Gas Grill Safety: Tips to Prevent Fires and Burns

Gas grills are the most common outdoor cooking appliance today, and for good reason — they're easier to light, easier to control and easier to clean than charcoal. But a gas grill is still a combustible-gas appliance, and it deserves the same respect you'd give any gas-burning equipment in your home. According to the National Fire Protection Association, U.S. fire departments respond to thousands of home fires involving grills every year, with dozens of civilian deaths and hundreds of injuries.

Back in January 2013, ESPN anchor Hannah Storm suffered serious burns when the flame on her gas grill went out and it exploded in a “wall of fire” when she tried to relight it. It's a good reminder of why a few simple habits matter every time you fire up the grill.

Why does a grill flare up when you relight it?

If a gas grill's flame goes out, unburned gas can keep flowing and pool at the bottom of the firebox instead of dissipating into the air. Propane (LP) gas is heavier than air, so it settles low and takes longer to clear than natural gas, which is lighter and dissipates quickly. Cold weather makes this worse — cold air is denser and traps the gas closer to the burners. If you turn the gas back on and hit the igniter before that trapped gas has had a chance to clear, it can ignite all at once instead of lighting normally at the burner.

How do I know if there's a gas leak?

Propane and natural gas are naturally odorless, so manufacturers add a chemical compound that smells like rotten eggs specifically so a leak is noticeable. If you smell that odor before you turn the gas back on, don't light it — give it more time, and if the smell doesn't clear, shut everything off at the tank and call a propane service tech or the fire department instead of trying again yourself.

Gas grill safety checklist

• Read the manufacturer's grill safety guidelines in your owner's manual
• Keep the grill well away from siding, railings, and anything else combustible
• Keep children and pets away from the grill while it's in use
• Keep an eye on the flame, especially on windy days when it can blow out unnoticed
• Keep the grill clean — grease buildup around the burners and flavorizer bars is what causes flare-ups
• Keep a fire extinguisher nearby
• If the flame goes out, turn the gas off at the tank first, then at the burners, and leave the lid open so residual gas can escape
• Wait at least 5 minutes before turning the gas back on. If you still smell gas, wait another 5 and check again
• Replace or have your propane tank inspected regularly — tanks and their valves degrade over time

Grilling has become a family tradition and an American pastime, and most of us get comfortable enough with our grills that gas safety stops crossing our minds. It's worth remembering every time you light it up: you're working with a combustible gas, and a few seconds of caution is a lot cheaper than a trip to the ER.

Stay safe — happy grilling!