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Safety tips for your outdoor BBQ

These Do’s and Don’ts will help you to grill safely and successfully, whether you’re an aspiring pitmaster or just in the mood for an amazing midweek meal.

Categories: | Summer

Get the most out of your recipes, and your grill, the safe way.

Our chefs know how sugar can help make grilled food great, from Domino® Dark Brown Sugar adding a unique depth of flavor to the rub on your ribs to Domino® Golden Sugar adding sweetness to your sauces. But safety ALWAYS comes first. Follow the Do’s and forego the Don’ts, and you’re well on your way to a delicious meal.

Grill Location

Do:

  • Place your grill on a stable, even surface that’s easily accessible. You’ll likely be carrying ingredients to your grill and finished foods away once done, so you don’t want to risk tripping over impediments. 
     

Don’t:

  • Place your grill within 10 feet of your home, or another structure like a shed or swing set. The heat from the grill can cause fires, as can flames caused by flare ups.
  • Use a grill indoors. Even a small grill produces Carbon Monoxide, an odorless, colorless gas that can kill.   
Lighting the Grill

Do:

  • Check your propane grill for gas leaks by spraying soapy water on all fittings prior to using the grill each season and looking to see if bubbles form when the gas it turned on. If you find a leak, replace that fitting or call a professional before using.
  • Open the lid and turn the gas on to the “ignite” setting before using the built-in electric ignition or a wand lighter to light a single burner. Once that burner ignites, light subsequent burners simply by turning them on.
  • Use self-lighting briquettes for charcoal grills or, if using lighter fluid, light according to the instructions on the product’s packaging.
     

Don’t:

  • Ignite a propane grill with the cover closed. This can cause a buildup of gas that can explode, blowing open the lid or sending a fireball out toward the user. 
  • Immediately reignite your grill if it goes out while in use, which can happen during windy weather. Instead, turn it off, open the lid and wait a few minutes for excess gas to disperse. This will prevent an unwanted explosion.
  • Spray additional lighter fluid on a charcoal grill that is already lit. This can cause the stream of fluid to light back up to the bottle, injuring you. 
Handling Fires

Do:

  • Keep a cup or spray bottle of water immediately next to the grill. The water works well for tamping down small flare-ups on the grill itself (and won’t harm your delicious food). 
  • Have a working fire extinguisher nearby as well. You may never need it, but it’s important to have one accessible as a precaution should things get out of hand.
     

Don’t:

  • Use water to fight a large grease fire, as it will spread the flames instead of putting them out. Instead, use a fire extinguisher or a bucket of sand to douse the flames.
  • Attempt to fight a fire yourself if you’re not comfortable doing so. Instead, call the fire department immediately. Often, fires grow out of control as homeowners attempt to fight them unsuccessfully rather than calling the professionals.

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