General safety recommendations

  • Never leave a barbecue unattended when in use.
  • Don’t let grease build up on the burners or at the base of the grill, as this can cause a grease fire.
  • Never throw water on a grease fire, as this will spread the flame.
  • Place the barbecue away from wooden fences, walls, vinyl siding or other combustible materials.
  • Keep the area behind the barbecue clear, as this is where hot gases escape.
  • Keep loose clothing away from a hot barbecue.
  • Keep children and pets at least 1 metre (3 feet) away from the grill.
  • Never use or store propane cylinders inside any structure, including garages.
  • Only use barbecues outdoors as they produce carbon monoxide, an odourless and poisonous gas that can lead to unconsciousness or death.

Safety check before use

At the start of the barbecue season, complete this 3-step safety check:

  1. Clean: use a pipe cleaner or wire to ensure burner ports and tubes are free of rust, dirt, spider webs, and other debris.
  2. Check: look at the hose from the tank (or gas line from the house) and replace it if it is cracked or damaged.
  3. Test: apply a 50/50 solution of water and dish soap to propane cylinder connections and hoses. If bubbles appear, tighten the connection or replace the damaged parts and retest.

Starting a barbecue

When starting a barbecue:

  1. Open the barbecue lid.
  2. Turn on the gas release valve at the tank or natural gas line from the house.
  3. Turn the grill knobs to high.
  4. Light the grill using the ignition button.
  5. If there is no ignition button or it is not working, before turning the knobs, insert a long lit match or barbecue lighter through the side burner hole, then turn on the heat control knob.
  6. If the burner does not light immediately, turn the gas off, keep the hood open and wait 5 minutes before trying again.

Barbecuing on balconies

  • Residents of apartments or condos must confirm with the building bylaws or property manager about the use and rules of barbecues on balconies.
  • When transporting a propane cylinder to your apartment or condo unit, use the service elevator.
  • If your building has no service elevators, you may use the passenger elevator, but you must be alone in the elevator.
  • Ensure the propane cylinder’s relief valve is at least 1 metre (3 feet) from any building opening and 3 metres (10 feet) from any mechanical air intake.

Turning off a barbecue

When finished, turn the gas valve off first, then turn off the burner controls. This ensures no gas remains in the connecting hose. Allow the barbecue to cool completely before closing the cover.