Preventing Grill Fires from Inferno Grill Cleaning.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, over 10,000 home fires are started by grills each year. Don't let your cookout turn into one of those fires!

Here's a collection of preventative tips so you don't end up with a grill fire of your own...

1. Whether you're cooking indoors or out, it's always important to keep a fire extinguisher nearby. If you don't have a good place to store one outdoors, keep it inside the nearest entrance to your home. 

​2. Fire safety when grilling also means checking the grill's interior and grease collection tray. A full tray should always be emptied to avoid a grease fire. If you are noticing any flareups from the area of your burners, it could be an indication that there is too much buildup inside your grill and a deep cleaning is overdue.  











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3. Make sure grease is not allowed to drip onto the hose, gas cylinder/tank, or inside the cabinet.  Keeping fire inside the grill is the top priority.  Making sure that grease does not build up near your fuel source is important in preventing a dangerous fire.

4. While barbecues are prone to flame up when grease starts to collect, it is not just your grease tray that you should be keeping an eye on. Outdoor grills are often placed in hazardous locations too close to the house, deck railings, outdoor sheds and under patio awnings. To help ensure a safe grilling and BBQ experience, place your grill at least 10 feet from the home or other structures. Also make sure there are no obstructions like a patio awning or tree branches above the grill that could catch on fire while you are grilling.

Putting Out a Grill Fire...

Flare ups from cooking food on the grill are natural. However, when the flames on your BBQ become too large or spread to adjacent areas, it is important to have a fire extinguisher within reach and know how to use.

1. If your gas grill catches fire, the first thing you should do is attempt to turn off the burners and gas source. If you can reach the knobs safely (on a gas grill), this will help stop additional fuel from feeding the fire and creating a larger problem.  If the propane tank itself is involved in the fire, evacuate the vicinity and call 911.

2. Close the grill lid and all grill vents, as a lack of oxygen will help to starve the fire of oxygen and slow it down.

3. Attempt to smother the fire.  Never spray water onto a grease fire!  Water will intensify the fire and it will spread.  Throw salt, baking soda or sand onto the fire to smother the flames.

4. Use a fire extinguisher to extinguish the flames using the P.A.S.S. technique - pull, aim, squeeze, and sweep. Once the fire has been put out, make sure to switch off any burners on the grill that were still on.

Sources: cnet, Quirk Books, First Alert

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Dave is the Founder & Owner of Inferno Grill Cleaning, a Cleveland-based BBQ Grill Cleaning Service specializing in the deep cleaning & sterilization of outdoor grills. 

Thank you for stopping by! Please take a moment and get to know Inferno Grill Cleaning by visiting www.infernogrillclean.com

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