It's spring, and almost time to haul out that grill and enjoy some
barbecue. Barbecued foods can be a very healthy choice, particularly if you
include grilled veggies, side dishes of nutritious salads such as coleslaw or mixed greens
with tomatoes, plenty of real juice or iced tea, (are you salivating yet?), and especially
when you season and marinate your meats. Most seasonings and sauces contain
antioxidants and other healthful properties, while marinating adds flavors, tenderizes,
and according to research, makes grilled meats healthier to eat.
See BBQ cooking
charts, a very important part of safe grilling.
Maybe you still use charcoal, but I see more and more people
changing to propane, especially those who grill frequently or need to get it done
quickly. Each has its advantages and risks. Have you ever gotten halfway
through grilling a great meal, and-- poof-- no more propane?? Here's a helpful hint
on avoiding this disaster from BBQ.com's
great newsletter (you can subscribe right on their front page):
"...last week I received an email from a concerned barbecuer (we'll call
him Drew) who wrote, "I was going to grill some beef then 'Poof!' I ran
out of propane. How do you know when you're low on fuel?" I thought to
myself, "That's a very good question. Why, there's your next Tip of the
Week, Matt."
Why every propane tank doesn't come with a fuel gauge is a mystery to me, but fortunately
somebody much smarter than I am has figured out a way to figure out how much liquid
propane is in a tank. Here's what you do:
Before you turn the gas on, pour about a quart of very hot water over the edge of the tank
(but be very careful not to contact the valve/hose mechanism). Because the propane
is under pressure, as the hot water runs down the side, it will quickly chill - and may
even frost - the area of the tank that contains the liquid propane (don't ask me why, I
was an English major). When the tank cools down a bit you can feel the temperature
variation with your hand. Now you can tell if it's half-full, a quarter-full, or
headed for empty. Note: Only do this trick outdoors, and be careful not to burn
yourself with the hot water."
Here's another hint fromBBG.com
. Don't take this one lightly; play it safe:
"More propane tank advice: If you're replacing your rusty old gas
grill with a shiny new one, buy a new tank rather than trying to get by with the old
one. Tanks that have been used for several years and subjected to normal wear and
tear tend to get small chips in the paint, allowing rust to develop. New tanks also
have advanced safety features -- including a quick disconnect-- that make them far easier
and safer to use than old tanks. A gas cylinder exchange program, which lets you
simply exchange your empty tank for a new full one rather than refilling it, is also
becoming more widely available."
You see why, if you grill or barbecue, you'd benefit from
subscribing to BBQ.com's useful email
newsletter! (Thanks to BBQ.com for allowing the
reprint: Hints - Copyright 2000 BBQ.COM, Inc.)
So get your barbecue supplies lined up, check or replace your
equipment and dig out those recipes. Be sure and provide plenty of healthy finger
foods for the kids, and enjoy!
Propane Tank Tips
