Is it safe to grill on your deck? It can be!
Whether or not one should grill on the deck is a contentious topic. Some people think it can be perfectly safe depending on what your deck is made out of and if you have a safe enough location, but others advise against the practice altogether. Putting a grill on the deck requires other safe measures too, like having enough space around the grill and water on standby in case you do need to put a fire out.
You should also always keep a fire extinguisher on hand. But aside from all of the basic security measures one might expect, the decision to put a grill on the deck ultimately is up to you, your own research, and weighing out the risks and rewards to see if it is something you think is worth pursuing.
Avoid Bad Locations
You should avoid putting a grill near any flammable materials. That rules wood and composite decks outright but also means you should avoid shrubs, trees, awnings, and anything else that may be a fire hazard. Put your grill on a surface that isn’t flammable, so no grass, wood, or anything else that’s combustible. If your deck has any kind of overhead structures like a roof or awning, you should also avoid using your grill.
Any grills should be used a safe distance away from structures such as your home, patio, shed, garage, or anything else that could go up in flames. Lastly, you want to avoid locations that are windy, as the wind can help push smoke and heat into nearby homes or other sensitive areas.
What About Gas Grills?
While gas grills can offer some additional safety, you should still avoid using one on a wood deck, as all that heat and grease can still cause a fire. Even if an outright fire doesn’t happen, exposure to grease, oil, and heat can still degrade the wood of your deck.
If you choose to use a gas grill on a wood deck, make sure you take the right precautions like using a fire-resistant pad to protect your deck’s wood and prevent the heat from getting to it. You should also take the time to clean the area; by sweeping, you can remove any debris that could cause a spark, and therefore a fire, to happen. Regularly cleaning the grill itself will also prevent oil from dripping.
How Far Should Your Grill Be?
One standard you should be aware of is any local fire codes, which may vary depending on where you live. However, generally, you should try to keep grills at least 15 feet away from residential structures. Some grills may be even more dangerous and need to be 30 feet away. You can give your local fire department a call for further guidance. Just remember to put your grills on a level, non-combustible surface, the area should be clear, and you should have emergency precautions such as a bucket of water and a fire extinguisher nearby.
Call Mid-Atlantic Deck & Fence For Your New Deck or Fence!
Mid-Atlantic Deck & Fence has almost 30 years of experience in building beautiful custom fences, gazebos, screened-in porches, and decks throughout the state of Maryland. We have the expertise to design your dream fence or custom deck and have it installed in a headache-free process. Give us a call at 1-800-833-9310 or visit us online for a quote today! We offer many different styles of fencing and decking, in addition to custom options designed specifically to suit your preferences and tastes. To see examples of our work and get more tips on how to choose the right decking for your family, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Houzz, Pinterest, YouTube, and LinkedIn.