Grill Safety

Inspect Your Grill, Inspect Your Propane Tank

Before Grilling:

I. Inspect Your Propane Tank, to Make Sure:
  • There’s no dents, bulges or cracks.
  • There’s no rust or pitted metal.
  • The tank’s foot ring, “collar” at the top or valve cover is not bent.
  • The Overfill Prevention Device (OPD) valve is intact.
  • The hose is not dried out or cracked.
  • The connection points between hose, regulator and cylinder are not loose.
II. Prepare for a Leak Test:
  • Do the leak test outside where well ventilated and away from flames, electrical or gas appliances.
  • Do not smoke when doing a leak test.
  • Get a spray bottle with soapy water.
III. How to Do a Leak Test Before You Grill:
  1.  Test your propane tank each time you have it refilled or exchanged as well as if your tank sits a long time unused.
  2. Turn grill burners knobs OFF.
  3. Turn propane tank OFF.
  4. Connect the hose to both the propane tank and the grill.
  5. Turn the propane tank valve ON, just a quarter turn.
  6. Spray the soapy solution on:
    1. on-off valve
    2. regulator
    3. anywhere the hose connects
    4. on your propane tank (see image right)

If soap bubbles grow bigger and pop, and you smell a rotten-egg smell, TURN OFF the tank immediately as it means there’s a gas leak in the system.

DO NOT USE or move the propane cylinder.

Contact your propane gas supplier or your fire department.

If NO soap bubbles grow, there’s no leak.

Propane Tanks are good FOR 12 years from date of manufacture.

Propane cylinders must be prequalified or replaced every 5 or 10 years depending on the cylinder type, condition, and previous requalification method.

Propane Cylinder Requalification

Safe Grilling Tips

Follow The Manufacturer's Instructions

Whether it's assembly, use, maintenance, cleaning, or storage, make your grill manufacturer's instructions you go-to resource for safe grilling.

Position the Grill in a Safe Location

Keep your grill outdoors and at least 10 feet from the house on a level surface that is clear of outdoor furniture, overhead trees or other potential fire hazards.

Check for Leaks

Use a soapy water solution to check connections for leaks. Expanding bubbles indicate a leak. If there is a leak, make sure you have your tank serviced by a professional. Follow this procedure every time you replace a cylinder.

Follow the Proper Lighting Procedures

Follow the manufacturer's lighting instructions, and with all grill models, keep the lid open and do not lean over the grill when lighting it.

Follow Proper Relighting Procedures

If your flame goes out, turn off the gas and refer to your owner's manual. At a minimum, with all grill models, keep the lid open and wait at least 15 minutes before relighting.

Be Present

Stay close and never leave your grill unattended. Keep children and pets away from your grill.