It’s about time to fire up your grill and invite some friends and family over for some al fresco dining. Whether you’re cooking porterhouses or chicken wings, impossible burgers or salmon fillets, propane is an excellent fuel for the job. Clean-burning and super-efficient, it provides even heat without a hint of chemical taste or little clean-up.
If you’re about to fire up the grill for the first time in a while, it’s a good idea to reacquaint yourself with some safety tips for your grill and its propane cylinder.
Propane Cylinder Safely Tips
Liquid propane is an incredibly safe fuel source. Even so, you need to be careful when transporting and storing a propane cylinder. Here are three things to keep in mind:
Regardless of whether your cylinder is empty or full, you should transport it upright to minimize the risk of leaking.
Pick up your cylinder at the end of your shopping and transport it with two windows open. Don’t leave a cylinder in enclosed spaces, especially when eastern Panhandle temperatures are rising.
Store propane cylinders upright, outdoors and away from flammable materials and outdoor appliances.
Safety-Checking Your Propane Grill
The spring is a good time to give your grill a safety check. It only takes a few minutes but ensures a safe and efficient barbecuing experience:
Check your venturi tubes for spiders, which can make homes during the winter that cause blockages. Use a bottle brush to clean out the tubes, then reconnect everything and turn on the grill with the grates off. If you see uneven or missing flames, clear blockages with a paperclip after turning off the flames.
Run a leak test on your hoses, valves and regulator. Coat them in soapy water and open the propane cylinder. If you see bubbles, there could be a propane leak. Tighten connections and rerun the test. If the bubbles appear, you should replace the hoses or tank.
Staying Safe While Grilling
Nothing beats a flaming propane grill on a beautiful sunny day. We hope you have a great time cooking out, but don’t forget to be safe.
Here are five tips to help keep your cookout worry-free:
Before grilling, make sure you have everything you need – like food, sauces, tongs, brushes, etc. Never leave a lit grill unattended.
One in five grill fires are caused by leftover grease. Be sure to clean your whole grill regularly, not just the grates.
Keep your grill lid open when lighting the flame, then ensure it’s fully lit before closing the lid.
Keep your grill in an open-air environment with a level surface. Never grill indoors or in a garage, where dangerous carbon monoxide can accumulate. Also, stay five feet away from house structures, trees, bushes or outdoor furniture.
It’s about time to fire up your grill and invite some friends and family over for some al fresco dining. Whether you’re cooking porterhouses or chicken wings, impossible burgers or salmon fillets, propane is an excellent fuel for the job. Clean-burning and super-efficient, it provides even heat without a hint of chemical taste or little clean-up.