Barbecues
All barbecues can get out of control if care is not taken when they are being used. Gas and solid fuel barbecues can be especially hazardous due to the volatile nature of gas bottles and the danger of hot coals and naked flames.
Follow the simple advice below to ensure we don't become the unwanted guests at your barbecue:
General advice
- Ensure that your barbecue is placed on level ground where it will not tip over, and is sited away from sheds, fences, overhanging foliage and the house.
- Avoid positioning the barbecue where people have to pass closely by it.
- Keep children and garden games well away from the cooking area and never leave the barbecue unattended.
- When cooking is finished ensure that the barbecue is quite cool before attempting to move it.
Coal barbecues
- Use only sufficient fuel to cover the base to a depth of about 5 cm (2 inches) and store the charcoal sack well away from the fire.
- Use a proprietary firelighter or starter fuel NOT PETROL, and use the minimum necessary to start the fire.
- Take care when cooking fatty foods. Lots of fat spilling onto the coals may cause them to flare up.
- Empty the spent ash onto bare garden soil - never put it in the dustbin.
Gas barbecues (using bottled gas)
- Make sure the barbecue controls and the cylinder valve are turned off before changing the cylinder.
- Change gas cylinders in the open air, if possible, otherwise open doors and windows to provide good ventilation.
- If you suspect a leak to the gas cylinder connections or pipe work, brush soapy water around all joints and watch for the bubbles if a leaky joint is found.
- Try to tighten connections but do not over-tighten.
- Store gas cylinders outside, protect from frost and direct sunlight.
- Do not keep more spare cylinders than you need.
- When you have finished cooking with a bottled gas barbecue, turn off the gas cylinder before the barbecue controls, this ensures that any residual gas in the pipeline is used up.
