HOW TO USE A GAS GRILL AT YOUR HOLIDAY COTTAGE
Life at a waterside cottage – where the warmth of the sauna, hot tub and fireplace makes the rush fade away. Kymenlaakso, Finland.
Tips for Safe and Successful Grilling
Gas grill can be used both in summer and winter. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when grilling in winter that differ from summer grilling.
All of Suomen Kotteria’s holiday cottages are equipped with a gas grill. Instructions for each cottage explain where the spare gas cylinder can be found.
Clean the Grill Before Use
Before lighting the grill, make sure it is clean. Remove the cooking grates and check that the grease collection tray is not full.
Cleaning the grill after every use makes your next grilling session easier and also reduces the risk of fire. It also means that the next guests can start grilling without having to clean up after previous users.
Connecting the Gas Hose
Before lighting the grill, make sure that the gas hose is properly connected to the gas cylinder.
If the gas cylinder is disconnected, place the pressure regulator on top of the cylinder. Lift the black plastic collar with your fingers while pressing the regulator onto the cylinder, then release the collar so that it locks into place.
Make sure the cylinder is securely connected by lifting it while holding onto the pressure regulator. The cylinder should lift with the regulator and should not come loose.
Once the pressure regulator is securely attached, turn the lever on the regulator to open the gas supply.
You can check the connections for leaks by applying soapy water around the hose and connection points. If no bubbles appear, the connection is properly sealed.
Turning on the Gas and Lighting the Grill
- Once the gas hose is connected to the gas cylinder, slowly open the valve on the gas cylinder.
- Turn one of the grill burners to full power and wait for two or three seconds so that gas can enter the ignition chamber. Then gently press the control knob down and turn it to the left.
- Press and hold the ignition button until the burner lights. You should hear a light clicking sound when the control knob is turned counter-clockwise to the HI position (approximately the 9 o’clock position).If the ignition does not work, lift one of the grill grates and carefully light the burner with a lit match at the front right side of the grill.
- Light the other burners one at a time.
Please note: There is always a spare gas cylinder at our cottages. If you need to use the spare cylinder, please let our customer service know so that we can replace it with a full one.
Preheating the Grill
One of the main advantages of a gas grill is its speed. Most models heat up to around 200–250°C (390–480°F) in approximately five minutes.
Close the lid and allow the grill to heat up properly. This is important because a hot cooking grate creates a nicely seared surface on the food and helps prevent it from sticking.
Grilling
Choose the grilling method that best suits the food you are preparing:
Direct grilling:
Keep all burners on and place the food directly on the cooking grate. This method is suitable for steaks, sausages and vegetables.
Indirect grilling:
Turn off the middle burner while leaving the burners on the sides switched on. Place the food in the centre of the grill so that the heat circulates around it.
This method is suitable for larger cuts of meat, such as ribs or a whole chicken, which require a longer cooking time.
Tip: You can use a meat thermometer to make sure your meat reaches the desired temperature. Beef is nicely medium-rare at around 52°C (126°F), while pork and chicken should be cooked to an internal temperature of over 70°C (158°F).
Finishing and Serving the Food
Once the food is cooked, remove it from the grill and let it rest for a short while, loosely covered with aluminium foil.
Resting allows the juices to settle and helps bring out the flavour of the food.
Cleaning the Grill After Use
- First, close the valve on the gas cylinder. Allow the burners to go out naturally as the remaining gas in the hose is used up.
- Then turn off the burner control knobs.
- Clean the cooking grates while they are still hot using a grill brush. Dirt and food residue will come off more easily while the grates are warm.
- Finally, empty the grease collection tray and close the grill lid. Return the grill to its designated place and put the protective cover back on.
A gas grill makes cooking at your holiday cottage easy and convenient. By remembering to check the connections, preheat the grill properly and choose the right grilling method, you can enjoy great results every time – whether you are preparing a juicy steak, grilled vegetables or a whole salmon.
Contact us
Suomen Kotteria cottages, villas and holiday homes in South Finland. +358400534269 / asiakaspalvelu@kotteria.com
