12 Major Grilling Safety Mistakes You Might Be Making
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By Lindsay D. Mattison
Taste of Home's Editorial Process
Updated on Apr. 30, 2025
Save Saved SavingLearn how to avoid common grilling safety mistakes, like grilling too much food at once, causing flare-ups, and starting the grill with the lid closed.
Warm weather calls for dusting off the grill and celebrating the summer with a backyard party. But you’ll want to brush up on these grilling safety guidelines before you grab the charcoal and get out those marinated meats and well-seasoned veggies. They’ll give you the peace of mind that your grill is appropriately set up, fired, and even extinguished, so you can enjoy the sunny outdoors while making your favorite grilled foods worry-free.
These grilling safety tips cover the safety protocols recommended for the outdoor grilling process, from beginning to end.
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Grill on a Flat, Level Surface
Before you light up that grill to make some delicious barbecue food, you’ll want to follow this important grilling safety step. A grill should be placed on a flat, stable surface so it won’t easily tip over. Avoid areas with bumpy soil or hills and instead place the grill on concrete or stone for the most leveled surface.
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Never Leave a Lit Grill Unattended
Everyone wants to be outdoors when the weather is nice, but it’s important that kids and pets don’t play near the grill. It’s too easy for them to bump into or touch part of the hot grill. Never leave the grill unattended, and make sure to keep children at least three feet away from the grill, even after you’re finished cooking.
If you’re new to grilling, this guide explains how to grill just about everything.
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Give the Grill Enough Space
You may want to stand in the shade when you’re grilling, but having an awning or tree branch too close to the grill can be dangerous. Floating embers can easily spark a fire. Your grill—whether it’s charcoal or gas—should be at least 10 feet away from deck railings and any structures, like your home, garage or shed.
Give yourself enough space, too, says Greta Gustafson, media relations associate for the American Red Cross: “Use the long-handled grilling tools especially made for cooking on the grill.”
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Grill Outdoors Only
Using a grill in your house or garage is not safe. In addition to being a fire hazard, grills release carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless gas that can be deadly. Keep your charcoal and gas grills outside and use an indoor grill pan if the weather isn’t grill-worthy.
If you’re in the market for a new grill, we found the best grills for your cooking style.
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Keep Your Grill Clean
Cleaning the grill isn’t the most glamorous task, and it’s easy to skip past the cleaning and get right to the food. But a clean grill produces better-tasting food that won’t stick as easily, and it will reduce your risk of dangerous flare-ups. Clean the grill every time you use it. Regularly remove grease and fat buildup from the grill grates and drip trays.
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Don’t Overcrowd the Grill
It may be tempting to pack the grill full of food, but flare-ups can occur if too much fat drips onto the grill’s flames. Instead, cook your food in batches to avoid overloading the grill, particularly with fatty meats. In fact, grilling small batches at a time is just one of our grilling tips.
If you need a bigger grill, read up on the difference between natural gas and propane grills before you shop.
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Use a Meat Thermometer
Temperature is key when grilling, and meat needs to be heated to the right temperature to kill harmful bacteria. Many grill chefs “eye” their meat to check if it’s done, but we recommend using a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches food-safe cooking temperatures.
If you’re not convinced yet, here’s why you (truly) need an instant-read meat thermometer.
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Never Start a Gas Grill with the Lid Closed
Lighting your grill with a closed lid can cause a dangerous buildup of gas, creating a fireball. This is easily preventable by keeping your gas grill lid open when lighting it. If the flame goes out, turn the grill and gas off, and wait at least five minutes before relighting.
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Check for Gas Leaks
Performing routine grill maintenance once or twice a year is essential, depending on how much time you spend there. After cleaning the grill inside and out, add some soapy water to the propane hose. If you see the bubbles growing after turning on the propane, the hose has a leak.
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Light Your Charcoal Grill Correctly
Dousing charcoal with lighter fluid is another big mistake. It does make it easier to start the grill, but it will add a chemical taste to your food, and the flame can easily get out of control. Adding lighter fluid to lit coals is an especially bad idea, as it can easily cause a flare-up. Instead, use a charcoal starter to get things going.
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Be Prepared to Put Out a Fire
Fires move fast, so it’s important to be prepared. Have baking soda on hand to control a grease fire, and a fire extinguisher nearby for other types of fires. Remember, never use water to put out a grease fire.
“A great tool for any chef to have on hand is the free Red Cross First Aid App,” Gustafson says. “This app puts instant access to information on handling the most common first aid emergencies—including burns—at your fingertips.”
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Shut Down the Grill
Don’t get distracted by your delicious grilled dinner and forget to turn off your grill properly! As soon as you’re done cooking, turn off the burners on your gas grill and close down the propane supply. If you’re using charcoal, close the air vents to shut off the air supply to the embers. Then, let the coals cool completely before disposing of them in a metal container.
Next Up: We sent Taste of Home Creator Tyler Smith to the Lone Star Smokeout in Texas! Find out what he learned from the pro pitmasters at the event.
Grilling Safety FAQ
How do you avoid cross-contamination when grilling?
Food safety is critical when you’re in charge of the grill. Raw meats contain bacteria that can make you sick if they are transferred onto cooked foods, plates or utensils.
You can do a few things to lower the risk of cross-contamination. Toss out marinades and sauces that have touched raw meat. Use clean utensils and a clean plate to remove cooked meat from the grill. Wash your hands with soap before and after handling raw meat, poultry and seafood.
Are outdoor grills sanitary?
Public outdoor grills are sanitary if they’ve been properly cleaned before use. The USDA recommends using a moist cloth or paper towel to clean the grill and then starting the grill before placing the food on it so the heat from the fire can kill any bacteria.
Are wire grill cleaning brushes dangerous?
Yes, wire grill brushes are dangerous. These brushes can have very thin bristles that are hard to see. They can get lodged into food, particularly ground beef. Ground beef, usually in the form of a burger, is clumped together. It’s hard to see if a bristle makes its way into the beef. If ingested, it can be difficult to remove or cause infection.
If you want a non-wire grill brush, you can opt for a steam and sponge grill brush, nylon-bristle brush or metal coil brush.
Is it safe to grill on the balcony?
It’s recommended by the NFPA to place your gas grill well away from the home, deck railings, and out from under eaves and overhanging branches. However, most electric grills are safe to use on balconies.
Author Lindsay D. Mattison Lindsay has been a food writer, recipe developer and product tester for seven years. She’s a culinary school graduate who specializes in sustainable food and seasonal ingredients. She draws on her professional chef background to develop recipes and help home cooks gain confidence in the kitchen. When Lindsay isn’t writing, you’ll find her coo... Read More 
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