How to put out a propane fire

Posted: August 5, 2019

When it comes to using a propane gas grill – or any other home propane equipment – safety is always the top priority; a gas grill fire that is not properly controlled can burn out of control and create a dangerous situation in and around your Central Maine home.

Here are four things to remember when it comes to properly and safely extinguishing a propane gas grill fire:

• Think prevention – Leftover grease is the leading cause of grill fires – be sure to clean your grills before each use (your food will taste better and cook more evenly when you do this, too). Keep at least three feet of space around your grill, and place it several feet away from anything flammable – including your wooden deck (a flat concrete or brick slab is always preferable). Never leave a grill unattended, especially with children and pets around.
• Remember the “big three” – A good way to think about fire prevention when grilling is to remember that you always need three elements to create fire –heat, fuel, and oxygen. If you remove any one of those elements, it will put the fire out.
• Be prepared – Keep a fire extinguisher near the grill at all times; baking soda can also smother a fire, so keep box of it nearby. NEVER USE WATER TO PUT OUT A GREASE FIRE! Always have a phone charged and on-hand in case of emergency.
• Act quickly if needed – If the fire is inside the grill or in the hose, turn off the gas knob on the tank; this will cut off the fuel supply to the fire (see #2 above). If you are unable to reach the knob, use the fire extinguisher to put out the fire and call 911 immediately; the fire may quickly move to the tank, which would be extremely hazardous. If the fire is in or at the tank, clear the area and call 911 immediately.

Grill safely this summer! If you have any questions about propane safety, or need a propane delivery for your built-in propane grill, our experts are always a phone call away.

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Usually, cooking food on a propane grill is a cinch. But any time you’re dealing with fire and grease, accidents are always a possibility – and it’s important for you to know exactly what to do, and not to do, if you have a grease fire or flare-up.

Here’s the scoop about grease fire safety on your propane grill:

• Stay ready:
  • When you grill, have a cell phone nearby in case you need to make an emergency call
  • Keep a fire extinguisher, gloves and either baking soda, sand or kosher salt near your grill to extinguish flames.
• If you have a fire and it’s safe to do so,
  • Turn off the grill’s burners.
  • Remove the food and smother the flames by throwing baking soda, sand or kosher salt over it. NEVER use water to extinguish a grease fire or flare up. 
  • Close the lid and any grill vents to further starve the fire of oxygen.
• If the propane tank has become part of the fire, or if the fire expands out of control, evacuate the area immediately and call the fire department.

How To Avoid Grease Fires and Flare-ups

Of course, the best way to deal with grease fires and flare-ups is to avoid them in the first place. Here are the best ways to do it.

• Clean your grill regularly, following instructions from your manufacturer. Regular cleaning will greatly reduce the risk of a fire (your food will taste better, too).
• Grease sometimes pools in the fire box area around the burners. If it is safe to do so, turn off the gas and leave the lid open so the grease can burn off.
• Always cook with the lid down, and leave it down during cooking time.
• Oil the food, not the grates.
• If you experience a grease flare-up,
  • Immediately move the food to a warming rack, using long-handled tongs
  • Slowly re-place food at center of the grill to let fat burn off; continue this process for each item.
  • Once all food has been returned to the grill, finish cooking with a watchful eye.

 
Grill safely and often this summer with reliable propane deliveries in NJ from the pros at Dixon Energy. Contact us today to learn more!

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