Keep the grease route functioning
Inspect and empty cold grease collectors according to the manual. Do not cover drainage openings with foil or construct improvised channels. An accessory that changes grease movement must be suitable for the cooker. A clean-looking top grate tells you little about deposits accumulating below, so include the hidden collection areas in your routine checks.
Drain excess marinade before loading food. A thin coating of oil is often enough; liquid streaming from a bowl mainly increases the load on the fire. Trim unnecessary large external fat deposits without trying to remove every trace of fat from the cut. Reserve a generous indirect area when cooking fatty foods so a small flare does not leave you with nowhere to move them.
Move the food instead of adding water
When small flames rise beneath the food, use suitable tools to move it to the prepared area if you can do so safely. Then follow the maker's instructions for lid position and heat adjustment. Never pour water onto burning grease or squirt it between burners. That can cause dangerous splashing and equipment damage while leaving the underlying grease problem unresolved.
A sooty, burned coating is not desirable smoke flavor. Do not deliberately hold food in flames to make it taste more grilled. If the surface is getting too dark, change its heat exposure. Adequate distance from the active fire and later application of sweet sauce are more controllable than repeatedly creating flames and trying to suppress them.
Know when to step away
If fire spreads through the cooker or cannot be managed by the approved safe procedure, keep your distance and move other people away. Shut off the energy source only if that can be done safely without approaching the hazard. Follow the equipment's emergency guidance and call emergency services when needed. Never lift or relocate a burning grill.
After a significant incident, let the unit cool completely and arrange appropriate inspection before using it again. Distorted parts, damaged gas components and electrical faults are not candidates for makeshift repair. Even if dinner is waiting, an indoor kitchen alternative is preferable to restarting a cooker with an unexplained fire and potentially damaged safety-critical components.
Use grilling equipment only in its intended location and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Timing is not a substitute for checking doneness.
