ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, VA (Rocktown Now) — It’s grilling season and before using your grill for your next meal, Rockingham County Department of Fire and Rescue are issuing some reminders and safety tips.
– Visually inspect hose(s) for abrasion, wear, and leaks before each use. A soap and water solution may be used to test for leaks, just spray the solution around the connections and watch for bubbles – if you see them you have a leak. Never use a flame to check for gas leaks. Replace faulty hose(s) using a parts replacement kit before operating.
– Always check for gas leaks every time you disconnect and reconnect the regulator to the LP cylinder.
– When lighting a gas grill, always keep the lid open to prevent a flash off from gas build-up.
– If a burner doesn’t ignite, turn off the gas. Keep the grill lid open and wait five minutes before trying to light it again. If the burners go out during operation, turn all gas valves to OFF. Open the lid and wait five minutes before attempting to relight, using lighting instructions.
– Never attach or disconnect an LP cylinder, or move or alter gas fittings when the grill is in operation or is hot.
– Never use an LP cylinder if it shows signs of dents, gouges, bulges, fire damage, corrosion, leakage, excessive rust or other forms of visual external damage; it may be hazardous and should be checked by a liquid propane supplier.
– After a period of storage or disuse (such as over the winter), the gas grill should be checked for gas leaks, deterioration, proper assembly, and burner obstructions before using.
– Clean and perform general maintenance on the grill twice a year. Watch for rust, paint the LP cylinder to make it more rustproof, and check the regulator, hoses, burner parts, air shutter, and valve section carefully. Always turn off gas at the source (tank or supply line) prior to inspecting parts. Check owner’s manual for any additional maintenance requirements.