Eating food that was prepared over an outdoor BBQ is a favorite pastime of people all around the world. But there are some certain precautions that are necessary to take in order to make sure cooking outside with charcoal or propane remains a safe, reliable and enjoyable method for generating heat and preparing food as part of an emergency preparedness plan.

Two of the most used methods for outdoor cooking (not including a fire) are propane or charcoal briquettes. These are also two of the most common fuel sources that people store for emergency preparedness, and each requires a little understanding so that they are stored properly in order to ensure longevity and safety.

Propane

When it comes to storing any kind of gas a little common sense goes a long way. Here’s the gist. Whether large or small, most propane canisters have some kind of relief valve designed to bleed a small amount of gas if they become highly pressurized. This could potentially mean gas could leak from a container, and since propane is heavier than air it will usually head toward the ground if it is leaking, making things like a pilot light on a furnace or hot water heater potential hazards.

In other words, the general rule of thumb is to not store propane in your house or in your basement. I can’t think of ever hearing a news clip of a house exploding because a BBQ propane tank had exploded in someone’s basement, but then again, I don’t watch a lot of local news. Don’t take the risk. Store propane in a detached garage or shed if you have one available, and keep them away from anything that could potentially ignite a slow leak.

Charcoal

Like so many of the items we talk about when it comes to emergency preparedness and preservation, air and water can take its toll on the effectiveness of charcoal.  If charcoal becomes wet or even damp it may become either unusable or much more inefficient than briquettes that are stored properly. Because charcoal is a refined form or carbon, if it does get wet you may not ever get it lit and may just want to throw it out rather than waste your time trying.

Keeping charcoal in its prime burning condition is not difficult. In all honesty, you can leave charcoal in the bag as long as you keep it clipped shut while its being stored and kept in a place that is protected from moisture. For added protection, many people stockpile and store charcoal in plastic bins or containers that have a lid. Charcoal can be stored for an indefinite amount of time, and because it’s relatively inexpensive it’s not unrealistic to be able to build up a year’s worth of storage for less than $100.