GrillJunkie: Grilling Safety

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Today, with more Americans lighting up their gas, charcoal, or barbecue grills than ever before, it is very important to always remember that a successful experience starts with a safe grill. When dealing with burning hot metal, and explosive liquids, it is best to be careful. Every year dozens of people are injured and hundreds of fires are reported because of grilling accidents. With the growing popularity of outdoor cooking, safety is king!

The following provides a brief overview of safety guidance and safety tips that are provided to help you practice safe grilling. But remember, anytime you work with fire there's a chance of getting burned. So take precautions! Common sense and planning will prevent injuries.

The leading cause of injures and fire from gas grilling is leaking fuel lines. Improperly connected hoses, cracked or broken hoses, and misaligned venturi tubes can release unlit propane that can quickly build up and cause an explosion.

When it comes to out-of-control gas grill fires, identify the source of the fire. If the fire is in the grill itself then carefully turn of the control knobs and let the fire die down. If the fire is under the grill and you can get to the fuel tank, turn off the tank. This should stop or kill the fire almost immediately. If it does not, or if you cannot get to the tank valve, immediately get away from the grill and call the fire department.

Charcoal presents its own risk due to carbon monoxide poisoning. Burning charcoal produces a lot of this gas. There were over 20 deaths in the United States last year alone from carbon monoxide poisoning associated with charcoal grilling.

The leading cause of injury related to the use of lighter fluids, is attempting to relight charcoal. Pouring lighter fluid onto hot coals causes the fluid to quickly vaporize. These vapors become extremely flammable. Without a strong wind the explosive vapors will not dissipate and will wait around for you to light the match.

Following is a list of safety tips to guide you through the grilling process. But remember, anytime you work with fire there's a chance of getting burned. So take precautions! Common sense and planning will prevent injuries.

• Always read the owners manual before using your grill and follow specific usages, assembly, and safety procedures. Contact the grill manufacturer if you have specific questions about the operation of your grill.
• Location is everything. Grills need to be kept away from houses, fences, trees and anything else with a propensity for burning. This includes all around the grill as well as above.
• Be prepared to fight a fire. Having close access to water or a fire extinguisher is a very good idea. Remember that water can cause grease fires to literally explode so if you need to put out a grease fire you need to be a safe distance from it. If you have a fire extinguisher, make sure you know how to use it beforehand. When you do need to use it you might not have time to read the instructions.
• Keep flammable materials far away from your grill. Do not store lighter fluids in close proximity to your grill. If a can of lighter fluid gets too hot it can explode. Also, never add lighter fluid or any flammable liquid to a burning fire.
• When lighting a gas grill use the 10 to 5 rule. If the grill does not start within 10 seconds, turn off the gas, leave the lid open and give it 5 minutes before you try again. Propane gas can develop into a large cloud quickly.
• When using a barbecue grill be sure all parts of the unit are firmly in place and the grill is stable. Frequently check gas lines for leaks. Brushing soapy water over the hoses and connectors will show you any potential leaks. Make you go over every part of the gas line from the tank to the burner. If you find a leak you need to replace that part before you grill again.
• Make sure that the fire is out when you are done. With a gas grill turn of the control valves and the tank valve. Make sure that any burning grease is put out and let the grill cool completely before you cover it. On a charcoal grill replace the lid and close all vents. Let charcoal burn out and wait about 48 hours before disposing of ashes.
• Use long-handled barbecue utensils to avoid burns and splatters.
• Wear clothing that does not have hanging shirt tails, frills or apron strings, and use flame retardant mitts when adjusting hot vents.
• Never attempt to move a hot grill.
• Make sure that the person in charge of grilling has a clear head and is not distracted from his/her duties.

As always, remember that the greatest safety feature we have is common sense. Pay attention to what you are doing and keep safety as your top priority.

The purpose of these safety tips is to set forth general safety practices and precautions for the operation and maintenance of barbecue grills. These tips are not intended to be an exhaustive treatment of the subject, and should not be interpreted as precluding other procedures which would enhance safe barbecue grill operations. Issuance of these safety tips should not be construed as an undertaking to perform services on behalf of any party either for their protection or the protection of third parties. GrillJunkie and its affiliates assume no liability for reliance on the contents of this information.