By John Ward
Applewood Plumbing, Heating & Electric
www.applewoodfixit.com
It's summer. And that means it's time for one of America's favorite pastimes: grilling.
Four out of every five American households have at least one grill. One out of five have more than one. And nearly half will use their grills at least one or two times a week during the summer.
So, enjoy those steaks and burgers - or whatever you put on the grill. But take a few minutes before you start for a safety check. More than 2,000 Americans will be burned in grilling accidents this year and grill-related fires will cause more than $30 million in damages to homes and other structures.
Here are a few tips to help you enjoy the summer grilling season in safety:
Look before you grill:Take a little time to check your grill before you light it up for the season. Make sure it's not rusted or wobbly. Inspect the flexible hose for cracks or damage. Replace worn or broken parts before you start your summer grilling.
Bubbles can save your life:Grab a bucket of soapy water and rub your grill's gas hose with it. Then turn the gas on.
If there's a leak you'll see bubbles appear. Replace the hose before igniting the grill.
Keep water nearby:Even the best of barbecue chefs can run into a quick flare-up or fire on the grill.
Keep water on hand to douse flames before they get out of hand. You'll save the steak - and yourself.
Look out above:Avoid grilling on covered porches, decks or on top of anything that could catch fire. Take a good look around your grill and remove anything flammable - or move your grill away from the hazard.
The chef knows best:The enticing aroma of a grill can draw hungry observers to the grill. As with any appliance dealing with heat, keep children and adults away from the grill. Only the chef should be near to monitor flame and food preparation.
Too many cooks in the kitchen can spoil the broth. Too many chefs around the grill can lead to someone getting burned.
Only-use-once rule:To avoid cross contamination, use one set of tongs for raw meat and another set for cooked meat. Cross-contamination can lead to food poisoning through the exchange of bacteria.
If at first you don't succeed:If your grill fails to light on the first try give it a rest. Don't keep clicking the igniter switch while gas continues to escape.
If at first you don't succeed (in lighting your grill), turn off the burner and let the gas dissipate before trying again.
Heads up, Lids up:Always start a gas grill with the lid UP! If it's down gas can collect under the lid and cause trouble. Never leave a gas grill on unless the burners are lit and you can feel heat.
Dress the part:Are your wearing loose clothing that could catch fire? If so, change into something safer
before you head outside to make dinner.
Keep it clean:Keep your grill clean. It's easy to do. Just leave the burner on high for 10-15 minutes after each use with the lid closed to burn away excess food and drippings. A quick brush of the grill before your next use will remove any residue.
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(John Ward has owned and operated
Applewood Plumbing, Heating & Electric for more than 34 years. He is a master plumber and recognized as an industry leader for his knowledge and ethical business practices.)