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As spring starts to allow for warmer weather and summer holidays are fast approaching, what’s better than the first “All American” cookout of the season?! Grill owners and cooking afficionados love to cook on their outdoor grills – particularly gas grills – but the problem is that a lot of grills have been in storage or infrequent use – so their condition is not guaranteed.
Dillon Campbell and his friends in Cape Coral, Florida found this out the hard way as reported by WINK News. Dillon was having some friends over to watch “March Madness” when one of party members allegedly went outside and started the grill to throw on some sausages. Moments later Dillon and his neighbors heard what sounded like a sonic boom or jet flying over the house. A massive gas explosion had occurred, followed by a fire that damaged major portions of the home and outdoor seating area. Luckily for Dillon and his friends, the person who lit the grill had left to use the restroom while the rest of the party was still inside watching the basketball game.
Although it seems natural to just pull the grill out for the first time and simply light it, CED experts and local fire departments warn that the lighting should be the LAST step (especially at the start of the season). Experts advise that you should properly clean the grill first…especially around the flame/grate area of the grill. Debris must be removed, and an inspection conducted to check for any worn or loose parts which can then be replaced immediately. The grill manufacturer would outline any recommended or required maintenance in their operator’s manual.
The fuel gas delivery system should be checked after prolonged periods between use. A leak test or “soapy water test” should be done at all connection points. Grill masters should turn on the gas. Once the gas is on, use a sponge that is soaked in leak detection liquid which can be as simple as a water and soap solution and apply it at all around the system especially at the connection points. If this results in bubbles at the fitting connections, then immediately turn the gas off and further evaluation of the system would be required.
Lastly, and most importantly, is to rely on your sense of smell! If you are ever using a gas grill (or at any residence and smell gas) – immediately exit the area and call 9-1-1 so that professionals can shut off the gas supply and identify the leak. Explosions have occurred in buildings that have been evacuated due to the smell of gas before the concentration reached explosive levels.
There is another crucial component to ensuring a safe and successful grilling season: the proximity of the grill to combustible materials. CED has done several fire investigations where the cause of the fire has been the proximity of a gas or charcoal grill located adjacent to something that readily burns such as the wooden frame of the handrail for a deck. When using an outdoor grill, meat and other fatty foods release oils into the grill basin or tray. This grease will continually build up and, if not cleaned regularly, start a grease fire. Grease fires are difficult to contain and this is why most grill manufacturers and as well as CED engineers recommend that the grills be placed several feet away from any wood or flammable structures such as home exteriors and decking. This way if the grill were to catch fire the flame could be contained in the basin of the grill and left to “burn off” – or extinguished with a special grease extinguisher. NEVER USE WATER on a grease fire! Throwing water on a grill grease fire will only spread the flame and make the situation worse. Call 9-1-1 and let the professionals handle the fire.
The warm season is here… and grill masters are preparing the special rubs, meats and recipes – just be sure to please take a few moments to look over your grill and its location and put safety first!
For more information about how CED experts can help investigate grill explosions and fire investigations related to grilling activities – visit on us on the web at www.cedtechnologies.com.
