Grilling Safety 

What is the safest way to grill? Follow these ten grill safety tips for your next cookout! 

As the weather starts to warm up and people decide to spend more time outdoors hiking and cooking out, it is time to start thinking about grilling safety. As one of the most popular ways to cook food, grilling is a fun hobby and a great way to bring family and friends together. 

Even though grilling is a wonderful pastime associated with good food, music, and conversation, it can also be dangerous. Grilling can be a fire hazard and lead to serious burns and injuries if not taken seriously. 

Gas grills are involved on average in 8,900 home fires per year, while charcoal grills account for an average of 1,300 home fires per year. These are high averages, and most home fires either occur from leaks or breaks. 

Since most accidents related to grilling can be easily avoided if the proper precautions are taken, It is important to follow basic grilling safety guidelines to avoid the risk of injuries and house fires, especially if you have an older home. 

Gas Grills Vs. Charcoal Grills

Pros of Gas Grills	Pros of Charcoal Grills
Healthier for you and the environment	Can reach a higher temperature
Quick start-up time	Provides a smoky flavor
Easy Temperature control	Generally less expensive
Great for cooking a variety of foods	Provides a longer cooking fire

Cons of Gas Grills	Cons of Charcoal Grills
Harder to set up	Longer heat-up time
Not as easy to move around	Charcoal can be expensive
Leaks can be dangerous	More cleanup

Here are ten things that everyone should know about grilling safety. 

1. Only Use Grills Outside 

Never use a grill indoors. While it may be tempting to bring your grill inside during the colder months or if it is raining, it is certainly not worth the risk.

Natural gas, propane, and charcoal grills that are made specifically for outdoor use should never be used inside since they pose a fire hazard and can expose users to toxic gases such as carbon monoxide. 

Any combustiable materials found near the grill or above it can easily catch fire and spread quickly. Due to this, it is advised that all outdoor grills should be kept at least 10 feet away from any structures. 

There should also be a three-foot safe zone around your gill from siding and deck rails. Keeping these safe zones and ensuring that grills are kept outside will keep any kids, pets, and members of the household safe. 

2. Grill On a Level Surface 

Always grill on a flat and sturdy surface to avoid tipping and sliding. Once the grill is lit, it is essential that it remains level and in one place when cooking food. 

The best way to ensure a surface is level is by keeping it on a concrete pad or placing a grill-safe mat underneath the grill to protect your deck or patio. Grill-safe mats can be purchased online and are generally made of rubber, are FDA-approved, and are non-toxic. 

Not only are grill-safe mats great for keeping your grill in one spot, but they can protect any hardwood decks or patio materials from scratching and scuffing. 

3. Open Your Gas Grill Before Lighting 

Gas grills are the most popular choice of grill due to their easy light-up features and reduced amount of smoke. As long as gas grills are used properly and well-maintained, they are perfectly safe to use. 

When using a gas grill, the first and one of the most important steps is to open the lid before lighting. If a gas grill lid is closed during lighting, it can lead to a gas buildup in the grill's body and, eventually, an explosion. 

If a propane tank is needed to start your grill, you will also need to open the gas valve once the lid is open. Most newer gas grills feature an ignition button, but if an ignition button is not present, a fireplace match or lighter wand will be needed to light the initial burner once the grill is turned on. 

4. Check For Leaks 

Did you know that leaks are one of the main causes of gas grill fires? Unfortunately, a simple gas leak in a grill can lead to a whole house burning down. Checking your grill for gas leaks is an important preventive measure that is easy and worth the extra effort. 

A simple visual inspection should be completed before each use and also during the winter months before grilling season officially begins. The best way to know if your gas grill leaks is to perform a leak check by applying soapy water to the gas connections and hoses. 

If bubbles form once the soapy water is applied, there is a leak. If no bubbles form, then there is no leak, and the grill can be used as planned. Once a leak is detected, get the leak fixed correctly and immediately. 

5. Never Leave the Grill Unattended 

Once a grill is lit, never leave it unattended. While this may seem obvious, keeping an eye on your grill will ensure that all safety tips are followed and that there will be a reduced risk of injury and danger. 

Since grills use high heat and have open flames for cooking, they are a fire and safety hazard. If you happen to need to walk away for a moment while grilling, asking for help from a family member or friend is the right thing to do. 

If you have small children and pets, keep them away from the grill when it is in use to avoid any unnecessary risks. Discussing these guidelines with the whole family might be a good idea so that everyone knows the dangers associated with grilling and the correct way to ensure grilling safety. 

6. Keep a Fire Extinguisher Near By 

In case of an emergency, keep a fire extinguisher within easy reach of your grill. It is better to be prepared than not at all, and in case of a fire, having a fire extinguisher nearby can make all of the difference. 

If you do decide to have a fire extinguisher on hand, do not place it directly against your grill because that is also a hazard. If a fire occurs and a fire extinguisher is not handy, simply closing the grill lid will help slow down the fire, and baking soda, salt, or sand can also smother the fire. 

7. Wear Appropriate Clothing 

Wearing appropriate clothing when grilling can help protect yourself around an open flame. Instead of wearing long sleeves or any pieces of clothing that dangle, opt for tight-fitting pieces that won't interfere with the cooking process. 

Always wear closed-toed shoes near the grill, tie your long hair back, and consider wearing a heavy apron and oven mitts to protect your body and hands from flames. 

If any clothing catches on fire when grilling, remember to stop, drop, and roll immediately to extinguish any flames and prevent burns to the body. 

8. Always Clean Grill After Use 

One of the most important things to remember when grilling is cleaning up afterward. Cleaning your grill after use will provide a clean surface for your food to cook on next time and eliminate any grease build-up in the grease tray and on the grill plates. 

If not cleaned properly, grease left over on your grill can act as fuel and cause a fire the next time it is used. Even though it is recommended to clean your grill after each use, it should at least be done after every three uses. 

The best way to clean a grill is to use a stiff wire grill brush or steel wool on the grill while it is still warm. Remember not to lean over the grill when cleaning. For tough grease spots, dish soap or grill cleaner can be used. Once the grill's surface has cooled, wipe it down with a damp cloth to remove any residue. 

9. Wait For the Grill To Cool Before Covering 

Never close the grill lid after use while it is still hot. As a general rule of thumb, always wait at least 45 minutes for the grill to cool down before closing the lid. Most of the time, gas grills take less time to cool down, while charcoal grills can take up to a full day to cool on their own. 

If you cover the grill too early before it is properly cooled, various problems can occur. Not only will it trap the heat inside and keep the grill hot longer, but any heat and moisture trapped under the cover will lead to rust and corrosion. 

Not to mention, if the grill is too hot when it is covered, there is a risk that the cover will melt or stick to the grill surface, which may lead to you having to purchase a new grill entirely. 

10. Dispose of Coals Appropriately 

While charcoal grills provide a nice smoky flavor when cooking food, the cleanup afterward is one of the main reasons gas grills are most popular. After using a charcoal grill, charcoal must be disposed of appropriately to avoid fire hazards. 

Charcoal from the grill must be placed into a metal container with a tight-fitting lid once they have cooled. Charcoal should never be emptied directly into a trash can or into your yard. If charcoal and ash are disposed of incorrectly, it can lead to large flames. 

The metal container used only to collect charcoal should be kept outside and away from anything that can burn. Once all charcoal and ash are fully cooled, it is recommended to wrap them in aluminum foil before disposing of them in a non-combustible outdoor trash can, where they will be taken to a landfill. 

Methodology 

We used data from several sources, including Home Depot, the National Fire Protection Association, FEMA, First Alert, and RaleighNC.gov, to determine the top ten things everyone should know about grilling safety.

FAQs 

What is the safest method of grilling? 

The safest method of grilling is with a gas grill since there is less smoke and heat than if you were to use a charcoal grill. 

What is the first rule of grilling? 

The first and number one rule of grilling is to not be in a rush. If you are in a hurry and impatient, there is a bigger risk of grilling going wrong. 

What are the four grilling guidelines? 

When grilling, four main guidelines should be followed, including not using the grill inside, grilling on a flat surface, starting with a clean grill, and never leaving the grill unattended once it is lit. 

Grilling Safety - Final Thoughts 

No matter what type of grill you choose, staying safe should be your first priority. Whether you are a new homeowner and are excited to host a barbecue or ready to try new recipes, following the above grilling safety tips can make a difference. 

If you are moving to Raleigh or somewhere in the Triangle area, paying attention to grilling safety is essential, especially in the spring and summer. From checking for leaks to always cleaning the grill after use, these grilling safety tips should always be followed. 

Contact the experts at Raleigh Realty for more information about homeownership, buying, and selling.