The GrillGun is a powerful tool for quickly lighting charcoal grills, delivering intense heat to get your fire going in seconds. However, its high-temperature flame requires careful use to avoid damaging your grill’s finish or grates. Whether your grill is powder-coated, painted with heat-tolerant paint, or made of stainless steel, these tips will help you use your GrillGun effectively while preserving your grill’s condition.
Many charcoal grills feature a powder-coated finish, typically black, which can be damaged by excessive heat. Overheating from the GrillGun can burn off the coating, exposing bare metal and voiding manufacturer warranties. To protect your powder-coated grill:
Light Charcoal Separately: Avoid direct exposure to the GrillGun’s flame by lighting charcoal on a non-flammable surface like a rock or metal sheet. Once lit, transfer the burning charcoal into the grill.
Use Internal Charcoal Trays: If your grill has a dedicated charcoal tray, place the charcoal there and aim the GrillGun carefully to ignite it without flaming the grill’s interior or exterior surfaces.
Control Flame Exposure: Direct the GrillGun only at the charcoal and avoid prolonged contact with the grill’s sides or lid to prevent overheating and damage to the finish.
Some grills are coated with paint rated for temperatures up to 1,200°F, making them more resistant to heat damage. While it’s difficult to burn off this finish with a GrillGun, prolonged or excessive exposure can still cause issues. To care for these grills:
Monitor Flame Application: Use the GrillGun sparingly and focus the flame on the charcoal rather than the grill’s surface to minimize the risk of scorching.
Repaint if Necessary: If the finish does get damaged, high-temperature spray paint (available at most hardware stores) can be used to touch up or restore the grill’s appearance.
Stainless steel charcoal grills are less common due to their higher cost but are highly durable and have no exterior coating to worry about. However, improper use of the GrillGun can still cause cosmetic damage:
Avoid Prolonged Flame Contact: Directing the GrillGun at one spot for too long can discolor the stainless steel. To maintain its sleek appearance, keep the flame moving and focus it on the charcoal.
Clean Regularly: After grilling, clean the stainless steel surface with a mild cleaner to remove any residue or minor discoloration caused by heat.
Grill grates come in various materials, including cast metal, powder-coated wire, or chrome-plated wire, and require special attention when using a GrillGun:
Remove Light-Gauge Wire Grates: For grills with thin wire grates (coated or uncoated), remove the grates before lighting the charcoal. The intense heat from the GrillGun can turn thin wires orange, burn off coatings, or cause damage.
Light Charcoal Directly: Place the charcoal in the grill’s firebox or tray and ignite it with the GrillGun to avoid exposing the grates to direct flame.
Sanitize with Care: If the grate’s coating is already worn or absent, you may choose to light the charcoal and sanitize the grates simultaneously. However, be cautious, as this can further degrade the grate’s finish or structure.
Aim Precisely: Always direct the GrillGun’s flame at the charcoal, not the grill’s surfaces or grates, to minimize heat exposure.
Inspect Regularly: Check your grill and grates for signs of wear or damage after each use, especially if you’re new to using a GrillGun.
Follow Manufacturer Guidelines: Refer to your grill’s manual for specific care instructions, as some finishes or materials may have unique requirements.
By following these guidelines, you can enjoy the speed and efficiency of lighting your grill with a GrillGun while keeping your grill in top condition for years of great barbecues.