Blue Rhino Shares Winter Grilling Tips

LIGHTNING RELEASES: WINSTON-SALEM, NC (2/3/2015)- The Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association estimates that 60 percent of North American households owning a grill use the appliance year-round. Yet winter grilling can present challenges to novices and experts alike.

Propane is often the convenient choice for winter grilling. Gas grills, which can be ready to cook in 10 minutes, make it easy to regulate the heat and to cook foods at several different temperatures at the same time.

Blue Rhino, the company that makes special moments in backyards, patios and homes across America possible through its industry-leading propane brand (www.BlueRhino.com), its Mr. Bar-B-Q® line of innovative, premier barbecue accessories and outdoor lifestyle tools (www.MrBarBQ.com), and other outdoor living products including grills and fire pits, offers these 10 tips for grilling with gas all winter long.

• Be prepared for winter storms by having an extra tank of propane on hand. Many people report they grill during power outages, reducing costly food spoilage. Exchange your Blue Rhino tank at one of more than 45,000 retail locations nationwide. Sign up for propaneemail reminders at BlueRhino.com.
• Place your grill in a location that is sheltered from cold winds, but is approximately 10 feet from any combustible surfaces. Don’t place it against siding, beneath overhangs or near other materials susceptible to heat damage or catching fire. Never move your grill into a garage or enclosed space, where carbon monoxide can build to dangerous levels
• Dress warm, but be careful of any hanging fabric that could catch fire. A cover-up with an elastic band around the wrist or a button closure is a perfect choice. Also, select warm gloves that allow you to move your fingers, such as fingerless gloves, or ones with fingertips that can be folded back.
• Check for gas leaks anytime you light the grill. Propane grills can be harder to light in the cold. To make it easier, do NOT turn the handwheel on the propane tank all the way on. Instead, try turning it just a single turn before lighting.
• Preheat the grill to about 300°F and liberally apply vegetable oil with brush or spray bottle. Close the grill and allow it to sit for about 20 minutes. 
• It will be dark, so attach a Mr. Bar-B-Q Magnetic Barbecue Light to your grilling tool so you don’t have to bend close to see what’s going on.
• Let the grill do the work. Resist the urge and turn foods over as little as possible. Depending on the type of food you are cooking, leave the lid down in the winter to help the grill retain as much heat as possible.
• To reduce flare-ups, use lean cuts of meat, or trim fat. Avoid cooking at very high temperatures. If a flare up does occur, put the grill lid down, or turn all burners OFF and move food to another part of the grill. After the flames subside, re-light the grill. DO NOT spray water on flare-ups.
• After you’re done cooking a fabulous meal and after the grill has cooled, clean cooking grids and racks with quality grill brushes, grill cleaners, and stainless steel cleaners. Wearprotective gloves and gently remove build-up.
• After every use, allow grill to cool. Then, lightly coat cooking grids with cooking oil, empty grease pan, wipe outside surfaces with a suitable cleaner, and protect surfaces with a quality cover that fits your grill.

Information on Blue Rhino brands, including the new Mr. Pizza pizza grilling accessories,Hershey’s S’mores licensed grilling tools, and Mr. Bar-B-Q branded cast iron line can be found atwww.BlueRhino.com.