I really want to bbq in my new home’s backyard (charcoal of course) but I’m scared of fire risk and I’m in California. Obviously I would grill on the flat paved portion. What’s a cheap thing I can do to be even safer in my backyard?
by ninjahelix
In BBQ
47 Comments
Get a fire extinguisher
Trim the hedges, make the paved area a bit bigger. If possible, get some sort of roof over that area so you have a real bbq area.
That last part is to make sure you can enjoy it more often 😁
A large fire or welding blanket is a good option. You can throw it on the grill or fire to smother out the flames and it is much easier and more reliable than an extinguisher.
Were you homeschooled? Just bbq in your backyard.
Keep everything watered.
Spread some gravel/mulch over the rest of the area.
I water down the area around my bbq when the fire conditions are high
That’s a San Francisco Back yard if I’ve seen one
It only takes a little common sense. Don’t use charcoal when it’s windy, have a fire extinguisher nearby, don’t leave your grill unattended, and put out the coals when you are done.
Light that baby up, have a good ol water hose on standby.
Scared of fire risk? Don’t leave it alone. Plan your entire cooking session to be near the grill.
Lawn chairs, activities, drinks. Set it all up and be there.
Do you walk away from your cooking when in the kitchen? Just a thought.
Keep the fire inside the BBQ and you’ll be ok
You’re just gonna light a few embers, not set a full on blaze in your kettle 😂. Keep the garden hose close by if you’re worried and you’ll be fine.
Bruh relax. Fire is like 2-3ft high at Max. It’s no issue. You got plenty space.
A cheap thing? Never leave it unattended. Works 100% of the time.
If you’re using a chimney to start your coals, make sure to keep an eye on it and be careful when you put it in the kettle, small pieces of charcoal and sparks can go everywhere if you’re not careful. I’d recommend avoiding bbq’ing on windy days. You can use an electric charcoal starter to get your coals lit to avoid any open flames. Make sure to keep your grill clean to avoid any grease fires and what not. Make sure your coals are completely cooled before disposing.
It’s fine the way it is. Maybe add a fire extinguisher or get a good hose and have it ready.
Your fine. Get a fire extinguisher and know where your hose is.
Kamado. Char-griller Akorns are cheap. Use less charcoal and contain the fire better than a kettle.
You’re scared?!?
Just sell your grill and eat some tofu.
Holy crap, you’ve got pavers for miles.
California has pussified you
I’m in the PNW so low chance of fire but I have my smoker on a wood deck. I have cement board under and behind it to protect the deck boards and railing. I painted it black in an attempt to blend in with the smoker better which it fails to do but I’d rather be safe.
I did catch a deck on fire once but that was with my spent chips, not the smoker itself. Hose nearby saved the deck from any real damage though nearby is relative. My disabled wife had to pull the hose through the house since we didn’t have a faucet any closer.
Kamado if you wanna go charcoal no real fire risk
It looks pretty good to begin with. Have your hose close/fire extinguisher, get rid of that long grass that has invaded your mulch, and trim your neighbors tree where it’s coming over your fence.
Are you serious ?????! WOW
Get a fire extinguisher?
😂😂😂
The only way to truly prevent risk is abstinence, but if you insist on grilling anyway, be smart and use protection. (Sorry, I couldn’t resist).
Line the rest of the backyard in tinfoil.
Light the coals properly. Don’t use paper or pieces of the bag. Those produce light embers that can float away still lit. Use a proper amount of accelerant or a proper fire starter for lighting coals.
Are you near an area of SF with dry brush or dead trees? There are only a few areas I can think of where you’d be likely to start a big fire there.
Good to be cautious but ai think when we read stories of a grill starting a fire, it’s from somebody using one in an park or near a forest. I remember being freaked out seeing people grill with charcoal at the lakes down near Gilroy, where there are miles of dried brush where an floating ember can definitely start a fire.
wildfires are no joke and it’s good you’re cognizant of that but i think in this case you’re probably fine, garden hose nearby if you’re super worried about it and just don’t walk away for long periods of time
Everyone giving the guy a hard time for trying to be extra cautious. Nobody wants to be the next bozo to cause the next big fire in CA. OP is doing the right thing.
I live in California, and the fire concern is a perfectly good one to have. However, the most destructive fires in California (and sadly, Maui), are caused by power lines, not charcoal grills. By and large, charcoal grills have fewer incidents of causing fires (outside of the grills). In fact, a friend of mine is a firefighter (I think he’s a captain), and he has several smokers at his house. Start with a Weber kettle, get a chimney starter, and have at it. Also, try your hand at Santa Maria style grilling – it’s our native style of barbecue*.
*Santa Maria style barbecue isn’t actually barbecue. It’s more akin to South American asado. That’s why Santa Maria grills and Argentine grills look so similar.
Looks like those extra red squares on the right side could be added to the left all making a bigger surface that’s fire “resistant “ but also I usually water the grass/ ground around the area which I’m cooking that way if any embers do make a run for it they’ll meet a painless quick death
Love your back yard btw .
Soak all of that vegetation. Spray all of those leaves down on the big tree and do it a few times throughout grilling. Also, like everyone else said keep a hose on with a high powered sprayer and definitely a fire extinguisher.
If you catch something on fire with all of that in place then, I have a ton of questions about the school system where you grew up
Fix the handrails and don’t drink too much beer to walk back up to the house
When it is really dry by me before I start I spray everything around with some water and the leave the hose just in case.
This has to be satire.
Just do it. All good. If fire catches you put it out with corona 😃
Jesus Christ do you live on a cliff? Why is it so far away?
Buy a fire extinguisher and dont be a puss
Also Californian here, just want to say I appreciate the concern and thanks for taking precautions. Looks like you’ve gotten plenty of advice already have fun grilling!
Why don’t you just let your wife’s boyfriend handle the grilling, you focus on the salad
Water and wet the surrounding plants and ground first.
Water the yard.
Grill smarter not harder 👍
Clean your back yard