Grill TipsGrills, Barbecues & Food

How do I prepare my grill for spring?

Be sure to clean spider webs out of the venturi tubes as described below.

You may open your grill in the spring and find remnants of the meal you cooked on it last season. Don’t worry. According to Howtocleananything.com, cleaning the grill is actually easier than most people realize, and you can usually forego the brushes, dirty sink and elbow grease if you start the day before you need the grill. However, use the following method only after checking with your owner’s manual. Some manufacturers warn against using oven cleaner on any part of their grill.

Lay a plastic bag on the ground, followed by a newspaper, then lay your grill on top of the newspaper. Spray liberally with an oven cleaner, and cover with another layer of moist newspaper. Follow this with another plastic bag and weigh down the edges so the whole mess doesn’t end up in your neighbors yard. Now instead of scrubbing and scouring, just let the oven cleaner do the work for you overnight. The next day, remove the grill and place all the saturated newspaper into one of the garbage bags. Wear gloves and follow all of the manufacturers safety precautions whenever working with caustic cleaners, such as oven cleaner. Rinse the grill thoroughly, and then wash off any remaining oven cleaner residue with some soapy water. Rinse again, coat with a light brushing of vegetable oil, and you’re ready to go! It is a good plan to fire up your barbeque for 30 to 45 minutes on High temperature to sanitize everything before the first use of the season. How do I season the cooking grids for the first time?

For a new grill, you need to burn off the protective oils that are applied by the manufacturer by running the grill on high for about 30 minutes. After the grill cools, coat the grids with a vegetable oil spray and run for 30-45 minutes on high. This will draw the oil into the grids and prevent foods from sticking.

How do I clean the cooking grids?

As soon as the food is removed from the grill, brush the grills with a grill brush for about 10 seconds. If you have porcelain-coated grills make sure you only use a brass bristle brush, never scraping the grill with the scraper that is usually attached to most brushes.

Then turn off the grill immediately. After the grill has cooled down spray vegetable oil, such as Pam, liberally on the grill (this should also be done before you light the grill each time as well). What this does is loosen whatever food is stuck to the grill, knocking it into the bottom of the grill where it will be incinerated the next time the grill is pre-heated.

Turning the grill on high for ten minutes will emulate a self-cleaning oven, but that is like using your grill twice. Of course you may forget you are burning off your grill, and it can easily be left on for 30 minutes or more. This puts your grill through the same stress as using it 3 or 4 times, meaning you will need to purchase new parts, or even a new grill, much sooner than you should have to.

If you feel you just must burn off your grill, once a month won’t really hurt anything, but religiously brushing for 10 seconds as soon as you’re done cooking and keeping the grills well oiled is all anyone should have to do.

To help make the grill easier to keep clean, don’t apply tomato based sauces until the last few minutes before the food is removed from the grill. Marinade and baste the food with vinegar, citrus or soy-based mixtures to help make clean up easier.

How do I clean the burner?

You will from time to time have to clean the burner to keep the burner holes clean. The flame coming from the burner should be blue, if the flame is orange or red you may need to replace or clean the burner. At this time you should also check the gas supply (venturi) tubes to be sure that there are no obstructions. If you use your barbeque heavily you may want to spray a food safe organic cleaner or degreaser and let it sit for a while and hose the entire barbeque off. And for safety sake on your BBQ, you should only open the propane tank valve half a turn. It will work just as well and if there is ever an emergency, you can shut off the gas in an instant!

How do I clean the inside of my grill?

Remove the cooking grids. Using a soft brass wire brush, clean loose debris from casting sides and insides of the lid. Scrape sear plates with a putty knife or scraper, and use a wire brush to remove ash. Remove sear plates and brush debris off of burners with a brass wire brush. Brush all debris from inside the grill into the drip pan. Accumulated grease can cause a fire hazard. Do not line the drip pan with aluminum foil, as it can prevent the grease from flowing properly. The pan should be scraped out with a putty knife or scraper, and all the debris should be scraped into the disposable grease tray. This tray should be replaced every two to four weeks, depending on gas grill usage. For supplies, see your dealer.

How do I clean the outside of my grill?

Do not use abrasive cleaners to clean any painted, porcelain or stainless steel parts. Porcelain enamel components must be handled with additional care. The baked on enamel finish is glass like, and will chip if struck. Touch-up enamel is available from your dealer. Exterior grill surfaces should be cleaned while warm to the touch, with warm soapy water.

How do I clean the stainless steel parts of my grill?

According to the Specialty Steel Industry of North America, stainless steel needs to be cleaned for aesthetic considerations and to preserve corrosion resistance. Stainless steel is protected from corrosion by a thin layer of chromium oxide. Oxygen from the atmosphere combines with the chromium in the stainless steel to form this passive chromium oxide film that protects from further corrosion. Any contamination of the surface by dirt, or other material, hinders this passivation process and traps corrosive agents, reducing corrosion protection. Thus, some form of routine cleaning is necessary to preserve the appearance and integrity of the surface.

Like any surface that is exposed to the environment, stainless steel can get dirty. Dirt and soil can consist of accumulated dust and a variety of contaminates that come from many sources, ranging from the wind to everyday use. These contaminates will vary greatly in their effect on appearance and corrosivity and ease of removal. Frequently, warm water with or without gentle detergent is sufficient. Next in order are mild non-scratching abrasive powders such as typical household cleaners. These can be used with warm water, bristle brushes, sponges, or clean cloths.

Ordinary carbon steel brushes or steel wool should be avoided as they may leave particles embedded on the surface which can lead to RUSTING. For more aggressive cleaning, a small amount of vinegar can be added to the scouring powder. Cleaning should always be followed by rinsing in clean hot water. When water contains mineral soldis, which leave water spots, it is advisable to wipe the surface completely with dry towels.

Fingerprints and Stains – Fingerprints and mild stains resulting from normal use are the most common surface contaminates. Fortunately, these usually affect only appearance and seldom have an effect on corrosion resistance. They are easy to remove by a variety of simple cleaning methods. Fingerprints are probably the most troublesome marks to remove from the surface of smooth polished or bright finished stainless steel. Fortunately, they can be removed with a glass cleaner or by gentle rubbing with a paste of soda ash (sodium carbonate) and water applied with a soft rag. Once again, this should be followed by a thorough warm water rinse. For more stubborn stains see the Specialty Steel Industry of North America’s web site.

How do I clean the aluminum parts of my grill?

This is the beauty of cast aluminum…all you have to do is hose it down. About once a year, take some detergent soap that you would use to wash your automobile, and wash your aluminum grill. With die cast grills, you can leave it outdoors all year round, regardless of the climate. (taken from outdoor-patio-furniture.info)

How do I clean spider webs out of my venturi tubes?

If you notice that your grill is getting hard to light or that the flame isn’t as strong as it should be, take the time to check and clean the venturis. Please refer to the phot os on our website. In some areas of the country, spiders or small insects have been known to create “flashback” problems. The spiders spin webs, build nests, and lay eggs in the grill’s venturi tube(s), obstructing the flow of gas to the burner. The backed-up gas can ignite in the venturi behind the control panel. This is known as a flashback, and it can damage your grill and even cause personal injury.

Shut off, then disconnect the gas supply to your grill. Disconnect then tilt the burner down below your control panel. Run a long handled pipe cleaning brush back and forth in the venturi tubes as pictured below. Reconnect the venturi tubes and gas supply.

About the author:

Harold Wagner has over 15 years experience in the barbecue grill industry and regularly attends the annual HPBA shows to keep current with the latest developments. Gas Grills Now is a member of the Hearth Patio Barbeque Association (HPBA) and has been in business since 1981 with an internet presence since 1997. For more information call toll free 1-877-669-4669.

Written By: Harold Wagner

gas grills and spider webshow do you clean carbon build up on the inside of a gas grill lid?how do you clean the outside of grills

A hot new food for the outdoor cooking season

Fifty years ago you might see the backyard grill in action three times in a year: Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day. Dad would wrestle it out of the garage, knock off the dust and hand Mom the rack to clean, usually at her insistence since the blackened grime added flavor and the fire would burn off any germs. She would carry it at arms length into the house where she would scrub it. Dad would get the charcoal just right and flip burgers or grill hot dogs with a radio playing in the background. Potato salad, coleslaw, potato chips, tomato slices, pickles and any condiments were Moms domain. According to the Barbeque Industry Association, things have changed. Three out of four American homeowners own a grill and over half of those owners cook out all year round, sometimes as often as 5 times a month during the traditional cookout season.

While hot dogs and hamburgers are still mainstays for the occasional out-door chef, true aficionados have expanded their grilling expertise to include many other dishes. Chicken, pork and beef still dominate the scene; but emu joins salmon and shrimp as being one of the new hot foods for the out-door cooking season.

A red meat recognized as Heart Healthy by the American Heart Association, emu ranked best in 15 out of 20 essential nutrients in a USDA funded study at the University of Wisconsin. Emu came out lower in fat, including saturated fats, but higher in protein, reports American Emu Association president Gerald Edwards. It was also higher in iron and several other essential vitamins than the other six meats tested.

The best way to grill this lean red meat? According to Louisiana Chef Dale Bourgeois there is very little shrinkage, so you can use 3/4 the amount of emu vs. other meats. Bourgeois points out that emu requires a shorter cooking time and lower temperature than traditional meats. When grilling emu steaks, cook to a medium rare to light medium (150 to 160 degrees), says Bourgeois. Fully cooked emu will retain a deep red color so care should be taken to avoid over cooking. If you want well done, use a moist cooking method. According to Bourgeois, marinade time is reduced as emu retains flavors better than most conventional meats. Emu is mild flavored and responds especially well to sweet marinades,” says Bourgeois.

Emu is available in a variety of cuts suitable for the back yard grill, including fillet, flat and fan steaks, medallions, roast, ground and more. For additional information about emu meat, its overall health benefits, recipes or location of retail emu meat outlets, visit the industry website at www.aea-emu.org.

EMU STEAKS

Grilled Sesame Ginger Steak

4 (4 oz.) emu steaks
1 Tbsp. sesame seeds, toasted
2 Tbsp. ginger, grated (or tsp. powdered ginger)
2 Tbsp. honey
1 Tbsp. soy sauce, low sodium

Combine the first 4 ingredients in a small bowl. Set aside. Grill steak over hot coals, basting frequently with soy sauce mixture. Steaks can also be browned in a non-stick skillet, then add the soy sauce mixture and simmer 15 to 20 minutes. Serves 4.

Barbecued Flat Filet Steak with Chutney-Bourbon Glaze

1 lb. emu flat filet
1/3 c. peach or mango chutney
1/3 c. pineapple juice
3 Tbsp. bourbon or apple juice
1 Tbsp. rice wine vinegar
1 tsp. hot pepper sauce
tsp. salt
2 garlic cloves, crushed

Prepare grill or broiler. Combine the filet and remaining ingredients in a large zip-loc bag. Seal and refrigerate for 2 hours. Remove filet from bag, reserving marinade. Place filet on grill or broiler, cook 8 minutes on each side or until desired degree of doneness is reached. Cut filet diagonally against the grain in very thin slices and keep warm. In a saucepan add marinade, bring to a boil. Stir occasionally, and cook for approximately 2 minutes. Serve with filet slices. Serves 4.

Cajun Steak

4 (4 oz.) emu steaks
tsp. paprika
tsp. garlic powder
tsp. dry mustard
tsp. ground sage
tsp. ground cumin
1/8 tsp. pepper
tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. low fat margarine, melted
1 tsp. parsley flakes
1/8 tsp. garlic powder
2 or 3 drops of hot pepper sauce

Combine the first 8 spices on waxed paper. Coat both sides of steaks. Grill on outdoor grill or broil in oven 4 inches from broiler. Turn once. Prepare sauce of margarine, flakes, garlic powder and hot sauce. Spoon over steaks before serving. Serves 4.

Grilled Emu Steaks

4 emu fillet
can frozen lemonade
can water
2 tsp. minced onion
1 clove garlic, minced (or to taste)

Mix together the lemonade, water, minced onion and garlic. Marinate the steaks for 2 to 3 hours. Cook on grill to desired doneness. Serves 4.

Teriyaki Emu Steaks

1 (16 oz.) emu pan fillet
2/3 c. soy sauce
c. salad oil
2 Tbsp. Grandmas unsulfured molasses
2 tsp. ginger
2 tsp. dry mustard
6 cloves garlic, minced

Mix all ingredients together except for fillet. Add fillet and marinate overnight, turning at least once. Grill to desired doneness. Slice and serve. Serves 4.

KABOBS

Emu Steak Kabobs

12 ox. Emu steak cut into 1 inch cubes
2 Tbsp. soy sauce
2 Tbst. Honey
1 tsp. ground ginger
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 tsp. grated lemon peel
tsp. crushed hot red pepper flakes
8 cherry tomatoes
4 large mushrooms, cut in half
1 green bell pepper, cored, seeded and cut into 8 squares

In a shallow glass dish, combine soy sauce, honey, ginger, garlic, lemon peel and red pepper flakes. Mix well. Add emu; stir to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally. Using four 10-inch metal skewers, alternately thread emu, tomatoes, mushrooms and bell pepper. Grill 2 inches from heat turning 2 or 3 times until meat is medium-rare (or cooked to taste) and vegetables are lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Serve immediately. Serves 4.

Waller Kabobs

2 lb. emu fan filets
2 1040 Onions
3 green bell peppers
2 red bell peppers
2 Italian zucchini
1 pint Italian dressing
1 Tbsp. coarse ground pepper

Cut the filets into approximately 1 to 1 inch cubes, place cubes in a bowl and add Italian dressing covering the cubes. Marinate in refrigerator for about 2 hours. Cut the onion and bell peppers into slices to match the cubed filet. Slice the zucchini into about 3/8 to inch thick slices. Remove the cubed filets and sprinkle with the coarse ground pepper. Slide the filets and vegetable onto skewers alternating the pieces into slices for color variation. Place over grill, marinating with fresh Italian dressing to keep the meat moist. Rotate the kabobs until the vegetables are done. Remove from grill and serve. Serves 8 to 10.

BURGERS

You can use ground emu the same way you use very lean ground beef.

Emu Burgers

1 lb. ground emu
c. non-fat dried milk
2 Tbsp. water
1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
1 Tbsp. soy sauce
1 tsp. onion powder
tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. liquid smoke, optional

Combine all ingredients with the ground emu and mix well. Shape into patties and grill. Serves 6.

Deviled Emu Burgers

2 lb. Ground Emu
c. Italian Salad Dressing
3 Tbsp. Dijon-style mustard
c. finely chopped green onions
c. emu egg or 2 chicken eggs
1 c. plain dry bread crumbs

In a small bowl, combine the dressing and mustard. In a large bowl, combine the ground emu, onions, eggs, breadcrumbs and cup of the dressing/mustard mixture. Shape the meat into 8 patties. Grill or broil burgers, turning once and brushing occasionally with reserved dressing mixture, until desired doneness is reached.
Serves 8.

Emu Cheeseburgers

2 lb. ground emu
2 c. Cheddar cheese, finely grated
1 package Ranch Dressing Mix

Place the meat into a bowl and pour the Ranch Dressing Mix on top. Use two forks to cut the dressing mix into the meat. Add the cheese and blend with the forks. Do not over mix. Use cup of mix per patty. Form 8 patties. Grill over medium heat until the juice runs clear. Serve with your favorite garnishments. Serves 8.

About the Author

ABOUT THE AMERICAN EMU ASSOCIATION
Founded in 1989, the AEA is a nonprofit organization of breeders, producers and marketers of emu meat, oil and other food by-products.
Source: American Emu Association
Contact: Myra Charleston
Ph: 1-541-332-0675 email: info@aea-emu.org
Website: http://www.aea-emu.org

Written By: American Emu Association

backyard emu ovenbarbecue and emuemu bbqemu gas associationemu steak in detroit

Looking for a delicious and simple way to grill up that fresh tuna steak that you just caught or bought from the local seafood market? Grilled tuna steak is a delightful and exciting entree for any special meal. There are various methods to spice up and flavor your catch, but today we want to talk about a popular method using wasabi powder. This unique spice is being used by many top chefs to add a special flare and flavoring to the tuna.

Assemble the following recipe ingredients:

* tuna steaks, cut to a thickness of 3/4 inch to 1 1/2 inch each ( your preference ) * 4 to 6 ounces of butter * 1 cup of teriyaki marinade * 1 tablespoon of wasabi powder * 2 chopped green onions * 1 tablespoon of olive oil, peanut oil, or vegetable oil * salt and pepper to taste

Get started by marinating the tuna in the teriyaki marinade. Place the tuna into the marinade and completely coat both sides of the meat. Cover, place into the refrigerator and let the tuna sit and marnate for an hour or more, overnight is good too.

When ready, start up your grill and get it good and hot, but not too hot. Ideally bring it to the same temperature as if you were grilling a regular beef steak on the grill. Then mix the wasabi powder, butter and the green onions together and place it aside for the time being. Once the grill is to the ideal temperature and you are ready, then brush the oil onto the tuna steaks and season the meat with salt and pepper to taste. While grilling, periodically baste the tuna with the left over teriyaki marinade. This will help to keep the tuna moist and add additional flavor. Cook until they are done to your desired temperature, then serve with the butter. You can also let some butter melt on the tuna fillets as they are cooking as well.

Alternative set of recipe ingredients and marinade flavoring:

* tuna steaks, 1-inch thick * Sesame oil * 1 rounded tsp. cornstarch * 1/3 c. rice vinegar * 1/3 c. mirin * 1/3 c. soy sauce * 3 tbsp. minced crystallized ginger

Popular tuna species:

Tuna is a popular, delicious and rich tasting seafood that is prepared in many ways. It is perfect for grilling, sautee, and broiling. The flesh of tuna is pink because the tuna’s muscle tissue has a higher oxygen capacity than other fish species.

* Bluefin: An important source of seafood, providing much of the tuna used in sushi. It is a particular delicacy in Japan where it has been reported that the price of a single giant tuna can exceed $100,000 on the Tokyo fish market.

* Yellowfin: found in open waters of tropical and subtropical seas worldwide, though not in the Mediterranean Sea. It has been reported to be up to 94 inches in length and 440 lb in weight. The second dorsal fin and the anal fin are both bright yellow, thus the common name, and they are very long, as are the pectoral fins. The main body is very dark metallic blue, changing to silver on the belly.

* Albacore: found in the open waters of all tropical and temperate oceans, and the Mediterranean Sea. It is a prized food, and a significant fishery. Methods of fishing include rod and reel, long-line fishing and purse seining and are highly sought after by sport fishers and recreational fisherman.

* Bigeye * Blackfin

About the author:

For more Gourmet Food Articles visit: http://www.gourmetfoodarticles.com . This article may be freely reprinted as long as the author’s resource box and url links remain intact.

Written By: James Smith

tips for grilling tunaweber barbecues australiatips on grilling tunagrilled tuna tipstips for bbq tuna

Cooking fish tips for the best cooked fish in your neighborhood!

When grilling, use a wire basket to hold the fish. Fish can be a real pain on the grill grates, because it gets so brittle when done. Firmer fish, such as tuna, salmon, and shark can be cooking directly on the grill, but handle carefully.
Grill fish over medium heat. Fish cooks quicker than most meats, and can burn rapidly over high heat.
If you marinate fish and plan to use the marinade for basting, boil it for about 5 mins to cook out any bacteria that may have settled in it.
To grill shellfish, place them directly on the hottest part of the grill. They’re done when the shell opens. If it doesn’t open, throw them away!

Grilling Tips

Always cook more than you intend to eat-you’ll thank yourself later! BBQ lends itself well to freezing and refrigerating, and already having cooked meats gives you a huge jumpstart on meal-planning for the upcoming week!
When using a dry rub, let the meat cook for about 1/3 of cooking time before basting with any other sauce. This allows the rub to absorb into the meat first.
If you want to use wood chips for extra wood flavoring, soak the wood in water for at least an hour, then wrap in heavy-duty aluminum foil
To prevent rusted grill grates, thoroughly scrape the grill down after cooking and, while the grate is still warm, rub some cooking oil on it using tongs and a small cloth. Close the lid to keep the grate from the elements!
Veggies taste wonderful on the grill!! Coat the veggies lightly in vegetable oil, sprinkle a little seasonings- such as rosemary- on them, and use a shaker basket or grilling wok over the fire, so the pieces don’t fall out!
Add BBQ sauce to your meats during the last 1/3 of cooking time- BBQ sauce is made up of tomatoes and sugar, both of which burn quickly

Charcoal VS. Gas

Ah, the age old debate rages on….what’s better, charcoal or gas grills? We’ll the answer is “both”. See how I cleared that up? Seriously, there are strong supporters on both sides of this debate, so we thought we’d throw some pointers out to you, and you can decide from there!
Charcoal grills generally will capture a more distinct “fire” or smokey flavor than gas will
Gas grills are much easier and faster to light and bring to proper cooking temp.
Gas grills cost substantially more than their charcoal counterparts
Charcoal grills are generally much more portable than a gas unit
Heck, I know a few people that own one of each! They cook with charcoal if they’re tailgating and/or have some extra time, and use the gas grill when the want things a bit easier!

Rob Moore cooks up quick and easy recipes from HIWAY-cafe.com, a site devoted to Recipes As Fast As Your Life! Visit for more quick easy crockpot recipes and more!

Written By: rob moore

portable charcoal barbecues

Grilled albacore tuna steak recipes add flair to your dinner table. Asians have a way of spicing up any fish dish with their own wasabi powder. This is a Japanese horseradish and many chefs today use this spice to bring a very unique flavor to tuna steak.

Here is just once example of grilled albacore tuna steak recipes that use the spice above. You will need to have the following ingredients to prepare this delectable meal; tuna steaks, cup of teriyaki marinade, 4 ounces of butter or margarine, 1 tablespoon of wasabi powder, 2 chopped green onions, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, peanut oil, or vegetable oil, salt and pepper. First you will need to marinate your tuna steaks in the teriyaki marinade. You should place the tuna steaks in the marinade and turn to coat the entire steak in the marinade. Marinate for at least one hour in a covered dish in the refrigerator. You can marinate overnight if you prefer. When you ready to cook your meal, mix together the wasabi powder and green onions in a bowl and set aside. Get your grill ready; lightly brush your tuna with the oil and season with the salt and pepper. You can use the remaining marinade to baste your tuna steaks while they are grilling. Grill your tuna steaks to desired doneness and serve with the butter.

Instead of using the wasabi butter recipe for your grilled albacore tuna steak recipes you can make your own unique sauce to accompany your delicious meal. You may enjoy a spicier sauce, if so you should try this one. You will need 1/3 cup of your favorite steak sauce, cup of ketchup, 1 tablespoon of hot sauce or pepper sauce, cup butter of margarine melted, 1 tablespoon of vinegar, salt, and teaspoon of curry powder. Mix all of these ingredients together and use as a marinade. Also baste your tuna steaks while grilling.

About the Author

Hans is owner and one of the editors of: Steaks Guides, a Collection of Free Steak Recipes

Written By: Hans Dekker

how to grill albacore tunabarbecue albacorealbacore bbq recipegrilled albacore recipebbq albacore tuna