Question: What causes grill fires?

The main reason gas grills catch on fire is due to grease buildup inside of the grill. When grills aren’t cleaned properly, grease builds up in the firebox, on the burners, and in other areas of the grill. The grease can vaporize and ignite, causing a grease fire.

What starts grill fires?

The primary causes of gas grill fires involving structures included the following: a failure to clean the grill (24 percent); the grill being too close to combustibles (15 percent); leaving the equipment unattended (15 percent); a leak or break in a gas line (14 percent); and using the grill for warming (7 percent).

What do you do when your gas grill catches on fire?

If you are able to safely reach the knobs on your grill, turn off the grill’s burners. Then remove the food and smother the flames by throwing baking soda, sand or kosher salt over it. Close the lid and any grill vents to further starve the fire of oxygen.

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How do I keep my grill from catching on fire?

how to prevent flare-ups

  1. Trim the fat. Flare-ups usually happen because of excess fat, sauces or oily marinades. …
  2. Keep the lid open. When searing fatty foods, leave the grill lid opened.
  3. Avoid wind. Try to keep your grill away from windy areas. …
  4. Move your food. …
  5. Burn the grease away. …
  6. Clean your grill.

What is the most common type of grill to cause fires?

Five of every six (8,900, or 84 percent) grills involved in home fires during 2014–2018 were fueled by gas, while 1.300, or 12 percent, used charcoal or another solid fuel. The leading causes of grill fires varied by power and fuel source and by whether the fire involved a structure.

How common are grill fires?

Nearly 9,000 fires a year, on average, involve grilling. Five out of six of these reported fires involved gas-fueled grills.

The Science of Gas Grill Fires

  • Failure to Clean the Grill, Including the Grease Trap. …
  • Having the Grill too Close to Something that Could Catch Fire. …
  • Leaving the Grill Unattended.

Can a gas grill explode?

Gas grills can explode if propane or natural gas is allowed to build up in and around the grill and is subsequently ignited. A propane tank can explode if exposed to extremely high temperatures, like being engulfed in flames.

Why does my gas grill keep catching on fire?

The main reason gas grills catch on fire is due to grease buildup inside of the grill. When grills aren’t cleaned properly, grease builds up in the firebox, on the burners, and in other areas of the grill. The grease can vaporize and ignite, causing a grease fire. … Grease fires are easy to prevent in your grill.

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How often should a grill be cleaned?

Every 6 months you should do a thorough cleaning of your grill. If you’re a regular griller than it is important to do a deep clean and inspection of your grill. This involves disassembling the grill down to the burners, inspecting the gas flow, checking for signs of rust on your grill grates, and more.

How do you stop a gas fire?

Gasoline fires may be extinguished by smothering with wet rags, woolen cloth, sand, earth or ashes, if the amount of the fluid involved is small. If the amount is large, a little water spreads it; but a deluge of water smothers it.

Will a grease fire burn out on a grill?

Consistent cleaning of the cooking surface and the inside of the grill greatly decreases the risk of a fire. Without proper cleaning, heated grease can accumulate, liquify and vaporize, which can ignite a fire. If this happens, turn off gas and leave the lid open to let grease burn off.

Why is my grill flaring up?

Grill flare-ups are quick bursts of high-intensity flames that are often the result of fat and oil dripping onto hot coals or wood and igniting. A flare-up and a grease fire are not the same things. … This usually happens when there is a buildup of grease and carbon in your grill.

How do you fix a flare-up on a grill?

If a flare-up occurs, simply move the dripping food to the cool part of the grill and let the flare-up subside. Don’t pile the coals too high, though, since the closer the coals are to the food, the more likely flare-ups become.

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Can a charcoal grill catch on fire?

The flames can creep up on you like a forest fire by starting small and growing quickly. And, if the grill has too much grease and carbon built up, now you have a serious grease fire, and it can be catastrophic. However, flare-ups are preventable so don’t let them deter you from enjoying fabulous steaks and burgers.

How many house fires are caused by gas grills?

Gas grills were involved in an average of 8,900 home fires per year. Leaks or breaks were primarily a problem with gas grills. Charcoal or other solid-fueled grills were involved in 1,300 home fires per year.

Can an electric grill catch fire?

Electric grills.

Generally safer than charcoal or propane grills, electric grills can pose fire risk if an extension cord is used that is not suitable for outdoor use. Fire risk exists for all types of grills, but the risk is even greater when they are used on a balcony or deck.

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