Grilling is a popular way to prepare food in the United States, especially during the summer months. Most any kind of food that can be cooked can also be grilled, including steaks, chicken breasts, fish and vegetables. While some people still use grills heated by charcoal, many have switched to propane grills for easier use, faster food preparation and better temperature control. Some grillers use smoking chips, or wood chips, to add flavor and aroma to foods prepared on a propane or charcoal grill.
Propane Grill
Step 1
Place a handful of smoker chips in a small container of water. A plastic food storage container works well for this. Soaking the chips in water will help prevent them from catching fire during grilling.
Step 2
Open the lid of the propane grill. Remove the top grilling rack, the one the food rests on during grilling.
Step 3
Place a 12-in. by 12-in. square of aluminum foil on the lower grill rack. Fold up a 1-in. section of the aluminum foil on all four sides. Fold these sections in half toward the center of the aluminum sheet to form a tray for the smoker chips.
Step 4
Place the water-soaked smoker chips in the aluminum foil tray. Spread out the chips so they cover the bottom of the tray evenly.
Step 5
Replace the top grilling rack. Turn on the valve on the propane tank, and turn on the propane knobs on the grill. Press the ignition button to light the grill. Close the lid and allow the grill to heat for three to five minutes, or until you see a consistent flow of smoke coming from the inside of the grill.
Step 6
Place your food on the top grill rack and prepare as desired. If you are grilling thick steaks or other foods that require long cooking times, sprinkle water on the grilling chips as needed to keep them from drying out.
Charcoal Grill
Step 1
Open the lid of the charcoal grill. Remove both grates and add charcoal and lighter fluid according to manufacturer directions. Replace the bottom grate.
Step 2
Make a smoker tray out of aluminum foil and add water-soaked smoker chips as described in the "Propane Grill" section.
Step 3
Replace the top grate. Light the charcoal. Close the lid and allow the grill to heat for at least ten minutes. Add food to the top grate and grill as desired.
Tips and Warnings
- Try different types of smoking chips for different aromas and flavors. Hickory, mesquite and apple wood are the most popular types; however, chips made from the wood of most any fruit tree can be used in grilling.
- Keep as much distance as possible between you and the grill when lighting it. Try to light the grill as quickly as possible, especially after turning on the grill knobs if you are using a propane grill. Accumulated propane can ignite and cause burns on arms, face or other parts of the body.
Things You'll Need
- Propane or charcoal grill
- Aluminum foil
- Smoking chips
- Water
- Plastic food storage container
References
- "Grill It! Vegetarian"; Annie McDowall; 2002
- "How to Grill: The Complete Illustrated Book of Barbecue Techniques"; Steve Raichlen; 2001
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