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    🏠Home » Grilling Techniques

    Beginner's Guide to Grilling on a Gas Grill

    May 23, 2020 by Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan · Last modified: Aug 3, 2023 · 2 Comments

    Are you a beginning griller just looking at that new grill, wondering where to start? This guide will get you off to a great start. Learn to control your grill and some basic recipes. For the more experienced grillers, maybe pick up a new recipe or tip.

    image of a Weber S-470 Gas Grill

    Jump To:
    • Food Safety
    • Grill Safety
    • Using Your Grill
    • Beginner Grill Recipes
    • Chicken Recipes
    • Beef Recipes
    • Pork Recipes
    • Grilled Side Dishes
    • Advanced Grilling Recipes

    Blue ribbon divider used for visual effect

    Introduction

    This  "Guide for Beginner Grillers" is mainly aiming for those that have little experience and now have that shinning grill from big box store but are a bit lost.

    I'm a gas grill person. Most of what I say will also apply to a charcoal grill. If you are a smoker, you probably are not reading a beginner's guide.

    I have picked out some basic example recipes I think are important to learn. You can check out almost 100 recipes in the Grilling Recipes Catagory.

    Please start with A Beginners Guide to Grill Temperature on a Gas Grill. Then pick a beginner recipe below and learn that technique, you can then easily expand from there.

    Food Safety

    It is great to have your grill safe and ready to go. Now let's prepare and store our food safely.

    Check Out: Summer Food Safety

    Grill Safety

    Safety and maintenance are a must. If you have a new grill to start the season, assemble and test per the manufacturer's instructions.

    If your grill has been idle all winter, it should be cleaned and checked over as instructed by your grill manual. If you don't have the manual for your grill, you should be able to obtain one from the manufacturer, usually through their website. Always review the manual and follow its recommendations.

    You need to check for damage. Look for insects nested in the works. Replace corroded parts. Clean grates, check the burners closely, and be very sure about any gas connections and valves. If using bottled gas, check over the container. A professional review may be in order.

    Here is a nice guide I use for my Weber S-470 (image above). Deep Cleaning Your Weber Gas Grill. There are many other guides out there I won't attempt to duplicate. Google is your friend, and you may well find what you need on the manufacturer's site.

    Using Your Grill

    Cooking is all about temperature. The best grillers know how to control their grill temperatures to get the best results. Learn this (it is easy) and you will up your grilling game.

    A Beginners Guide to Grill Temperature on a Gas Grill
    Learn about grill temperatures on a gas grill. The most basic measurement to help you master your grill. Become the "Grill Master" today.
    smoking gas grill

    Or take it to the next level.

    How To Set Up Your Gas Grill for Smoking and Low and Slow Cooking
    Let’s learn how to set up your gas grill for great low and slow cooking with smoking. A useful technique you need to master your gas grill.
    smoking gas grill

    Need for the more advanced recipes but will take you up that final step.

    Beginner Grill Recipes

    If you are a raw beginner, you can handle these four classic recipes. Master these techniques, and you will be well on the way to mastering your grill.

    All are "How To" meaning they have expanded detailed discussion of not only the what, but why to do things. Pick one and master it first.

    If you have a bit more experience, check these guides out for some tips to up your game.

    How to Grill Hamburgers on a Gas Grill
    Learn How to Grill Hamburgers on a Gas Grill—it is easy and quick once you learn a few simple steps. Juicy and flavorful grilled burgers will become a family favorite.
    burger on a bun
    How to Grill a Pork Tenderloin
    Let's learn How to Grill a Pork Tenderloin that is juicy, moist, and tender. It's easy in 30 minutes on your charcoal or gas grill.
    pork tenderloin on blue platter
    How to Grill Chicken Breasts on a Gas Grill
    Learn how to grill chicken breast on a gas grill. Mastering grilled chicken is easy with a few simple steps. Get perfect tender and juicy chicken breasts every time.
    Grilled Chicken Breasts on a blue plate
    How to Grill Pork Chops on a Gas Grill
    Get perfect moist and tender Grilled Pork Chops on your gas grill in under 30 minutes. Use boneless or bone-in chops, an optional brine, and season to your taste.
    two grilled pork chops on an orange plate

    Chicken Recipes

    Here are three chicken recipes that will take you up just a notch all with easy to follow step by step photos and complete instructions to get it right first time and every time. Be sure to read the guide to grill temperature to get these right.

    Grillied Chicken Drumsticks-Quick and Easy
    Perfectly Grilled Chicken Drumsticks are easy and quick with this never fail recipe. Fall off the bone tender with delicious flavor. They will be the hit of any meal.
    chicken drumsticks cooking on the grill
    Grilled Chicken Thighs—Quick and Easy
    Crispy Grilled Chicken Thighs are quick and easy on your gas grill with this simple recipe. Juicy, moist, and tender, they make a flavorful economical dinner.
    grilled chicken thigh on white plate
    Chicken Kabobs with Honey Garlic Marinade
    These easy, moist, and tender chicken kabobs start with honey garlic marinade, then grilled with vegetables making a great sweet and savory healthy meal with an Asian flavor.
    honey garlic chicken kabobs on a white board

    Beef Recipes

    Let's get our steaks done right. All with easy to follow photo instructions and complete discussion to get you to your final goal of a great steak.

    How to Grill Strip Steak on a Gas Grill
    Learn to grill your New York strip steaks to perfection on your grill. The best juice and tender strip steaks are easy with this never-fail recipe that will serve you well for many years.
    a strip steak with grill marks on a gray plate
    How to Grill a T-bone or Porterhouse Steak – A Tutorial
    Grilled T-bone and Porterhouse steaks are easy with just a few steps. Start with a great steak, season simply, and cook over high heat. Get perfect grilled steaks every time.
    porterhouse steak with fries on blue plate
    How to Grill Filet Mignon
    Learn How to Grill Filet Mignon to perfection in about 10 minutes. With these simple step-by-step photo instructions, you can easily cook the best grilled filet mignon.
    Grilled filet mignon on a white plate
    Easy Marinated Beef Kabobs with Simple Marinade
    The simple beef kabob marinade has only three ingredients, making these Marinated Beef Kabobs easy and quick to make with tender beef steak and charred vegetables.
    a pile of done kabobs on a white plate

    Pork Recipes

    Pork and grills are made for each other. Here are a few intermediate level pork recipes you can master easily.

    The Best BBQ Pork Tenderloin – Memphis Style
    BBQ pork tenderloin is outstanding and is the best grill pork tenderloin—period. Moist, tender, and the most wonderful sweet-spicy taste of Memphis BBQ. This will become your top recipe for company grilling.
    image of slices of pork tenderloin with sauce on white plate
    Grilled Boneless Country Style Pork Ribs
    Learn how to grill boneless country-style ribs that are moist and tender. Great BBQ boneless ribs in only 30 minutes with these quick and easy-to-follow step-by-step photo instructions.
    grilled boneless ribs on a blue plate
    Bacon Wrapped Pork Medallions
    Elegant restaurant-quality Bacon Wrapped Pork Medallion with a smoky bacon wrap is bound to impress. It's now easy to make a great easy dinner for casual special occasions.
    grilled bacon wrapped pork medaion on white plate

    Grilled Side Dishes

    Learn to add some basic grilled side dishes to round out there meal with these recipes.

    Grilled Pineapple Slices with Brown Sugar Cinnamon Glaze
    Glazed grilled pineapple slices are an easy delicious summer side dish. With a buttery caramelized brown sugar glaze, it also makes a great dessert when combined with ice cream—Ready in less than 15 minutes.
    close up of Grilled Pineacpple with grill marks on a blue plate
    Grilled Mixed Vegetables
    Delicious Grilled Mixed Vegetables cooked on the grill compliments any meal. You can easily add them to your grill while you cook dinner to complete your meal.
    Grilled Mixed Vegetables in a white bowl
    Grilled Baby Potatoes
    Delicious Grilled Baby Potatoes with crispy golden skin are perfect for any grilled meal. Use small potatoes like red, new, fingerling, or trimmed larger thin-skin potatoes.
    grilled baby potatoes going into a blue bowl
    Grilling Corn on the Cob (no foil and no husks)
    Grilling Corn on the Cob with no foil and no husks is the easy way to get great char to add to the wonderful taste of fresh corn in only 10 minutes over medium heat.
    grilled corn on the cob in a holder

    Advanced Grilling Recipes

    These are the real classics. All need a bit more work. You should tackle these after you feel comfortable with the basics. Of course, all the recipes have easy to follow step by step photo instructions.

    How to Grill Baby Back Ribs on a Gas Grill
    Grilled baby back ribs on a gas grill are easy with a few simple steps. Delicious, juicy, and fall-off-the-bone tender BBQ ribs will make you the grill master.
    grilled Baby Back Ribs on black cutting board
    Grilled Pork Butt on a Gas Grill for BBQ Smoked Pulled Pork
    Grilled Pork Butt makes wonderful BBQ smoked pulled pork cooked low and slow on a gas grill. Moist, tender, and with great smoky bark without a smoker.
    Pulled Pork on a Gas Grill from 101 Cooking for Two
    How to Cook a Brisket on a Gas Grill
    Cook smoked Grilled Brisket low-and-slow on your backyard gas grill—moist and tender meat with crusty bark and a smokey taste. Make classic BBQ brisket without a smoker.
    Cooked brisket on a gray board
    ↑Jump to Table of Contents
    Deck Puppies - Molly and Lilly dogs on the deck

    Wow. You got this far. One last reminder on the part that will make you a much better griller. Check Out: A Beginners Guide to Grill Temperature on a Gas Grill

    Have a great and safe grill season.

    DrDan

    Editor's Note: Originally Published March 31, 2019. It will be refreshed yearly and now has improved navigation to help you find what you need.

    More Grilling Techniques

    • Grill surface thermometer
      Guide to Grill Temperature on a Gas Grill
    • Pulled Pork on a Gas Grill from 101 Cooking for Two
      Grilled Pork Butt on a Gas Grill for BBQ Smoked Pulled Pork
    • nicely done burger on a bun. All on a white plate
      How to Grill Hamburgers on a Gas Grill
    • Grilled Chicken Breasts on a blue plate
      How to Grill Chicken Breasts on a Gas Grill

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    1. Silvia B

      April 01, 2019 at 9:49 am

      Hi Dr Dan,
      How do I grill with charcoal?

      Reply
      • Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan

        April 01, 2019 at 11:03 am

        Hi Silvia,

        Welcome to the blog.

        First let me say, my last charcoal grilling was over 20 yrs ago. But the basics are the same. Grill temperature is key and is much harder to control for me on charcoal. See the guide to grill temperature where I briefly discuss charcoal. You will need to learn your grill and how much charcoal and what location you need. https://www.101cookingfortwo.com/grill-temperature/

        Once you learn to control the surface temperature, most recipes will be fine. Most beef grillings work on very hot but chicken and pork will be an issue if the charcoal is too hot.

        Hope that helps some.

        Dan

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