Transcript
Gas or Liquid Propane (LP) Grill Safety If you use a gas grill here are a few safety tips from the US Fire Administration and the Hearth, Patio, and Barbecue Association.
Grill Maintenance Inspect your grill. Before you begin your inspection of the grill and any grill maintenance, be sure the gas is turned off at the source. Especially after a period of storage or disuse, such as over the winter, it is important to check your grill for gas leaks, deterioration, proper assembly, and burner obstruction before using. Remember, bugs and other critters can crawl into little places causing blockages, gas to flow where it shouldn’t, or other damage. Parts and assemblies can become loose or damaged during storage or when moving the grill in and out of storage. So please, check everything carefully. General maintenance on the grill should be performed twice a year. Watch for rust, check the regulator, hoses, burner parts, air shutter, and venturi tubes, the tubes where the air and gas are mixed.
Before each use, visually inspect hoses for abrasions, wear, and leaks. A soap and water solution can be used to test for leaks on hoses. Escaping propane will release bubbles. Check the owner’s manual for any additional maintenance requirements. If you store your gas grill indoors, the LP cylinders MUST be disconnected, removed, and stored outdoors. NEVER store an LP cylinder indoors.
LP Cylinders If you need to have your LP cylinder filled, be sure the cylinder is not overfilled. A 20 pound cylinder should be filled only to 80% capacity, leaving room for the liquid to expand. Note that the cylinder valve outlet must be plugged whenever the cylinder is not connected to the grill or is being transported unless it is a quick close coupling or quick connect type of cylinder valve. Please follow manufacturer’s instructions for handling of cylinders. Once the LP cylinder is connected, the grill must be kept outside in a well ventilated space. When not in use, the LP cylinder valve must be turned to the OFF position (clockwise). Be sure to check the connections between the LP cylinder and the fuel line. Make sure the venturi tubes, where the air and gas mix, are not blocked. Never attach or disconnect an LP cylinder, or move or alter gas fittings when the grill is in operation or is hot.
Never use an LP cylinder if it shows signs of dents, gouges, bulges, fire damage, corrosion, leakage, excessive rust or other forms of visual external damage. It may be hazardous and should be checked by a liquid propane supplier. Always store you LP cylinder outside, in an upright position, and in an area where temperatures won’t exceed 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Never store LP cylinders indoors. Never store a spare cylinder on or near a grill or any other appliance.
Grilling Prior to lighting a gas grill, be sure to open the lid to prevent a buildup of gas. Do not lean over the grill when igniting the burners or cooking. If a burner does not ignite, turn off the fuel supply and turn all the burners to “off.” Keep the lid open and wait at least five (5) minutes before trying to light it again. If a burner goes out during operation, turn off the fuel supply and turn all the burners to “off.” Open the lid and wait at least five (5) minutes before attempting to relight. Follow lighting instructions. When cooking is completed, be sure to turn off the fuel supply and then turn the burners to “off.” Make sure everyone knows to Stop, Drop, and Roll in case a piece of clothing does catch fire. Call 911 if a burn warrants serious medical attention. The Cuba Fire Department wishes you a safe and enjoyable season of outdoor grilling. For more consumer safety information about grilling visit the Consumer link of www.hpba.org and click on Safety First! For more consumer safety information about liquid propane, visit www.usepropane.com.
