Proven to Endure
the Test of Time!
The Davis family,
Antioch.IL is still
cooking on one of our
first solid aluminum models made in 1964.

   The best of two worlds are combined in the use of a gas grill, the flavor of charcoal cooking and the convenience and heat control of your kitchen oven.
   Outdoor cooking is a delightful experience and as you master using a gas grill foods will take on a distinctive flavor resulting in eating enjoyment for entertaining friends or as a welcome treat for a family meal.
   To tackle the basics, here are some commonly asked questions about gas grill cooking that may help you get more enjoyment out of your barbecuing experience.
   Have a question or comment? Please e-mail us and we'll gladly do our best to answer you promptly.

How economical is a gas grill?
Can I get that charcoal flavor?
Do I cook with the cover open or closed?
What control settings should I use?
What utensils should I use?
Can I cook more than one thing at a time?
Can I use Aluminum foil?
When and how do I use a meat thermometer?
When should I use seasoning and sauces?
Can I cook frozen food?
What's the best way to cook poultry?
Any suggestions on cooking fish on my gas grill?

Handling Food Safely
Always thaw your frozen products in the refrigerator. Never thaw at room temperature. Do not use the same cutting board or platter for raw meats and cooked meats. Wash hands, utensils, cutting boards and counters that contact raw food. Cook meats to the proper degree of doneness: never serve ground meats rare or raw. Do not allow cooked meats to stand at room temperature. Always refrigerate leftovers immediately.

Back to Top

How Economical Is A Gas Grill?
You will save on your utility bill using a gas grill instead of conventional oven or charcoal cooking. Less energy for air-condition, fewer dishes to wash and no charcoal or starter to buy. Charcoal grilling costs 30 times more than natural gas and 10 times more than propane gas to cook an average meal.

Back

Can I Get That Charcoal Flavor?
The fact is that charcoal does not flavor your outdoor meal, but is only a heat source. The MHP Gas Grill utilizes a special self-cleaning porcelain briquette above the burner that heats up fast and spreads the heat evenly. The delightful backyard taste theat comes with barbecue cooking is caused by meat drippings falling on the heat source where they are vaporized to rise up and add flavor to the food.

Back

Do I Cook With The Cover Open Or Closed?
Like your kitchen oven, a gas grill is designed to cook with the lid closed, except for quick searing. Cooking with the lid-closed helps food retain natural juices, moisture, enhances flavor and keeps annoying flare-ups to a minimum. Also, heat is reflected from the lid, and foods cook not only from below, but also evenly on all sides from circulating hot air, (similar to convection oven) for faster, more fuel-efficient cooking.

Back

What Control Settings Should I Use?
The greatest cause of gas grill cooking failures is excess heat. Understanding the three basic heat setting along with experience, you will find the precise heat you need will become easier and easier to achieve. HIGH- is used primarily for preheating and cleaning. It may also be used for quick searing of meats, such as steaks and chops. MEDIUM- For broiling or quick cooking foods. Also use MEDIUM for searing foods that have been cooked at LOW, for more of a smoke flavor. LOW- Most foods should be cooked at LOW. Even thick steaks, which have been seared on both sides at HIGH, will finish with better texture and more juices at LOW. All roasts, poultry and rotisserie cooking should be at LOW.

Back

What Utensils Should I Use?
Always use long wooden-handle forks, spatulas or tongs, designed especially for outdoor cooking when testing or turning food in your grill. Keep hot pads or mitt handy for removing food from cooking grid. For juicer more flavorful meats, uses tongs when handling and turning. Piercing the meat with a fork allows juices to escape.

Back

Can I Cook More than One Thing At A Time?
You can prepare entire meals in a gas grill...and you'll love it even more. Baked Potatoes, corn-on-the-cob, stuffed tomatoes, peppers, squash, vegetables, garlic bread, baked apples, pies... grill them on the warming rack or alongside the meat for complete menus.

Back

Can I Use Aluminum Foil?
Aluminum foil is probably the most convenient accessory of all. Foil can be used to cook food on or in. It also serves as a drip pan and heat deflector. Vegetables cook best when wrapped in foil. Foil holds in natural liquids, and foods cook moist and tender. Delicate foods such as fish fillets and seafood may be cooked on foil placed directly on the cooking grid. When spit-cooking foods of uneven shape, smaller parts that may cook too fast, may be wrapped in foil. Foil is also great to use in cleaning the grill. For stubborn grease or sauce build-up that is not removed during your normal cleaning process. Simply place a sheet of aluminum foil covering the Flavor Master briquettes or cooking grids. With the lid open, turn the control to HIGH and ignite, close lid. After about 25 minutes the residue will be reduced to a white powder, which is easily brushed or wiped off after the grill has cooled.

Back

When Should I Use Seasoning and Sauces?
Salt, which tends to dry out foods, is best added after cooking. Sauces and marinades add a special taste treat when grilled. Marinades are popular because they turn less expensive cuts of meat into tasty entrees. Large items such as roasts should be marinated at least 8 hours or overnight. Fish, poultry and ribs may be marinated successfully in an hour. Food in the marinade should be turned occasionally and kept cool under refrigeration. Sugar-based glazes and sauces will burn faster and should be brushed on during final stages of cooking or used as a table sauce.

Back

Can I Cook Frozen Food?
For best results, thaw all meat in the refrigerator. This allows for juicier, more flavorful meats. However, very good results can be obtained by cooking your steaks while still frozen. Just remember to allow more cooking time. The microwave oven provides an alternative for thawing your meat, although it is our least recommended method. Fish and vegetables can be successfully grilled frozen.

Back

What's the best way to cook poultry?
All poultry is best cooked at LOW. A meat thermometer should be used to determine doneness in large birds. Smaller pieces are done when no pink juices appear when the flesh is pricked, and in whole birds, when the leg joints turn loosely in their sockets.

Back

Any suggestions on cooking fish on my gas grill?
In grilling fish, 10 minutes at LOW per inch of thickness is almost perfect timing. When the fish flakes easily with a fork, it is done.

SOME HANDLING AND COOKING TIPS:
• Fish should be brushed with melted butter or oil before placed on the grill. Brush well with more butter or oil several times while it is cooking. Turn once.
• Avoid over handling fish during grilling. Cooked fish is delicate and will flake easily. Turn once.
• With smaller fish or filets, a MHP Sear Magic® grid or wire basket makes turning easier. Coat grid or basket with a non-stick spray for easier handling.
• To grill frozen fish, partially defrost and then cook as you normally would.
• Another way to grill fish is in foil packets. Add lemon juice or white wine for more flavor.

Back