Propane Grill Safety Tips

Keep Safety on the Menu During Your Memorial Day Barbecue

If you haven’t already fired up your propane-powered grill this season, Memorial Day weekend is perfect for an inaugural cookout! Families all over northern Arizona will be grilling out on the holiday weekend. Even though propane is one of the safer fuel sources, you still need to exercise safety.

With that in mind, it’s a good idea to reacquaint yourself with these nine propane grill safety tips.

Safety Checks for Your Grill

If your grill laid dormant during the colder months, here are some quick safety checks you should do:

• Check your grill’s placement—Your grill should be in the open air, never in enclosed spaces like a garage or car bay. Make sure it’s on level ground and 10 feet away from your home or other structures.
• Test hoses, valves, and regulators for leaks—Coat them with soapy water, then open your propane cylinder. If you see bubbles, there could be a propane leak. Rerun the test after tightening all connections. If you still see bubbles, your hoses or tank might need to be replaced.
• Check your tubing and burners for blockages—Spiders like to make winter homes in venturi tubes. You can clear them out with a bottle brush. Reconnect everything and turn on your grill with the grates off. If your burners have uneven or missing flames, turn off the flames and poke any blocked ports with a paperclip.

Safety Tips for Your Propane Cylinder

Do you have a professional, reliable fueling partner for your propane cylinders? Superior Propane, Inc. has many convenient refill stations throughout the greater Flagstaff, Williams, Prescott, and Sedona region. It’s vital to treat these cylinders safely.

• Pick up or refill your cylinders last—Get your propane right before heading home and transport it with two windows open. This prevents the cylinder from overheating.
• Transport your cylinders upright—Regardless of whether they’re empty or full, this minimizes the risk of leaks.
• Store cylinders safely—This means they should be upright, outdoors, and away from flammable materials and appliances.

Stay Safe While Grilling

Here are three tips to ensure that your cookout is as safe as it is fun.

• Get everything you need beforehand—Have all your food, sauces, seasonings, tongs, and brushes close at hand. You never want to leave a lit grill unattended.
• Clean congealed drippings and grease from the grill—One in five grill fires is caused by leftover grease. Make sure you clean your whole grill, not just its grates. It’s also a good idea to trim fats from meat and blot off marinate before grilling to minimize grease buildup.
• Keep fire prevention tools nearby—If there are some grease flames, you want to be prepared. A spray bottle can put out minor flare-ups, but you need a fire extinguisher nearby in case of a larger fire.

If you think it’s time for a grill upgrade, Superior Propane, Inc. can help! We can help you choose the best grill for your home and family and introduce you to many other propane-fired outdoor living products. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.