Can You Have a Grill Under a Covered Patio?

A BBQ often brings the family together, so many people love to grill in the open air. Using your grill outdoors lets you bond with the family while showing off your impressive skills.

But is it safe to have a BBQ grill under a covered patio?

It depends on your setup and the type of cover you have over the patio area. There are also some requirements to follow if you want to have a gas grill on your covered patio.

bbq grill mat under covered patio
BBQ Grill Under Covered Patio

A quick summary about which Grill Under a Covered Patio to buy
makes so many that it can get confusing to decide which you should buy. To pick one, you have to consider factors such as your budget, cooking space, number of burners, and fuel choice.

All things put together, our choice of the best Grill Under a Covered Patio goes to the First Alert CO400 monossido di carbonio.

Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:

Can You Have a Grill Under a Covered Patio?

Yes, definitely, provided that your patio is not small and crowded. In that case, having a gas grill or griddle in that area is not a good idea.

Even though there’s a chance of a fire, the release of harmful gas fumes is more evident, especially on a fully covered patio. These fumes will harm your lungs, as well as your patio over some time.

If you have a screened patio, it may keep the gases inside. If your patio has flammable items, then you shouldn’t be grilling under a covered patio.

You should only have a grill under a covered patio if it has enough ventilation to remove fumes and smoke. Don’t leave the grill unattended, as any flare-ups may lead to a fire, and that’s not what we want!

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Some gas grills are designed to be used on a patio, while others are suited for use on an open deck or in the backyard in open space.

These grills are different from what we recommend for use in apartment balconies. Your grill will have directions that will tell you how far away it needs to be from walls and posts.

You should not use a charcoal grill under a patio because it has a high risk of staining your walls and causing a fire.

*Remember! You might not be allowed to have a grill inside a screened porch due to the local law. Your municipality may have different regulations that will not allow grilling on a covered or screened patio.

Requirements For BBQ Under Covered Patio

Having a BBQ grill under covered patio is a fantastic addition to your outdoor luxury, however, you must remember certain requirements and safety tips to keep everything going smoothly!

1. Don’t Leave Your Grill Unattended

Avoiding a fire is the top priority when you have your BBQ grill under covered patio. If you leave your grill unattended, it can get covered in ashes and lead to a dangerous situation. Your grill should be left clean after use and not have any ash before you turn them off.

You should always inspect your grill and the tank for damage before putting it on.

2. Have A Fire Extinguisher in your Hand

If you have used grills before, you know flare-ups are quite common.

This is where the fire extinguisher comes in handy. Flare-ups happen when fat and grease from burgers or meat drips into the open flame of your grill. If it causes a big fire, you can use a fire extinguisher to contain the situation before it spreads.

3. Only Put Your Grill in A Patio that has Good Airflow

If you grill in a closed or small area, you are exposing yourself and your family to high amounts of smoke, carbon monoxide, and chemicals from the grease. You shouldn’t grill near the fireplace, oven, or other heat sources you may have on the patio. Don’t light your grill with a closed lid as it can cause a gas build-up.

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It is recommended to have a CO2 detector on the patio just to be safe and healthy.

First Alert CO400 monossido di carbonio, alimentazione a batteria, CO400, 120 voltsV

First Alert CO400 monossido di carbonio, alimentazione a batteria, CO400, 120 voltsV Product Review

This is a battery-operated detector it does not plug into an outlet. I missed that when I ordered it. It works without any issues.

4. Use Lower Cooking Temperatures

When cooking with your BBQ grill under the covered patio, you’d want to use lower cooking temperatures so that the grill does not produce a lot of heat to other objects.

Lower temperatures can also prevent flare-ups since there will be less grease and fat dripping into the flame.

5. Invest in a Grill Mat

A grill mat protects your patio and deck as well. This will ensure you have a secure surface, so your grill doesn’t move around. It also prevents grease, oil, and sauce from going on the floor. The grill mat that you use on the grill itself prevents grease from going into the flame, which reduces flare-ups.


Covered Patio Grill Ideas

bbq grill mat under covered patio
Grill Under Patio Idea

A modern patio with a grill doesn’t have to be pricey. If you are working on a budget, you can get it yourself! Gather some people to help.

Build the frame to your patio. You can make it from any material, such as wood, stainless steel, brick, or concrete. Of course, if you want the most cost-effective option, then wood is what you would go for. Opt for pressure-treated pine for a sturdy and durable frame.

Remember to apply several coats of fire-retardant varnish if you opt for wood.

Once you install the frame, then you can proceed to the siding and your grill. The shade can be made of aluminum or fabric.

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How Far Must the Grill Be From my House?

Since grills have the potential to start a fire, a built-in grills’ main requirement is for it to be far enough from your house to keep everyone safe, as well as keep the appearance of your house. Standalone grills can be moved up and down, so it doesn’t apply to those.

All types of grills need to be placed 10 feet away from the house and anything that is flammable. This is according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. According to manufacturers, standalone grills are usually required to be at least 3 feet from the house.

Can I Grill Under an Awning?

If you have a fabric-covered awning, the fabric is usually flame-resistant. This means they can withstand contact with flames that come from lamps and candles. However, they cannot handle the high temperatures of the BBQ. You may risk starting a fire.

Can I Grill Under a Gazebo?

If you have a wood-framed shade gazebo with open screens and proper ventilation, then you will have enough oxygen to reduce a fire hazard. However, if your gazebo is made of fabric, then even a gas grill can give you a problem. The heat builds up and can settle in one place, which can start a fire.

Can Gas Grills Explode?

They have the potential to explode if the propane or natural gas builds up in and around the grill, which is lit. A propane tank can explode if you use the grill at very high temperatures. However, with proper use, gas grills are safe to use.

Conclusion

To answer your question of ‘can I grill under a covered patio?’, yes you can! It’s best to have a well-ventilated spot and only use a gas or pellet grill. Charcoal grills have a high potential of making you cough and staining your patio roof and walls.

Paul Goral

Paul Goral

I am the founder of Brooklyn Grill and I have a master’s degree in Engineering Acoustics. I love cooking, grilling, and trying new recipes. I also love camping and high-quality knives. I wanted to start this blog and share my passion with others.