Barbecue and Grilling Safety Tips

When summer arrives, people all over the world enjoy grilling and barbecuing. There is nothing more fun or relaxing than grilling and eating burgers.

Unfortunately, many people fail to remember that this past summer could have been very dangerous.

According to the National Fire Protection Agency, 18,900 home fires occurred between 2009 and 2024 due to grills, barbecues, or charcoal fire pits.

In this guide, we provide all the grilling and barbecue safety tips you need for a safe experience.

Setting up your grill
Preparation should be done well before you light up. There are many barbecue safety precautions you can take during the assembly and setup of your grill to avoid potentially dangerous accidents in the future.

Read the instruction manual
Grills come with instruction manuals for a reason. These manuals include a variety of helpful safety guidelines to give you a better understanding of how the equipment works.

Failure to read this manual automatically leads to your liability if the worst happens.

While you may think that all grills operate the same way, they all have unique specifications that you need to know.

If the grill needs to be assembled, you will need to read the instructions carefully to ensure that the grill does not fall apart during use.

Proper Grill Placement
The grill needs to be a considerable distance away from the house and any flammable materials.

One of the biggest mistakes a homeowner can make is placing the grill on a wooden deck next to the house. The included grill manual will provide you with recommended distances from the building for your grill.

However, a good general rule of thumb is to keep it at least 10 feet away from it. It should not be placed under eaves or low tree limbs.

Proper Ventilation
Placing your grill in an open space away from the walls will also help ensure proper ventilation.

Smoke from a barbecue, while unavoidable and tantalizing, can be very problematic for your health. It contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PCA). This is a carcinogen found in the smoke.

Smoke also contains harmful carbon monoxide. Make sure the grill is placed in such a way that it doesn't blow smoke directly at party guests or gather in one place. Use the wind to your advantage so that it dissipates safely.

Keep the grill stable
Whether your grill is on wheels or completely stationary, it needs to be reinforced a bit before.

A smooth, durable surface will prevent the grill from tipping over and causing a fire. Grilling on overgrown grass should therefore be avoided.
It is also a good idea to purchase grill mats to keep the underlying surface clean and protected.

Keep people and pets away
While it's always good to have other people help look after the grill, it's best to keep the grilling area as open as possible.

Heavy foot traffic around the grill can lead to accidental tip-overs and burns. This is especially true for children and pets.

Before you light the fire.
So you've taken the right precautions and set up your grill accordingly. What to do.

Before you start cooking, you need to prepare your grill and workstation. You should strive to avoid potential mishaps, but also be prepared to act quickly if something goes wrong with your grilling endeavors.

Remove Accumulated Grease
If you are an avid grill enthusiast, you may have accumulated grease around your grill.

It is located not only on the grates, but also on the lid and bottom. If not cleaned, this grease can become more fuel for the fire and lead to dangerous fires.

Replacing your grill brush
Grill brushes are used to remove grease and burnt particles from cooking grates. Brushes are usually made of stainless steel or brass and are tough enough to quickly remove stubborn stains.

However, durable bristles can cause painful injuries. Defective brushes shed bristles that can easily go unnoticed, leading many people to accidentally ingest them.

They can get stuck in the throat or intestines and cause immense pain. To avoid this, brushes should be replaced regularly. Whenever the bristles begin to warp, they need to be replaced with a newer model to ensure complete grilling safety.

Brushes should be able to withstand high temperatures. Cheaper options will only melt and lead to the ingestion of carcinogens.

Bristles must be thick and able to hold their shape. The method of attaching the bristles to the spatula should also be sturdy. Look out for tightly adhered metal or heavy-duty plastic.

Wear Proper Clothing
Anyone who is going to be on a barbecue task needs to be dressed appropriately for the task.

Since you will be around a fire, you should wear clothes that are appropriate for the heat. It is best to avoid wearing clothes that are oversized or have long sleeves. Even hanging apron strings should be avoided as these items can catch fire quickly when you move the food around.

Keep a fire extinguisher nearby
Fire extinguishers should be placed a few steps away from the grill so that they are readily available in the event of a major fire. While it will completely ruin your meal, it is a better solution than a large property fire.

Protecting Food
Bacteria will grow on all foods above freezing temperatures and will continue to multiply and multiply until the food temperature reaches at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

Consumption of this bacteria can lead to many potentially life-threatening health problems. Food poisoning is relatively common because people do not protect their food enough.

If it is not on the grill, it should be kept in the refrigerator for as long as possible. If it has to stay there temporarily before you throw it on the grill, make sure you cover it so pests don't get into it.

This rule also applies to vegetables. When cooked, food should have an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees.

Avoid burning meat
Burning meat can lead to the formation of HCA (heterocyclic amines). HCA is known to cause cancer.

Eating burnt food can be dangerous for you, so it is important to avoid it if possible. Always keep an eye on your food when it is on the grill to prevent it from burning. You can also use marinades and small pieces of meat to minimize the chance of burning.

Keeping your grill below 600 degrees Fahrenheit can also help you avoid overcooking your food. This is an important thing to keep in mind, and it also helps to ensure that your food tastes delicious.

Clean up.
Unlike gas grills, charcoal grills require some extra time and maintenance after use.

These additional charcoal grill safety steps will ensure that the grill is safely stored and ready for your next cookout.

Allow coals to cool for 48 hours
After removing food from the grill, you should allow the coals to burn on their own.

Of course, you should remain vigilant while the grill does this. When you are finished cooking, you should close the lid. This controls smoke and prevents oxygen from reheating the coals.

Allow the ashes to cool for at least 48 hours before removing them.

Handling the ashes
If the ashes still seem a little warm, you can spray them thoroughly with water.