When it’s time for a family barbecue in the great outdoors, all eyes will be on the grill master. As you run back and forth from the picnic table, serving up sizzling steaks, shish kabobs, and veggies fresh off the grill, the last thing you want to think about is things going awry. Like, for example, those sharp edges around the grill plate posing a risk to any young ones running around. Thankfully, a loving grandmother on TikTok has a genius solution for barbecue enthusiasts. It’s cheap, easy, and effective — our favorite kind of hack. You probably already have what you need in the garage next to your summer equipment.
@denot_denice
#parenthack #poolnoodlehack
♬ original sound – Denice
As @denot_denice explains in her video, she didn’t want her 18-month-old grandson to get injured if he went near the grill in the backyard. So she cut open a pool noodle and used it to create a bumper around the grill’s edges, and said it works great. One commenter expressed concern about the material melting, but Denice says she used it all summer and it fared just fine. When placed correctly, it’s not actually touching the grill, she explains. Still, it’s never a bad idea to remove the pool noodle when the grill is not in use, as pool noodles are made of polyethylene foam, a flammable material.
How to try this pool noodle hack
If you don’t already have one, buy a package of pool noodles in a sports equipment store or order some online. Make sure you grab the ones that are hollow and straight (not wavy), so it will properly adhere to the edge of the grill. Next, grab a tough pair of scissors, as you’ll be cutting through plastic. Starting at one side, cut a line down the middle of the noodle, the same direction as the slit in a hot dog bun or a footlong sub (all this food talk is making us hungry).
Place the noodle on the left side of the grill, securing the makeshift bumper in place. Bend the noodle at the edge, then wrap it around the front portion. At the next corner, bend the noodle again and secure the bumper to the right side. It should fit snugly and stay in place. If you have extra material, cut the rest off with your scissors and use what’s left over to secure the refrigerator in your RV, keep your tent lines secure, or even fashion a tent canopy in the wild. Pool noodles really are a treasure worth keeping around.
