Are charcoal grills safe? Find out how to make outdoor cooking harm-free

First-time charcoal grill users might be a bit nervous. Dealing with hot coals while cooking away from the reliable conditions of the kitchen can make you ask if charcoal grills are safe for the cook and family and friends waiting to be served delicious meat, fish and veggies.

The good news is that if you invest in one of the best grills and get savvy about both using it and maintaining it, you can be reassured about charcoal grills. They are a great way to prepare food trouble-free when you’re in the know and they’ll reward you with the wonderful flavors of dishes prepared in the open air.

Here, we’ve put together an expert guide so you can be confident that the answer to the question are charcoal grills safe is yes.

Are charcoal grills safe?

If you’re weighing up the best gas grills against those that use charcoal you might wonder if charcoal grills are safe? It is true that grills can be the cause of home structure and outdoor fires, but accidents can be avoided by knowing both how to use and how to maintain a charcoal grill. In other words, you can be reassured. These are the essentials you need to be aware of to keep people and structures safe.

Read the manual

We know it’s obvious but don’t skip it even if you’ve owned a charcoal grill before. It’s important to check the manufacturer’s instructions both on using the grill but also on how to maintain it. The latter isn’t just about making the grill last longer or staying within the terms of the warranty for that matter, although you’ll want to do both. It’s vital to make charcoal grilling safe. If you don't maintain your grill, it could lose its structural integrity and become unsafe to cook on.

Locate a charcoal grill correctly

Where you position the grill is key to staying safe. It almost goes without saying – but we are going to say it anyway because we’re talking safety – it should never be used indoors. Don’t locate it in an enclosed porch either.

As a general rule, position the grill at least 3 feet away from anything that’s combustible – in other words, fences, hedges, wooden garden furniture and so on. Don’t put it under an overhang either. Keep a charcoal grill well away from vinyl siding, too; it can melt or suffer other damage from the heat of a grill. The same goes for glass, which can be cracked by heat. Check manufacturer’s instructions for recommended clearance. 

Ensure there is a flat level surface below a charcoal grill, and don’t put it on a deck or porch whether that’s wood or composite. Instead, cook on a stone patio or place the grill on a sizeable patio stone if necessary.

Light a charcoal grill the right way

It is vital to light a charcoal grill correctly to stay safe. ‘If you’re using lighter fluid, you must never apply it to warm or hot coals,’ says outdoor expert at Homes & Gardens Alex David. ‘This is absolutely vital for safety. Apply it the mound of charcoal, let it soak in, then light.

‘Don’t ever be tempted to use gasoline or kerosene instead,’ he continues. ‘This could cause an explosion.’

Alex David

Alex is Head of eCommerce at Homes and Gardens and has years of experience covering grills, kitchen appliances, and outdoor furniture and living. He previously reviewed grills for BBC Gardeners' World Magazine and BBC Good Food, so knows exactly the safety features to bear in mind when cooking outdoors. 

Cook with proper care

Having safely lit the grill, do not touch the charcoal to test whether it is hot. If it needs to be moved, do so with tongs and wear heat-resistant barbecue gloves. 

Pay attention to other clothing, too. For example, dangling apron strings and wide sleeves can be dangerous. If you have long hair, tie it back.

Keep vents open

For properly cooked food and therefore safe use of a charcoal grill, keep vents open while you’re cooking. ‘It’s simple physics – fire is fuelled by oxygen, and if the vents are closed, the fire has less oxygen to burn,’ says H&G’s Alex. ‘It makes lighting your grill and maintaining the flame much harder. Open vents also reduce any worries of carbon monoxide buildup.’

Follow the rules on ash disposal

Be mindful of what you need to do with the ashes after using a charcoal grill to stay safe. ‘Make sure they’re cool,’ says H&G’s Alex. ‘This means leaving them for at least 48 hours. Disposing of ashes that even have a hint of warmth to them is risking a fire in your trash can. Charcoal briquette ash should be wrapped completely in aluminum foil before placing it in your outdoor trash can. The latter must be non-combustible.

‘If you burn wood charcoal, you can also reuse your ashes as compost. You can also make the process easier by buying a grill with an ash catcher.’

Keep up with the cleaning

It’s important to keep a charcoal grill pristine to swerve the risk of food poisoning. For a grill with a grease trap, cleaning avoids a buildup that can cause a fire. Cleaning also helps prevent rust, which can otherwise contaminate food.

Cooking grates can be cleaned before grilling. Open the vents and heat to a high temperature for 15 minutes, then use a good quality grill brush, like this grill brush on Amazon, to remove remaining debris. 

Clean the ash catcher and any grease trap following the manufacturer’s instructions. 

Bear in mind that if you’ve neglected this task up to now knowing how to clean a grill thoroughly is crucial. 

Charcoal grill FAQs

If your charcoal grill has a temperature gauge, be sure to check this as you cook. It can also be worth investing in meat thermometer to make sure it is sufficiently cooked before serving.