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Frequently Asked Questions for Gas and Charcoal Barbecues
I have just bought my first gas barbecue – what gas do I need?
We recommend propane for all our barbecues but this is often labelled as ‘Patio Gas’.
Is the gas bottle supposed to sit on the base shelf of my barbecue?
No! The bottle should always be placed to the side of the barbecue in an upright position – the
HeavenChef range features an external integral gas bottle holder on the side panel. The bottle should
never be placed on the base shelf or worse still on its side – this can cause liquid gas to find its way
into the barbecue which it is not designed to cope with.
There appears to be something peeling off the inside of the hood. What should I do?
Do not worry, this isn’t paint. Many of our barbecue hoods are coated either with a baked-on
porcelain enamel, which cannot peel, or a high-temperature paint finish. What you can see is a
deposit of grease and smoke that collects during normal use to form a carbon layer. This will
eventually peel and looks very similar to paint. The peeling normally starts in the centre of the lid
and spreads outwards and may come off in sheets or flakes. These carbon deposits are non-toxic and
easy to remove which we suggest you do on a regular basis. Brush off all loose particles with a
barbecue brush before you start grilling and, while the hood is warm rather than hot, wipe it with a
cloth soaked in a mild soap and water solution.
What is direct and indirect cooking?
Direct cooking (flatbed or hooded models) is simply placing foods directly over the heat source. For
indirect cooking (hooded models only) the food is placed to the sides of the heat source, not directly
over it. As a general rule when barbecuing joints or roasts that require longer cooking times, you
should use the indirect method. This allows the food to cook through thoroughly while still adding
the extra barbecue flavour.
Will my porcelain coated (matt) cast iron grills be safe in the dishwasher?
Do not place any grills/griddles into your dishwasher as they could become damaged or in fact
damage your dishwasher.
How should I care for my porcelain coated, cast iron grills/griddle?
You should soak them in warm soapy water and then use a non-abrasive scourer after each use of the
barbecue. Also by oiling the grills/griddle before cooking you will reduce foods from sticking and
this will also help with cleaning them after use.
