America’s love affair with grilling began right after World War II, according to “Born to Grill,” and based on the proliferation of grills available, it appears that the feelings haven’t waned. In 1952 an employee of Weber Brothers Metal Works took advantage of America’s passion and created Weber’s first grill. Weber introduced the Genesis gas grill 30 years later with an innovated system of metal bars to distribute the heat evenly. The Weber Genesis gas grill requires proper timing and correct temperature to achieve your favorite degree of doneness in your steak.

Move the Genesis grilling grates so they sit 4 inches above the burners. Spray the grates with a light coating of vegetable oil cooking spray.

Check the control knobs on your Weber Genesis gas grill to confirm they are in the “Off” position. Turn the gas cylinder valve counterclockwise to supply gas to the grill.

Turn the middle or front burner knob to “Start/High.” Press the electronic igniter button or use a barbecue lighter to light the burner on your Weber Genesis grill.

Turn all the burner knobs to “High” and close the lid on the Genesis grill. Allow the grill to preheat for 10 to 15 minutes.

Season both sides of your steak with your favorite steak seasoning. Place your steak directly above the burners on your Weber Genesis grill. Leave the burners on high if your steaks are 1 1/4-inch thick or thicker. Turn the burners to medium heat for steaks less than 1 1/4-inch thick.

Cook over high heat for 10 minutes for steaks 1 1/4-inch thick and thicker. Cook over medium heat for 4 to 5 minutes for steaks less than 1 1/4-inch thick.

Turn your steaks with tongs so you do not puncture the meat. Cook thinner steaks directly over medium heat an additional 4 to 5 minutes or until the steak reaches your desired degree of doneness.

Turn all the burners to medium before turning thicker steaks. Cook 1 1/4-inch steaks an additional 4 to 6 minutes over indirect heat, or until the steak reaches your desired degree of doneness. Indirect heat requires you to turn off the burner directly beneath the steak or move the steak to the side of the grill and away from the burner flames. Cook 1 1/2-inch steaks an additional 6 to 8 minutes over indirect heat and cook 2-inch steaks an additional 10 to 14 minutes over indirect heat.

Check for desired degree of doneness using the palm method. Hold your hand flat with your palm up. To know what extra-rare and rare steaks feel like, press on the pad at the base of your thumb. Medium-rare steak feels like the area between the center of your palm and your thumb pad. A medium steak feels like the middle of your palm, and a well-done steak feels like the base of your pinkie. The softer your steak feels, the rarer the steak.

Remove your steaks from the Weber Genesis gas grill. Turn off the burners and turn the gas cylinder valve clockwise to close it.