What if the weather takes a turn and the sunny day is suddenly covered by dark clouds while you are enjoying grilling in the open air? You definitely will not pack up the setup or let the enjoyment in between. You will find ways to complete the grilling because of the fragrance of sizzling meat you are smelling from your half-grilled food.
What if the only option left is the garage, and you have already heard that you can’t grill in the garage as it is dangerous? No doubt, grilling in the garage brings a lot of risks. The most noticeable ones are the health risks due to the poor ventilation and the second one is the fire risk due to the open flame and fuel source.
It’s important to understand the dangers associated with grilling in the garage that comes with the type of grill used. In this post, we’ll discuss the dangers of grilling as well as how to modify your settings so that you can cook in the garage if you have no other choice.
Safety Tips for Grilling in the Garage
If you are planning to go for grilling in the garage or any indoor area you must know these safety tips before. Such precautions must be taken to prevent property- or health-related issues. When grilling, safety should always come first than everything.
The National Fire Protection Association highly suggests using well-ventilated spaces. It makes sense to clear the combustible materials from the surrounding area before grilling. The open flames, high heat, and combustible materials are a perfect recipe for disaster. Safety tips must be followed to reduce the risks of uncertain conditions.
1. Garage Doors Open
First and foremost, the thing to do is to make sure to keep the garage door fully open while grilling. It will guarantee enough ventilation in the garage to prevent any accidents.
When the garage door is wide open the fresh air will circulate in the garage and will reduce the smoke and harmful gases like carbon monoxide. These gasses can accumulate to dangerously high levels in the garage when the door is closed and there is insufficient ventilation.
2. Well-Ventilated Area
If the garage is well-ventilated then only you can grill in it, because there are a lot more chances you will fill the garage with smoke and dangerous gases. Use additional ventilated tools like fans or an exhaust system to remove the smoke and fumes more effectively.
Position the fan in such a way as to push the smoke out bring the fresh air in and significantly reduce the gaseous level, and it will also make your steak moist. If you are a regular griller and you are living in a hilly area it’s better to install a hood in the garage. It will remove the gases as fast as it produces.
3. Fire Extinguisher
Whether you’re grilling outside on the patio or in the garage, you need a fire extinguisher. Even with the garage door open, it’s important to keep a fire extinguisher when grilling. A sudden fire or flare-up can be quickly put out with the use of a fire extinguisher.
On the other hand, you must be familiar with all types of fire extinguishers and know when to use them. If you feel the fire is uncontrollable you can call the firefighters to avoid causing great loss.
4. Keep an Eye on the Grill
Whenever or wherever you are grilling never leave your grill unattended because of the fire. When there is no fire in the grill even unattended the grill proves to be dangerous because the grill is made up of metal and it can retain heat for a longer time.
Constant supervision allows you to handle the situation instantly and initial flare-ups are easy to control. When grilling it is necessary to arrange all the tools and ingredients within the range to minimize the need to step away from the grill.
5. Remove Flammable Materials
As we have already mentioned in the article about removing all the flammable materials from the surroundings of the grilling area. It is important to the items like cardboard boxes, oil, and gasoline cans that are mostly present in the garage, and other combustible materials.
These materials catch fire easily even with a small spark so removing them all in advance will minimize the chances of intense grill fire.
6. Carbon Monoxide Detector
Carbon monoxide detectors are considered the most basic instrument to install in a closed grilling area. It will alert you to the dangerous CO level in the garage because this gas has no clear symptoms. The other signs and symptoms of this gas are far more harmful, and it is only noticeable as a headache.
The detector provides an early warning when it detects the presence of carbon monoxide, a colorless and odorless gas. It gives you the time to ventilate the area before CO levels become hazardous.
How to Handle Heating Source in a Garage
Propane Grill
If you are grilling with a propane grill, it is necessary to place the propane tank in a separate area far away from the grill. I will not suggest fixing the gas tank within the grill because if there is any leak in the pipe or the regulator it will cause even a blast.
Ensure the tank is upright and store it outside the garage, away from any heat sources including the grill. Check the connections between the tank and the grill like the pipe, regulator, and venturi tube to make the grilling in the garage secure and enjoyable.
Charcoal Grill
Charcoal grills are the most dangerous ones to operate in a closed area, due to charcoals. These heating materials are considered traditional and one of the best options for getting flavored steaks.
If you are thinking of going with charcoal grills remember to well ventilate the area and try to move the grill near the front door of the garage. As you know the pressure of air flowing outside will catch the smoke and minimize it within the garage. Give proper consideration to the burning charcoals and if you have a lid try to cover the grill to avoid any mishappening.
Risks While Grilling in the Garage
Grilling in a garage is generally not a good option due to several risks that you can’t avoid, and it proves to be potentially dangerous. A grill is not like a gas-powered stove or cooking range; it is powered by gas, no doubt, but the fire is open and intense. It sears the food directly and comes directly in contact with the meat fat and juices.
A charcoal grill is also the same; the only difference is the heating source, which is none other than hardwood charcoal. We have covered some of the main risks while grilling in a closed area like a garage.
Fire Hazards
Garages are not only for protecting vehicles from the outside weather, whether sunny or rainy. Almost everyone places their household items in the garage to protect them from wearing out. It frequently includes combustible substances like oil, gasoline, and different home chemicals.
These materials are easily ignited by the open flame of a gas or charcoal barbecue, which could be disastrous if you don’t know how to handle fire. The first line of defense is your fire extinguisher which is necessary to have in your home and it comes for different types of fires.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
One of the main problems associated with cooking using gas and charcoal is carbon monoxide. Although it is produced in small amounts, it will begin to accumulate in the garage or other enclosed areas. It is a harmless gas that has no color or odor and is invisible until you start experiencing headaches. It may be dangerous if produced in large amounts.
Health Risks
You have observed the smoke while grilling outside in the open air and felt tears flowing from your eyes and your nose starting to run. When you inhale the smoke, you might feel an intense cough. These effects are due to the carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide produced while the charcoal and gas start burning.
Think twice about what will accumulate in your garage along with the fumes; it could be harmful to your health because it causes respiratory issues and other health issues.
Regulatory Concerns
When you purchase insurance for the house or your property, some factors are not included in your insurance plan. It is necessary to avoid such things because you will not get any insurance back when you face that type of issue. Many local building codes and safety regulations prohibit the use of grills indoors due to the infrastructure of the properties and the neighboring houses.
It is not even allowed to grill in partially enclosed spaces like garages. Violating these regulations can lead to fines and other legal consequences, depending on the area of living and the cost of property.
Effects of Heat
The open flame, heat, and smoke from a grill can damage your garage badly. It includes discoloring walls; if you have a hardwood floor, it will get some burn patches. The smoke can cause other types of structural damage, like carbon deposits on surrounding objects and lingering smells in the garage, which could become foul after some days.
Why is Indoor Grilling Dangerous?
Indoor grilling is dangerous for many reasons but the most important is the fire that not only involves property damage but also the precious lives of people. According to the survey made by the National Fire Protection Association from 2017 to 2021 is mesmerizing. The average home fire in the United States is 11,421 involving grills, hibachis, or barbecues. Out of all the fires, 5763 are structure fires and 5659 are unclassified and outside fires.
It is better to use an electric grill that is made for indoor grilling and comes in many types according to the needs. It uses electricity as a cooking source that does not have any open flames and grills the food just like outdoor grills but with a little different taste. However, you can add the flavor of smoke by making some customization. This option is best for indoor grilling because there is no concern about carbon monoxide with an electric grill.
Alternatives to Grilling in the Garage
- If the weather is bad try to set up a covered outdoor grilling area like a gazebo, pergola, or awning. If you have a car parking area you can grill your food over there as a secure area.
- An electric grill is the best option for grilling indoors. It is operated on electricity and doesn’t have open flames. It is also designed in such a way to minimize smoke production.
- Broiling in your oven gives similar results to grilling. Try at least once to know about the taste and flavor. The intense heat from the broiler element will seat the food and give the same grilled texture and flavor.
- Use a grill pan on your stovetop. It is designed in such a way as to get almost the same taste and texture as the outdoor grills. They are best for small and easy-to-cook items like chicken breasts, fish fillets, and vegetables.
- If you are living in apartment complexes you will have heard about the community grill. These grills are typically located in an open area with a proper roof and are designed to have a well-ventilated area. Try to avail this opportunity if you like to enjoy the rainy weather.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use a charcoal grill in a garage?
The heating source for charcoal grills is charcoals and it burns intensely and unregulated. It is difficult to control and it reaches up to 600 degrees or even more which can easily fire the surrounding things. It is more dangerous than a gas grill because when you see a fire you can disconnect the tank and your grill will not get any gas for burning.
It is safe to keep a propane grill in the garage?
Yes, you can store your propane grill in the garage. It is not recommended to have a filled propane tank connected to the grill because the gas will leak anytime which proves to be fatal. Try to remove the gas tank and store it in a well-ventilated area. If your tank is empty then there is no issue to store the tank with the grill.
Can I light my charcoal grill in the garage?
Lighting charcoals in the garage is highly unsafe and should be avoided because it needs additional lighting fluid that becomes intense while burning and can easily ignite flammable materials often stored in garages. It also produces lots of smoke and carbon monoxide fumes that can be fatal to health.
Conclusion
When the weather is sunny or rainy you can grill in the garage. It is an alternative to outside grilling when you don’t have any other option. However, there are significant health and safety hazards associated with grilling indoors. Poor ventilation and buildup of carbon monoxide can lead to several health issues and even prove fatal.
Additionally, the open flames and the presence of flammable materials commonly stored in garages increase the risk of fire and uncertain conditions. It is often better to prioritize safety and exploring alternatives to grilling in the garage will ensure you can enjoy delicious grilled meals without risking your health and property.