Grill Flare-Ups 101 Causes, Solutions, and Prevention Tips
Grilling all types of meat for your friends and family and holding a backyard hibachi party is a fun activity. But have you ever experienced grilling and suddenly, there is a burst of fire flares around your food? Flare-ups are a common occurrence, regardless of your cooking experience. But what are these things?
Continue reading for a guide on the causes of grill flare-ups, what to do when they happen, and how to avoid them from happening.
What Is a Grill Flare-up, and What Are the Causes?
A grill flare-up is an unexpected burst of heat and fire, usually caused by drippings from the food being cooked.
When food is being grilled, fats, liquids, and steam can drip onto the flames. This makes the fire vaporize and rise. The vaporized gas ignites and flares.
The sudden flare-up can cause a significant amount of heat to rise and burn the food.
Since flare-ups happen in seconds, you must have quick reflexes and act quickly.
What Do You Do When a Flare-up Happens?
1. Move the Food
When cooking on a gas grill, you can quickly move the food away from the source of the flame. If the flare-up is due to grease, you can still move the food, but you may need to mop off the grease first.
2. Reduce Heat or Remove the Covers
If the flare-up is due to grease or fat, reduce the heat and remove the top of the grill to let the flame die out. Remove the lid and top of the grill and cover the food with aluminum foil to absorb the heat. Remember, always have a fire extinguisher handy.
3. Use a Warming Rack
You can also use a warming rack to let the food cook on the original grill but away from the flare-up. A warming rack can also be used if the flare-up is caused by grease or fat.
What Do You Do When a Flare-up Turns into a Full Fire?
1. Cut off the Oxygen Supply
If the flare-up is caused by grease or fat, you have to deprive the fire of oxygen and fuel. This can be achieved by smothering the fire with a wet towel, sand, salt, baking soda, and a fire extinguisher.
2. Use Your Fire Extinguisher
If the flare-up is out of control and none of the above mentioned methods work, then it's time to call for help and use your fire extinguisher. Before you do this, try to find out what caused the flare-up and reduce the fire as much as possible.
How Can You Prevent Flare-Ups from Happening?
1. Have Baking Soda Nearby
One of the first things to do when grilling is to have baking soda nearby. Baking soda can be used to smother the fire by sprinkling it on the fire. Baking soda is an oxygen absorber.
2. Keep the Grill Clean
A dirty grill is a potential fire hazard. When cooking, especially with fatty foods, cleaning your grill every once in a while is crucial. This way, grease or fat from your food cannot drip onto the fire.
3. Don’t Cook in a Windy Space
When you are grilling, avoid cooking in a windy space. Wind will spread the flames from the primary fire. This can potentially lead to a flare-up.
Final Thoughts
The dreaded flare-up is a common occurrence. When the flame suddenly bursts around the food, it can ruin your summer grilling. But with a little bit of preparation and some practice, you can prevent it from happening.
If you need a backyard hibachi grill for your next grilling party, check out Backyard Hibachi today. We create custom-made hibachi grills that will go well with your home. Check our collection and place an order today.
