Get your grill ready for a post lockdown get together

Outdoor living is really having its moment now, with many gardens featuring an outside space, which brings the inside out into the garden.

Comfy sofas, casual dining areas, outdoor kitchens are all part of the theme along with lighting, outdoor heating and of course BBQ’s.

LPG is a safe, reliable and easy to use heat source to power appliances such as BBQ grills and patio heaters, but there are some useful tips, for keeping things extra safe, when it comes to maintenance and installation.

Liquid Gas UK is the association which represents the LPG industry, and they’ve shared some useful safety advice for getting your outdoor living space ready for summer:

• You need to make sure you are using the gas cylinder type and size specified by the manufacturer. This will be propane or butane.

• Once lit and ready for use, it’s important you don’t start moving your heater or BBQ about. It can pose a real risk to safety if you do this so it’s better to plan your position before lighting your appliance.

• Another tip is to make sure you’re keeping your appliance shielded from high winds and adverse weather conditions. Patio heaters are generally quite tall and can become unstable in exposed positions.

• Don’t be tempted to bring your patio heater or BBQ into an enclose space like a marquee or tent, or under an umbrella. This can be very dangerous due to fumes as well as the obvious risk of burning or injury.

• LPG has an odour which makes detecting leaks easier. If you notice a persistent gas smell turn off the gas supply at the cylinder valve until the cause has been investigated and fixed.

• If you’ve run out of gas and need to change your cylinder, make sure you follow the manufacturers instructions closely. The gas cylinder valve should be closed before you disconnect, and it’s important you change the cylinder away from any sources of ignition including candles, cigarettes and flame lamps.

LPG is a popular option for powering BBQ’s and outdoor heaters, and we hope these safety tips will help you prepare for a summer of entertaining and meeting up with friends.

Find out more on the Liquid Gas UK website by clicking here.