Outdoor BBQ grill never fails to bring people together and give them everlasting memories. Consider yourself lucky if you can set up a BBQ outdoors because the number of delicious meals and fun talks you’ll have with your friends and family at BBQ parties is limitless. While a fancy kitchen is far more refined than an outdoor barbecue grill, the latter can undoubtedly harbor more fun and pleasant memories.
So, if you’re excited to set up your new BBQ but don’t know where to place it, we’ve got you covered. This article covers everything you need to know about grill placement so you can stay safe while having tons of fun parties with your loved ones. With that being said, let’s get right into it!
1. Pay Attention to the Surroundings
It’s important to remember that a BBQ is an open fire, so pay attention to your surroundings at all times if you want to find the perfect spot to place your grill. Play it safe and keep a good distance between your BBQ and your house to avoid any potential risk, especially if you have kids and want to keep their environment as safe as possible. If your little kiddos usually run in and out of the house, the last thing you want to do is to set up the BBQ directly outside the back door.
You want to set up your grill on a flat, clean surface free from flammable debris like mulch and rubbish bins. It’s also crucial to check the space above the BBQ to ensure it’s safe. You want to ensure the area is free of low-hanging trees and hedges before placement.
It’s important to place your grill in an open area with at least 10ft of space around it on all sides. Again, it shouldn’t be placed close to anything that could catch fire, such as dried leaves, wood, or anything else. You also don’t want to set up your grill on a wooden deck or against a wall.
- Pro tip: Patios are great for placing grills of any kind, such as charcoal and gas.
2. Know Which Way the Wind Blows
Smoke is an enjoyable part of the outdoor BBQ experience—we get that. However, this smoke gets into your eyes and lungs and can cause serious health issues when you inhale too much of it. As you may know, smoke blows downwind, so you want to set up your grill where smoke doesn’t blow on you, your guests, neighbors, or even an innocent passerby.
3. Does the Place Have Enough Shade?
While Barbeques are the best in summer, you don’t want to set up your BBQ in an area without ensuring enough shade. Think about it, when it’s already scorching outside, no one would enjoy a backyard BBQ party if they’re dripping with sweat at a 86°/30° temperature.
Trees provide the best natural shade since they ventilate quickly. However, low-hanging branches should be avoided as they can be a fire hazard.
4. What About the View?
When placing your BBQ, it’s crucial to consider the view. You want to see the grill from inside your house through doors and windows. This way, you’d know if anything serious happened inside your house while enjoying a BBQ party, and your family would know if anything serious happened to you while using the grill.
You also want to place your grill nearer to your house. The majority of the food preparation takes place indoors. Moving food from the house to the BBQ would be a hassle if they’re too far away from each other. Your food can even burn while you try to bring the BBQ sauce from the kitchen!
Bonus BBQ Safety Tips
- Pull your hair back.
- Avoid wearing loose clothing.
- Roll up the sleeves.
- Secure the apron strings by tying them properly.
- Keep flammable liquids covered and away from the grill.
- Keep combustibles a good distance from the BBQ.
- Keep a fire extinguisher at hand and learn how to use it correctly.
- Grill in areas with good ventilation to avoid fatalities from carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Lighter fluids should never be added to hot coals.
- Kerosene or gasoline should never be used as a starting fluid
- Steer clear of grilling when intoxicated. While it may be tempting for some people to indulge in alcohol at BBQ parties, drinking alcohol while grilling can be hazardous.
- BBQs should be kept away from play areas, children, and pets.
- Around your BBQ, draw a 3-foot ‘No Kids Zone’ sign.
- Always keep your eyes on the grill, and don’t leave it unattended.
Final Thoughts
Having an outdoor BBQ grill is a blessing, but improper placement can turn this blessing into a curse. You want to make absolutely no mistakes when setting up your grill because the improper placement of BBQ grills causes hundreds of houses, patios, and garages to catch fire every year.
But as long as you follow our advice, and as long as you follow the manufacturer’s instructions to understand how to install and operate your grill, you can relax and enjoy the good time your BBQ gives you without worrying about sudden disasters.
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