Brining for the BBQ: A Simple Guide to Moist and Juicy Meat

Last time I wrote, I posted about Tips about BBQing Chicken. Number 2 on that list was about brining. I received some questions after that post about brining, and I thought it would be worthwhile elaborating on it.

So here goes!

First things first, a brine is essentially a salt bath. It marinates the meat far more efficiently than a typical marinade.

In case you are still curious about the process of brining, Wikipedia says:

Brining makes cooked meat moister by hydrating the cells of its muscle tissue before cooking, via the process of osmosis, and by allowing the cells to hold on to the water while they are cooked, via the process of denaturation.The brine surrounding the cells has a higher concentration of salt than the fluid within the cells, but the cell fluid has a higher concentration of other solutes. This leads salt ions to diffuse into the cell, whilst the solutes in the cells cannot diffuse through the cell membranes into the brine. The increased salinity of the cell fluid causes the cell to absorb water from the brine via osmosis. The salt introduced into the cell also denatures its proteins. The proteins coagulate, forming a matrix that traps water molecules and holds them during cooking. This prevents the meat from dehydrating.

Did you get all that? Basically brining allows you to quickly and efficiently add more moisture into your meat, and creates juicier, more delicious grilled meat.

Sounds great right? But too good to be true? Well no.. kind of. The only caveat is that you need to be really careful with cooking. Meat quickly overcooks, and I’ve found you really need to keep an eye on your thermometer for the first few times until you have more experience with the cooking. After a few times cooking brined meat though, you will quickly understand why brining has become one of my goto BBQ techniques. Really do give it a try.

Here is our basic brining recipe again:

Simple brine recipe:

• 6 tablespoons of salt
• 1 quart of cold water

Dissolve salt into water in a gallon zip-lock bag. Add chicken, remove air and seal.

Make sure to use a deep dish, as you want to make sure that the meat is completely submerged.

Typical Brining Times:

David B. January 12th, 2011

Posted In: BBQ Maintenance

How to Leak Test Your Grill for Safety

Leak testing your Grill:

Leak testing your grill is important and only takes a second to do, and all you need is a little water and dish soap. We recommend that you get in the habit of checking this every time you disconnect your cylinder or hose and regulator.

Leak testing must be carried out outdoors in a well ventilated area. Manufacturer instructions should always be followed.

After installing your gas cylinder:

Turn all gas controls to ‘OFF’ and open the gas cylinder valve 1 turn (anti clockwise).

Check all connections with a soap solution of 50% water and 50% liquid detergent. Brush the solution on each gas connection.

Make sure to check the connection at the regulator, which controls the flow of propane to the grill’s burners. These tend to easily get clogged in many modern gas grills.

Soap bubbles will be formed if there is a leak of gas from an improperly sealed connection. Tighten the fitting, re-check, and you’re done.

David B. October 5th, 2010

Posted In: BBQ Maintenance

How to Clean and Maintain Rock Grates

• Inspect rock grates periodically
• Rock grates are subject to very high temperatures and will weaken and deteriorate over time.
• Knock off loose rust and scale with a wire brush.

• If grate is very thin, or sags excessively, replace with a new grate sized to your grill.

David B. September 20th, 2010

Posted In: BBQ Maintenance

How to Maintain your Rocks and Briquettes

Rocks or briquettes? The fundamental difference is lava rocks need to be replaced every season or two (depending how long you use them). Briquettes, while more expensive can be turned over and reused. You can buy lava rocks or briquettes here.

Rock & Briquette Maintenance:

• Remove the rock and rock grate they rest on

• Lightly brush residue off with a wire brush

• An easy way to clean briquettes on an ongoing basis is to periodically turn them upside down and cook on the opposite side, which will gradually burn off and clean the underside of the rock
• Reinstall the rocks, make sure they are distributed evenly across the Rock Grate surface. This will help the grill cook at an overall even temperature

• When replacing uniformly shaped briquettes, arrange the rock to have a minimum amount of space between them.
  – This will reduce the grease drippings directly onto the burner flame and help reduce flare-ups

What do I need to know about Lava rocks?

• If your grill uses lava rocks, you should replace them every season or two
• Lava rocks absorb grease over time and can cause flare ups if they become saturated
• Make sure you buy a quality rock that won’t fall through the rock grate opening
• Purchasing a high quality briquette may be better value for money, it’s important to know that briquettes do not normally need to be replaced as regularly as lava rocks do.

Heat Plates:

• Heat Plates can also work in place of briquettes. It’s important to buy a high quality cast iron flare guard if you decide to take this route, as the cheap thin porcelain metal alternative will burn out quickly, and provide a hot and uncontrollable heat source.

David B. September 5th, 2010

Posted In: BBQ Maintenance

How to Maintain and Clean Your Cooking Grid

Cooking Grid General Maintenance:

Cooking grids, when properly maintained, should last for many years. It’s a quick job to maintain it, and should be part of your normal grilling routine.

Ultra-Fast Grid Maintenance Routine:

1. Preheat gas grill on high for 10 minutes before each use
2. Scrub with a brass bristle brush
3. Carefully wipe grids with a paper towel before use

Cooking Grid Cleaning

• Remove and inspect the cooking grid(s)
  – Most grills have either chrome or porcelain coated cooking grids
• If the chrome grid is not excessively rusted, soak in a hot soapy water solution to loosen the accumulated grease
• Scrub with a steel wool pad or a stiff nylon pad

• Rinse thoroughly and lightly coat with cooking oil before use
  – Porcelain grids may be cleaned in the same manner, special porcelain cleaning brushes are ideal for this job, as they will minimize chipping and other damage

If you find broken welds, cannot adequately remove rust, or have excessively chipped or missing porcelain, you may opt to replace the cooking grid

David B. August 16th, 2010

Posted In: BBQ Maintenance

Maintaining and Replacing Your Grill Hoses

A damaged LP gas hose can be easily replaced yourself:

• Remove LP hose from your valve assembly
• If permanently attached to the valve, you will need to remove the assembly
• The regulator may have to be replaced if you are experiencing spurts or no gas flowing to the burners. Sometimes these can be removed independently from the hose while in other cases, the hose and regulator must be removed and replaced as one unit
• You may want to install hose protectors which fit around the outside of your LP hose

David B. August 1st, 2010

Posted In: BBQ Maintenance

How to Maintain and Clean Your Grill Valves

Valve knobs

• Valve knobs should depress, turn and pop up freely
• If they are a bit sluggish, remove knobs and carefully spray a small amount of WD40 or similar lubricant onto the valve stem area (Fig. 1)

• Work knobs a few times to distribute the lubricant
  – Valves that bind severely should be replaced

Valves:
Spiders have a habit of spinning webs inside the gas jets (also called orifices) which will restrict gas flow. Debris in the lines may also clog these tiny holes. Here are some guidelines to maintain your valves.

• Check the hose connection at the valve for tightness (Fig 2). This can be checked with a soapy solution if needed

• Remove the hex head from the gas jets (orifices) with the appropriate size wrench, and make sure the hole is completely clean
• Check the inner portion of the valve from where the gas jets (orifices) was removed.
• Webs can be removed with a small piece of wire or toothpick (Fig. 3)

• Reinstall the gas jets (orifices) and tighten

David B. July 11th, 2010

Posted In: BBQ Maintenance

How to Clean your Burner and Venturi

It’s a messy, but important job.

• Spread some newspaper down to lay the gas grill parts on
• Remove and set the cooking grids on this paper
• Move the briquettes towards the center and away from the edges of the coal grate. This way you can lift the grate and lava rock or briquettes out together and set it on the newspaper
• Remove the burner
  – The burner may or may not be locked to the bottom housing. If not, simply pull the venturi tubes away from the valves and gas jets (also called orifices) and lift out.

  – If the burner is secured, look for a spring dip, cotter pin, or a stud with a wing nut holding the burner to the bottom

  – If your grill is equipped with an ignitor and collector box attached to the burner, the wire must be also disconnected before burner removal

TIP: A garden hose is a great way to check if the holes are clogged. Pay attention to how the water exits the burner port holes.

• If the venturi tubes are rusted and broken up, then you will need new tubes or a new burner (depending on the assembly of your gas grill).

• Using a flexible wire, an open paper clip, or a drill bit, probe each port to clear it of grime and rust.

  Caution: Do not use anything larger in diameter that the port itself, this will cause damage to the burning operations of your grill.

• Now, lightly tap the burner, this will help cause any of the residue to fall out of the ports and tubes

Too many excessively obstructed ports that you cannot clear is a sign to replace the burner.

If you can clear the ports and the previous inspection and cleaning processes did not indicate burner failure, we can continue:

• Check the gas jets at the end of the valves for spider webs, dirt, or dust. Clean them if necessary.
• Assuming that the valves are turning and you have gas, the burner should be reinstalled into your grill and tested.

TIP: While you have the bottom of the aluminum casting exposed, take the opportunity to clean it the best you can by removing any gunk out with a putty knife, garden tool, etc.

Finding Your Model and Manufacturer:

• Look for the label that is required by the American Gas Association that will list the model number, manufacturer, and the type of gas specified for use. This label should be near the controls, or on the cart.
• The location of this tag is generally on the body of the frame at ground level, it should be approximately at ankle height. However, if it is a built in grill the tag will most likely be on the post of your grill.

• Additionally, you may also measure it from left to right, front to back.

You may order parts by browsing through our catalog or searching our site.

• The venturi tubes should also be measured if you cannot find the label information.

– If the venturi tube has a bent mixer or a slope in it, then measure from the top to the center line of the tube, after the bend, and from the end to the center line of the tube. If dealing with a straight tube, just measure from top to bottom.

David B. April 17th, 2010

Posted In: BBQ Maintenance

Why Do Glass Windows Break?

Have you ever had a glass window break for no apparent reason? Then replaced it, only to have it break again shortly after?

Unless your grill’s glass window has been broken due to an accident, you may be looking at a problematic burner. Due to gunk, rust, aging, or another reason, your burner holes can get corroded, causing a larger outlet of gas, turning into a hot spot in your grill. The problem is not only a safety hazard, but can also effect the quality of the cooking.

If your window breaks unexpectedly, always check your burner for corrosion or any other problems.

David B. February 11th, 2010

Posted In: BBQ Maintenance