Grilling Under A Carport? (Read This First)

How To Grill Under A Carport

Grilling is an American pastime that brings together friends and family for some delicious meals.

However, when rainy or bad weather hits – it can ruin your plans for grilling.

That’s where people start to wonder if you can grill under a covered area like a carport.

So can you grill under a carport?

It is possible to grill under a carport as long as there is adequate airflow and the ceiling is 9 feet or higher. Place the grill as far away as possible from walls and combustible objects when grilling under a carport.

Now let’s cover some tips for grilling under a carport as well as other common questions.

Charcoal vs Gas vs Electric Grills

Most people assume grilling can only take place in the open.

However, it’s possible to grill under a carport or covered location as long as there’s sufficient airflow.

When using a gas or charcoal grill, airflow is critical to ensure that all of the smoke and fumes from the grilling are safely vented away. A vertical clearance of 9 feet or greater will ensure that the smoke from the grill has enough space to cool down before hitting the ceiling.

Even with the vertical distance, the ceiling of the carport can still become discolored from the hot smoke.

On the other hand, electric grills can be safely used under a carport as they do not produce harmful gases.

Make sure to check with the grill manufacturer’s manual to see the recommended clearances to safely use the grill.

Recommended Clearances For Grilling Under Carports

Every grill comes with specific instructions and precautions to consider. However, it’s generally safe to operate the grill at least 3 feet from the nearest wall.

Ensure the grill is at least 10 feet away from any flammable object to avoid any accident or incident.

How Close Can You Place A Grill To A Car?

Charcoal and gas grills should be placed as far away from vehicles as possible. Ensure that charcoal and gas grills are at least 10 feet away from the car.

Electric grills should be placed at least 5 feet away from the car since all grills produce heat which can damage the car’s paint.

Ideally, a car should not be in the carport when grilling. The heat, smoke, and grease splatter can damage the car’s paint which will be costly to repair.

Consider parking the car outside when grilling underneath a carport.

Tips For Grilling Under A Carport

Here are some helpful tips for safe and effective grilling in covered areas:

  1. Drain Excess Meat Juices – When grilling marinated meat, consider placing it on a cooling rack to allow it to drain excess fluids. Indoor electric grills are not built to handle excess meat juices which can create extra smoke. Not to mention excess meat juices will create extra smoke on propane and charcoal grills.
  2. Remove Excess Fats From Meat – Excess fat that burns will lead to extra smoke and flare ups on any grill. Grilling under a covered area like a carport is where you want as little smoke and flareups as possible. Dirty smoke from fat burning can lead to greasy and discolored walls and ceilings. So trim off excess fat before grilling under a carport.
  3. Do Not Leave The Grill Unattended – Unlike outdoor grilling, you need to pay more attention when grilling under your carport. You cannot afford to have excess smoke or a fire breaking out. Grilling under your carport is riskier and needs undivided attention.
  4. Place The Grill Near Openings – When using a grill in a carport, consider placing it near the opening to avoid smoke filling the carport. If the grill has a smokestack, position the grill so that the smokestack is pointed towards the opening or outdoors so the smoke can safely vent away.

How To Prevent Excess Smoke From Filling The Carport

First and foremost, never grill in an enclosed space. So if the carport does not have sufficient airflow then do not grill under the carport unless it’s an electric grill intended for indoor use.

The carport should have at least two open walls that will allow the air to blow out any smoke that the grill produces.

Next, keep the grill at least 3 feet away from any wall to allow sufficient air circulation and to prevent the wall from getting too hot or damaged from the grill.

Remember to remove excess fats and drain any excess juices off marinated meats before placing them on the grill. Excess fat and marinated juices will create extra smoke and flare-ups which you do not want to create when grilling under a carport.

Grilling Under A Carport While It’s Raining

Grilling under a carport while it’s raining is the perfect time to use a carport for grilling.

Generally, grilling should be performed out in the open so the smoke and heat can safely vent away from the grill.

However, during the rain, carports can be a great area to grill in as long as there is sufficient airflow and the ceiling is at least 9 feet high.

Make sure to place the grill at least 3 feet away from any walls and at least 10 feet away from any combustible objects.

Once in the optimal location, grilling under a carport while it’s raining is possible so the rainy weather doesn’t ruin your grilling plans.

Final Thoughts

While grilling under a carport or a wooden deck poses the risk of unnecessary fire, you can mitigate the risks.

Windy conditions may cause sparks of fire to jump on the wood and ignite a fire. So ensure you have a fire extinguisher nearby to quickly extinguish any embers that jump from the grill.

When grilling under a carport or covered deck, make sure you are taking all the necessary safety precautions.

Keep in mind, if your carport is screened in, you may want to add a motorized vent to help remove the smoke.

Although it may be an added expense, it will make you happy in the long run as smoke will not fill up and stain your carport. The vent also will help prevent the ceiling from turning a sooty black color as fast.

However, you do not have to get an expensive built-in grill when grilling in your carport. Use your grill and take the necessary precautions.

Always make sure there is sufficient airflow and the grill has enough clearance from the ceiling, walls, and nearby combustible objects.

As long as grill has enough clearance and airflow then the grill can be safely used underneath a carport.

Steven

Learn how to catch, grow, and cook your own food. Whether you're searching for food tips and recipes or growing your own plants, there's something for you here! So let's learn how to catch, grow, and cook our food together.

Recent Posts