Forum Discussion

mich800's avatar
mich800
Explorer
May 29, 2017

Exploding Grill

Here is a new one for me and I have been unsuccessful finding out if this has happened to anyone else.

I was grilling vegetables on my charcoal grill in a pan and some mushrooms on the grates (just drizzled some olive oil on everything). I hit everything with my kosher salt shaker and turned around to put the tongs on the table. All the sudden a loud boom, sounded like a shotgun went off. My ears are still ringing. All I can think of is the excess salt on the grates or going down to the hot coals exploded. Has anyone ever heard of this happening? This wasn't just some small pop but very loud.
  • agteacher's avatar
    agteacher
    Explorer
    Jun 02, 2017
    I think the key word here is "kocher salt"; otherwise, known as "coarse salt". This type of salt is more likely to absorb moisture from the air. Mis salt, water, and heat and "boom". Salt blocks have been known to explode and cause damage because of moisture in the salt when they are heated quickly.
  • Mortimer_Brewst's avatar
    Mortimer_Brewst
    Explorer II
    May 30, 2017
    I vaguely recalled something about how sodium metal could burn. Here's a video showing how molten sodium chloride can explode when poured into water. Perhaps something like this happened on a smaller scale. Who knew grilling could be so dangerous?
  • mich800's avatar
    mich800
    Explorer
    May 29, 2017
    DutchmenSport wrote:
    If you heard a boom that loud, something on that grill would have been blown off, or even yet, the charcoal would have blown everywhere too.

    Are you sure the boom was from the grill, and not a back-fire from an automobile, or an early 4th of July Cherry Bomb?


    That is what is so weird about it. Regular Webber charcoal grill and the lid was open. My neighbor was cutting the grass on the other side of the road. It is a possibility that the mower backfired but it sounded like it was right next to my ear. Worst part, no alcohol involved. At least that would explain some of it.
  • DutchmenSport's avatar
    DutchmenSport
    Explorer
    May 29, 2017
    If you heard a boom that loud, something on that grill would have been blown off, or even yet, the charcoal would have blown everywhere too.

    Are you sure the boom was from the grill, and not a back-fire from an automobile, or an early 4th of July Cherry Bomb?
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    May 29, 2017
    Please pour me another glass of white wine...what was your inquiry?
  • rockhillmanor's avatar
    rockhillmanor
    Explorer
    May 29, 2017
    mich800 wrote:
    Here is a new one for me and I have been unsuccessful finding out if this has happened to anyone else.

    I was grilling vegetables on my charcoal grill in a pan and some mushrooms on the grates (just drizzled some olive oil on everything). I hit everything with my kosher salt shaker and turned around to put the tongs on the table.

    All the sudden a loud boom, sounded like a shotgun went off.

    My ears are still ringing. All I can think of is the excess salt on the grates or going down to the hot coals exploded. Has anyone ever heard of this happening? This wasn't just some small pop but very loud.


    I had the same thing happen to me with one of those pedestal round dome BBQ's Walmart 'used' to sell.

    I had the lid closed and when I went to open it it exploded like a bomb knocking the wind clear out of me.

    I think it's propane leaking and accumulating near the bottom. I **** near died from it. interestingly Walmart no longer sells them and in fact I haven't seen one for sale anywhere.

    Got rid of that and bought a plain BBQ. That **** thing caught fire and I mean a real big fire. Barely got it away from the MH!

    No more blow up BBQ's for me. I now will ONLY use this type of grill. :C

  • filrupmark's avatar
    filrupmark
    Explorer
    May 29, 2017
    I have done a lot of barbecue and grilling but haven't ever blown up my pit. NICE ONE !!!
  • mich800's avatar
    mich800
    Explorer
    May 29, 2017
    kerrlakeroo wrote:
    So the shrooms survived. I had thought maybe they were what exploded.


    Food did not move. Only think I can think of some salt got into a puddle of olive oil between some grates and got super heated. I have seen youtube videos of molten salt exploding in water.
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    May 29, 2017
    Sounds like something CBS MacGyver might want to try out...

    I do know plain ole SALT carries alot of hidden power...

    Roy Ken

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