Safety Precautions with Gas Barbecues

When you are using or are preparing to use your gas barbeque, there are some very important safety precautions and guidelines that you need to follow in order to have a safe and enjoyable experience. While gas grills are considered by some to be the safest form of the bbq grill world, they can be extremely dangerous if used improperly, whether it is intentional or accidental.

Propane Cylinders
Safety all starts with the propane cylinder itself. Whether you are using a used or even a brand new cylinder, you should visually inspect it before each and every use. Look for excessive rust, cracks, dents and make sure that there is no damage to any part of the valve area.

When filling the cylinder it very important that you not overfill it. Federal law only allows for propane cylinders to be filled up to 80% of capacity. This allows for expansion of the gases during temperature changes. So don’t ask to have the tank topped off. Make sure to never open the valve on the tank unless it is properly connected to your gas grill.

Connections and Regulator
Visual inspect the regulator system on your gas grill before you connect and open the valve on the cylinder. Checking all the lines and connections for any sign of wear or fatigue is essential. When in doubt, swap it out! Once you have verified that everything looks fine and the burner knobs are in the “Off” position, it is now okay to open the valve on the tank.

Lighting
Lighting the grill is always the most dangerous part of the grilling process. Make sure the lid is fully open to avoid a flash off from too much gas buildup. It is always safer to only turn “On” one burner while lighting to help avoid a gas build up. Once the first burner is lit then you can turn on the other burners, starting with the one closest to the one already lit. Don’t lean over the grill while lighting to avoid injuries from any possible flash off.  If the grill fails to light, turn all valves to the “Off” – including the tank – and wait 5 minutes before attempting to relight.

After Cooking
Making sure that the grill is completely turned off is essential. First turn off the burners then close the valve on the propane cylinder itself. After the grill has completely cooled, turn the burner knobs back to the “On” position for several seconds to make sure all of the gas has been expelled from the fuel line. Once you have all of this done, place the grill in a well ventilated outdoor area that is safe from the elements or have it covered. Weather can corrode the vital parts of the grills fuel supply.

Storage
Storing you gas bbq properly is the best way of preventing any accidents in the future. Always store the grill in a well ventilated outdoor space. Never keep the tanks indoors, even if you believe them to be empty. It also recommended that you disconnect the propane cylinder from the grill itself. If you do this it is also a Federal Law to have a cap placed over the tanks valve outlet.