Why do Grill Fires Happen?
8/8/2022 (Permalink)
Why Your Gas Grill Keeps Catching on Fire
Gas grills are designed to produce a flame, so you may think it is always on fire. While it is technically accurate that you have a fire going, it is a controlled fire, and only the gas that is being supplied as the fuel is burning.
When referring to a gas grill catching on fire, it is a fire that is no longer controlled by the design of the grill.
Grease Buildup on Grill Surfaces
With repeated use of your grill, grease builds up on the grill’s surfaces. This grease comes from the fat in the meats you are grilling. As the meat heats up, the fat melts and drips to the surfaces below. When the grill is turned off, the grease solidifies on your grill surfaces.
Over time, with sufficient grease buildup, the grease can liquify, subsequently vaporize, and be ignited by the flame in your grill resulting in a grease fire.
If you are grilling excessively fatty meats, the dripping may be sufficient to cause a small grease fire on its own. This is one of the reasons an operating grill should never be left unattended.
Grease Buildup in Drip Pan
The drip pan below your grill is easy to forget about. You can’t see it as well as you can see the inside of the firebox. And because it is out of sight, it is more likely to have unsafe amounts of grease accumulate there.
Depending on your grill’s design, if the grease in the drip pan catches on fire, it can be a more dangerous situation. This is because the drip pan is outside of the firebox, which can help contain a grease fire in most occurrences.
If you have a cabinet below your grill that contains the grease management system, your drip tray could overflow out of sight. And if the grease in the catch pan catches fire, it can spread to those other areas.
Other Reasons Gas Grill Fires
Grease fires are the most common reason for fires related to gas grills. While other causes are less common, they can be just as dangerous, if not more.
A mechanical issue, like a rusted-out burner, could lead to excessive gas flow resulting in a larger fire than the grill is designed for.
Having any combustible materials in or near the grill can also result in a fire from your gas grill. Make sure your grill isn’t near any structures or other materials that can catch fire.
Finally, the most severe gas grill fire can be the result of a gas leak. A leak can allow the flammable gases to accumulate, leading to a fireball or explosion when you light your grill.
Fire Damage is our specialty at SERVPRO of Winston-Salem North. Call us for any issues you may have!!