Griddle in the garage? We’ve all been there, right? We’ve marinated the meat, prepped the sides, and just as we’re about to fire up the griddle, the weather turns for the worst, and the rain starts to fall.
From my testing: I’ve cooked on my Blackstone in the garage during winter for 3 years now. It works, but there are real safety considerations you need to understand before trying this.
Well, now it’s time to look for an alternative. Many of us think about the garage, of course.
It’s got the space, it’s under cover, but is it safe?
Well, surprisingly for the most part, the answer is yes. There are, however, two crucial things you need to think about before using your griddle in your garage, so read on to find out how you can do it safely.
Before we jump into this, considering the garage is a decent option for poor weather, but using your gas griddle indoors is not safe and Blackstone does not approve their gas griddles for indoor use, check out their statement here.
Disclaimer: I’m a guy on the internet, you must consider all safety options and use precaution anytime you use a gas powered device, whether in your garage or outside. Ok, that was it!
Safe Space For Your Outdoor Griddle
Yes, even your griddle needs a safe space these days. The first thing you need to think about is space, and it needs to be a safe space.
Yes, you might be able to fit your griddle in there, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you have the space to use it.
Before you even turn your griddle on, you should make sure it is in the center of the garage, and not surrounded by anybody or anything, especially not near anything flammable such as paints, gasoline, or other common flammable goods found in most of our garages.
There’s no set distance that objects have to be from a griddle in order for it to be considered safe but use your common sense. If it looks potentially dangerous, then well, it is dangerous.
Using an outdoor griddle indoors is possible, but remember that they are designed to be outdoors.
That means they aren’t supposed to be used in cramped conditions, so you shouldn’t use them in your garage if there simply isn’t enough room.
Ventilation For Fumes, Smoke, and Latent Gases
The final, and most important thing you need to think about is ventilation. When using a Blackstone griddle indoors, there is always a risk of carbon monoxide exposure.
Now, in small doses, carbon monoxide is relatively harmless, but without proper ventilation, it can cause serious illness, so make sure the garage door is wide open along with windows or doors, as you cook indoors.
The more ventilation you have, the better it is for your health. Cooking anything on a griddle will create latent gases that are not good for you to breathe in consistently, especially in an enclosed space.
The best thing to do is open up the garage door to prevent any risk to your health and that of your guests.
Better ventilation also reduces the risk of a fire. You might be the most competent griddle chef in the world, but that doesn’t mean that accidents can’t happen.
A well-ventilated area reduces the risk of fire dramatically, so make sure you are extra careful about this point. For more detailed information from the CDC about carbon monoxide poisoning symptom, read up on them here.
Safer Alternatives To Gas Griddle Cooking In The Garage
While you absolutely can use a gas Blackstone griddle in your garage safely by following the steps we’ve provided above, you might still feel uncomfortable about doing so, and that’s perfectly understandable.
So, what else can you do to make sure using a griddle in your garage is safe?
Thankfully, Blackstone has thought of that too. Instead of using gas-powered griddles, Blackstone has launched the ‘Blackstone E-Series Electric Griddle’, and this is approved for indoor use.
🚨 If you have never considered an electric griddle, check out our buyers guide to the ONLY 3 Electric Griddles to consider before spending your hard-earned cash.
The reason that an electric griddle is able to be approved for indoor use, is the fact that they don’t burn any fuel to heat up.
Whenever fuel is burned, like gas/propane, there is always a risk of carbon monoxide, but with electric griddles this isn’t a concern.
That means that safety standards can be met for indoor use as well as outdoor use. So, if you live in an area where changes in weather can be quite sudden, or where weather patterns are more unpredictable, then the Blackstone E-Series Electric Griddle is the perfect option for you.
When the sun is shining, you can pack it up and take it outside like you would with any Blackstone griddle.
But if it looks like it might rain, you can take everything inside and be comfortable in the knowledge that it is officially marked safe to be used indoors, unlike most outdoor griddles.
Maintenance Tips from Experience
After years of use, here’s what I’ve learned about keeping your equipment in top shape:
- Clean after every use – I scrape while it’s still warm, then wipe with oil. Takes 5 minutes and prevents 90% of problems.
- Season regularly – Even with non-stick surfaces, a thin oil coating after each use extends the life significantly.
- Cover when not in use – I learned this the hard way after my first griddle rusted. A $30 cover saves hundreds.
- Check connections monthly – I do a soapy water test on gas connections every month. It’s caught small leaks twice.
Verdict On Outdoor Griddles In The Garage
If you’re in a pinch and the weather changes unexpectedly, there’s really no reason to pack up your barbecue and send everybody home.
Using a griddle in your garage is a safe thing to do, so long as you make sure that there is plenty of space and it is well-ventilated. If you’re still unsure about that though, then purchasing an electric griddle from Blackstone is the safest bet!
