do i need coal with a gas grill?

Question

first time bbqing

Answer 1

It's not COAL, it's LAVA ROCK, and it's available at most home stores or other places that sell new grills and supplies.

You spread them on the BOTTOM RACK (below the cooking grill and in other words over the burner(s). DO NOT put them directly on the burners! Spread them out fairly evenly, not in lumps so that the heat is transferred evenly across the entire cooking area.

The rocks (yes, they are some kind of volcanic or ceramic material, not charcoal) also cut down on flareups by taking dripping and grease first. I'm cheap and if they aren't bad off as far as I can see I tend to actually scrub them, rinse and dry occasionally. They aren't too expensive though and it's also a good time to clean the grill anyway.

Spiders often build nests in the assembly and can clog it. If you can't clear it out, have it serviced. They can otherwise fail and you may replace more than one over the grill's lifespan.

Charcoal is an ignition source and you don't need it with gas burning. The fact that charcoal and lava rock LOOK very similar has confused countless people over the years.

Now some imprtant pointers you'll need:

Long handled utensils help prevent accidental burns in the event of a flareup.

Ditto for a good mitt or a pair of them...keep them cleaned and replace them if they have a large burned spot or are cut open.

High fat items such as BACON should be handled in a skillet on on a griddle, NOT directly on the grill (don't ask, newbies sometimes learn things the wrong way).

Keep back from the grill, do not stay hunched over it. Clothing articles (loose or not), hair and bare skin can ignite in the event of a bad flare-up. It's exciting but it's still "playing with fire" we are speaking of.

Do not attempt anything less than WELL DONE until you have mastered the art of BBQ. If you already have a grill in the home it's not hard but remember it won't be as hot or as quick as a gas stove...it takes about as much time as with a charcoal grille (minus the charcoal prep and preheat thing).

LIGHT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE following opening the gas valve! If it builds up too long it will go WHOOSH six feet up from the buildup of gas. If your ignitor has trouble igniting the gas withing a small number of pushes, stop and have the ignition setup serviced, burner nozzles cleaned if needed.

That drip can you salvaged from chicken noodle soup will fill quickly. Check it often to see if it fills and/or the drain hole backs up you can find the bottom of the grill catching fire.

In the event of an uncontrolled fire, SHUT THE VALVE DOWN IMMEDIATELY and CLOSE THE LID. All your food will be a goner so do not try to save it. It you can close any vent on the lid use the long utensil to shut them. You need to starve the flames and let it burn out. Chances are the closed bottle will not be in harm's way but it will take a while. I don't know what extinguisher to use but I don't think I'd recommend one in this case and it's like they show you when putting out a pan fire in the home (they don't like them as a first line of defense either).

Keep all grille away from structures and other combustible items, dry grass and brush, as you would with a campfire. Keep the grill out of the area of low hanging trees and utilities.

It is a big hazard to have slow or troublesome ignition, even worse to use matches, a lighting torch or any other device that has flammable liquids or is not approved to light your grille. Fixing the igniter is the safest way to go.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

Grill Coal

Answer 4

You need gas with a gas grill. That is all.

Coal, or rocks, do seem to improve the way things turn
out, kinda like sound with movies. You don't need sound,
but people seem to enjoy movies more when they have
sound.

Answer 5

No. You need gas. Charcoal is for people who like to cook out. If you're going to use a gas grill, you might as well just use your stove.

Answer 6

no.. the gas is the fuel.. charcoal will hose up the holes in the burners.. The rocks you see are heat disbursing material that either look like laval or charcoal.. You just need to get an ignition source, make sure you have the gas turned on and you are ready to cook.

Answer 7

You do not need charcoal like for a charcoal grill. They do make briquettes for gas grills. You will need that. You can get wood flavored chips as well such as hickory if you like that flavor in your cooking.

Answer 8

if u dont know the answer to your question, u shouldnt be using a gas grill. It could be deadly if you ignitor doesnt light right and then u decide to light it yourself and the gas fumes could explode in your face. if u just bought a new gas grill, turn the knobs to the lighting position, and click the red ignitor button, with the lid closed of course for safety, it should be lit. Be carefull.

Answer 9

No, you need a tank of gas. No lava rocks. Just fire it up and start grilling.

Answer 10

No, but it doesn't hurt to lay some out on the bottom, just to add flavor.