How to BBQ With Propane

Co-authored by Kyle Hall

Last Updated: August 21, 2022 References

Barbecuing with propane is cleaner and more predictable than barbecuing with charcoal, and it's an easy-to-learn process. To successfully use propane to grill food, you need to get the right supplies and follow a few safety precautions. By safely hooking up a propane tank to your gas grill and lighting the grill properly, you can start barbecuing your favorite foods in no time.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Attaching the Propane Tank

1
Get a propane tank for a gas grill. Propane tanks are measured by weight; if you plan on doing a lot of grilling, get a heavier tank with more gas inside. If you're only going to be using the tank a few times, opt for a smaller propane tank. You can find propane tanks at your local supermarket or hardware store.
2
Place the propane tank next to the grill. Set it as close to the grill as possible so the grill hose will be able to reach it.

Advertisement
3
Check to see if the propane tank is off. If the knob on the gas tank is turned to the on position, turn the knob to the off position. For most propane tanks, you'll need to turn the knob clockwise to turn the tank off.^{[1]
X
Research source}
4
Remove the safety cap from the propane tank. The safety cap is the plastic cap covering the valve on the top of the tank. Grab the tab on the safety cap and pull to remove it.^{[2]
X
Research source}
5
Attach the grill hose to the valve on the propane tank. The grill hose is the hose attached to the underside of the grill. Turn the propane tank so the valve is facing the grill, and connect the end of the grill hose to the valve; you should feel the end of the hose click into place. Once the end of the grill hose is attached to the valve, turn the knob on the end of the grill hose clockwise to tighten it into place. Continue turning until the knob won't turn anymore.^{[3]
X
Research source}
6
Set the propane tank on the grill rack. The grill rack is what holds the propane tank underneath the grill. Check the manual for your grill for specific instructions on how to attach the tank to the rack.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- If the grill doesn't have a grill rack, leave the propane tank on the ground, next to the grill.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Lighting the Grill

1
Turn on the propane tank by using the knob on the top of the tank. For most propane tanks, you'll need to turn the knob counterclockwise until it won't turn anymore to turn the tank on. Check the arrows on the knob to make sure.
2
Open the grill lid before lighting it. Don't ever light the grill with the lid closed or gas buildup could cause an explosion.^{[5]
X
Research source}
3
Turn the ignition burner knob from “off” to “high.” You may need to press the knob in before you can turn it. To locate the ignition burner knob on the grill, look for the knob with a lightning-bolt symbol or the word “ignition” next to it.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- Don't worry if the grill doesn't ignite after you turn the knob; that just means the grill has an electric starter and you'll need to press the electric ignition button to ignite it.
4
Press the electric ignition button if the grill has one. Look for the electric ignition button next to the ignition burner knob. Press and hold the button until you see flames ignite in the grill. It's normal for the button to make a clicking noise as you press it.^{[7]
X
Research source}
- Only the section of the grill directly behind the ignition burner knob and electric ignition button should be lit at this point. The rest of the grill knobs should still be turned off.
5
Turn the other grill knobs to the highest setting to preheat the grill. Turning on the other grill knobs should cause the rest of the grill to ignite.^{[8]
X
Research source}
6
Close the grill lid and let the grill preheat for 10-15 minutes. Always let the grill preheat before cooking on it so the food gets cooked all the way through.^{[9]
X
Research source}

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Cooking with Propane

1
Use a wire brush to clean the grates on the grill. Brush back and forth over each grate, getting any dried food or grease to fall off the grate. Make sure the grill is preheated before you clean it with a brush; the heat will make it easier to clean.^{[10]
X
Research source}
2
Turn the grill knobs down to a lower setting before you put the food on. This will prevent the food from burning. If you're only barbecuing a small amount of food, turn off the grill knobs for the sections of the grill you won't be using. If you'll be using the whole grill, alternate the grill knobs between medium and low heat so you have different temperatures to cook with.^{[11]
X
Research source}
3
Place the food you want to grill directly on the grill grates. Position the food so it's over the flames. Place foods that need less heat, like vegetables, on the side of the grill that's set to a lower setting. Place foods that need higher heat, like hamburgers and steaks, on the side of the grill that's set to medium or high.^{[12]
X
Research source}
4
Use a spatula or tongs to occasionally flip the food. Make sure each side of the food gets equal cook time so it gets cooked evenly through. Adjust the temperature as needed using the grill knobs.
5
Remove the food when it's finished and turn off the grill knobs. Leave the lid of the grill open; the propane tank is still on and gas could build up if the lid is closed.
6
Turn off the propane tank. To turn off most propane tanks, turn the knob on the top of the tank clockwise until it won't turn anymore. Look at the arrows on the knob to verify which direction you should be turning it in.^{[13]
X
Research source}
- You can enjoy a barbecue even though you are on a diet by eating healthy dishes.^{[14]
  X
  Research source}
- Avoid the traditional high-sugar, salty, and high-calorie barbecue food.
- Some healthy barbecue food choices are skinless chicken, baked beans, fresh fruit, raw vegetables, corn on the cob, and baked potatoes with a salsa topping. Also, you can make kabobs with lean meats and fresh vegetables.^{[15]
  X
  Research source}

Community Q&A

Question

What if there is a flame coming out of the tank?

Michele

Top Answerer

If you see a flame coming from the tank itself, run and call the fire department! That could indicate a leak with the very real possibility of an explosion.
Question

Will the propane run out if the tank is left on?

Community Answer

Yes. If the tank valve is left open, it will keep releasing the gas, which also causes the area to become a fire hazard.
Question

Does propane get old over time?

Community Answer

Yes, over time the chemicals in it can make it less and less flammable, to the point where it can't ignite. You should change it every few months.

Warnings

Always turn off the propane tank after grilling. If you're worried about forgetting, set yourself a reminder on your phone or leave yourself a note by the grill.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Never keep the lid closed if the propane tank is on and the grill isn't ignited.^{[16]
X
Research source}

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Don't attempt to light the grill when the lid is closed.^{[17]
X
Research source}

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0