What are the Dangers of Buying Propane Grills?

With the heat of summer slowly making itself known, many people buy grills or take theirs out for the start of barbeque season. As a result, barbecue enthusiasts and food lovers are itching to start hosting parties and outdoor dinners to show off their new skills and recipes. Yet, as it is with most barbecues, guaranteeing safety is the most important first step to having fun. Propane Grills

Propane grills are one of the most well-known types of grills available on the market, competing with charcoal grills for being one of the most common. Chances are that if you ask anyone in your neighbourhood what kind of barbecue grill they have, they’ll say either charcoal or propane. Each has its own risks when it comes to grilling safety though, and propane seems to be making to-be owners nervous.

While there are dangers to buying and using propane grills, there are also many techniques and accessories that we covered in this article that can help make grilling safe and fun. If we’ve convinced you to try a propane grill yourself, you can check out   for grills and so much more.

How propane grills work

Propane grills function similarly to other barbecues. They use a fuel source to start the fire, but instead of using charcoal or wood like other grills, they use propane. If you already have a grill and have used one before, the process is largely the same.

A simple propane grill consists of a burner, a changeable gas tank, a gas regulator, an igniter, and the cooking grate that all grills include. If the gas tank isn’t removable, some models may be constructed so that it may be replenished with extra liquid propane once it’s been drained. Additionally, all propane grills have a knob, similar to a stove, that allows you to manage the flame’s heat and intensity.

How to start a propane grill

To start the grill, the regulator knob connecting the tank to the grill needs to be turned on first. With the flow of the gas on, you need to start the main grill before pressing the igniter button. If all your connections are tight and secure, all you’ll need is a single press of the igniter to start the flames. 

How to use the grill safely

Depending on your grill’s design and who the manufacturer is, there can be a few more features past the necessary features for every propane grill. However, many manufacturers make sure that their grills are safe to use. For instance, to prevent heat from building up inside the closed grill, there are holes along the sides that act like vents. More pricier models are more likely to have adequate ventilation. If the grill won’t light even with secure connections, these openings or vents can be used to safely light it with a match or a gas lighter.

Tips to use your grill safely

There are a number of ways to make sure that you use the grill safely and properly store it away when it’s not in use.

1. Test your fittings first

Before lighting the grill, make sure to check that all your connections and fittings aren’t leaking. Due to the fact that propane is colourless, finding any leaks can be quite hard. However, there is a simple way to check. 

Mix a little bit of soap and water together into a spray bottle and spray it onto the connections. Bubbles should be escaping from the area if there is a leak. Turn the entire machine off and check again if there is no flame in the grill. If the bubbles stop, the grill should be inspected and serviced. You should contact the fire department if it does not cease. If you smell gas while using the barbecue, notify the fire department and leave the area immediately without moving the grill. 

2. Use the grill in a well ventilated area

A little known fact is that propane grills, as well as charcoal barbecues, release large amounts of carbon monoxide into the air. As a result, you need to ensure that the spot you choose is well ventilated. Many sources stand by the fact that the best and safest place to use a propane grill is outdoors, since any carbon monoxide won’t end up trapped under roofs.

Additionally, it’s best to use your grill somewhere further away from any flammable materials. Regardless of the fact your grill uses propane, fire can still be a massive safety hazard when it comes to barbecuing. Keeping a fire extinguisher or another method of stopping flames on hand is highly important.

3. Keep the tank turned off when not in use

Whenever you’re done grilling up your steaks or burgers for the night, be sure that you turn off the grill properly and shut off any valves. In hotter climates, leaving the propane tank on can actually increase the risk of the tank exploding, though the chance is fairly low. In the peak of summer, the gas in the tank can expand due to the heat. The hotter the air gets, the higher the pressure gets until the point where even the slightest hint of ignition causes the entire tank to explode.

As slim as the chance is, many propane tanks have a pressure relief valve to vent internal pressure at roughly 375 psi. Additionally, the tank needs to reach about 49 degrees celsius to build enough pressure to explode, which isn’t quite enough heat in most Canadian summers.

Takeaway

Safety should be the most important thing to consider when setting up your barbecue grills for the summer. There are many risks and dangers that come with working around propane grills. However, with the right know-how, the risk of the tank exploding or catching fire becomes incredibly slim.