Portable Gas Grill

Cooking under the stars

Gas grills increase the quality of meals produced on outdoor trips. Push-button ignition and heat controls offer ease of use and control for outdoor chefs. Capable of reaching an appropriate cooking temperature almost instantly, these models save time as compared to other means of cooking al fresco. With the addition of chips of wood, grillers of any experience level can produce fire-roasted meat of the highest quality with relatively little clean up.

Cooking with gas

Even the simplest gas grill is more complex than a typical charcoal grill. The grill body houses the internal components (valve regulators, burner, starter, cooking surface), all of which can be controlled by buttons and valves on the outside. A hood covers the cooking surface and serves to trap heated air, further increasing the temperature inside.

Most grills feature at least two main burners, with a regulator for each one. Each burner has a series of holes along its length, tiny openings through which gas flows.

The grill starter, sometimes called the igniter, supplies the initial spark. A push-button or knob connects to the mechanism that produces this spark on command, assuring the grill will light when needed.

After the fire

Unlike other grills, with their messy coals and ash, a gas grill is easy to clean. After the grill cools, remove any wood chips or other flavor-enhancing leftovers and wipe the inner compartment. To clean the rack, turn the gas up to the highest setting, close the grill lid, and let it heat up for a few moments to burn any excess matter. Once the grill has had a chance to cool down, wipe the rack with a damp cloth. If the rack needs further cleaning, scrape it with a grill brush then wipe it again.

Safety first

As with all fires, a gas grill requires a certain amount of vigilance. Cooking fires account for a high percentage of household accidents; the same precautions used at home to prevent burns must be used at the campsite as well. Never place the grill where branches, leaves or other matter can fall into the burning surface. Set it up on level ground and make sure to keep it away from commonly traversed paths. Fires must be attended at all times, and a fire extinguisher or bucket of sand should be kept at hand in case of emergency.

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