Grill Safety Basics: How Far Should A Built-In Grill Be From The House? | Grill Baby Grill (2024)

Once you determine a built-in grill isa must for your home,you should plan where to place it. You may think the closer to the house, the better, or you may want to build a separate space for enjoying grilling outdoors. Finding the ideal location and the materials to use areonly part of the process.

While it’s fun to scope out areas for your new built-in grilling station, there arekey safety considerationsto take into account before you get started. Knowinghow far your built-in grill needs to be from the house, including any overhangs, is at the top of that list.

1. Reasons to Place Your Built-In Grill Near the House

Many homeowners prefer to install a built-in grill because it is custom-made for your backyard. If you’re integrating this appliance into a larger outdoor kitchen, this unique space canincrease the value of your home.

An outdoor kitchen is an excellent place to gather friends and family to celebrate events and cook delicious meals during the warm months. A built-in grill can helpdefine a space in your backyardfor entertaining.

If you’re planning to use your new grill often, keeping your grill close to the house is necessary. Having it just outside a back or side door is exceptionally convenient for bringing out ingredients andescaping the summer heatbetween grill check-ins.

There may be an overhang in that area, whichshelters you and your grill from the elements.

You can still have convenience, although your grill may need to be a little farther away than you initially prefer. You can build a covering over your grill to keep the rain and heat off you. You can alsouse a remote thermometer, allowing you tomonitor your grill and food temperaturesfrom a distance, so you don’t have to trek back and forth from the house as often.

2. How Far Should You Place Your Built-In Grill from the House?

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Knowing that there’s a potential for a fire where there’s heat, abuilt-in grill’s first requirementisplacement far enough from the house to keep everyone safe. Unlike standalone grills, which are moved away from the house when in use, abuilt-in is immovable.

How far should a built-in grill be from the house? Whether you have a gas, charcoal, or pellet grill,spacing is essential. TheU.S. Consumer Product Safety Commissionand many builders recommend placing your grillat least 10 feet away from any structure, including overhangs that are flammable, such as awnings. Aless conservative recommendation is at least 3 feet awayfrom a house, usually given by manufacturers.

Look for the following when determining exactly how far to place your grill away from your house.

Local government’s building code department and HOAs

Buildingcodes vary widelyby municipalities, so confirm if your city or county has a requirement in place for the distance of grills from structures. This may include houses, fences dividing property, or a neighbor’s structure.

If you belong to a homeowners’ association, check with their regulations aboutgrill placement and adding structures. You may need to have permits to build an overhang or get permission from theHOAfirst.

Homeowner’s insurance company

Review your homeowner’s insurance policy to see if it mentionsany stipulations or directionsof how close a grill or outdoor kitchen can be to the main buildings.

Brand manufacturer

The manufacturer of your grill also provides guidelines, includingrecommended distance from the house. The 3’ suggestion is often cited as long as there are no protruding overhangs.

Whilehow far should a built-in grill be from the houseis most asked, another question concerns theavailable space above your grill.If you decide to build your outdoor grill station within a carport, under an awning, or are building your cover, there must beat least 8’ of free space abovethe grill.

If the overhang is constructed of flammable materials, such as wood, youmay need a vent hoodof some type as well. This is another specification you may need to address with your local building codes and insurance requirements.

3. Why is Grilling at a Distance Important?

While the importance of grilling at a safe distance from the house may seem obvious, there are a few specific reasons to keep in mind.

Increase air circulation

With adequate air space levels tofacilitate ventilation, spacing is essential toprevent gas or carbon monoxide buildup. Any build-up can lead tosudden flare ups and firesthat can quickly spread.

Limit smoke damage

Where there’s fire, there’s smoke. As smoke escapes from your grill, you want it to dissipate adequately in the surrounding air. If your built-in grill is situated too close to the house or located under an eave or awning,smoke damage can occur over time.

Avoid siding damage

Heat emitting from your grill can damage your home’s siding. Vinyl siding is susceptible to high temperatures from a grill, andit can melt. Loose or rippled siding poses other risks, such as structural damage, leaks, and even building movement. This can be detrimental, especially if you decide to sell your house one day.

If you have vinyl siding, you must place your grillat least 10’ away from your home.

4. Lower Risk of Fire and Damage with Fire-Retardant Materials and More

To add anextra layer of safety measures, once you find the ideal location for your built-in grill,prepare the area with fire-retardant materials. The strategic placement of these materials can protect wall areas and any overhangs and limit a fire’s potential to spread to your home.

Such fire-retardant materials include:

5.Grilling Safely

The materials you build your grilling station with can provide more safety andgive you peace of mind. You’ll worry less about leaving the grill while it cools down or the charcoal burns out.Keep a fire extinguisher nearbyfor easy access if needed.

READ ALSO:Safety Tips OnGrilling On Wood Deck.