The worst kind of steak is a burned steak. Grilling steak on a gas grill doesn’t have to be complicated but the mistake most people make is relying on steak cooking time alone without considering the temperature. Since gas grills are meant for fast and hot cooking, it is essential to maintain temperature control when grilling steaks to avoid the dreaded burned and charred steak.
Here’s a guide on what temperature to grill steak on a gas grill.
Judging how well a steak is done only by its cooking time is a common mistake. The temperature to grill a steak varies according to the steak’s size and thickness, type, and shape of the cut [1].
To ensure you prepare a perfect BBQ steak, here are the necessary temperature settings to grill your steak on a gas grill. Generally the thicker the steak, the lower the temperature you need to grill a steak.
The best gas grill temperature for ½ inch steak is between 425°F to 450°F.
The best gas grill temperature for ¾ inch steak is between 360°F to 400°F depending on the steak type.
The best gas grill temperature for a 1-inch steak is between 325°F to 350°F. This is also the best temperature for medium-rare to rare-cooked steaks.
The best gas grill temperature for 1.5 Inch steak is between 110°F to 120°F, and it should be cooked for about 3 minutes per side. The temperature range above is for rare filet mignon steaks. However, sirloin steaks or ribeye should be grilled between 130°F to 140°F for 6 minutes per side.
Regardless of the steak’s size, you need to preheat your gas grill to a temperature of about 450°F to 500°F before grilling. Turn on your gas grill and turn the knob to a high setting. Close the lid and allow the grill to heat up for about 20 to 30 minutes. Also, let your steak defrost and warm up before placing it on the grill.
(Wondering which grill you should get? Check out our comparison of Weber and Broilmaster grills.)
The type of steak is important when you’re determining what temperature to grill steak on a gas grill. Cooking times are also important to ensure you don’t burn your steak as different types of steak cook differently.
Filet Mignon is usually 1-inch thick. The starting temperature for Filet Mignon is 130°F to 135°F for four minutes per side for medium-rare, and 155°F for seven minutes per side for a medium-cooked steak. (We have more tips for grilling filet mignon!)
Ribeye is a thicker cut of meat (usually about 1¼ inch thick or more) and takes a longer time to cook. We recommend cooking this steak to an internal temperature of 140°F for eight minutes per side for medium-rare, and 155°F for 10 minutes per side for a medium-cooked steak.
If you’re grilling a 1-inch-thick New York Strip, grill the steak to an internal temperature of 140°F for seven minutes per side for medium-rare. If you’re grilling a medium-cooked steak, grill for 10 minutes per side at an internal temperature of 155°F.
Just like ribeye, sirloin is also a thicker cut of meat with an average thickness of about 1¼ inch. To grill, ensure an internal temperature of 140°F for eight minutes per side for a medium-rare and 155°F for 10 minutes per side for a medium-cooked steak.
To grill T-bone or other steak types like flank steak, you can get an idea of the perfect grilling time based on how well you want your steak to be done and the thickness of the cut of meat. Generally a medium-rare steak will require an internal temperature of 140°F and 155°F for medium steaks.
(Want to have a variety of food at your cookout? We also wrote about grilling brats here.)
The internal temperature is critical to cook your steak to the desired doneness you want. The internal temperature is recorded in the thickest part of the steak and you should absolutely use a probe meat thermometer to check your temperature readings.
Remove the steak from the gas grill 5°F before it gets to the ideal internal temperature you have in mine because the internal temperature will continue to rise while the meat is resting. Here are the internal temperatures you need to have for your steaks.
For a rare steak, cook your steaks at an internal temperature of 125°F.
Cook your steak at an internal temperature between 130°F to 135°F for a medium-rare steak.
Your steak should have an internal temperature of 145°F to be medium.
For a medium-well steak, you should maintain an internal temperature of 150°F.
For a well-done steak, you can go up to an internal temperature of 160°F.
Yes, you should grill a steak on high heat to cook your steak within a shorter time. When your steak cooks faster, it will become more tender. High heat will also create the grill marks by searing your steak. However, you need to make sure you follow the recommended temperature to avoid burning your steaks.
Steaks should be at room temperature before grilling. They will cook faster than cold steaks. Cold steaks will contract more on the grill and push out more juices which can result in less flavor for your steaks.
The internal temperature of a steak should be 145°F for medium and above 160°F for well-done steaks. Maintain an international temperature of between 120°F to 125°F for rare steaks, 130°F to 135°F for medium-rare steaks, and 150°F to 155°F for medium-well steaks.
Check the type of steak you have and the doneness level you want when deciding what temperature to grill steak on a gas grill. Investing in a meat thermometer can help you monitor the internal temperature of your steak so you can consistently prepare well-grilled steaks that truly liven the mood at any barbecue party.
Expand your knowledge on grill brands! See how Fire Magic fares against AOG here.
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