Grill safety 101: Safety tips for outdoor kitchens and grills

Americans love to grill and barbecue. The majority of U.S. homeowners have a grill or smoker—and many households have invested in their backyards by installing outdoor kitchens or grilling areas.

While grilling and barbecuing are usually safe, there are risks associated with outdoor cooking. High heat and flames, especially close to your house, can lead to property damage and personal injury.

Poorly maintained equipment and unsafe use can lead to fires. In addition, Chubb has seen several instances of fires causing large losses as a result of outdoor grill areas being improperly installed.

Fortunately, by taking the following precautions when you install and use an outdoor grill or kitchen, your can limit the risk of causing damage or injury.

• Place your grill away from your home—When installing an outdoor kitchen or grill, place the cooking area at least 10 feet away from your home.
• Maintain sufficient clearances—There should be at least 5 feet of horizontal clearance and at least 10 feet of vertical clearance between your grill and other areas or objects made with combustible materials, such as planter boxes, overhanging awnings, and decks.
• Use non-combustible materials in cooking areas—Materials for cabinetry, countertops, and backsplashes near the outdoor cooking area should be made of non-combustible materials such as concrete and masonry. Wood framing and combustible siding around the grilling area pose a greater risk of fire.
• Place your grill on a safe surface—Your outdoor kitchen or grilling area should sit on a stable, non-combustible surface and away from any grass or landscaping. Cooking areas should not be built on decks, which are flammable and often attached to homes or other buildings.
• Provide for adequate ventilation—The outside cooking area should be adequately ventilated, and vent hoods should be added if needed to help manage smoke and grease.
• Install an emergency gas shut-off valve—The emergency valve can be used to stop the flow of fuel if a fire begins. Test the valve frequently, at least at the start of every grilling season, to ensure that it works.
• Adhere to manufacturers’ manuals and local fire codes—Install your grill and any other outdoor appliances per the manufacturers’ instructions and follow all local fire codes when designing and constructing your outdoor kitchen or grill area.

• Keep your grill clean—Regularly clean your grill’s grates, drip pans, burners, heat plates, and other parts to remove grease and other buildup that can catch fire.
• Inspect gas lines and connections for leaks—Periodically spray soapy water on your gas lines and connections, turn the gas on without lighting the grill, and look for bubbles, which indicate leaks. If leaks are detected, shut off the gas and make repairs before using the grill. Additionally, look closely for any visible damage to lines and connections, and listen for hissing, which indicates gas is leaking. A sulfurous or rotten egg smell can also indicate a gas leak.
• Keep a fire extinguisher close at hand—Consider installing a fire extinguisher near the grilling area.

Whether you have a built-in or freestanding grill—and whether you use natural gas, propane, or charcoal—follow these tips to cook safely and minimize risks:

Charcoal grills

• Start with safe ignition—Apply lighter fluid to dry charcoal or use a chimney starter following the manufacturer’s instructions to light your charcoal. Do not use any other flammable materials to light charcoal.
• Maintain a buffer zone—As with an installed barbecue or outdoor kitchen, you need to provide adequate space above and around your cooking flames or hot briquettes. Don’t cook under covered areas, and stay clear of landscaping.
• Cool coals—Let used charcoal cool for 48 hours before disposal. Cooled coals should be wrapped in foil and disposed of in a non-combustible container away from any combustible materials.

Gas and propane grills

• Safely store propane—Propane tanks should be stored outside your home, in a well-ventilated area, on a level surface, and away from any combustible materials. Consider keeping the tanks in a shaded area to avoid direct sunlight and make sure they are stored upright. Propane tanks should not be stored in garages or sheds due to limited ventilation and fire risk.
• Turn off the gas—Be sure to turn off the gas or propane when you’ve finished cooking. For extra protection, a timer can be installed on gas grills to shut off the gas at a pre-set time.

Finally, no matter what type of grill you use, never leave the cooking area unattended, and always keep children and pets away from your grill.