Fuller Creative

Top Hazards of Crowding the Grill

1. Flammable Furniture Too Close
   Plastic chairs, wicker tables, and hanging umbrellas catch fire fast when they’re nearopen flame or radiant heat.
2. Towels, Napkins, and Covers
   A towel draped over a chair or grill handle can blow into the flame and ignite in seconds.
3. Vinyl and Synthetic Materials
   Vinyl siding, cushions, and plastic accessories melt or burn quickly, releasing toxicsmoke and feeding the fire.
4. Outdoor Rugs and Mats
   These smolder easily and can spread flame underfoot without being noticed right away.
5. Windy Conditions
   A gust of wind can push flames or knock over light furniture, tipping it into the grill oracross the “burn zone.”
6. Too Much Clutter
   Crowded patios give heat and flame more fuel. Keep at least three feet clear in alldirections around your grill.

Source: First Alert

Link: https://www.firstalert.com/us/en/safetycorner/grilling-safety-tips/

Most folks think grill fires start on top of the grates. Truth is, it’s what’s underneath that gets them.

I was out in Shawnee a few weeks back. A couple hadn’t cleaned their drip tray in a few seasons. Grease built up like tar and when it finally lit, it went up fast. Flames rolled over the back patio and caught their vinyl siding before they even grabbed the hose.

Grease fires burn hotter than you think, and once they stick, they spread. Outdoor cushions, wood trim, even soffits don’t stand a chance.

If it’s been more than a couple uses since you cleaned your grill, do it now. Waiting until it “looks dirty” is how house calls like mine get scheduled.

Top Causes of Grease Fires on Gas Grills

-Built-Up Grease in Drip Trays
When drip trays are neglected, grease piles up like kindling. All it takes is one hot session to light it.

-Clogged Burners
Grease and food debris can block burner ports, leading to uneven flames or sudden flare-ups that ignite surrounding buildup.

-High Cooking Temperatures
Cooking fatty foods at high heat causes more grease to drip and vaporize, creating a fire-prone environment underneath the grates.

-Closed Lid with Active Flames
Trapped heat can raise the internal temperature beyond safe limits, especially if grease has pooled. When you open the lid, oxygen rushes in and feeds the flame.

-Lack of Regular Cleaning
Waiting until the grill “looks dirty” means you’ve already got a fire risk. Grease doesn’t have to be visible to ignite.

-Worn or Damaged Grill Parts
Rusted heat shields, cracked trays, or old burner covers can allow grease to hit open flames directly.

-Improper Shutdown
Turning off the burners but leaving hot surfaces under greasy buildup can still lead to delayed ignition.

Source: Besides Dan’s many years of restoration work and grilling of his own… Adapted from safety insights provided by Travelers Insurance.

LINK: https://www.travelers.com/resources/home/fire-safety/the-science-of-gas-grill-fires

-July tops the list for grill fires at 15%, with June (14%), May (13%), and August (12%) close behind. -In about 1 out of every 5 fires, the grill hadn’t been cleaned, leaving grease and residue to ignite.-Over 25% of these fires started on patios, porches, or balconies. In some cases, flames jumped to exterior walls (8%) or even structural framing (3%).
-Gas grills were linked to nearly 9,300 residential fires annually, splitting almost evenly between structural and outdoor fires. The leading culprit? Leaks and breaks in gas lines—accounting for 6% of gas grill structure fires and 13% of outdoor gas grill incidents.
-From 2020 to 2024, an estimated 21,682 people per year landed in the ER due to grill-related injuries, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.