Ah, grilling season. The sizzle of the meat, the smell of charcoal, and the unblinking stares of your furry freeloaders, just waiting for a slip-up so they can “help” with quality control. While it’s always a blast to have your pets hanging out during a BBQ, grilling with your four-legged sidekicks can turn into a game of “Who sees paws are on fire?” if you're not careful. So how do you keep your pets safe while you show off your grillmaster moves? Let’s break it down—because no one wants their dog with a side of singed fur.
At Bison, we’ve got three VIP grill buddies—our beloved poodles: Charlie, Niko, and Milo. These furry BBQ enthusiasts (or so they think) have taught us a few things about grilling safely with pets. So, let's dive into some tips, because grilling should be fun for both you and your furry fans!
1. Hot Tools are for Humans to Handle, Not Pets
Let’s be real—dogs think they’re the star of the show, and everything within sniffing distance is their co-star. When you’re grilling, shiny hot tools like electric starters and charcoal chimneys can be very tempting for them to investigate. One playful paw or curious sniff, and suddenly your pup's in the hot seat—literally. Stepping on a hot tool can turn your BBQ into a vet emergency faster than you can say “charcoal.”
Enter the Bison Airlighter. It ignites your grill quickly and stays cool to the touch, so you don’t have to worry about Fido turning his paws into grilled doggy snacks. Now your furry friend can hang out near the grill (at a safe distance) without becoming part of the menu!
2. Watch Out for Rogue Food (Your Dog is Already One Step Ahead)
Let’s not kid ourselves—your dog is already laser-focused on that sausage you just dropped. While your pet may think they’re about to score big, some tasty treats can be downright dangerous. Onions, garlic, and ribs dripping in that Instagram-worthy marinade? They might as well come with a one-way ticket to the emergency vet. And bones? Let’s say your dog’s not built to play “Will it splinter?” with chicken wings.
Solution? Keep your grill area a No-Pet Zone (good luck with that), and use the Bison Airlighter to get the job done fast. That way, you’re not stuck dodging drool while your pets plot their next mission: "Operation Steak Snatch."
3. Paw Patrol: Hot Coals Edition
If your pets could talk, they’d probably ask two things: “Why is the mailman evil?” and “Why didn’t anyone tell me the ground is lava?” After a good grilling session, the area around your grill can be hotter than the sun's surface (ok, maybe not, but close), especially if you’ve spilled some rogue pieces of coal while adjusting bottom vents. One misplaced paw in the danger zone, and your dog’s delicate feet will go from happy to hot tamale in seconds. The last thing you need is Fido hopping around like he’s auditioning for a hot coal dance-off.
To keep those tender paws safe, always check for scattered coal embers and set up a pet-free perimeter around the grill.
4. Supervision: Because You Know They're Scheming for Your Steak
Keep an eye on wandering paws. Because, let’s be clear, those expensive steaks? They’re for the humans, not your four-legged food critics. Fido doesn’t need to steal your $40 ribeye just to find out it wasn’t seasoned for his taste buds.
If your dog’s locked onto that juicy steak with laser focus, a well-timed distraction (a safe dog treat) might just save you from a hot steak disaster.
The Coolest Tool in the Grill Game (and the Safest for Your Sanity)Grilling doesn’t have to be an Olympic-level challenge of pet management. With the Bison Airlighter, you’ve got a tool that lights fast, stays cool, and makes sure your grilling experience is less about “stop that!” and more about “yum!” Plus, it’ll give you more time to enjoy the BBQ while your pets bask in the safety of their non-scorched existence.
Our poodles would give it two paws up—if they weren’t too busy supervising the grill.
Happy grilling (and tail-wagging)! 🐾🔥
Niko (left), Milo (middle), and Charlie (right) – our CFT, Chief Food Thief