The Blog

We will try and keep you up to date with all sorts of News on BBQ development and techniques, news on whats going on in the BBQ Industry and what may affect you

Need Local BBQ Experts for Maintenance, Repairs or Installations Near You?

Fat fires – flare ups

Flare ups….

I got a question today about flare ups and which BBQ to buy to avoid them?

Remember flare ups are NOT normally caused by the BBQ, they are caused by:

NOT keeping your BBQ clean and free from fat, NOT cleaning it after using it and NOT using it correctly….

Tips:

a/.Try not to use produce that has high fat content such as sausages, cheap burgers or anything that has a lot of fat in it..

b/. Keep the BBQ flame on LOW, that will help you control any flare ups that occur, the odd flare up will add flavour to your food, high flare ups will burn it! If you do have high fat content in what you cook on your BBQ, DONT use any oil, it wont need it.. 

c/.DONT pour oil directly onto the BBQ plate when hot and certainly not extra virgin olive oil as it will burn almost immediately it hits a hot plate. Put EVOO on your food first never on a hot plate.

Watch your BBQ all the time when cooking, leaving it for a second could cause a serious fire that you may not be able to put out yourself.

If you do get a fire, try and only if safe to do so, to turn the gas bottle off but DO NOT use water as that will add to the fire, dry powder extinquishers or a fire blanket are really the only methods to stop or to control a Gas fire. If in doubt leave it and call emergency services, you life is more important than a BBQ. If you have a charcoal BBQ you can use water to put it out or smother it with a wet towel or blanket or if its in a large outdoor area with no combustibles close just allow it to go out on its own…

Barbitec Technical and Safety Dept

Note: This advice is given as a guide only, Barbitec are not experts when it comes to fire safety. Please contact your local FESA branch or emergency services for further information. Barbitec takes no responsibility for any advice given in this or any Blog that may cause harm or may be regarded or assumed as 'expert'.

07/2020

 

Latest from BARBITEC

  • December 8, 2025

    View post

    Cannot believe it – YES this Saturday! ‘All Things BBQ’ Event @ City of Canning- Creec – Saturday 13th December 11:00am to 1.00pm. This is the last for 2025! BE THERE, Countdown on!!

    To Book Go to Events & Appearances for further information. All Things BBQ with Ross Yarranton… Learn how to cook steak, Chicken etc., its FREE! Join Ross Yarranton as he promises to deliver an informative, fun and lighthearted masterclass in all things…

  • November 29, 2025

    View post

    Bunnings Matador & Jumbuck BBQ’s – We are not affiliated to and do not sell, service, supply parts or convert Bunnings Matador / Jumbuck BBQs

    Had a few calls recently about parts and conversions of Bunnings Matador and Jumbuck BBQ’s we do not sell these or any other brand of BBQ however we do write articles about certain other brands and we road test some…

  • November 14, 2025

    View post

    BBQ Mastery into ‘BBQ Secrets’ – yes its happening, my first book, Ben & I are redoing it into a ‘Secrets’ Vol 4 for 2026..

    It will be a BBQ beginners book and will be available early 2026, I have written most of the content although my good mate Ben will add some stuff as it really is a joint project as are all our…

Product Reviews

New BBQ products are coming in all the time, see our Barbitec independent product reviews and feel free to contact us for more info.

Have a question? We’re here to help.