[Can You Use] a Gas Grill Under a Covered Patio?

These days, most people prefer to barbecue in the open air. They feel that using a gas grill barbecue is much more enjoyable than cooking inside all day long and then having to stand around outside while waiting for food to cook.

However, many people are still using their gas grills under covered patios, but these are usually smaller electric models rather than big gas ones.

The question remains: can you use a gas grill under a covered patio? It may or may not be possible depending on how your particular setup is configured and what type of cover you have over your patio area.

In this article, we will explore some of the considerations when deciding if you should try this.

Can You Use a Gas Grill Under a Covered Patio?

Yes, you can. The only exception would be if your patio is extremely small and crowded, in which case it might not be a good idea to use a gas grill in the first place.

Only use it in areas where there is adequate ventilation to remove hazardous fumes or smoke and never leave the grill unattended while in use as heat flare-ups may cause fires.

One of the first things you will notice about gas grills is that some are designed to be used on a patio and others are built for use on an open deck or in the backyard with no cover overhead.

If your grill’s directions show how far away it needs to be from walls, posts, etc., and you follow those instructions exactly, then everything should work out fine.

Fire Mats

What Is The Best Gas Grill For Under Cover Patios

If you have a covered patio, then finding the best gas grill is essential. You do not want to get stuck cooking outside in the elements no matter how nice it is outside.

With that said there are many options for a great grill inside your home or on your patio. In my experience, which I am about to outline in this article.

I believe Char-Broil Classic 360 Grill along with the Weber Spirit E210 3000 Series Liquid Propane Gas Grill are two of the best grills out there for those who cook inside their home and undercover patios!

Char-Broil Classic 360 3-Burner Liquid Propane Gas Grill with Side Burner

This Char-Broil Classic grill is one of my top picks for a gas grill undercover patios due to its compact and easily portable design.

This grill is very sturdy and well built as it has five burners that have up to 29,500 BTUs in them.

It also comes with an extra-large side shelf so you can prepare your food easily while cooking on the grill.

I love this because normally we get our food out of the fridge, put it on the counter next to us, then try to juggle everything while preparing our meal.

Weber Spirit E-210 Gas Grill | Liquid Propane, 2-Burner

The Weber Spirit E210 comes with two burners that can be adjusted from 18,000 BTUs to 27,000 BTUs each.

With these two burners and combined, they can produce up to 81,000 BTUs. You get 629 square inches of cooking space so you can cook a lot of food at once!

Also, it comes with an electronic ignition as well as a porcelain steel coated grate for easy cleaning. This model also comes with additional side shelves if you need them!

How Much Clearance Do You Need Above A Gas Grill?

The National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) has some basic guidelines about clearances necessary to prevent grease fires from spreading.

A gas grill should have a clearance of at least 3 feet above and 10 feet away from any objects that are flammable.

Note: This is not fire code. Do check with your building department as they may require more space between the railing and your grill.

Where Should A Gas Grill Be Placed On A Patio?

A gas grill should be placed at least 10 feet away from any objects that are flammable and any buildings that might catch fire.

To protect your patio floor here are some fire mats you can view

Is It Safe To Grill Under An Awning?

The fabric in most fabric-covered awnings is flame-resistant (FR), and FR fabrics are designed to withstand contact with flames generated by burning candles, kerosene lamps, etc.

However, they are usually not intended for contact with high temperatures required for cooking outdoors on a barbecue grill if there is no other separation such as brick walls, masonry surfaces, and/or a minimum of 3 feet between the barbecue grill and the awning.

Can You Put A Grill Under A Gazebo?

It all depends on what type of gazebo you’re talking about.

If you’re planning to barbecue in a wood-framed shade structure with open screens or ventilation panels, there may be enough oxygen circulation to reduce any potential for smoldering embers to ignite the roofing material — provided that it has been treated properly, then yes you can.

But if the canopy is made entirely of fabric with no ventilation at all, even gas grills can present problems: If the heat builds up and then settles in one place, it can start a fire.

Is It Safe To Grill Under A Carport?

Absolutely. People grill under carports all the time with no problems. Obviously, caution should be exercised, But never use a gas grill or even a charcoal grill in a place where there is no ventilation.

Can Gas Grills Explode?

The answer to that question depends on which type of grill you have. Gas grills are convenient because you don’t need charcoal or lighter fluid, and they are the easiest to operate. On the other hand, gas grills can be dangerous if something goes wrong.

A propane tank makes a great potential bomb under ideal conditions (explosion), and given an open flame, it doesn’t take much imagination to see how easy it would be for your grill to explode.

If there is a leak in the tank from faulty equipment the leakage will eventually lead to an explosion.

How Far Should A Grill Be From Your House?

The standard residential setback for freestanding grills without a permanent chimney installation has been determined to be 10 feet in Building Code jurisdictions (see 2009 IRC Table 304.1(1)

Make sure you follow local regulations, of course. But it’s always a good idea to keep your grill far enough away from the house that a fire won’t spread and destroy your buildings or house.

And while it is not technically required by most codes this is the case in areas governed by International Building Code.

Conclusion

It is possible to use a gas grill under a covered patio, but there are some things you should know first.

The key thing to remember when using these two cooking methods in the same space is that grills emit carbon monoxide and other pollutants into your home or outdoor area.

This isn’t good for people who spend extended periods of time near it!