the grill must be completely open. Otherwise, the gas may collect under the cover and explode. Also make sure that the adjustment knobs are in the “off” position before connecting the cylinder.
Then remove the plastic cap from the gas cylinder and connect the grill hose to the nozzle. The connection must be as tight as possible so that there are no leaks. Secure the coupling by turning it clockwise. Screw in tightly, but not to the point where the threads are stacked or where you cannot unscrew them if necessary. When the tank is connected to the grill, open the valve on it. If leaks are possible, you will smell gas. If this happens, close the valve and reconnect the cylinder. If there are no leaks, you can start the grill.
Preparing the grill for operation
When the gas tank is connected, the unit is ready to go. Warm the grill before grilling food. Photo 7 Make sure the grill is clean and there are no oil or fat leaks anywhere. If they are, wipe the surfaces with a dry towel. Turn one burner to its maximum position and press the ignition button. When the fire ignites, you can turn on the other burners and close the lid. Heat the appliance to the desired temperature.
Warning! Before cooking fatty or pickled meat, it must be dried on a paper towel so that the drops do not get on the burners and do not ignite.
Open the lid and put the food on the grate. After a while you can enjoy a fragrant and tasty dish.
Additional features
The grill is used to fry food, but there are devices that act like a smokehouse. Some models are equipped with a motorized spiral.
Please note whether the temperature setting is stepped or smooth. The latter is most convenient to use, as it allows you to set the temperature to the optimum level for each type of food.
When choosing a mobile gas grill, pay attention to the equipment of the trolley – whether it has additional drawers and shelves.
Materials and price
The quality of the materials depends on the quality of the cooked dish.
The burners can be made of stainless steel, cast iron or brass. The lids are made of steel, stainless or coated with special porcelain enamel.
The grids are made of cast iron, steel or iron. It is cast iron grids which are in demand. They make the device heavier but more stable.
The cost of the grill depends on the above parameters. Different manufacturers present to consumers a large number of models from different materials with many functions. You should choose from their financial possibilities, but still do not save on quality.
Cooking in a gas grill is fast, convenient and environmentally friendly, and most importantly – delicious!