With spring right around the corner, people all across the country are gearing up for grilling season. Of course that means that we’re all dreaming about burgers and brats, lounging around in the backyard, and soaking up the sun. Before you know it, it will stop being a daydream and start being a reality.

But if it’s been awhile since you fired up your grill, you may need a refresher course on how it all works. You might also be completely new to grilling, having just bought your first grill. Either way, the team at Mighty Flame is here to help! We always say that when you buy a propane tank, you unlock a world of culinary possibilities, but the first step is to fire up the grill. Keep reading to get a refresher course on how to do things safely.

Lift the Lid

The biggest thing to remember is that when you are ready to light your grill, be certain that you don’t have the lid closed. You don’t want propane to build up in your grill, creating a big problem. Instead, simply lift the lid of your grill beforehand and you should be just fine.

Once the lid is open, turn the knob of your propane tank to start releasing gas into your grill. Next, ignite your burners, taking them one at a time until all of the burners that you’ll need to use have been lit.

Also keep in mind that your grill needs to be preheated before you use it to grill anything. Much like your oven, a grill needs to come up to the proper cooking temperature to ensure that your food gets perfectly cooked.

Grab a Thermometer

One other piece of advice we have is to pick up a grilling thermometer. Although recipes will call for grilling your food for a specific amount of time, the truth of the matter is that there are a number of variables to consider. The make and model of your grill, the temperatures outside, and the temperature of your food before you put it on the grill can all make a big difference.

Rather than playing the guessing game or having to cut into a steak to see if it’s done, you can simply insert your grilling thermometer and make sure it’s cooked to the right temperature. Different foods have different cook times to meet certain levels of doneness, so be sure to find a guide if you’re not sure what the temperature should be for your particular food.

Allow Your Food to Rest

Another thing you may need a reminder on is to allow your food to rest once it’s done cooking. This is particularly true for steaks and burgers. You don’t have to go overboard, but allowing your food to rest means that the juices are going to be more evenly distributed. The end result is a more delicious meal and at the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about!

Feel free to experiment a bit to see how long you should rest particular foods. Our rule of thumb is to turn off your grill, bring your food in, set the table, and then serve it. More often than not, this makes for the perfect amount of time and also ensures that you don’t have to go to the trouble of setting a timer and trying to nail it down to an exact science.

Stay Tuned for More Grilling Tips

As grilling season continues to edge towards full swing, the team at Mighty Flame will continue to bring readers plenty of great grilling tips, tricks, recipes, and ideas. We have plenty to share in the coming weeks and months as people all across the country break out their grills to enjoy a few burgers and brats.

Of course if you need to buy a propane tank, we have you covered there as well! With a number of propane tank exchange locations across the country, it’s easier than ever to swing by and grab one while you’re out running errands. After all, the last thing you’d want is to try to fire up your grill only to realize that you’re fresh out of propane. Drop by a Mighty Flame location today and make sure it doesn’t happen to you!