Flare-ups can be scary, but there are some easy steps to help you prevent and control them when they happen.
Trim the Fat
Flare-ups usually happen because of excess fat, sauces or oily marinades. So trim as much excess fat as you can, without sacrificing flavour.
Keep the Lid Open
When searing fatty foods, leave the grill lid opened.
Avoid Wind
Try to keep your grill away from windy areas. Wind forces oxygen between the grates, which can fuel a flare-up.
Move Your Food
Try not to overcrowd your food on your grill. If a flare-up does happen, you want to be able to move your food away from the flame.
Burn the Grease Away
During cooking, if grease pools, remove your food and turn the burners on high with the grill lid open until grease has burned off.
Don’t Use Water
You’ve heard the adage, “Oil and water don’t mix?” Well that’s especially true for flare-ups. Spraying water on a flare-up can cause grease to explode. Don’t use it.
Turn off the Burners
If your grill flare-up is out-of-control, turn off the burners.
Clean Your Grill
Keeping your grill clean and maintained will help prevent the dreaded flare-up. Food residue and old grease are both great fuel for a fire, so removing debris after each use is important.
