What To Do if Your Gas Grill Catches on Fire

Keep Propane Safety on Your Menu This Summer

Cooking, whether it’s inside or outside, always presents the potential of accidents and injuries because you’re dealing with high heat and hot flames. Just letting your mind wander away from the task at hand for a few seconds or panicking when something goes wrong could lead to bad consequences.

So, with the propane grilling season now in full swing in Iowa, here are some timely tips about what you should do if you ever have a grease fire or flare-up on your outdoor propane grill.

First and foremost, always be ready for an emergency. Near your grill, always keep these essentials: a fire extinguisher, insulated gloves, and either baking soda or sand so you can quickly smother any fire that erupts while you’re grilling.

What to Do about Flare-ups

Grill flare-ups are tall flames with a lot of smoke. These are actually quite common when grilling meats because of dripping fat, oil and marinades. To prevent your flare-up from turning into a full-fledged fire, do this:

• Immediately move the food to a warming rack, using long-handled tongs.
• Slowly replace the food and locate it at the center of the grill to let fat burn off; continue this process for each item.
• Once all food has been returned to the grill, finish cooking with a watchful eye.

If You Have a Grill Fire

The problem with flare-ups is that these can spread quickly and easily turn into a full-blown fire. Here’s what to do if it looks like your flare-up has turned into something more serious.

• Turn the grill off.
• Remove the food and smother the flames by throwing baking soda or sand on top of the fire. NEVER use water to extinguish a grease fire. Throwing water on the fire can make the fire spread. There’s a reason for that old saying: “oil and water don’t mix.”
• Close the lid and any grill vents to further starve the fire of oxygen.
• If the propane tank has become part of the fire, or if the fire expands out of control, evacuate the area immediately and call the fire department.

Avoiding a Grease Fire

The best way to handle grease fires and flare-ups is to avoid them in the first place. Here are ways to do it.

• Clean your grill regularly, following instructions from your manufacturer. Regular cleaning will greatly reduce the risk of fire. Your food will taste better too!
• Grease sometimes pools in the firebox area around the burners. If it is safe to do so, turn off the gas and leave the lid open so the grease can burn off.
• Always cook with the lid down, and leave it down during cooking time.
• Oil the food, not the grates.

Read more about propane safety.