Stay safe when using gas grills

Each year people are burned using grills and injured in liquid-propane (LP) and natural-gas fires and explosions associated with gas grills. Many of these fires and explosions occur when consumers first use a grill that has been left idle for a period of time or just after refilling and reattaching the gas container to the grill. Defective grills can also pose a danger. See information on recalls at www.recalls.gov to see if your model been recalled.

All LP tanks must now comply with upgraded National Fire Protection Association standards for overfill protection. Noncompliant tanks have a circular or five-lobed valve and aren't refillable, although they can be retrofitted with a three-lobed valve or swapped for a new tank at a hardware store or other refilling facility.

To reduce the risk of fire or explosion, you should routinely perform the following safety checks:

• Replace cracked or brittle propane hoses.
• Check hoses for gas leaks by applying dishwashing soap and water; bubbles indicate a leak. Replace as needed.
• Regularly empty grease pans, trays, or receptacles to minimize fire hazards.
• Never start a charcoal fire with gasoline.
• Never add lighter fluid to a charcoal fire after the fire has started; the flame can follow the stream of fluid to its source.
• Never use an outdoor grill indoors or in a garage, breezeway, carport, porch, or under a surface that can catch fire. Also, keep the grill at least 10 feet away from your house or other structure.
• Do not attempt to repair the valve on a gas tank or the grill yourself. See an LP dealer or a qualified appliance-repair service.

If you're in the market for a new grill, keep these safety checks in mind when shopping:

Case the cart. Give the grill a gentle bump from several angles to see if it tips. The more stable the grill, the safer. Carts with a sliding drawer to hold the fuel tank make it easier to use and change the tank. Also inspect the cart, firebox, and shelves for sharp edges and corners.

Beware of burns. If the curve of a handle places fingers or knuckles too close to the lid, you can get burned. Also, keep in mind that metal handles usually get hotter than wooden or plastic ones.

Check grease-drainage design. Although some flaring is to be expected, the more distance the drainage design puts between the fire and collected grease, the less the chance of sustained flare-ups when you cook fatty foods.

Opt for free assembly. It's easy to cut yourself while assembling a grill. But, remember, an assembled grill is bulkier than one in a box. So unless you have a large vehicle, you'll also have to pay for delivery.

You can get additional information on buying and using grills at ConsumerReports.org. Our free feature includes shopping and maintenance tips, cooking advice and even recipes. Subscribers to ConsumerReports.org can access ratings on more than two dozen models from brands including Weber, Char-Broil and Kenmore.

Comments

[Maureen Teachman]

I was researching the Kenmore gas grill that is considered a best buy item. It is model
16233. I read with interest that the grill has melted the dials and that the side tables are too hot to use. I think this warrants another look at it for safety reasons. I have listed the above web site where I read those reviews. Has Sears found a fix so one can use the side tables safely. I understand that the dials melting has been corrected by removing something from the lid that apparently seems to have prevented the lid from closing.