Cooking on hot rocks is one of the oldest forms of cookery, and it has been enjoying a revival in recent years as everyone is waking up to its many advantages. So the next time you have a BBQ give lava rocks a try, you won’t regret it!
Not only will you be enjoying reconnecting with the way man has been eating since time immemorial, but barbecuing with lava rocks also fits perfectly into today’s healthy-eating lifestyle and, to boot, the flavours are hard to beat.
Originally the rocks would have been heated to high temperatures over open fires, but today’s cooks use a gas burner. Lava rocks are sourced from volcanic landscapes and are able to stay hot for an hour.
You’ll need expandable grill grates to cover your barbecue’s burner well and enough lava rocks to form a tightly packed single layer on top of those grates. Try this expandable grill grate and lava rocks on Amazon.
A BBQ with lava rocks is healthy
Weight watchers rejoice! A BBQ with lava rocks doesn’t require the use of any oils or other fats, leading to a healthier, lighter way of eating. The naturally occurring fats in meat also disperse and have space to drain away thanks to the natural porousness of the rock.
A BBQ with lava rocks is efficient
Lava rocks maintain their heat for an hour at a time, making them an incredibly efficient way to grill meat, with maximum use of the energy produced by the gas burner. Not only will this save you money on gas bills but it’s also great for the environment.
Converting your gas BBQ grill to Lava Rock
FAQ
Can you cook on top of lava rock?
Why did grills stop using lava rocks?
How do you use lava rocks in a charcoal grill?
Is lava rock better than charcoal?
How to put lava rocks in a gas grill?
Before doing this, you will want to learn how to place lava rocks in a gas grill. To place lava rocks in a gas grill, do not put them on top of each other. It should be a straight layer set on the grate over the burner with the edges pressed against each other. Once done, turn on the heat and wait 15 minutes.
Are lava rocks good for grilling?
Lava rocks have a bunch of benefits. For one they help your grill retain heat. If you properly pre-heat your lava rocks you can essentially turn the gas off while cooking. The rocks retain heat so well that even without a direct heat source lava rocks stay very hot for a long time.
Do you need lava stones on a gas grill?
Before the advances in grill technology gas grills had problems with retaining heat. Lava stones would be placed in the grill and heated up. Today you don’t need lava stones unless you have an older model grill. If you have an older grill and struggle with heating issues, then you probably need lava rocks.
How do you clean lava rocks on a gas grill?
Cleaning lava rocks is really easy, though. You just have to burn off all that grease. Allow the grill to cool completely and then flip the lava rocks over so the greasy side is facing down, toward the burners. Place a couple of pieces of aluminum foil on the grill grate to help trap heat and then close your grill.