How to Season a New Gas Grill | Unrivaled Guide 2023

As fall progresses, so do your outdoor cooking skills. Many barbecue enthusiasts like to say how important it is, but not everyone knows how to season their grill. How does this technique make grilling so much better? And if food really does taste better, why doesn’t everyone know how to season a grill?

Today, we’ll explain the “why” and “how” of grilling seasoning so you can have the ultimate experience. This will make grilling more flavorful and enjoyable.

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How to Season a New Gas Grill

What you need to enjoy grilling

Grill masters need a few tools of the trade. Of course, this will depend on the type of meat you are grilling, but in general, you should have at least one of the following

1. Metal tongs
2. Metal spatula
3. Meat thermometer
4. Grilling brush
5. Cooking spray
6. Heat resistant oven mitts
7. Aluminum foil for steamer/smoker packs
8. Fire extinguishers

Why Grill Seasoning is Important

There are several reasons.

1. Seasoning removes residue from the manufacturing process.

Everyone appreciates the beauty of a new grill, but that shiny new grill may still contain chemicals from its manufacture.

If you cook without cleaning and seasoning, you risk ingesting or tasting these residues. Seasoning your new grill before cooking burns off these chemicals, resulting in healthier and tastier cooking.

2. Easier cooking

Another reason to season your grill is to make cooking easier. When barbecue grills are properly seasoned, food is less likely to stick to the grill. This is because seasoning makes the grates smoother.

Grill masters, especially those who prefer to use cast iron grills, will be impressed with the difference in ease of cooking due to seasoning.

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3. Easier cleaning and maintenance

In addition to making cooking easier, seasoning also makes cleaning the grill easier.

The seasoning creates a protective film that prevents moisture from penetrating and remaining on the metal, thus preventing the grates from rusting.

Also, less food debris sticks to the grill, making it easier to clean.

4. Enhanced flavor

Many cooks find that seasoned grills produce a more pronounced smoky flavor, which is essential for barbecue recipes.

In fact, the longer a seasoned grill is used, the better it tastes. As the fats and oils build up, the seasoning flavor is released each time the grill is heated. This seasoning build-up is what brings out the flavor. That’s why it’s called “seasoning”.

Without this process, the grill would be a little bland after all that hard work.

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How to season your grill

Now that you know why you should care about seasoning, here’s how to season your barbecue grills.

Step 1: Clean the grill

Clean your barbecue grills with clean water when you first get them home. This will remove dust, metal fragments and other dirt that may have settled on the grill during transport. If you are seasoning an existing grill, use warm water to remove build-up. A brush or crumpled foil can be used to remove stuck-on dirt.

You can also close the lid and heat the grill to burn off any remaining residue. Then brush off any remaining ashes. Wait until the grill is dry.

Step 2: Oil the grill

Now it’s time to start seasoning. Basically, all you have to do is oil the grill. Using a paper towel or soft brush, apply oil to the inside of the griddle and lid. The amount of oil is pretty liberal, but try not to get too much around it. The goal is to create a thin, even film of oil on the baking sheet.

Step 3: Grilling

Once oiled, turn the heat to high and close the lid. The smoke will mix with the oil and create a strong flavor, which is a must for barbecue experts. The oil is cooked on the grill for 40 minutes. Over time, the plancha will gradually darken, which is the correct condition.

Step 4: Let it cool

When the griddle is blackened, it is time to turn off the grill. When it has cooled completely, the seasoning is complete. The next time you eat out, just start using the grill.

Fuel Types

There are hundreds of different types of grills and it can be difficult to narrow down your choices. Start by choosing the right type of fuel.

What type of grill is right for you? The answer depends on the style of cooking and the level of convenience you want from your grill. Each type has its pros and cons, so the more you know about its characteristics, the better it will work with your grill.

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Gas

Gas grills are one of the most common fuel types. Gas grills are mounted on a cart and run on natural gas, either from a removable liquid propane tank or with a conversion kit that connects to the home’s natural gas line.

The debate over natural gas versus liquid propane is hot. Natural gas is cleaner in terms of greenhouse gases, cheaper to use and does not require refilling propane tanks. However, the grates cannot be moved because they are connected to the gas pipes. Liquid propane is a more common fuel option and is portable. It is also expensive and must be refilled. The good news is that many gas grills can accommodate both, so you don’t have to choose right away.

With a gas grill, you’ll have more control over the heat and how it’s distributed across the cooking surface; gas grills like the Char-Broil Commercial 3-Burner allow you to switch between high heat for searing and low heat for even cooking. They are also suitable for high heat for searing and low heat for even cooking. However, if you want to cook whole chickens, ribs or other meats for hours, a charcoal grill, pellet grill or smoker is the way to go.

Charcoal

Charcoal grills provide the traditional smoky flavor that many people think of when they imagine grilled food. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, including the original Weber kettle, which introduced the charcoal grill design widely known today. Charcoal grills do have their quirks, however, and if you’re going to go this route, you should be prepared to put some of them to work.

Charcoal grills are cooked with charcoal briquettes or charcoal pieces. That’s where the smoky flavor comes from. You will need to spend a little more time preheating the grill with charcoal briquettes than with a gas grill. You’ll also need to clean the grill and remove the ash from the charcoal being grilled.

Charcoal grills may not be as precise or customizable as gas grills when it comes to cooking, but they have a unique flavor and are the most affordable option. Small and portable, charcoal grills can be found for as little as $50.

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Pellet Grills

Pellet grills, such as the Traeger Timberline 850, burn wood pellets, which are heated to the desired temperature by an on-board computer, adding a smoky, woody flavor to food. Pellet grills produce flavorful meat, especially when cooked slowly, but pellets are more expensive than propane or charcoal and can be hard to find. You’ll have to call or order online.

Pellet grills use a hopper on the side to hold the food-grade wood pellets. Once the grill is turned on with a switch and the temperature is set, these pellets are fed into the burn pot by a rotating auger connected to the hopper. Pellet grills are available in barrel and cart models, with prices ranging from about $350 USD to $1,300 USD.

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How to Season a New Gas Grill | Infographics

How to Season a New Gas Grill | Video Explanation

FAQs

Which Oil is the best?

Griddle seasoning uses very high heat, so it’s important to use the right type of oil. Most grill manufacturers recommend canola or peanut oil with a smoke point above 450°F. Vegetable oil, sunflower oil and avocado oil can also be used. Because of its high smoke point, the oil will not burn or spoil the seasoning or taste of the food.

Is the seasoning process the same for all types of grills?

Yes, the same procedure can be used to season charcoal, gas and pellet grills. Both cast iron and steel grills require seasoning. However, keep in mind that porcelain grills do not require seasoning.

Do I need to season my new grill?

Yes, new grills should always be seasoned. By oiling and heating it, you can create a protective layer that prevents rust. Seasoning also creates a non-stick surface on your griddle, so you don’t end up with sticky food the first time you try to grill. In addition, the high-temperature seasoning process can burn off dust and other contaminants left on the griddle during the manufacturing process.

Remember to perform this seasoning process every time you use the grill. A well-seasoned grill is the best way to maintain the grill’s performance for seasons to come.

How often should I season my grill grates?

Everyone has their own rules for seasoning their grill grates and how often it should be done. At a minimum, it should be cleaned and reconditioned whenever rust appears.
If food or marinade starts to stick to the plate, check to see if it is time to re-season.

This can also be avoided by paying attention to the coating of the seasoning. If it starts to flake or lose its color, it’s time to season. Most people do their seasoning at least once a year, but some do it quarterly or monthly. Your choice depends on how often you use your grill and your preferences.

Why do new grills need to be seasoned?

Grilling charcoal briquettes on your new charcoal grill
You just brought home a brand new gas grill and a beautiful charcoal grill. Can’t wait to see what kind of food you can cook?

Wait a minute – you’ll need to do a little more than that. You need to season your grill before you cook on it for the first time for the following reasons

Do I have to clean the grill grates every time?

After grilling, you should always scrape off any food stuck to the grates. However, it is not necessary to thoroughly clean the grill every time.

The purpose of seasoning the grill is to create flavor and prevent food from sticking. A well-seasoned grill does not need to be deep cleaned after each use, but it is still important to remove debris.

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Conclusion

In the article above, we’ve provided you with a buying guide to help you determine which features of a gas grill will be useful to you. You can also browse our selection of the best gas grills to see which brand has all the features and specifications you want in your grill. This will help you spend your money on an efficient gas grill.