Grilled foods are not only delicious, but they also give families a chance to get together and enjoy themselves. Many families host an annual BBQ party, so everyone can reunite and have a good time.
Some people prefer charcoal grills, while others prefer propane grills. While it’s recommended you use propane grills outdoors, how should you proceed if the weather is windy or rainy? One such option might be to use your grill indoors. However, can you use a propane grill indoors, and is it safe?
Generally, it isn’t safe to use grills inside because of the smoke they produce. Even if you have an exhaust fan, the carbon monoxide will build up quickly, resulting in undesirable health effects.
Can You Use a Propane Grill Indoors?
It is not safe to use a propane grill indoors. These grills are not properly vented or insulated. There is no place for the heat to leave, so your house will get warm in minutes. Moreover, there is no way for the smoke to go anywhere, so you’ll have lots of carbon monoxide in your hours within minutes.
Moreover, any gas leak from the grill could be deadly and could cause even more problems. Furthermore, these gasses are mostly undetectable, so you won’t even know until they start showing their effects. It is better to do something else except for a grilling session if it rains outside.
There is one solution, but it might not be a suitable one. You open the door, put your grill near it, and use a fan to throw the smoke and heat out of the house. However, if you live in a clustered neighborhood, that smoke might cause problems for other residents. So, using a propane grill outside the house is always wise.
On the other hand, if the event cannot be canceled and you are bound to grill inside, it is better to take precautionary measures. The first thing is to ensure you are near a window to let the smoke out.
Carbon monoxide is fairly harmful; if the smoke goes out, most of the carbon monoxide will go out too. Moreover, don’t keep the other rooms open; ensure they are closed so no smoke can get inside. Finally, you can use fans to keep the heat and smoke away. Even if you stop grilling, keep the fans running because as the coal smolders, it still generates carbon monoxide.
The Problem With Using a Propane Grill Indoors
While carbon monoxide and smoke are minor problems that you can eliminate, the real trouble starts if there is a gas leak. Since carbon monoxide detectors cannot detect propane gas, you won’t know it until you get strong coughs or a burning sensation in your throat.
Adults might be able to endure until they reach the doctors, but the children will be affected severely by this. If they inhale too much of this gas, it can lead to fever and headaches. While it is not life-threatening, it can affect their health and mood for the day.
On the other hand, grilling inside can cause a fire in the house. Since most homes have lots of wood, they will catch fire much quicker than usual. So, unless it is extremely important, we recommend that you do not use a propane grill inside.
Another thing to remember is carbon monoxide is not harmful as long as there is fresh air available. If your house is closed, and the smoke keeps building up, it can cause many problems, including breathing issues. Carbon monoxide has another name – silent killer – if you want to grill indoors, ensure that there is ventilation and that fresh air comes from somewhere.
What to Check Before Using a Propane Grill Indoors
If you already have guests in the house and the weather has taken a quick turn, here are some tips that might be helpful when grilling inside. Remember to only resort to these in an extreme emergency; otherwise, abandon the grilling and order some pizza.
Step 1: Check the Connectors
Before running the grill, check its connectors and see if they are tight. If a connector is loose, the gas will leak. Moreover, you can turn on the gas and sit close to the cylinder to see if you hear the gas leak or not.
Step 2: Check the Valves
Check the valves before opening the cylinder; if they are not working correctly, change them before using the grill. It would be better to check them after every session so you can get them repaired the next day.
Step 3: Make Sure the Room Is Well-Ventilated
Since the propane grill has no ventilation, it is better to grill in a room that can easily let the smoke out. A big room won’t allow carbon monoxide to build up; if the air keeps passing, it won’t let the smoke affect anyone.
Step 4: Check for Working CO2 Detectors
Make sure that you have CO2 detectors in the house. If not, grab one from the market and place it in the room before grilling. They’ll give you a signal when there is more than necessary CO2, and you’ll have enough time to take precautionary measures.
Be Mindful of Carbon Monoxide
The initial symptoms of inhaling too much carbon monoxide are headaches, dizziness, and nausea. If you don’t take any action after experiencing them, you’ll feel weak, your vision starts to get blurry, and you might become unconscious. Getting unconscious is extremely dangerous as you’ll keep inhaling carbon monoxide, which can lead to death.
So, it is better to take action as soon as you experience a headache. Turn on the fans to remove the smoke and weaken the carbon monoxide density. Moreover, leave the house and get fresh air until you feel light-headed. If an elderly person is in the house, immediately take them to a hospital.
What Grill Is the Best for Indoor Use?
An electric grill will be your best option if you want to grill indoors. Instead of causing smoke, the grill will heat up using electricity. The only smoke you’ll get is when you put the meat on the grill. While it won’t offer the same experience and smoky taste, it is much safer to use indoors. Moreover, these girls are easy to maintain and move around. They are much lighter in weight than a charcoal or propane grill. Since there is no gas, they are cheaper, and you don’t have to worry about gas leaks either.
The only thing to watch out for as you use an electric grill is to keep the children away from it. If someone pulls off the cord or touches the grill while it is hot, it can cause a minor burn.
Final Words
Can you use a propane grill indoors? No, it would be best if you did not use a propane grill indoors, as it can cause many problems. The smoke and carbon dioxide are normal; carbon monoxide can cause severe health issues.
On the other hand, there are chances of a fire in the house as you are burning the flames. We highly recommend not using the propane grill at home, but if you still want to use it, we shared some precautions to help you avoid accidents.
