Lighting the Grill

• When lighting your gas grill, open the lid and then turn on the front burner only. Turn it to the highest setting and use a long match or a grill-lighting lighter to ignite the gas. If the grill has an automatic igniter, always use it instead of lighting the grill manually. A small "poof" of flames will indicate the flame is lit. Make sure you don't hold your head over the ignition area or you could burn your hair or clothing. Once the first burner is lit, you can turn on the other burners and they should light from the fire on the first burner. Never turn all the burners on prior to lighting.
  
  

Grease Catch Pans

• Your gas grill should have a grease catch pan underneath the main cooking chamber. This metal container catches grease drippings from cooking food and any other liquids that make their way through. Make sure the pan is cleaned out regularly. Letting it overflow will cause a major mess on your patio. It can also lead to fires, as hot grease can sometimes ignite and burn.
  
  

Preheating

• To get your grill properly prepared for cooking you should ensure that any bacteria or other impurities are removed from the grill before putting your food on the grates. The best way to do this is by bringing the heat to a high level. Turn all of the burner settings as high as they will go and close the lid of the grill. Let the grill burn on high for 10 to 15 minutes and then turn the dials back to a normal level and open the lid. The extreme heat will kill any existing bacteria on the grill surface and will burn off any old food that may be stuck to the grates. You can use a wire grill brush to remove any excess buildup if necessary.
  
  

Gas Tank Safety

• Your fuel supply can be a major source of danger if not properly maintained. Be sure all of the hoses connecting the propane tank to the grill are attached properly and are not leaking. Also check the hoses for holes or cracks regularly. If the tank itself is rusty, it may not be strong enough to withstand the gas pressure and could potentially explode. A dent in the side of a tank also makes it unsafe for the same reason. Any visible damage to the tank means it needs to be replaced.