7 Ways To Avoid Fires When Grilling

8/26/2021 (Permalink)

A barbeque can provoke a fire in your Craven County, NC, home. Be sure to know these ways to avoid a fire.

Family barbeques are one of the best things about summer. However, a grill fire can turn a fun family outing into a nightmare.

These fire safety tips can help you keep the fun times going.

1. Don't Place the Grill Near Your House

It can be tempting to place your grill on your patio, porch, or balcony, but this is not a good idea. A sudden flame-up or gust of wind could lead to your house catching on fire. Additionally, smoke from your grill may cause smoke damage to your home that you will need a fire restoration service in Craven County, NC, to clean. Place your grill in a safe location that isn't too near your home or other combustible structures.

2. Don't Use Your Grill Indoors

If a rainy, windy, or chilly day is cramping your grilling style, don't try to save it by moving your grill indoors. Grills need adequate ventilation. Grilling indoors can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Additionally, grilling inside your kitchen, sunroom or garage is a fire hazard. If the weather is preventing you from grilling outside, save your grilling plans for another day or use a grill that is designed for indoor use.

3. Trim the Fat

Fat adds flavor and moisture to meat; however, too much fat can lead to a grill fire. When meat is excessively fatty, the fat drips into the flames as the meat cooks where it can cause flareups. Not only can flareups ruin the flavor of your food, but they can lead to injuries and property damage. Trim off excess fat before you start cooking and keep a spray bottle filled with water near your grill for dousing flareups.

4. Always Supervise Your Grill

If you are cooking something that takes a while, it can be tempting to go do something else while your food cooks. However, a barbeque fire can start when an unsupervised grill is knocked over by wind, children, or pets. Keep an eye on your grill until all the flames are out and the heat has had time to dissipate.

5. Inspect Your Grill

If you are using a gas grill, always inspect the propane tank before you light it. Small holes or loosened hoses can cause gas leaks that could lead to a fire or explosion.

6. Clean Your Grill

Improper cleaning is another common cause of fires. Grease and fatty particles can stick to the grill. When allowed to accumulate, these particles can cause flareups. Use a wire brush to scrape them off while the grill is still hot.

7. Give Your Grill Time To Cool

Once the fun is over, it can be tempting to get in a hurry to clean up the grill and put it away. However, if you put the grill cover back on while the grill is still hot, it can catch on fire. When using charcoal grills, empty the ashes into a metal container and then hose them down before throwing them out.

Grill safety is important for avoiding injuries and property damage due to a grill fire. These tips are a good place to start.