Summer is the best time to grill. In fact, you may already have started preparing your barbeque sauce and checking out new recipes on the internet. Before you start preparing fish fillets or seasoning steaks, however, you should know how to get the best from your propane gas grill. Have you ever wondered what the conditions are that make your grilling experience worse? Before you start savoring freshly grilled meat, take a look at these tips about mistakes that you should avoid.

You forgot to preheat the grill. Not giving the grill ample time to heat up or not preheating the grill at all is the biggest mistake cooks make. We understand if you cannot wait for the meat to be done, but preheating locks the moisture inside and makes it more tender.

TIP: Once you have turned on the grill, let it heat up with the lid closed for 10 to 15 minutes.

Your grill is too dirty. We are not asking you to clean up the grill at midnight after a party, but make sure to do it the next day. Otherwise, blackened bits of meat or vegetables, grease, and spices that you put on the food last night will end up on your food tonight.

TIP: To get best results, you can make a paste of baking soda and water and apply it to the surface of the grill. Make sure to turn off the grill and let it cool completely first, and use a soft-bristle brush to scrub the surface.

You’re not using the dials to control the heat. Your propane gas grill has a wide temperature range, but stop yourself from cranking up the dials too high. Do not put your meat or other food on a too-hot grill, as it can burn the food and spoil the evening.

TIP: Turn only one burner to the highest setting and turn off the other side or leave it on very low heat.

You open the lid too frequently when you are cooking. To check if the food is ready to serve, you do need to open the grill repeatedly. That will only delay the process, as the grill will start to lose heat and will take a longer time to cook the food.

TIP: Try to limit yourself and open the lid as infrequently as possible.

You don’t have enough propane handy. The worst thing that can happen at your party or on an evening when you are cooking your children’s favorite dishes is a shortage of propane. The propane may run out midway, and you will be forced to stop cooking.

TIP: Make sure to check the valves for any possible leakage. It is a good idea to keep another full tank of propane on hand for your gas grill as a backup.

A few more things to keep in mind:

Focus on food safety. Make sure you are not consuming half-cooked meat, and do not forget to wash the dishes or produce properly because you are in hurry.
Do not grease the grill while cooking. Grease can drip down into the grill and accumulate, and the oil left over can raise the temperature. Instead, carefully coat your food with a gentle brush.
Keep a headlamp on the grill. If the light outside is not ample and you still want to continue cooking, it will help you.