If you’re new to grilling, then you are in the right place, friend! As a matter of fact, you’ve somehow come across part two in our series that’s all about getting started on the right foot. In part one of this series, we covered a few of the things you should definitely be doing when you grill. Having covered the dos pretty thoroughly in that blog, we’d like to focus on a few of the don’ts in today’s post.

You see, we always say that when you buy a propane tank, you unlock a world of culinary possibilities. We believe that there is nothing in the world like burgers and brats on the grill at the end of a long day at work. Grilling can be incredibly therapeutic and truly delicious. Of course you’ll need to know where to get started, too! So if you’ve just purchased your first grill and you need a bit of advice to get yourself started, take a look back at part one of this blog and then head back here to further your knowledge of grilling.

Things You Should Not Do With Your Grill

Don’t Start The Grill Wrong

We mentioned it in our last post, but it’s a point that most certainly bears repeating–being safe with your grill is the only way to go. When you first purchase a grill, sit down with the owners manual and read it from front to back. If there’s a topic that confuses you, head to YouTube to watch a video or ask a knowledgeable friend for advice.

Once you have a good handle on things, it’s important to know that you should never turn on the propane tank valve when the lid of your grill is closed. The closed lid provides an area for propane to build up in, meaning when you light the fire, a flash fireball could form. If that sounds extremely bad, it’s because it is. Starting your grill with the lid closed is quite dangerous. Instead, pop open the lid before starting your grill and you’ll be all set. Safety first every time!

Don’t Walk Away

One incredibly common mistake that we see people make is that they’ll throw food on the grill, then simply head back inside to set a timer and wait until the food is done. That’s not the right approach to take. Instead, be mindful of your grill at all times. You’ll want to keep a watchful eye on your grill whenever it’s on. Flare ups happen from time to time while you’re grilling and if things get out of hand, you want to be there to take care of them the moment they start rather than after it’s already too late.

Did you know that the size of a grill fire can easily double in under a minute? That’s why it’s so important to prep all of your food beforehand so that you can stay focused on the grill while it’s on and the food is cooking. Grab yourself a cold drink, pull up a chair, and just enjoy the fact that you get to relax a little bit as the gentle breeze blows the smell of delicious grilled food your way. It doesn’t get much better than that!

Don’t Overload Your Grill

There are going to be times where it will be incredibly tempting to fill your grill to its limit. Avoid that temptation at all costs. When you have people over for a large backyard barbecue, you might want to make sure that everyone gets food as quickly as possible. Instead, make it a point to man the grill throughout the event and keep things cooking as you need them.

At the end of the day, foods with high fat content (like burgers, brats, and hot dogs) can cause a flare up and you can minimize that risk by planning accordingly.

Stay Tuned For Part Three

Buy a grill, buy a propane tank, and get started, right? At Mighty Flame, we know that it’s not quite that simple. The good news is that armed with these helpful dos and don’ts, you can ensure that you start your grilling experience off on the right foot. Of course this list isn’t complete by any means, but it’s enough to get you started and ensure that you’re doing things the right way.

And fortunately for you, the fun isn’t over quite yet! In part three of our series, we’ll take a look at a couple of our favorite practical grilling tips to ensure that you’re ready to grill up a masterpiece right out of the gate. You’ve made a great decision to purchase a grill, so if you need to buy a propane tank, head to the nearest Mighty Flame location, pick one up, and head back here for the final part in our series. Until next time!