Portable gas grill disaster

[crash325]

Had a disaster night before last. About 2am went out to cook some tomiles. Lit the little grill. When I lit it, didn't look quite right. Then flames started coming out the bottom & then the back of the lid, big flames. Set a wast basket on fire, it was about 2 feet away. Beer cans started melting in a bucket about a foot away. Set the railing on fire & some of the uprights.

Luckily there was a hose that I could reach it with, Started to turn off the tank & it went off again. Lot more spraying & I felt safe reaching over to turn it off.
Never again will I have a tank that I can't reach easy.

The Regulator let go internally & full tank pressure was going to the burner

It was a Better Homes & Gardens stainless about 4 months old.

 

[mapper]

That's one I've haven't heard of before, sound scary as all get out. Glad you didn't burn the house down.
I usually have the opposite problem with the cheap regulators that come with grills and stoves, the safety device that limits the amount of gas allowed through if a burner valve is on when you turn on the tank valve, will trip even though the burner valves are off. It's irritating but far more preferable than what you went through. Glad you are safe and did not get injured.

 

[timswi]

Glad you came out of that OK Crash..Neighbor had one of the far east grilles with a magnesium alloy lid that lit up and nearly burned his house down...The grill maker happily paid for the damage.

 

[MossRoad]

YIKES! Glad you got it out.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I like your gun over the flag!

It's actually amazing how few gas grill accidents there are when you think about it.

 

[oosik]

Zowie!! You are truly fortunate. You did not get burned and it did not explode. My B-B-Q, just this winter, went to BBQ heaven. Mine has always been on the porch, right under the house eves. I think I'll move the location for a new one out into the yard. A bit less convenient but a lot safer location.

 

[KennyG]

One more reason to be glad I have a natural gas grille. At least if anything happens all that's feeding it is household pressure. And no compressed gas tanks to deal with.

 

[Egon]

Good thing a water hose was handy to cool things down so you could get to the valve. Many commercial operations will have a dedicated spray system to keep tanks cold. It also makes one think of plug valves or 1/4 turn valves for quick operation that could even be done with a stick or something similar.

 

[gwstang]

Yeow Crash! Glad you are ok and didn't catch the house on fire. Are you sure the Devil didn't make a visit to you? Maybe for some of those hot tomalies?

 

[crash325]

Went to Wally world
today & picked up a new little grill. Brand name Outdoor Grill, it was cheap, After assembling it I know why. Very thin sheet metal, but the burner appears to be stain less as does the flame cover. On Off dial came in a box marked USA.
The hose from tank to BBQ looked OK, Buy nope had a hole burned in it. Will order 1 on line.

Set the little guy out in a clear area, with a 1# bottle attached it fired right up. No built in lighter, just used a long lighter. It claims to be a 10,000 BTU, But I doubt it.
After a while, tried cooking on it. Not the grills fault, but it was a disaster.

When I get set up where I want it there will be a 1/2" concrete board behind & below it. Grilling completely out in the open is implacable.