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Grilling is a popular summer activity, and many people like to do it outdoors. If you have an outdoor grill, you may be wondering if it’s safe to use it under an overhang.
If the overhang is made of wood, there’s a greater chance of a fire starting, but it’s still technically safe to grill under it. However, you should take some precautions, such as ensuring the grill is placed far enough away from the overhang so that sparks can’t fly and start a fire.
Can You Put a Traeger Grill Under a Covered Patio?
Grilling under an overhang is definitely not recommended, but it’s not necessarily unsafe. If you’re careful, you can grill safely under most overhangs.
Just be sure to keep a close eye on the grill and have a fire extinguisher handy just in case.
If you are storing it under the patio covering, it is better. It will keep it safe and out of the weather, even outdoors. It is guaranteed to make the grill last a lifetime. The only problem with this idea is it will leave you moving the grill to a safer place.
The problems arise when the flame gets too high, or the wind suddenly picks up. Then there is a more significant potential for the grill to ignite something on or near the patio.
Is It Safe to Grill Under a Covered Porch?
The straightforward answer is no. It is not safe to grill under a covered porch. The main reason for this is that there is a greater risk of the flame spreading to something else, such as the porch roof or the siding on your house.
Anything under the porch can also catch on fire from any embers that may float around. Once the porch catches on fire, the home or building attached will burn next. It is taking a chance that may also cost your life and those inside or around the house. It is not worth the risk.
If you’re not comfortable grilling under a covered porch, there are a few alternatives.
You can move the grill to an open area, like a driveway or backyard, or set up a canopy or tent over the grill. This will protect you from the elements and help keep the grill safe. The top must be at least seven to ten feet to be safe. Any top close to the grill will catch on fire from the heat even though the flames do not touch it.
There are several reasons people would want to grill under their porch. Maybe they don’t have a backyard, or perhaps the weather is terrible.
Another reason is that they want to keep the smell of grilled food from invading their house. Whatever the reason, it’s essential to be safe while grilling. Follow these tips to grill safely under an overhang or porch and enjoy your summer cookouts worry-free.
Just because Traeger Grills can be put under an overhang or porch does not mean it is always safe. When grilling, you need to use common sense and consider things like the wind and where the grill is concerning the overhang.
If it is a breezy day, sparks could quickly fly and ignite something on or near the porch. There are several things you can do to make sure your grill is safe to use under an overhang:
- Ensure the grill is at least ten feet away from any overhang or other structures.
- Keep a close eye on the grill at all times.
- Have a fire extinguisher handy in case of an emergency.
- Don’t put any flammable objects near the grill.
- Ensure the grill is in an open area, away from any overhangs or other structures.
- If it’s a windy day, don’t grill under an overhang.
- Use a canopy or tent if you want to grill under an overhang.
- Make sure the top of the canopy or tent is at least seven to ten feet high.
Can You Use a Smoker Under an Awning?
We all know that smokers can be quite large, and many of us don’t have the luxury of having a lot of extra space to dedicate to smoking meats.
This is especially true for those who like to smoke while camping or on vacation. So, the natural question becomes: can you use a smoker under an awning?
As with so many things in life, the answer is it depends.
In general, if your awning is made from a waterproof material, such as vinyl or canvas, you should be able to use your smoker without any problems.
However, if your awning is made from a less water-resistant material, such as cotton or polyester, you may experience some water damage. Additionally, if your smoker creates a lot of smoke, it may discolor your awning over time.
How Close Can a Smoker Be to a House?
The Safe answer is no less than ten feet away. More is better in this situation due to fire hazards and smoke damage.
Final Thoughts
Smokers and grilling under an overhang are like any other fire hazard, use caution. Keep in mind the weather conditions and your proximity to flammable items when using these devices.
Also, be sure you have some method of extinguishing fire on hand just in case. With a little bit of preparation and common sense, you can keep your smoker and grill under an awning without incident.
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.