Can You Use A Grill After a Fire Extinguisher Sprayed It?

So… you went a little crazy with the lighter fluid on your charcoal grill, or maybe forgot to check if the hoses on your propane grill were tight before lighting. Now you have a big problem, a grill on fire that feels like the sun, and the neighbors are starting to stare. You put out the fire with your Silco fire extinguisher, and now you’re wondering “can I start over and use my grill again without hurting my family, guests or myself?”

The short answer is yes, but with some exceptions. It depends on what type of extinguisher you used to put out the fire.

Which Type of Fire Extinguisher Did You Use?

If you used dry chemical (BC), carbon dioxide, halotron or water, a quick clean-up is all that’s necessary and you’re back to grilling!  

  • (BC) Dry chemical is the same chemically as baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and is non-toxic and non-corrosive.
  • Carbon dioxide puts out the fire by removing all the oxygen from the immediate area. It then just blows away without any need for cleanup.
  • Halotron is a vaporizing liquid that evaporates completely without any trace, and water is, well, water.

If you put out the fire with a multi-purpose dry chemical, foam, or purple K dry chemical extinguisher, you need to wait until the grill is cool to clean it out. This would be an ideal time to order a pizza and learn from your mistakes!

All of these types leave a chemical residue that will need to be scrubbed, wiped out and left to dry. The multi-purpose dry chemical type is corrosive and could cause more serious health issues if ingested. Once your grill is thoroughly clean and dry, you can use it again — but be more careful moving forward! 

Fire Extinguishers for Your Repair Shop – Dry Chemical vs CO2

When choosing fire extinguishers for your repair shop, it’s important to consider the specific fire risks in that environment. Both dry chemical and CO2 (carbon dioxide) fire extinguishers have their advantages, but they are better suited for different types of fires:

Dry Chemical Fire Extinguishers

Dry chemical extinguishers are multipurpose and can be effective on Class A, B, and C fires. This means they can handle fires involving ordinary combustibles, flammable liquids, and electrical equipment.

CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) Fire Extinguishers

CO2 extinguishers are ideal for fires involving electrical equipment (Class C fires) because they leave no residue, which reduces the risk of damage to sensitive electronics, engines, and surrounding equipment. While CO2 extinguishers can also be used on Class B fires (flammable liquid fires), they may not be as effective as dry chemical extinguishers in suppressing these types of fires.

 

Your choice between dry chemical and CO2 fire extinguishers for your repair shop should be based on the specific fire hazards you anticipate. If you’re dealing with a variety of potential fire types, a dry chemical extinguisher might be a good all-around choice. However, if your main concern is electrical fires and you want to avoid residue, a CO2 extinguisher is a good option.

Additionally, you may consider multiple fire extinguishers for your repair shop, including dry chemical and CO2 extinguishers, to cover a wider range of potential fire risks.

For more information, send us a message here and one of our friendly professionals will contact you.