Outdoor gas barbecue grills are among the fastest, most efficient means of preparing food over an open flame. Improper care and careless use, however, quickly lead to burns and other health dangers. When using these staples of outdoor cooking, pay close attention to what you're doing and take proper precautions to avoid injury. Add this to my Recipe Box.
Grate Danger
The most obvious burn hazards from gas grills originate from the cooking grate, where food meets flame. Using tongs or spatulas with short handles--like standard kitchen utensils--can leave arm hairs and skin singed or seared. Long-handled grilling tongs and spatulas help prevent these injuries.
Hot Lids
Gas grill lids--and grill exteriors--often are tempered, coated or stainless steel, all of which heat to high temperatures and retain that heat long after the flames go out. Using heat-resistant oven or grilling mitts and avoiding contact between skin and the grill lid prevents burns from hot grill metal.
Grease Flare-ups
Full grease traps or reservoirs and grates with caked-on fat from cooking act as candles without the benefit of stabilizing wax. When flames get near such conditions, a conflagration ensues that can spread outside of the grill and cause severe burns. Regular emptying of grease traps and scouring of grill grates eliminates this threat.
Fume Hazards
Failing to turn off grill burners and shut off the gas knob atop propane tanks allows gas fumes to escape from the grill, creating the potential for an explosion. Lighting matches or cigarettes near a grill improperly closed down after use is a recipe for disaster.
Closed Lid Lighting
Attempting to light a propane or natural gas grill with the lid closed allows fumes to build up inside the grilling chamber. If the fumes catch after a large buildup of gas, the grill can explode. Always open the lid during the lighting process.
Tags: allows fumes, from cooking, from grill, grease traps, tongs spatulas