Ontario Propane Blog

Prepare for Barbecue Season With These Propane Safety Tips

Posted by James Callow on Fri, Jun 15, 2018 @ 10:52 AM

Person barbecuing food

There’s nothing more Canadian than a backyard barbecue, and with the sun back out it’s time to dust off that barbecue and get outside with your friends and family.

Before you start grilling your favourite meats, veggies or even fruits, Budget Propane Ontario has drawn up some key safety tips to help ensure your family and friends remain safe this summer. 

Preparing your propane barbecue

When taking your barbecue out of storage, setting up a brand new barbecue, or changing your propane cylinder, it’s important you first go over some safety checks to ensure the barbecue is in working condition.

Before you use your barbecue it is recommended that you use a pipe cleaner or wire and undertake a thorough cleaning, this will ensure burner ports are free of rust, dirt, spider webs and other debris. You should also check and examine the hose that leads from the tank to the burners, replacing them if cracked or damage.

Almost there! There’s just one final step before you can get your barbecue up and running. Leaks in your barbecue can be easily found by using a 50/50 solution of water and dish soap to propane cylinder connections and hoses. The appearance of bubbles indicates a leak and the propane tank’s connection should be tightened or replaced.

Using your barbecue

When using your barbecue you should first open the lid and then open the propane cylinder service valve. Next turn on the grill or burner valves or heat setting and take a step back. Push the igniter button (or insert a long match through the side burner hole if there isn’t one), then turn on the heat control knob. Following these steps in order will ensure a safe ignition of the barbecue.

If the barbecue does not ignite right away, turn the propane off and wait for five minutes before trying again. Trying again immediately could potentially cause a fire if there is still gas lingering in the air.

Once you have finished using the barbecue, make sure to turn the gas valve off and then the burner controls. This will ensure no gas is left in the connecting hose. Allow the barbecue to completely cool and then cover.

There are also some important do’s and don’ts of barbecuing that you should keep in mind to ensure a safe and enjoyable environment.

Do:

  • Keep children and pets at a safe distance.
  • Contact a qualified technician and stop using the barbecue if you detect a leak.
  • Position your barbecue outside in a well-ventilated area, away from wooden fences and walls.
  • Ensure there is space behind your barbecue and that it is free of combustible material.
  • Keep loose clothing and material away from the barbecue.
  • Allow your barbecue to cool completely before covering it.

Don’t:

  • Store or place spare cylinders near the barbecue, or any source of heat.
  • Use lighter fluid or accelerants on the grill.
  • Leave the barbecue unattended when in use.
  • Allow grease to build up on either the burners or the base of the barbecue, this could eventually cause a fire.
  • Throw water on a grease fire, this will only cause the flame to spread.
  • Don’t use matches or a lighter to check for leaks.

Remember, your barbecue is approved for outdoor use only. Barbecues emit carbon monoxide, a colourless, odourless gas that can be dangerous and even fatal in enclosed spaces. Barbecuing in an enclosed space such as a garage or tent is incredibly dangerous - don’t do it!

Stay safe this summer and we promise you will enjoy your barbecues even more as a result.

For more information on propane safety, contact us today!

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Tags: Grilling, Home & Cottages

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