Clean Sweeps of Michigan's Blog

Outdoor Kitchens — Pay Attention!

Enjoying Your Outdoor Kitchen

 Indoor kitchens, where there are distractions but little wind to blow out pilot lights and flames, can put you at risk for a house fire. It is easy to see how those perils are compounded by wind, debris and the relaxation of the outdoors. To truly enjoy your outdoor kitchen, you need to use it safely and maintain it in good condition. Some of this is solely on you, the homeowner and other parts of safe maintenance should be left to a certified professional.

Enjoying Outdoor Kitchen – Ann Arbor MI – Clean Sweep & Air Ducts of Michigan

Use It Safely

There is no enjoyment to be found in a gas line explosion or a fire in the yard. While outdoor kitchens reduce the chances of poisoning from gas without flames to consume it, they increase the likelihood of outdoor fires. Stove flames can more easily be blown out and fire-bearing sparks from built-in grills can ignite un-raked yards and newspaper stacks. Keep all flammable material well away from the heat source.

Most homeowners use their outdoor kitchens to entertain and relish the season. This of course, is the point. However, one side effect of all that enjoyment is that sometimes, we lose sight of the danger. Never leave an open flame unattended or with only children outdoors. Always make sure your outdoor kitchen is inspected annually by a certified professional.

Even conscientious outdoor cooks can fail to recognize the importance of periodic dis-assembly and inspection of built-in ovens and grills. With welded components, these fire boxes need the same attention as the one in your indoor system. If a second fireplace is also part of your outdoor kitchen, that system makes inspection all the more important.

Enjoy It Thoroughly

There is nothing unsafe about outdoor kitchens as long as they are properly constructed and kept clean, fully functional, and in mind. Like all other unintended fires, ones that start in outdoor kitchens actually start with carelessness. Regular inspection and maintenance ensure that your outdoor kitchen is ready to be safely used. Appreciating it fully means respecting the potential dangers it can pose and preventing them from ruining either the party or the yard.

How Often Is Firebox Replacement Necessary

When most people purchase a home, firebox replacement is not something they expect to deal with anytime soon. It is true that some homeowners live in their houses for years and never need to replace it. However it can be dangerous to leave the original fireplace insert without proper maintenance.

Over time, a person may notice that their firebox is visibly cracked. This can cause significant damage to the home if smoke and other chemicals are allowed to leak out. If there are noticeable cracks in the firebox, it may be time for repairs or, in some cases, an entirely new firebox.

Even if there are no visible cracks, it may be a good idea to take a closer look. Try scraping the outside of the firebox and see if any pieces crumble or fall off. If they do, it may be evidence of water damage or other serious issues. Anyone who suspects that they have this type of a problem should call a professional to take another look.

Having an annual fireplace inspection is a good idea even if there is no reason to believe that there is a problem. A professional inspector may be able to see signs of an impending issue and take care of them before they snowball. The average homeowner may think that they can easily identify any issues with their fireplace, but they could very well miss something vital.

Replacing the firebox may not be necessary as some issues can be solved with simple repairs. To avoid getting in a potentially hazardous and expensive situation, have the fireplace inspected by a trained professional every year. At the first sign of an issue, have someone with a trained eye come take a look and assess the situation. This is the best way to maintain the overall health of the fireplace.