How Grill Fires Get Out of Hand

8/29/2021 (Permalink)

While grill fires can happen to anyone, taking the proper precautions can significantly reduce the chances that they will occur at your next cookout.

If you love to grill as much as we do, hearing about a grill fire taking place can be quite alarming. There are many reasons why grill fires can start, and they are far more common than people typically realize—the U.S. Fire Administration has found nearly 6,000 grill fires occur each year, with the most instances occurring during the summer.

While grill fires can happen to anyone, regardless of how careful they are being, taking the proper precautions can significantly reduce the chances that they will occur at your next cookout. Below, we examine the science of how these fires spread so you can consider how to best prevent them when you grill.

How Grill Fires Spread and Cause Damage

A grease fire starts due to improper cleaning. Cleaning your grill is one of the most important parts of grill owner maintenance, both because it helps your food cook better and reduces the chances that you will have a fire. If your grill grates and grease traps are not cleaned, a grease fire can start and quickly envelop your grill. You should always grill with a fire extinguisher nearby just in case, but cleaning your grill is the best step to prevention.

A flare-up ignites an object too close to the grill. Flare-ups are a normal part of grilling and they are typically not severe. Unfortunately, if you have your grill too close to a flammable object, a small flare-up can cause a disastrous fire. It is recommended you keep at least three feet around your grill empty of all flammable materials—this includes porches, siding and plants, as well as children or pets that could get injured.

An accident happened with an unattended grill. Fires can start and spread with a moment’s notice, and if your grill is unattended when one happens, you may not notice it until it has become too late. Never leaving your grill unattended is the best choice—even if you are just taking a quick break, always have someone take your place and watch it.

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