Grilling with Propane this Memorial Day? Follow These Propane Grill Safety Tips

 

With the weather warming up and Memorial Day just around the corner, the smell of barbecue is in the air and many families will turn to cookouts for their long weekend at the end of May.

As one of the leading Mercer County propane companies, we’re sure to see an uptick in propane deliveries and refills in the coming weeks, but besides just providing top-notch propane services to our customers we also want to make sure they know how to use the clean-burning gas safely at their homes.

Although propane can be used in many residential ways, one the most common uses, particularly during warm weather, is for fuel to light up a grill. To practice proper propane safety while grilling this Memorial Day and throughout the summer, follow these propane grill safety tips for before, during, and after grilling.

Before Use

Before using your propane grill, check for leaks, especially if you’re using the grill for the first time in a while. Gas leaks are one of the most common culprits for grill fires and need to be checked for regularly. If the leak is substantial enough, you might be able to smell the fuel. However, this isn’t always a sufficient test so it is important to know other ways of checking. One way you can check your propane tank for leaks is to turn the tank’s valve to open, get a solution of half water and half soap and apply it with a brush to the propane tank’s hoses and connections. Watch for bubbles to form and if they do that means you have a leak.

During Use

While grilling, it is important to keep location in mind. Using a grill indoors or in a garage is never a wise idea, and you’ll also want to make sure the grill isn’t too close to the house or wooden fences when being used outside. Make sure the lid is open when you ignite the grill and always keep a fire extinguisher handy just in case. Baking soda, sand, or cat litter can also be used to extinguish flames if you do not have a fire extinguisher available.

After Use

When you are done grilling, turn the propane tank off first and then the grill. This is meant to minimalize the amount of residual pressure that builds up in the propane hoses. Always keep the propane tank valve closed when it’s not in use. When it comes to storing your propane tank, make sure it is completely disconnected from your grill and it remains outdoors. You never want to store a propane tank indoors.

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