Gas appliances

Did you assemble your barbecue according to the instructions? Did you read how to light it for the first time? Great! Now learn our key safety tipsto avoid unpleasant surprises. Or watch the video below for a summary.

Video: Three Safety Tips, produced in collaboration with the Institut de protection contre les incendies du Québec and the comedian Neev.

As soon as you connect a propane cylinder to an appliance, test for leaks. It only takes a few seconds... and a little soapy water!

Important: Do not smoke, extinguish all flames and ignition sources, and do not use a flame to detect leaks.

1. Turn off all of your appliance’s gas controls.
2. Open the valve on the gas cylinder or your building’s natural gas shutoff, and spray the supply hose and all gas fittings with a 50/50 mix of dishwashing soap and water.
3. Small bubbles or the smell of rotten eggs or boiled cabbage mean you have a leak.
4. If you detect a leak, close the valve on your propane cylinder, tighten all fittings and replace any defective parts. If necessary, call in a specialist. Don’t forget to read the safety instructions on your propane cylinder.

Safe

• Outdoors
• Well-ventilated area
• Stable, flat surface to prevent tipping
• Free of traffic (e.g., children playing).

Unsafe

• Enclosed space: Trailer, garage, veranda, shed, gazebo
• Close to electrical wiring
• Close to walls, windows, patio doors, trees and shrubs (fire risks)
• Unsupervised location.

Using your barbecue in an enclosed space can result in carbon monoxide poisoning. Check the manufacturer’s instructions for the required clearancebetween the appliance and combustible materials.

Lighting

1. Open the barbecue lid to release any gas that may have accumulated.
2. Check that all of your barbecue’s gas controls are OFF.
3. Slowly turn the valve on the propane cylinder or the natural gas line attached to the building until it is fully open.
4. Create a spark using the built-in igniter or find the manual lighting hole below the burner you want to light and insert a lit long barbecue lighter or long match. If your barbecue doesn’t have a manual lighting hole, put a lit long match or long barbecue lighter next to the burner you want to light.
5. Slowly turn one of the gas controls to the open position (ON or HI). Don’t lean over the barbecue.

To prevent burns, do not move the barbecue or allow people to play around it once it’s lit.

Extinguishing

1. First close the valve on the propane cylinder or natural gas line attached to the building. This will allow the gas in the hose to burn completely.
2. Once the flames are out, turn your barbecue’s gas controls to the OFF position.

If it doesn’t light on the first try

Turn the barbecue’s gas controls to the OFF position, and allow all built-up gas to escape before trying again. Be sure to manufacturer’s instructions on time between lighting attempts.

Your barbecue is designed for operation in all sorts of weather, but it does need some yearly maintenance. Review your instruction manual and follow these tips:

Burner – Inspect your burner. If it is in good condition, clean it gently with a manufacturer-recommended brush. Flames should be a steady blue colour. Consistently orange or yellow flames are probably due to a burner that needs adjustment or cleaning, or a defective pressure regulator or component. If the burner has holes other than those intended by the manufacturer, have it checked and replaced by a specialist or retailer.

Main body – Clean the inside of your barbecue according to the manufacturer’s instructions. To freshen up the outside of your barbecue, use a high-temperature paint. 

Controls, hose and fittings – To check for gas leaks, turn all controls to the OFF position and make sure all fittings are tight. 

Lava rocks – For maximum performance, use a single layer of rocks. Do not overload the bottom grate, and make sure you can see the burner flame in a few spots. 

Grates – After each use, clean the grates according to the manufacturer’s instructions. 

Propane cylinders – Do not use cylinders that are defective or more than 10 years old. Return them to a propane distributor for safe disposal. Even if cylinders seem empty, never put them in the garbage. They could contain enough gas to cause an explosion! In summer and winter, always store propane cylinders outside, away from children and with the valves closed.

Note : This original content is based on the Patio heater safety guidelines – PDF (1,7 MB) info sheet published by the Technical Standards & Safety Authority.

Knowing how to use patio heaters and safely will help everyone enjoy outdoor dining—while avoiding the dangers of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning.

Keep them outside

Patio heaters are designed for outdoor use only. Never use them indoors or within an enclosed structure such as a tent or gazebo. If you need to store your patio heater indoors for security reasons, remove the propane cylinder first.

Do’s

• To avoid the risk of fire or poisoning, follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding ceiling height clearance and proper distancing from building openings or mechanical air intakes.
• Be alert to fire hazards; they can be located around, above or underneath patio heaters and can include materials such as umbrellas, awnings, tent walls, tablecloths, paper products, decorations and more.
• Have a licenced gas appliance contractor install any fixed patio heaters.
• Make sure that patio heaters are on a stable surface so they don’t get knocked over.
• Make sure all free-standing units have an anti-tilt feature.

Don’ts

• Never position patio heaters next to an exit or in an exit path.
• Don’t obstruct firefighting equipment such as fire hydrants, fire department connections and fire extinguishers.
• Don’t install patio heaters on grass or an uneven sidewalk, or near the edge of an elevated platform.

Keep an eye on them

Never leave patio heaters unattended. Additional caution should be used when children or inebriated adults are in the vicinity.

Inform operators of safe practices

To ensure your guests stay safe while enjoying the comfort of your outdoor patio, make sure all operators understand how to:

• Safely install and operate heaters according to the manufacturer’s instructions
• Identify fire and carbon monoxide poisoning hazards
• Safely light, turn off and move heaters
• Safely connect, disconnect, move, store and transport propane cylinders
• Detect leaks in hoses, valves and fittings
• Prepare patio heaters for inclement weather
• Respond to an emergency including the location of fire extinguishers and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning (nausea, dizziness, headache).

Never move heaters when lit. Make sure the gas supply is properly shut off and the unit is cool before relocating.

Use caution when moving propane cylinders to avoid dropping or impact.

Safely certified

Make sure your gas-powered patio heaters bear the certification seal or label of a certification organization recognized by the Standards Council of Canada.