Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a selectively-closable hatch for automatically preventing airflow through the blower inlet of a fuel-burning grill. The hatch has a first, normal, resting closed configuration which prevents the flow of air through the inlet and into the cooking chamber of the grill, and a second, open configuration which is obtained when a fan is engaged to create a forceful airflow through the inlet path. The force of air pushed against the hatch pushes the hatch open, both when the fan is disengaged or falls below a minimum strength, the hatch returns to the closed configuration and prevents air from being drawn or otherwise flowing through the inlet path into the cooking chamber of the grill.