4th of July Grilling Tips

Adapted form Steven Raichlen's Gas Grilling Tips    

• When lighting a gas grill, always have the lid raised. Lighting a closed grill can lead to a dangerous gas buildup and even the potential for an explosion.
• Push button igniter won’t light? Unscrew the button casing and check the battery. You may need a new one.

• Not sure how much propane you have in your tank? Pour boiling water over the side. You’ll see condensation on the part of the tank that still has propane.

• Don’t run out of propane! Nothing’s more frustrating or embarrassing than running out of propane when you’re grilling. I always keep an extra tank on hand.

• How to smoke on a gas grill: many grills come with dedicated smoker boxes. If yours does, fill it with soaked hardwood chips (like apple or hickory) and run the grill on high until you see smoke. Then reduce the heat as needed.

• Another option for smoking on a gas grill is to make a foil smoker pouch. Wrap soaked chips in foil, sealing the edges to make a pillow-shaped pouch. Poke holes in the top with a skewer to release the smoke. Place this pouch under the grate over one of the burners.

Got a favorite recipe? Tell us in the comments to share with other Fort Bragg Patch readers.