Outdoor LP Gas Barbecue Grill
Model No. GBC981W, GBC981WBL, GBC981WBU
Contact 1.800.762.1142 for assistance. Do not return to place of purchase.
For great recipes and tips, visit recipes.uniflame.com.
Operating Instructions
Checking for Leaks
Burner Connections
1. Make sure the regulator valve and hose connections
are securely fastened to the burner and the tank.
If your unit was assembled for you, visually check
the connection between the burner venturi pipe and
orifice. Make sure the burner venturi pipe fits over
the orifice.
WARNING: Failure to inspect this
connection or follow these instructions
could cause a fire or an explosion
which can cause death, serious bodily
injury, or damage to property.
2. Please refer to diagram for proper installation.
(Figure 1 and 2)
3. If the burner pipe does not rest flush to the orifice,
please contact 1.800.762.1142 for assistance.
Tank/Gas Line Connection
1. Make 2-3 oz. of leak solution by mixing one part
liquid dishwashing soap with three parts water.
2. Make sure control knobs are “OFF”. (Figure 3)
3. Turn LP gas tank valve to “OPEN”.
4. Spoon leak check solution at all “X” locations
(Figure 4)
a. If any bubbles appear turn LP gas tank valve to
“CLOSED”, reconnect and re-test.
b. If you continue to see bubbles after several
attempts, turn LP gas tank valve to “CLOSED”
and disconnect LP gas tank and contact
1.800.762.1142 for assistance.
c. If no bubbles appear after one minute turn LP gas
tank valve to “CLOSED”, wipe away solution and
proceed.
Operating Main Burners
First Use
1. Make sure all labels, packaging and protective films
have been removed from the grill.
2. Remove manufacturing oils before cooking on this
grill for the first time by operating the grill for at
least 15 minutes on “HIGH” with the lid closed. This
will “heat clean” the internal parts and dissipate
odors.
Lighting
1. Open lid.
Attempting to light the burner with the
lid closed may cause an explosion!
2. Make sure there are no obstructions of airflow to
the burners. Spiders and insects can nest within
and clog the burner / venturi tube at the orifice. A
clogged burner tube can lead to a fire beneath the
appliance.
3. All control knobs must be in the “OFF” position.
(Figure 3)
4. Turn LP gas tank valve to “OPEN”.
5. Select burner to light. Push and turn control knob
counterclockwise to “HIGH”.
6. Press the electronic igniter button and hold for 5
seconds to light burner.
7. If ignition does not occur in 5 seconds, turn burner
control knob “OFF”, wait 5 minutes, and repeat
lighting procedure.
8. If igniter does not light burner, use a lit match
secured with the lighting rod provided to light
burners manually. Access the burners through the
cooking grid and heat plates. Position the lit match
near side of the burner. (Figure 5)
Important:
Always use the lighting rod provided when
lighting burners with a match.
9. After lighting, observe the burner flame, make sure
all burner ports are lit and flame height matches
illustration. (Figure 6)
Note: Each burner lights independently - repeat steps
5-9 for the other burners.
Caution: If burner flame goes out during operation, immediately turn
the gas “OFF” and open lid to let the gas clear for about 5 minutes
before re-lighting.
Turning Off
1. Turn LP gas tank valve to “CLOSED”.
2. Turn all control knobs clockwise to the “OFF” position.
Direct Cooking
Cooking directly over hot burners. Ideal for searing in juices and grilling food requiring less than
25 minutes of grilling time, such as steaks, hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken parts, vegetables
and fruit.
1. Open lid and ignite the desired burner(s) per lighting instructions in owner’s manual.
2. Close lid and preheat grill on “HIGH”.
3. Wear protective gloves and use long handle tongs to place food onto cooking grids above the
lit burners.
4. Adjust controls to desired flame height.
5. With lid open or closed, cook until desired internal food temperatures are achieved.
6. Turn grill OFF by turning the LP gas tank valve to “CLOSED”. Burn off remaining gas in lines
by waiting 15 seconds then turn all burner controls to the “OFF” position. A “poof” sound is
normal as the last of the LP gas is burned.
Indirect Cooking
Not cooking directly over hot burners. Ideal for slow cooking and foods requiring more than 25
minutes such as most roasts, loins, chops, whole chickens, turkey, fish and baked goods.
1. Open lid and ignite the desired burner(s) per lighting instructions in owner’s manual.
2. Close lid and preheat grill on “HIGH”.
3. Wear protective gloves and use long handle tongs to place food onto cooking grids above the
un-lit burners.
4. Adjust controls to desired flame height.
5. With lid closed, cook until desired internal food temperatures are achieved.
6. Turn grill OFF by turning the LP gas tank valve to “CLOSED”. Burn off remaining gas in lines
by waiting 15 seconds then turn all burner controls to the “OFF” position. A “poof” sound is
normal as the last of the LP gas is burned.
For more tips on indirect cooking please see “Tips for Better Cookouts and Longer Grill Life”
Tips for Better Cookouts and Longer Grill Life
1. For great recipes and tips, visit recipes.uniflame.com
2. For food safety tips visit: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Fact_Sheets/Barbecue_Food_Safety/
3. Use the upper cooking grid (warming rack) for keeping cooked food warm, toasting breads or
cooking delicate foods in aluminum foil pouches.
4. Use the side burner of this appliance like a normal kitchen range for boiling, sautéing or
frying.
5. To keep food from sticking to the grids, spray or coat with cooking oil before lighting.
6. To reduce flare-up keep grill clean, use lean cuts of meat (or trim fat) and avoid cooking on
very high temperatures.
7. Place delicate foods like fish and vegetables in aluminum foil pouches and indirect cook or
place on upper cooking levels (warming rack).
WARNING: Never cover entire cooking area with aluminum foil.
8. To avoid losing natural juices, use long handled tongs or spatulas instead of forks and turn
foods over just once during cooking.
9. When direct cooking adjust your burners to different levels so foods can be prepared to
different internal temperatures in the same time frame.
10. When indirect cooking roasts and larger cuts of meat, place meat onto a roasting rack
inside a heavy gauge metal pan. Place pan over the un-lit burners.
11. Try water pans to reduce flare-ups and cook juicer meats. Before starting grill remove
cooking grids and place a heavy duty shallow pan directly on heat plates. Fill half way with
water, fruit juices or other flavored liquids. Replace cooking grids and position food over the
loaded pan.
12. Enhance food flavors by using wood chips in smoker boxes or aluminum foil pouches.
Follow the wood manufacturer’s instructions.
13. Rotisseries, grill baskets, vertical poultry holders and other accessories can enhance your
experiences, reduce cooking times and aid in clean-up.
14. Clean cooking grids and racks after every use with a quality grill bush designed for your
grid material. Wear protective gloves and gently remove the build-up while grids are hot.
15. After every use, allow grill to cool. Then protect clean cooking grids with a light coat of
cooking oil, empty grease pan, wipe outside surfaces with a suitable kitchen cleaner and
protect surfaces with a quality cover that properly fits your grill.
16. Watch barbecue themed TV shows or purchase related barbecue cookbooks to learn more
interesting tips like –
A gas grill is ideal for reheating leftover pizza. Set burners on low and place pizza slices
directly on preheated cooking grid. Close lid and cook until cheese starts to bubble.
Figure 1
LP Gas
Connection
LP Gas Valve
with Orifice
Burner
venturi
pipe
Main Burners
Figure 2
LP Gas
Connection
LP Gas Valve
with Orifice
Side Burner
Burner
venturi
pipe
Figure 3
Figure 4
X
X
X
X
X
Figure 5
Figure 6
Burner
Flame
Slight
Yellow
Slight
Blue
Dark
Blue
