Grilling Safety Trivia

1. Do more home fires result from gas or charcoal grills?

The correct answer is gas grills. Although gas grills are used roughly 1.5 times as often as charcoal grills, they are involved in five times as many fires. Fire hazards are greater when a flammable or combustible gas or liquid is involved.

2. TRUE OR FALSE: The lid should always be open when lighting a gas grill.

The correct answer is “TRUE”. Always keep the lid open to prevent a flash-off from gas buildup.

3. TRUE OR FALSE: When lighting a gas grill, you should always start with the burner on high.

The correct answer is “TRUE”. The proper sequence for starting a grill is: (1) Open the grill lid, (2) turn on the gas supply, (3) turn the ignition burner to high, (4) light the ignition, (5) turn on the second burner if needed. By following this sequence, excess gas will not accumulate inside the grill before it is ignited, preventing an explosion that could damage your grill and even cause personal injury.

4. TRUE OR FALSE: Gasoline can be used to help start regular charcoal briquettes.

The correct answer is “FALSE”. You should never use gasoline, kerosene, or other highly volatile fluids as a starter. They can explode. When using charcoal briquettes or wood chunks, form a pyramid and douse with lighter fluid. Wait until fluid has soaked in before lighting.

5. TRUE OR FALSE: Always keep the vents closed while cooking on a charcoal grill.

The correct answer is “FALSE”. Keep vents open while cooking. Charcoal briquettes and wood chunks need oxygen to burn.

6. TRUE OR FALSE: If the fire gets low, just add lighter fluid to the hot coals.

The correct answer is “FALSE”. Never add lighter fluid to coals that are already hot or warm.

7. Burgers should be cooked to which of the following temperatures to ensure they are safe to eat:

A. 155
B. 160
C. 165
D. 170

The correct answer is "b". At 160 degrees F, all bacteria in ground beef will be killed. Check with an instant-read thermometer inserted from the side of the burgers about halfway through for the most accurate results.

8. Steak should be cooked to which of the following temperatures to ensure it is safe to eat:

A. 140
B. 145
C. 150
D. 160

The correct answer is “b”.

9. The best beef to use for burgers is:

A. 75% lean
B. 80 to 85% lean
C. 90% lean
D. 95% lean

The correct answer is "b". You want enough fat in the beef to make the burgers juicy, but not so much fat that they are greasy. Remember, that a lot of the fat will be rendered as the burgers are cooking, so opting for 90% lean beef or higher will almost always result in dry, tough burgers.

10. TRUE OR FALSE: Trimming fat from meat can prevent flare-ups.

The correct answer is “TRUE”. Trim any excess fat from meat and poultry to help prevent grill flare-ups. Grease fires are extremely hazardous.