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Gas Grill Safety For Your Summer Barbecue

10 August 2015 by Cameron Carter

In this season of cookouts and outdoor parties, it's important to ensure that your gas grill is operating safely. Proper maintenance plays a big role in keeping this outdoor appliance functioning the way it should, but even with a well-maintained grill, things can go wrong. Learn the dos and don'ts of using and caring for your gas grill and its accompanying propane tank.

Situations to Avoid

• Allowing children to play with or adjust the gas flow of your gas grill
• Storing your tank where it's subject to extremes of heat or cold
• Leaving your grill unattended when it's in use
• Smoking near your propane tank, or allowing others to smoke
• Using lighter fluid on your gas grill
• Storing propane tanks on their sides
• Using matches or lighters to check for leaks
• Using your gas grill indoors

These may sound like common sense precautions to someone who has experience using propane, but a surprising number of tragic accidents occur every year from grill owners who make simple mistakes like these.

Gas Grill Best Practices

• Store your grill and your tank out of the weather. Even a simple vinyl cover is better than nothing.
• Read the manufacturer's instructions before using your gas grill for the first time.
• Keep your grill clean and neat.
• Perform a visual inspection of your hoses and connections intermittently.
• Only refill or exchange your tank at a licensed propane vendor.
• Never use a tank that looks excessively dented, rusted, or damaged.
• Make you understand how to close the tank valves and cap them before having your tank filled.
• Always use your grill where there's proper ventilation.

Make it a point to practice regular safe handling and use of your propane tank and grill every time you fire it up, and make sure everyone in your family does as well.

Troubleshooting

When a problem presents itself, don't be tempted to troubleshoot it yourself. Instead, call the number listed in your owner's manual for assistance. Or, call your local gas company and speak with a trained professional for advice.

When it comes time to use propane gas for grilling, make sure you understand how to turn it on, off, up, and down and how to maintain the tank appropriately. Firing up the gas grill is one of the great joys of summer, and you can keep on grilling safely and deliciously just by following these few preventive measures. For more propane usage tips, contact a company like Redwood Fuel Oil & Propane.

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