KEEP IT SANITARY - Do not allow raw meat and fish to come into contact with other foods. Use separate cutting boards, or thoroughly sanitize the one you are using. Wash with hot soapy water, spray with a 5 % solution of chlorine bleach, and air dry. Plastic cutting boards can also be sanitized in the dishwasher.

MARINADES AND ALUMINUM DON'T MIX - When using an acid-based marinade, be sure to use only containers made of glass, ceramic or stainless steel or use food-safe plastic zip-lock bags. Do NOT use an aluminum container - It creates a chemical reaction that can darken the food and the aluminum container.

KEEP 'EM SEPARATED - Use two separate sets of plates and utensils, one set for handling the raw meat and one to use once the meat is cooked and ready to be served.

WASH UP - When handling and preparing fresh meat or other foods, always wash hands and the preparation surface areas regularly. This is particularly important for fish, pork and chicken.

PROTECT YOUR COOKWARE - To save time in the clean-up process, wrap any cookware going on the cooking grid with aluminum foil.

USE ANOTHER PLATE SO YOU DON'T CONTAMINATE - Always take a clean platter out to the barbeque with you. Do not put cooked foods back on the plate that the raw meat was on as it may contain bacteria and may contaminate your cooked meat.

TIPS & FACTS

DIRECT COOKING - Also known as grilling, this cooking method involves cooking your food directly over the heat source. Recommended for food that requires short cooking times or to sear and lock in the juices before cooking food indirectly.

INDIRECT COOKING - When food is cooked away from the direct heat source with the lid closed. This method works well for delicate foods as well as foods that require longer cooking times.

GET YOUR COOKING GRIDS HOT - Set the burners on high for at least 10 minutes before you start cooking. By pre-heating the cooking grids, they will sear the meat to give it nice grill marks, but more importantly, it will keep the meat from sticking to the cooking grate...

COOKING WITH THE LID DOWN - The temperature of your barbeque changes each time you open the lid and even the best temperature gauge will not react instantly. For the best cooking results, try to cook with the lid down as much as possible.

A LITTLE OIL GOES A LONG WAY - To prevent food from sticking to the cooking grid or warming racks you can spray or brush on oil before lighting or spray the food with a mist of oil before placing it on the grid. Experiment and see which method works best for you..

THE OTHER COOKING SURFACE - Remember, cooking times vary depending on the air temperature, heat setting, and the thickness of the food being cooked - use your warming rack to accommodate for these differences and serve the entire meal together.

FOR WOOD SMOKED FLAVOUR - Wood chips impart smoky, distinctive flavours to grilled foods. Soak chips in water for about an hour so they don't burn, place your smoker box in with the cooking medium and cook your food like usual. Try earthy mesquite or spicy hickory.

SPRING TUNE UP - To keep your barbeque looking and cooking like new, take the time to clean and tune it up before the start of each season. Follow our maintenance instructions.

KEEP A LID ON IT - When the barbeque is not in use, keep the hood or lid closed to prevent any rain or water from getting into the barbeque. Consider using a Grill Gear barbeque cover to protect your investment.

LOW HEAT OUTPUT - Follow the lighting instructions as outlined on your barbeque console decal or in the Use & Care manual. If the heat output from the burners on propane models seems abnormally low, the flow-limiting device may have been activated for safety.

INSECTS NOT ALLOWED - Clean your venturi tubes at a minimum of once per year. Insect nests are the number one cause of gas barbeque fires. Click here for step by step cleaning instructions or check your Use & Care manual.

COOL CANADA - Barbeques made in Canada generally have a higher BTU rating than barbeques made in the U.S. because Canada enjoys a cooler climate than the United States, requiring more BTUs per square inch to maintain proper cooking temperatures. This is especially important for those of us who barbeque during the winter months.

CHOOSE GENUINE ORIGINAL REPLACEMENT PARTS - If you ever need to replace your burner or any other part, be sure to use only original Fiesta Genuine Parts.

CHECK YOUR PROPANE TANK - Perform a leak test every time a gas component is changed, including the propane tank, after periods of storage or non-use, or at a minimum of once per year.

STORING YOUR TANK SAFELY - Never store a propane cylinder or tank under or near your barbeque, in your home, cottage, garage or vehicle. Store the tank upright and outdoors in the shade and away from any combustible materials.

CHECK YOUR FUEL LEVEL - Before a big gathering, check the fuel level the night before so that you have time to re-fuel before you get going so you don't run out mid-cooking. Have an extra tank available-- stored upright and away from any combustible materials.

LONG HANDLES FOR SAFE REACH - Invest in long handled tools for your barbeque. The handles should be a minimum of 12" (30 cm) long; this will keep you away from the heat and allows you to reach any item on the cooking surface safely.

KEEP IT GREASE-FREE - Keep your barbeque clean and free of greasy build-up, this will enable your barbeque to work most efficiently and can prevent greasy deposits from catching fire, a situation you want to avoid.

BENEFITS OF DUAL VALVE CONTROLS - If your barbeque has left and right burner control knobs for the main cooking surface, you can cut your cooking surface in half by lighting only one side of the burner. By alternating the side you cook on you can extend the life of your burner and be more fuel efficient.

SHUTTING DOWN THE BARBEQUE SAFELY - When shutting down your barbeque, shut off the propane tank or natural gas main shut off valve and then shut off the burner control valves. This sequence prevents residual gas from being left in the system under pressure.

FINDING THE FLAME - If a burner fails to light or if the flames go out, turn off the barbeque. Wait about five minutes for any accumulated gas to dissipate before trying to re-light the barbeque. If this does not work, you may need to clean or replace your burner. You can also check your Use & Care manual for step-by-step instructions.

KEEP THE COOKING SMELLS OUTSIDE - A side burner offers endless possibilities to enhance your outdoor meal - sauté mushrooms & onions, prepare sauces, cook rice or pasta dishes, fry eggs or stir fry vegetables. The side burner is also great on its own when you don't want to heat or smell up your house.

KEEP YOUR GRIDS CLEAN - Try to clean off your grids after each use when the grids are still warm so they're ready to go for the next time you cook. A long handled brass bristle brush with a metal scraper works well, as does a scrubbing pad.

GET SOAKED - If you use wooden skewers, soak them in water first for at least half an hour, This way they won't burn on the grill. These skewers are great for parties since they're disposable.

CHECK THE TEMPERATURE - Have an instant-read thermometer close by so you can accurately determine when your meat has reached a safe internal temperature and is fully cooked. Take extra care when cooking poultry or pork.

KEEP PETS AND KIDS SAFE - Keep kids and pets away from the barbeque when you're cooking AND after you've shut everything off. Most barbeques remain hot long after being turned off.

DO A LITTLE LIGHT READING - It is very important that you read the Use & Care manual that comes with your barbeque. You will find many helpful hints about everything from how-to-use the barbeque to what sort of regular maintenance is required to keep it working optimally.

Courtesy - Fiesta BBQ's