It is the end of grilling season… unless you are like my father, who would grille outside all year long, shoveling our backyard snow out of his way in the middle of winter.
While grilling is a lot of fun, there are dangers. My neighbor just hours ago flamed out his grille while attempting to teach his son how to grille (hint -- don't use the entire bottle of lighter fluid). I don't know how the grilling lesson went, but I couldn't believe the speech lesson he gave. It would make a Marine blush.
Anyways, that got me thinking about safety.
No, this isn't a picture of my neighbor's grille.
PROPANE GRILLS
Propane grills present an enormous fire hazard -- more than 500 fires that result annually from their misuse or malfunction.
Ignite a propane grill with the lid open, not closed. Propane can accumulate beneath a closed lid and explode. I've done it before (by mistake), and it is kind of cool, but dangerous.
Make sure to completely turn off the gas after you have finished, or when you are changing the tank. Even a small gas leak can cause a deadly explosion. And store propane tanks outdoors (never near the grill or any other heat source). Don't store or transport them in your car’s trunk.
Many people are goign to stop griling soon and pick it back up in spring. If that describes your plans, make sure when you start it back up next year that the connections are secure before turning on the gas. The most dangerous time to use a propane grill is at the beginning of the barbeque season.
CHARCOAL GRILLS
Use only barbeque starter fluid to start the grill, and don’t add the fluid to an open flame. It is possible for the flame to follow the fluid’s path back to the container as you’re holding it. Let the fluid soak into the coals for a minute before igniting them to allow explosive vapors to dissipate. Be careful not to spill any fluid on yourself, and stand back when igniting the grill. Keep the charcoal lighter fluid container at a safe distance from the grill.
Fill the base of the grill with charcoal to a depth of no more than 2 inches.
Have fun out there, and enjoy your Labor Day weekend!
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