Fire Safety 101

What happens if I set the grill on fire? Asking for a friend.

This can be a big flare-up or a full-blown fire—I’ve experienced both! The first step is to remove the food and cover the Grill. If it is a gas grill, turn the burners off and turn the gas off (tank or natural gas) immediately. If it is an electric pellet smoker, unplug it immediately. 

The quickest way to extinguish flare-ups is to put the lid on the grill. The lid will reduce the amount of oxygen that feeds the fire—thus limiting or snuffing-out the flare-ups. If it’s a charcoal grill, close the lid, and close the vents on the top and bottom to cut off oxygen to the fire.

FIRE HACK: If the fire is full-blown, it almost always means that it is a grease fire. This can happen even when the grill is clean, but it happens less if you have a clean grill and ensure the grease pans are empty. Turn the burners off if it is a gas or electric grill and pour a box of kosher salt over the burners and the flames to snuff them out. I keep a box of kosher salt near the grill in case I need it.

Can I use a water bottle to spray flare-ups while I am grilling?

No. Spraying water on a hot fire can produce steam vapors which may cause severe burns. The water can also crack the porcelain-enamel finish on the inside of your grill, resulting in damage to the finish of the grill.

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Copyright 2023 Elizabeth Karmel