This Time It’s Not The Kids Who Get The Grilling

This story reminded me of something that happened when I was a young teen. My mom’s house has a big yard, as well as a deck that has a pool and a grill set up. One day, we were getting ready to host some friends, she turned the grill on and went back inside to get the food and fixings. 

I’m helping set up the patio table and other assorted things for our get-together. Our grill included an attachment on the side that had a hotplate/warmer type feature that’s wired into the side. 

While setting the table, I notice flames coming out of the SIDE, against the hotplate. I run inside.

Me: “Mom, the grill’s on fire.”

Mom: “I know, I turned it on while I finished getting the meat ready.”

Me: “No, Mom, the grill is actually on fire.”

Mom: “It’s fine, I’ll be right up. Just close the lid so it won’t catch.”

Me: “MOM! The OUTSIDE of the grill. Is… On… Fire!”

This seems to do the trick, as she drops the food and runs outside. She gets it put out, the hotplate piece is absolutely ruined, apparently the wires had come loose and ignited, but luckily the main grill is fine. Even more luckily, neither the propane tank, the wooden deck, nor the giant tree nearby caught fire.

Mom: “…okay, maybe I’ll stay with the grill, and you can go get the food.”

Me: “That sounds like a great idea.”