What To Do After a Grill Fire

In the heat of the summer, what’s better than taking your meal preparations outside? You keep the house cool, you get to enjoy the sun, and your kids can play outside while you grill up a delicious dinner.

Unfortunately, the rate of grill fires drastically increases during the summer season. Grills can be unpredictable, and leaving them unattended for any period of time can result in serious consequences.

Knowing what to do after a grill fire can help you recover faster and avoid long-term damage. Let’s dive into the details about grill fires below and how to take care of your home if one happens to you.

How Do Grill Fires Start?

Grilling is a quintessential summertime activity, but it doesn’t come without risk. Any activity that involves fire can be dangerous, especially when you are dealing with grease and oil on top of the flames.

The No. 1 cause of grill fires is grease buildup. Grease and fat will naturally drop off your food while it is cooking, and this residue can build up on your burners or coals. Over time, this grime can ignite while you are cooking, resulting in a flareup and uncontrolled blaze.

Another cause of grill fires is gas leaks. This problem only occurs in propane or gas-powered grills. As propane runs from the tank to the grill itself, any leak along this process can result in the gas igniting before it reaches the confines of your grilling mechanisms. Gas leaks often produce really hot flames that can get out of control quickly.

Flammable surroundings are also one of the leading causes of grill fires. Many people set up their grills near their homes or on their decks, but doing so can be really dangerous. All it takes is a little hot ash or a popped grease bubble to light a wooden deck or vinyl siding. Once your home is on fire, the flames can spread to your living spaces in just a few minutes.

What To Do if You Have a Grill Fire

If you find yourself in one of these scenarios, the first step is to assess your surroundings. If the flames are large or if you feel unsafe in any way, back away and call 911. Proper fire authorities will respond quickly to help tackle the fire.

If the fire is smaller or relatively contained, you may try to put it out yourself. Remember, never put water on a grease fire. Adding water to grease can result in an unstable environment, and it can actually make the flames worse instead of better. If you suspect the cause of your fire is from grease, smother it rather than soak it. 

Cover your grill with the lid immediately. If you have a charcoal grill, slide the vent shut and wait until the fire has consumed all the available oxygen. If you have a propane grill, shut off the propane and the burners and wait as well. 

If the fire has spread to your wooden deck or your siding, grab your fire extinguisher and spray the foam at the base of the fire. Don’t forget to PASS to help encourage the foam to work faster so the flames go down.

Remember, if you are ever uncomfortable, prioritize your safety and back away. Let the authorities handle the blaze while you and your family are at a safe distance.

After the Flames Are Out

Once the flames are out and the emergency is contained, it can be overwhelming to assess your damaged property. Depending on the size of the blaze, you could be dealing with some significant damage to your deck, roof, siding, and even the internal structures of your home.

However, it is important that you do a thorough inspection of the area to ensure it is safe to be around while you decide what to do next. Check that all gas lines are shut completely and that any ash is cold to the touch.

You also need to assess the area around the grill. Fire can cause weak spots in wood and it can melt siding in just a few seconds. Test the area carefully, and if you notice any weak spots or structural damage, avoid walking around in the danger zone. 

Calling a Fire Damage Restoration Professional

If you do suffer from a grill fire, the best thing to do is to call a professional restoration company. Fire damage can be tricky, and it can be much more widespread than you realize. Attempting to simply sweep the area and pick up debris might result in lingering structural problems that become more apparent later. Weak floors, insufficient siding, and even electrical troubles might be lurking out of sight if the flames reached the internal structures of your walls.

Relying on a fire damage restoration team will ensure every aspect of your damaged home is restored carefully and safely. They will assess the entire area for underlying issues and will test your home for residue. Did you know that fire ash and soot can travel to areas of your home that never even saw flames? These airborne particles can travel a large distance and can settle into inconspicuous areas of your home.

A complete fire damage restoration involves every aspect of recovery, even including removing the smell of smoke from the air. Once the restoration is complete, you can replace the grill if it was damaged beyond repair, or you can address any necessary parts replacements to ensure a safe and functioning grill once more.

Steps for Preventing Future Grill Fires

The best way to avoid a grill fire is to remain attentive at all times! Choose someone to be the designated grill master and never leave your grill unattended. You should also enforce a buffer zone around the grill to keep pets and kids at a safe distance to avoid accidents or burns.

Finally, do a thorough check of your grill setup to ensure there are no fire hazards near or around your grill. Remove dead vegetation or brush, pull the grill out from underneath overhangs or garages, and never light a grill in an enclosed space. Stay safe and enjoy the season!

Overwhelmed by damage left from a grill fire? The team at Exit Mold can help. Call us today at (516) 512-7877 for a quick and thorough restoration.