Barbecue Tricks

BBQ Tips and Tricks

fuel

Tricks

Grill Gas Check Tip

It’s happened to a lot of cookers… GAS issues! Not what you may be thinking but it could also happen to you! You’re in the homestretch of a day of prepping for the cookout. Chicken’s on… and the gas on the… grill is… slowly… dying.
Running out of propane is easy to do because it’s so hard to see through metal! (Although I have seen some transparent plastic tanks recently that look great.) Most of us don’t have a gas gauge either.
Here’s one tip for your next cook out:
You can estimate how much gas you have left in your propane tank by heating up some water to a boil (you can do this in the microwave or ins

ide). Make sure you have enough hot water to gently heat the SIDE of the propane tank in question. Tilting the tank on a bit of an angle, pour the hot water up and down the entire side of the tank from bottom to top.  Not too hot on the water (nothing that could get dangerous) just warm enough so you can tell a difference.
The level of liquid propane inside can be determined by feeling the new temperature of the tank with your hand. Where your hot water has succeeded in heating the tank is where it’s empty. Where the tank is noticeably cooler is where you have some remaining liquid propane.
If there is no noticeable difference you’re probably all out.

Cook

Bic FlameDisk Disposable Fire Source Review

BIC_GRILL.Still003Ever need a fast source of heat or fire in a portable and disposable form?    The Bic Flame Disk may be for you.  This giant sterno in a pie pan is perfect for fast fire for tailgating or camping as a charcoal alternative.

I know we have a lot of charcoal purists out there.  But BBQ Tricks has always been about making things a bit easier.   Sometimes that MAY mean taking a short cut to really be able to enjoy the moment.   Remember grilling – especially during tailgate season –  can be hot and fast as well as low and slow.

The Bic FlameDisk is pretty affordable too – get it here (this is not a paid endorsement but via amazon you will support this site)  BIC Charcoal Alternative FlameDisk, 10-Pack.

unbox_flameThe fuel inside the sealed tin (like a jiffy pop full of vaseline) is a solid white sterno-like substance.  It’s a corn alcohol based fuel (i’m sure sterno is a brand name but it smells the same).  The flame/fuel did not add any discernible taste to the food we cooked.   Unlike “match light” charcoal.

Sure you could actually save a few bucks with a few sterno tins but the form factor here was really nice.    High heat and a super wide flame base due to the evenly spaced holes across the tin’s surface.

http://youtu.be/tfw0zBXLVFE

 

Featured

Propane – Best BBQ Fuel Source?

bbq fuel source gas

 

What’s the best BBQ fuel source?   Purists say charcoal.  Hardwood lump.  Hardwood.  But the crew at our weekly BBQ and Grill show – GrateTV – think you can still get a great tasting product with propane gas.   your life may be a little easier in the process.  Charcoal snoots beware – you may not want to hear this.

Also remember to subscribe to our YouTube Channel (or comment on a vid if you already subscribed) to win our Island Grillstone to be given away 7/1/13.  More Here

GrateTV: New Episodes Every Thursday!

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GrateTV is a short-form, educational web series focused on making barbecue fun! We release a new episodes every week typically originating from the LowCountry of South Carolina “the Birthplace of American BBQ.” Each episode is brief – about a beer in length. Our focus is on fun but easy barbecue tips and tricks plus entertaining information.