Safe Spring Grilling With Propane: 10 Tips

Spring is here, which means it’s time to get cooking on your propane grill!

Just remember to do it safely: every year, thousands of people in backyards across the America suffer preventable injuries from unsafe grilling practices. Follow these propane grill safety tips to prevent injuries and avoid damage to your Greene County, NC home.

1. Grill at least six feet away from your home at all times.
2. Keep your grill on sturdy, level ground away from heavy traffic areas.
3. Clean your propane grill after every use to avoid grease-burning flare-ups—these are the most common source of grill fires.
4. Before you fire up your grill, check it for leaks.
5. To light your grill, open the lid of the grill then turn on the gas at the tank. Never light a gas grill with the lid closed. If the grill doesn’t light after one or two clicks, turn off the burner, turn the gas off at the tank, and wait 10 minutes before trying it again.
6. Keep a lid for your grill within reach to extinguish small grease flare-ups; It’s also a good idea to have a portable fire extinguisher or baking soda on hand. NEVER try to put out a grease fire with water!
7. Unattended grills are the source of 46 percent of cooking fire-related civilian injuries, according to the National Fire Protection Association —more than any other factor. Stand by your grill!
8. Always practice food safety:
   • Wash your hands or use antibacterial gel or wipes before eating or handling food—especially raw meat, poultry, or fish.
   • Separate raw meats from cooked and prepared foods. Store raw meats in a separate cooler, place raw meat on its own plate, and use different utensils to handle uncooked and cooked food.
   • Always cook your food to safe temperatures.
9. Never attach or disconnect an LP tank or adjust fittings while the grill is operating. If you run out of gas while grilling, turn off all the burners, reconnect the new tank, and re-light. When you finish grilling, shut the gas valve and disconnect the LP couplings before storing the grill.
10. When transporting your tank for a propane cylinder refill, put it in a secure, well-ventilated location in your vehicle. Place it upright with the valve off and take it directly to the refilling location. Do not leave the tank unaccompanied in the vehicle!

Still using a charcoal barbecue? Trade up to a propane grill today and enjoy instant start-ups and precision temperature control! Rand Wade Oil features top-quality propane grills from Phoenix and Wilmington—From basic, classic styles to models with side burners, multilevel grill surfaces, griddles, and more! Contact us to learn more about them today.