Summer time…………………warm sunny days, family, food and of course grilling!
We here at Grill Daddy want all of our “family” to have a happy and safe summer. That’s why we put together a list of helpful safety tips to help you to do just that!
Clean that Grill!
One of the best tips we can give you is keep your grill clean and clean it often. Accumulated grease is one of the quickest ways a fire can start.
Simply make a habit of cleaning it well each time so you can cut down on grease build up.
Time to grab your Grill Daddy Steam Cleaner to make the job fast and easy!
Test Your Grill for Leaks
When using a gas grill, checking for leaks is essential.
Start by inspecting your propane tank and hoses for any cracks or brittleness.
Then test for any leaks at the start of each season OR if you smell gas.
The easiest way to do this is wiping down the hoses and closed valve with soapy water then turning on the gas. If bubbles appear you most likely have a leak.
Here is a great video from the National Fire Protection Association for more detailed information.
Create a Safe Space to Grill
Make sure your grill is on a stable flat surface to prevent it from tipping over.
Keep pets and children away from the grilling area and of course never leave the grill unattended!
Keep the grill away from your home (consumer safety guidelines suggest at least 10 feet from your home or structure).
Never grill inside and keep away from patio furniture and overhangs as flare ups can occur while cooking.
For more information check out the CPSC Grilling Safety Guidelines.
Keep a Fire Extinguisher Close By
Most seasoned grillers keep a spray bottle of water on hand which works great for occasional flare ups from drippings etc. However, in the event of a grease fire water can actually make it worse.
It is a good idea to keep a fire extinguisher close by if those flare ups turn into a full on fire.
Know where it is and how to use it!
Never Turn on a Propane Grill with the Lid Closed
Leaving the lid closed when turning on the gas can cause a couple of problems.
First and foremost turning on the gas with the lid closed can cause propane to build up then when you open to ignite it there can be an explosive flame.
*On a side note, we found another good reason to never turn on the gas before opening the lid a few summers ago.
It had not been that long since we used the grill, however in those few weeks a squirrel decided to make her nest inside and when we opened the lid she was in it!
Luckily there were no babies so when she scampered off we inspected the nest and carefully removed it.
Safe Ways to Light Your Charcoal Grill
Using lighter fluid really isn’t always the best idea especially if you use too much as flare ups can occur and it’s easy to lose control of the fire.
Instead try using newspaper and a chimney starter to get it going.
Check out this video for more information.
Don’t Overload the Grill
Overloading your grill can cause excessive fat to drip on the flame creating major flare ups. It can also make your food greasy and cause it to cook unevenly.
So remember to leave a couple of inches between your meats and don’t cook too many at one time.
Helpful tip: You can always keep grilled meat in a warm oven at 200 degrees while waiting for the remaining food to finish.
Turn off the Grill After Use
Believe it or not, unattended cooking equipment is one of the leading causes of cooking fires.
We can all lose focus and become distracted when entertaining or rushing to get dinner on the table so please remember to do a quick check of everything when you are finished.
Stay up to Date
Hopefully these tips help you to have a fun and safe summer experience. For more safety tips check out this printable guide from the National Fire Protection Association.
Happy Grilling from all of us here at Grill Daddy!
Do you have any grill safety tips? We’d love to read your insights in the comments below!