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Barbecue Safety

Put a little sizzle in your meals and fire up the barbecue! Let our Grilling 101 walk you through everything from barbecue baking to roasting the holiday turkey.
  • Purchase a barbecue with a Canadian Standards Association (CSA) or Underwriters’ Laboratories of Canada (ULC) label.

  • Ensure that the barbecue has been assembled and installed according to the instructions in the owner’s manual.

  • Read the owner’s manual before using your new barbecue. Store the manual in a safe place to have as a future reference.

  • All individuals using the barbecue should be familiar with all aspects of its operation and proper safety procedures.

  • The barbecue is designed for outdoor use only. Tanks for propane barbecues should be stored and used outdoors at all times. Always allow ample clearance between buildings and the barbecue.

  • Do not store or use gasoline or other flammable or combustible materials or liquids near the barbecue.

  • Propane is not natural gas. The conversion or attempted use of natural gas in a propane unit or propane in a natural gas unit is dangerous and will void the warranty. Check the owner’s manual for the complete handling and safety procedures of propane.

  • Always turn the control knob to the off position when not in use. For propane barbecues, also turn the valve off at the propane tank when not in use.

  • The barbecue lid must always be open when lighting the barbecue.

  • If the burners do not light or go out during operation, turn all gas valves off, open the lid and wait for five minutes before attempting to re-light.

  • Should a grease fire occur, leave the lid open and turn burners off if you can do so safely. If not, turn gas off at the quick-disconnect fitting or shut-off valve.

  • Check for gas leaks every time you disconnect and reconnect any gas fitting or propane tank. For the correct procedure, refer to the owner’s manual.

  • Do not leave food unattended on the barbecue. Barbecuing involves a certain amount of fat dripping onto the heat source, which causes flaring. A small amount of flaring is acceptable as the smoking will contribute to a barbecue flavour. If flaring is excessive, it is important to move food to another location on the grid and/or reduce or turn off the heat. To prevent excessive flaring, trim fat from meat cuts. Drain accumulated fat from frying pans or griddles.

  • Occasionally, turn lava rock or briquettes over to burn off accumulated fat. Always do this procedure when the lava rock or briquettes are completely cooled.

  • To prevent burns, always use proper tools and oven mitts when barbecuing. Avoid wearing long loose sleeves or clothing that can catch fire easily.

  • Since the rotisserie unit is connected to an electrical outlet, it should not be operated in damp or wet weather. Read the owner’s manual carefully before operating.

  • Always ensure the barbecue has completely cooled before placing a cover on it.

  • The barbecue must be thoroughly cleaned at least annually according to the instructions in the owner’s manual.

Energy & Safety Tips
Using evergreens

Effective landscaping can also have an impact on your home’s energy efficiency. Use evergreen trees and shrubs to create a windbreak. A windbreak will reduce wind speed for a distance of as much as 30 times the windbreak’s height. The most common method is to plant the evergreens to the north and NW of your home.

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