Tag Archives: grill

Gas Grill Hacks – Smoke

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Many hard-core smoker fans out there will make the gas grillers feel inferior when they swap grilling stories.

Chins up all my gas grill friends! They can spend all their waking (and sleeping) hours over that hot smokey grill while you and I go on with our lives!

America’s Test Kitchen (one of my FAVORITE resources) has come out with a video detailing how to get that same smokey flavor on your gas grill.

Sure, you’re thinking – I know! – wood chips. But America’s Test Kitchen has put many different methods of using wood chips to the test and here’s what they came up with. Check out this short but sweet (or should I say smokey?) video that shows you how to get the PERFECT packet of chips!

You can thank me later!

Enjoy!!

-GG

Visit GrillPartsSearch.com’s profile on Pinterest.

What is a Flashback?

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A flashback is a literary term used to describe a vision of something that has previously occurred.

Or is it?

Yes, it actually is. However, in the grilling industry it’s something that can be scary and even dangerous. Grilling Fire Flashback

A flashback is what happens when you turn on your grill and light it and a ball of flame comes up toward the front of the grill.

Thankfully, flashbacks are easy to fix and avoid completely. They are caused from a build up of grease, debris or even spider webs! What happens is the blocked gas builds up in one place and when you light the grill, all that accumulated gas lights at once.

To avoid them, clean your grill once or twice each year. Check around the gas valve – especially the orifice – for any kind of build up. Look for grease and char from grilling.

Keeping the inside of your grill clean will not only avoid flashbacks, it will also help your grill last longer AND make your food taste better. Happy late summer grilling!

-GG

Cinco De Mayo On The Grill!

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According to Wikipedia, Cinco De Mayo “originated with Mexican-American communities in the American West as a way to commemorate the cause of freedom and democracy during the first years of the American Civil War, and today the date is observed in the United States as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride.”

Cinco De Mayo Pinata Grill Recipes

Most Mexican and Tex-Mex restaurants around the country are holding celebrations or offering specials to commemorate this great excuse to party!

If you’re looking to grill something at home with a beer you don’t have to pay $5 for, try out some of these recipes!

Tequila Lime Chicken with a Margarita!
Pro Tip – leave the skin on the chicken breast when you grill it. That way if it chars, you can easily remove the charred part before serving. Yum!

Grilled Chili Lime Fish Tacos with Negra Modelo beer
Pro Tip – Tilapia has a short marinating time so this recipe is great for a last minute meal idea!

Grilled Tamales with Poblanos and Fresh Corn
Pro Tip – This recipe is more in depth and might take an hour to prepare – not for the faint hearted but promises to impress!

Grilled Mexican Steak Tacos with Chimichurri Sauce
Pro Tip – Throw all these ingredients on a bed of romaine instead for an amazing grilled salad!

Also check out our pinterest for even more ideas!
Recipes Grilled Grilling Pinterest

Happy Cinco De Mayo!!

-GG

Why Isn’t My Grill Getting as Hot as it Used to Get!?

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Why isn’t my grill getting as hot as it used to get?

This is one of our most frequently asked questions.

For starters – is there gas in your tank? Check that first. 🙂

Once you know you’re cooking with gas, if you use propane (aka LP), the answer is almost always one of the easiest and cheapest things to fix : your gas regulator. Regulators go bad over time, slowly shutting down the amount of gas getting to your grill. That’s why it might not seem like something “broke” all the sudden, but there’s still an issue with the heat in your grill.

Gas grill liquid propane regulators (they fit on those 20lb tanks you buy/trade at grocery stores or gas stations) are a standard part. That means, in almost every case, you can use the regulator we sell for the grill you have. (If you’re not sure, give us a call)

Here’s the standard one-hose-fits-most grills regulator:

Gas Grill Regulator Grill Not Hot Enough

Does your grill have two hoses? or a place the the hose goes into a Y shape? We have that too!

How about a really big grill with 4 or more burners?

Or a grill that needs an extra long hose to reach to where the tank sits?

When you order this part and it arrives, you can simply unscrew the old regulator from your tank and your grill. Then screw on the new regulator to your grill and your tank.

See? I told you it was easy to fix.

Why not just go get a new one at a big box store? Well, not all parts are created equal, and we strive to supply the best quality available. We stock regulators in high quantities, so they should always be ready to ship out as soon as you place your order. If they aren’t, you’ll see that listed directly on the website.

We’ll save you a trip now by sending this part directly to your front door, and a trip in a year, because our parts outlast the generic ones sold at big box stores. (More questions about regulators? Read this post)

Still having issues with the heat in your grill? Check out this page for valve information.

It might be your grill burner.

And as always, if you have ANY questions give us a call! We specialize in Great Customer Service! 877-244-0737

-GG

Happy Earth Day!

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In honor of Earth day this year, we made a little meme to remind you that it’s easy to do your part.

Fix Grill Grilling Earth Day

Here are a few of our favorite reasons to repair your grill:

1) Save the time, hassle and money it takes to buy a new grill

2) Keep the grill you know and love

3) Upgrade the parts in your grill to keep it cooking for longer than it did originally

4) You can clean your grill to get it looking fresh again

5) And of course, spare the local landfill a grill that just needs some work

That’s it for now! Spread the word. Let’s spare the landfills this year!

-GG

How to Replace the Carry Over Tubes – with video

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Hey Y’all, it’s the Grill Girl!

Today, we’re going to be replacing the carryover tubes on a Charbroil 463268606.

I’ve already removed all the grill parts except for the burners and carryover tubes. Unfortunately, you’ll see this carryover tube has already removed itself.

So, these are the carryover tubes, and as I already said, this one is missing. This piece has completely rusted out and it just fell right to the bottom of the grill.

The purpose of a carryover tube is to carry the lit gas from one burner to the next. so, when you turn this burner on and light it, then the lit gas will go into the next burner and light it.

It’s really just something to make it easier to grill – you don’t even have to have it to grill. You can light each burner separately.

However, we do sell the replacement for this grill.

You will need to use your own screws, but even if the screw is not completely tight, it will serve the purpose of holding the part in place.

You can see when I turn on this burner, it brings the flame right over – so, it works!

Thanks for watching!!

-GG

Visit GrillPartsSearch.com’s profile on Pinterest.

Up Close and Personal with an MHP Grill

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Hey Y’all! It’s the grill girl. Today I’m so excited to show you one of the new grills we’re selling now on our website!

 

One of the greatest things about MHP grills (besides their experience, high quality grills, customer service, and warranty), is that their grills are highly customizable.

Almost every part of the grill that I highlight here has different options available.

You can see how to build your own grill right here or give us a call at 877-244-0737 during business hours if you have additional questions!

-GG

Visit GrillPartsSearch.com’s profile on Pinterest.

Gas Grills – Who? What? Why?

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If you haven’t noticed, we’ve started carrying a line of grills on our website made by the company Modern home Products!

Gas Grills for Sale Now On Website

WHO?

Modern Home Products (or MHP for short) is a company owned and operated by the very same family that introduced the first gas grill to the public in the early 1960’s and they have been developing and perfecting it ever since. They stick to what works and design for what people want. They came up with the idea to have the top hood on a hinge. Isn’t that amazing? Can you imagine grilling today without being able to swing open the top of your grill?

WHAT?

The grills MHP manufactures are made here in the USA. They come with the highest quality parts and best warranty. That’s a lifetime warranty on the grill castings and 10 year warranty on stainless steel parts. The grills are highly customizable which means you can get exactly what you want – no more cookie cutter grill from the big box store. MHP has even patented a special kind of cooking grid called SearMagic. They are rust-free anodized aluminum cooking grids with a wide-ribbed side to brand steaks, chops, burgers and ribs with sear lines and a flip side, with a smooth surface for grilling delicate foods such as seafood and vegetables. Speaking of aluminum – MHP’s most popular grills are cast aluminum which means the aluminum is actually poured into a mold to create a grill body that will never rust. Don’t worry, they sell stainless versions as well if you like shiny grills!

WHY?

You know how we feel about quality. We care. We care about our customers, we care about the product we offer. That’s why we’re so excited about offering MHP grills! We know these people. We’ve been in a business relationship with them for years! We have visited their warehouse and seen how they work. They care about their customers just as much as we do.

That’s why MHP.

Pro Fire Bravo

Here is the newest competitor to The Big Green Egg. It’s called the Bravo, but we like to call it the big charcoal colored kamado style smoker. 🙂

Click here to see the other ways you can use the Bravo – like built into your outdoor kitchen or using the beautiful stainless steel cart!

-GG

Meatless Monday – #Grilled

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Have you ever heard the term “Meatless Monday?”

Let me tell you, I hadn’t, until recently. I grill. I grill a lot. My favorite season to grill is “warm.” In other words, if it’s warmer outside than I want my house to be inside, I’d rather grill and leave my house cool. That being said, I will grill at any time as long as it’s not pouring down rain.

Wikipedia defines Meatless Monday as “an international campaign that encourages people to not eat meat on Mondays to improve their health and the health of the planet.”

How to Grill Vegetables

Here are a few general rules about vegetarian grilling.

Tofu
Tofu is a great meat replacement. With its hearty consistency, you can highlight it on the grill and not miss the meat you’re avoiding.

  • Purchase firm or extra firm varieties of tofu for the grill.
  • Always press the tofu to remove excess moisture.
  • Marinate tofu in any sauce you like from bbq sauce to soy sauce to salad dressing -overnight in the fridge is best. A sauce with sugar will create some yummy caramelization when you throw it on the grill.
  • Brush your grill grids with oil because tofu will stick as you cook it.
  • Try using shish kebabs for an easier way to cook tofu on the grill.

 

Veggies
You’re probably used to slicing up some onions and throwing them on the grill packaged up in tin foil. Keep your vegetables out of aluminum on Meatless Monday so they can be grilled heroes of the night.

  • Slice your veggies in a uniform manner, but keep their surface area as large as possible. This will help them have a similar cooking time but also make it easier to flip them.
Cauliflower on the Grill

See how this cauliflower is sliced in a thin manner but still has a large surface area to grill?

  • Use olive oil sparingly so your vegetables won’t stick but you don’t have oil dripping into the grill either.
  • Season with salt and pepper or your favorite grill seasoning mix.
  • For denser vegetables like potatoes, sear them on the main cooking grid and then allow them to finish cooking on the warming rack so they cook all the way through without getting burned.
  • Use kebabs or grid toppers to make the job easier.

 

Fruits
Throw some fresh fruit on the grill to bring out the sweetness and add a perfect healthy end to your Meatless Monday

  • For the easiest fruit dessert, turn to hard fruits like apples, pears, pineapples and citrus.
  • Slice the fruit in the same manner as vegetables – thinly with large surface area.
  • Leave the skin on – it will keep the fruit in one piece and be easy to remove after it’s done cooking.
  • Soak in cold water with a drop of lemon juice for 20-30 minutes before grilling to keep in the moisture.
  • Brush the fruit sparingly with a light cooking oil to keep it from sticking to the grill (the flavor of olive oil is too overpowering).
  • Clean the savory bits (from the meat or veggies) off your grill before throwing on the fruit and spray the grid with a light cooking oil.
  • Fruit needs no seasoning or addition- just cook on medium until your desired tenderness and serve warm.
  • A dollop of ice cream is a perfect end to that hot fruit.
  • If you’re feeling adventurous, experiment with nutmeg or cinnamon and alcohol instead of the lemon water marinade. You’ll have a big flare up once you throw the fruit on the grill so beware if you like how you look with eyebrows.

There are so many recipes available for vegetarian meals but not as many that offer meals you can actually cook on the grill. I’m always on the lookout for a good grill recipe to try and you can follow my Pinterest board here. 

For today, though, I’ve compiled some meatless recipes that look absolutely delicious.

Two options for an entree:

Grilled Eggplant and Pesto Burgers

Tofu Kebabs with Cilantro Sauce

Outside the box take on grilled sides:

Caramelized Grilled Asparagus

Grilled Cauliflower Steaks with Fresh Corn and Black Bean Salsa

So, how does Meatless Monday sound now?

Think you might try it? If so, let us know!

Happy Spring!!

-GG

Visit GrillPartsSearch.com’s profile on Pinterest.

Buyer’s Guide to Gas Grills

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Spring is so close we can taste it.The world outside is defrosting and the biggest craving grill fanatics have is a hot juicy burger with some perfect sear marks. Dripping like icicles… yum.
Of course, we are the biggest fans of repairing your grill and keeping it out of the nearest landfill. If you’re even slightly curious as to whether or not you could refurbish your grill, give us a call. We are friendly and we answer the phone 🙂
However, sometimes you just need a new grill. We did some research and found that when reviewing grills, Consumer Reports looks at these aspects:

Preheat performance: Evaluates the temperature and evenness over the grill’s surface after a 10 minute preheat using thermocouples. It also gives an indication how quickly the grill reaches its maximum temperature.
High temp evenness: Evenness of heating over the grill’s surface at the highest setting, using thermocouples.
Low temp evenness: Evenness of heating over the grill’s surface at the lowest setting, using thermocouples.
Indirect cooking: This indicates how well the grill will slow cook foods when only some of the burners are on and the food isn’t placed directly over the flame.
Convenience: Evaluates construction and materials, and useful accessories such as electronic ignitor.

These are great things to know when you’re looking at the purchase of a new grill, because of course, how the grill cooks is one of your top concerns. However, being in the repair business, we have a different view of grills and would like to share some other things to keep in mind.

Get the Grill You’re Happy to Own

Do the Hood Test:

First, firmly grip the handle of the hood. Instead of opening the grill, shake the grill from left to right. How does it feel? Is the handle firmly in the hood? Is the hood firmly on the grill? Does the grill move a lot when you do this? Do any parts of the hood or body warp with the left-to-right movement?

  • Why? If the “casting” is not actually casting but just sheet metal, you will be able to tell how thin the metal is with this test. The thinner the metal, the faster it will corrode, even if it’s stainless steel!! You will also get a feel for how the grill is made – are the parts put together well, will they hold up on the drive home, the journey to your patio or backyard?

Do the Weight Test:

Grab the grill with both hands and gently lift to see how hard it is to lift. If you can’t lift it, tilt it backward (carefully!) by lifting the front with both hands. Note if anything shifted. If anything shifted, try to determine what it was. Open the grill and lift the cooking grids -how heavy are they?

  • Why? The heavier the grill, the more material used to make it. The more material, in most cases, the longer it will last. The heaviest part of a grill will be the body and this is a good indicator of what kind and how much material is in the grill. It’s okay if some things shift slightly (like the cooking grids or heat plates) but most things should stay in place with a bit of movement. Even some cooking grids are made of sheet metal, formed into grids. These rust out the most quickly.
  • ** THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO THE WEIGHT OF THE HOOD ALONE**
    While it may sound conspiratorial, it’s true – grill companies put heavy material such as lead into the handle of the grill hood so it feels nice and sturdy when you open it! We wish we were kidding.

Do the Manual/Model Test:

Is there a manual in the grill you’re looking to purchase? Can you find the model number on the grill itself? Does the model number on the grill match the model number on the manual? (This is especially important if you buy a floor model grill).

  • Why? You will need your manual to use your grill to it’s maximum potential. KEEP YOUR GRILL MANUAL!! Additionally, if you plan to use this grill for more than one season, there’s a high likelihood that you will need to purchase some part or accessories. You’ll need the correct model number and if you can’t find it now, you won’t be able to find it when you’re on the phone with the friendly representative asking for it.

Do the Customer Service Test:

Call the number of the brand of the grill you’re looking at. If you get in touch with them, tell them you’re looking to buy one of their grills and which do they suggest?

  • Why? In this industry, many manufacturers don’t bother to pick up the phone. If you ever need anything from them, it’s important to know if you can get in touch with them. If you do talk to someone, this question will be different from most they get. You’ll have a chance to see how honest or helpful they are.

The sad truth for far too many people is they don’t know to look for these things and instead they find themselves looking once again for a new grill just a few years down the road.

If you’ve ever sought service from our company, you know we have our customers in mind when we pick up the phone. That’s why we’re so excited to announce that we will be selling grills in addition to grill parts this season.

You can trust the grills we list on our website the same way you’ve learned to trust our help and grill repair.

If you can’t repair your grill or are in the market for a new one, visit and feel free to email us with feedback! The grill website is still a work in progress but we’re too excited not to share!

Fire up that grill this weekend!

-GG