Safety Sunday – 20 reminders for grilling

In 2009 alone, over 16 million new grills were sold and a study showed that 82% of the US owns a grill with 97% of those owners admit that they use said grill at least once a year. The biggest day for barbequing or grilling outside should be of no surprise as “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Property… err Perfect Barbeque… err Happiness…” (HTRC: 4th of July – BBQ etiquette)

General Reminders:

• Make sure the grill is at least 10 feet away from any buildings, trees, or flammable materials (and yes folks, vinyl siding does melt if it gets to hot)
• Don’t use grills in a an enclosed area like your house, apartment, garage or porch
• Keep children away
• I heard a great tip about drawing a 5’ “safety” or no-play zone around the grill with chalk
• One trick we use when designing decks is also making sure that the grill has its own area which includes an area for the grill master which is not part of the walkway area
• Keep (hard) alcoholic beverages away from the grill as they are flammable
• Always check & clean your grill thoroughly to ensure it is in good shape (no rust, nests, cracked or brittle hoses, etc…) before lighting it
• You should have a fire extinguisher close buy, or at minimum a working garden hose that is easily reachable

Heh, you would think that this rig is classified top secret as the close up shot I had failed to take & I couldn’t find another shot on the internet. This is McAbees Construction “PigFitters” rig which was serving lunch for everyone involved at the Education by Design Technical Conference & yes it was some good eats.

Propane Grills:

Most injuries, fires, etc… are attributed to grills that have not been used for a while & have blockages from critters moving in & taking up residence – so it might be a good idea to check regularly. (We had a mouse take up residence in one of ours in a little less than a month once)

• You should check for leaks every time you replace the cylinder (soapy water test)
• Never start the grill with the lid closed & if it does not light within 15 to 30 seconds, turn off the burner & let it air out before trying again
• If the “sparker” does not work – do not try using regular lighters or matches – instead opt for the long handled matches or lighters
• It is always wise to shut the propane fuel off when you are finished barbecuing
• Propane Grills & Decks: while it is best not to use one on a deck, you can generally do so safely. We highly recommend a grill mat which is not only fireproof, but will help insulate the deck & prevent any drips from ruining it

Charcoal Grills:

Due to the production of carbon monoxide when charcoal is burned, these grills should never be used inside enclosed spaces (i.e. homes, vehicles, tents, or campers) even if ventilation is available.

• Store and use your grill only on flat surface that cannot burn (i.e. concrete, asphalt, dirt, gravel)
• Never use any flammable liquid other than barbecue starter fluid to start said grill – a good item to buy would be a charcoal chimney.
• If you must use a starter fluid, do so sparingly and never spray it on an open flame.
• Remove the charcoal ashes from the grill and place them into a metal container with a tight-fitting metal lid. Add and mix in water with the ashes, and set aside for several days. Remove the ashes only after they are completely cooled and no warm embers remain.

In Case of a Fire:

If you feel in any way that a fire or situation could endanger your safety, your guests, nearby residences or property the first step is to call 911.

• For those pesky little flare up’s – those can be knocked down with a few drops of water, a spritz from a spray bottle, or moving the meat away from that area
• For larger fires: If safe to do so first close the lid
• Charcoal grills – many have some breather holes with a cover, slide that cover closed to block those openings
• Propane grill – Turn off the burners and if you can safely reach the tank valve, shut it off
• If the fire involves the propane tank – get everyone (including you) away from the area (which includes any nearby rooms with windows) and call 911. If you have a garden hose handy and you can stand safely around a corner you may try spraying the area &/or tank with water
• Grease Fires: (i.e. cooking in a wok, in a pan, with a fryer / never cleaning your grill) remember that water will make the situation worse & cause it to spread. The best step is to cover the area and let it starve for oxygen &/or use a fire extinguisher

Just remember, a true master can cook on anything, but sometimes it helps to intimidate the he11 out of your competition… (Sorry – the owners name & picture taker is still unknown)

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