Grilling safety tips

Safe grilling begins with a proper set-up and ends only when your unit has been cleaned and put away. Correctly using and maintaining your grill helps prevent accidents and injuries. It often makes your food taste better, too.

Use the following guide to help you safely operate, maintain and protect your outdoor unit this grilling season.

Grilling safety tips

Before grilling

• Place grill outside, at least 10 feet away from buildings, structures, pergolas, awnings or other similar hazards (may be relevant to your insurer, should there be an accident)
• Ensure the grill is on a level surface; don’t move after igniting
• Check your grill for gas leaks regularly
• Verify hoses and connectors are in good, working order
• Wipe and check the grill's grates for dust, debris and stray cleaning brush wires

Grill maintenance by type

Grilling safety begins with a well-maintained grill. Always start with a freshly cleaned grill.

Maintenance tips for all grills, smokers and griddles

• Wait until your unit and its components are completely cool before moving
• Remove, clean and soak your grates
• Always rinse your grates thoroughly – leaving brush bristles (especially wire brush bristles) on grates may be extremely hazardous
• Use cleaners and tools rated for your specific unit and its materials, e.g., if cleaning stainless steel, use stainless steel cleaner
• Follow your unit's manufacturer's cleaning schedule; keep a maintenance log
• Some units require periodic oiling or other treatments; following your unit’s maintenance directions to the letter helps it last longer
• Ensure your unit is completely dry before covering it; excess moisture can cause rust and other premature damage

Propane and natural gas grills

Propane and natural gas grills are similarly maintained. However, because propane grills have a removable propane tank that cannot be stored indoors, you must remove the tank if storing the grill inside.

Use the following tips to clean and maintain your propane or natural gas grill:

• Remove the grates, scrape and clean them
• Brush burner tubes perpendicular to the length of the bars to clear the ports
• Scrape the grill basin with a plastic putty knife, pushing debris into the grease tray
• Pull, empty and clean the grease pan
• Extract the catch pan and replace its drip pan with a new one

Pellet grill

• Remove and clean grates
• Scrape debris from the drip pan with a plastic putty knife
• Pull and clean the drip pan
• Vacuum ash and debris from the grill's basin
• Wipe the grill's basin with a damp rag
• Clean the grill's exterior with a damp rag

Smoker

• Remove and clean grates
• Pull, empty and clean the smoker's pieces: wood chip pan, water pan, ash box and grease tray
• Wipe interior walls with a damp cloth
• Clean the outside of the smoker with a warm, damp rag

Periodically season your smoker to prevent premature wear and tear.

Charcoal grill

• Remove and clean grates
• Empty charcoal and ash from the grill basin
• Clean the grill’s basin with mild dish soap and a brush
• Wipe the grill’s exterior with a damp rag

Outdoor electric griddle

Blackstone grills, flat-top grills and other outdoor electric griddles are similarly maintained.

• Scrape excess food, grease and debris from the grill while the cooking surface is warm
• Unplug the unit, let cool
• Spray the cooking surface with a cleaning solution; let sit until baked on debris loosens
• Clean grill’s surface with a damp sponge
• Wipe unit dry

Get covered this grilling season

Following safe grilling practices helps prevent injuries and damage to your home and belongings. Getting a home insurance policy with personalized protections is another way to help cover yourself this grilling season. Contact your American Family Insurance agent for a homeowners insurance quote or policy review today.

NFPA offers grilling safety information ahead of Memorial Day weekend. (May 20, 2024). National Fire Protection Association. www.nfpa.org/about-nfpa/press-room/news-releases/2024/nfpa-offers-grilling-safety-information-ahead-of-memorial-day-weekend

This article is for informational purposes only and based on information that is widely available. We do not make any guarantees or promise any results based on this information. We are not responsible for the content of any third-party sites that may be linked in this article.