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Indoor Propane Griddle
Propane griddles, like the models offered by Blackstone, are technically meant for outdoor use only.
Though they are nearly identical to the propane stoves and griddles that are used in chef’s kitchens and restaurants.
This might tempt you to want to bring your tabletop griddle into your home kitchen, or perhaps use a larger cart-style propane griddle in the garage on a rainy day.
Carbon monoxide from burning propane is the biggest worry with bringing a propane griddle indoors.
Though fire risk and accidental damage from grease spatter can also be serious problems. Not to mention any fire caused by bringing an outdoor propane griddle into your kitchen likely won’t be covered by your homeowner’s insurance.
Using a Propane Griddle Indoors
If you do need to use your propane griddle indoors during a prolonged power outage or a similar emergency, then you need to be mindful of several safety issues.
This includes the carbon monoxide produced by burning propane. You also shouldn’t underestimate the fact that you are bringing a potential fire hazard indoors.
There is also the risk of an occasional spatter of grease from the griddle top that can damage counters or kitchen curtains.
Proper ventilation means having multiple windows open near the propane griddle to ensure good airflow, as well as positioning the griddle near a robust ventilation hood.
A battery-powered carbon monoxide detector is a good idea, and a fire extinguisher is an absolute must for using a propane griddle indoors.
Is Propane Safe to Use Indoors?
While most outdoor griddle manufacturers don’t recommend it, you can use propane cooking devices indoors with diligent safety precautions.
This includes providing adequate ventilation, keeping a fire extinguisher close at hand, and moving all potentially flammable items away from the flame or griddle top.
These are the bare minimum things you need to do to safely use propane indoors.
You also need to make sure that the griddle is never left unattended. This includes keeping a close eye on the grease management system to make sure everything is flowing properly and that the collection cup doesn’t overflow.
Should You Use a Propane Griddle Indoors?
A propane griddle that is designed for “Outdoor Use” should only be used indoors, such as in your home’s kitchen during an emergency, like a prolonged power outage.
Otherwise, an outdoor propane griddle should stay out on your deck, under a covered structure, or in a garage with good ventilation and safety measures in place.
Can You Use a Propane Griddle in a Garage?
If you do need to take a propane griddle indoors, the garage is a far better option than the kitchen, but you still need to take several safety precautions.
Burning propane releases carbon monoxide. Just like how you wouldn’t leave your car running with the garage door closed, you shouldn’t run a propane griddle in your garage without the door wide open and at least a gentle breeze blowing in through a window.
You need to be mindful of flammable items, this includes things like gas cans, snowblowers, and lawnmowers with gasoline in the tank.
You would be surprised just how far a potentially flammable fume trail can travel.
A fire extinguisher needs to be close by and the propane griddle needs to be attended at all times.
How Much Propane Does a Blackstone Griddle Use?
The Blackstone 36-inch propane griddle is the largest in their lineup and has a 60,000 BTU per hour rating, which will burn through a pound of liquid propane in .36 of an hour.
This figure is based on having all four of the 15,000 BTU burners at full flame.
If you want to crunch the numbers on any propane cooking device, a single pound of propane has 21,600 BTUs per hour of heat energy.
Though you never get 100% of the liquid propane out of a tank. So, you can reasonably round it down to 20,000 BTUs in a one-pound propane cylinder. In this example, you could run two 10,000 BTU propane elements for one hour on that one pound of propane.
Final Thoughts
It can be tempting to bring a propane griddle indoors to enhance your kitchen cooking experience. Though it’s only the sort of thing you should consider doing in an emergency, and only with the right safety precautions in place.
This includes proper ventilation, and a fire extinguisher on hand, as well as removing all flammable or vulnerable items away from the griddle.
If you do need to cook for a special event, and the weather outside isn’t playing ball, the best alternative is to bring your propane griddle into the garage, a pavilion, or some other type of shelter with plenty of ventilation.
Then take the necessary precautions, including removing all gas cans and fueled lawn equipment.
Robert is a certified Pitmaster, with over a decade of experience in smoking the best meats you’ll ever feast upon. He also has a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Texas at San Antonio. When he’s not researching technical topics, he’s most likely barbecuing in his backyard.