Have you ever found yourself in a situation that demands using a Blackstone Griddle indoors? It could be unfavorable weather or that time of the night when you crave a grilled burger.
Leading manufacturers, including Blackstone, discourage using Griddles indoors. But some people say that they use their 17-inch Blackstone Griddle indoors without any problem. So, should you or should you not use your Griddle indoors?
Can You Use a Blackstone Griddle Indoors
It is not a good idea to use a Blackstone Griddle indoors. Griddles produce lots of latent grease vapors, which are highly flammable. The Blackstone company claims that its flat-top grills are strictly for outdoor use. Griddles with a suppression system and commercial hood are relatively safe but can also be dangerous if not well maintained.
Factors to Consider Before Using a Blackstone Griddle Indoors
Propane Gas
A Blackstone Griddle uses propane gas for combustion. If you want to cook with a Griddle indoors, you will need a reliable propane supply.
The cooking fuel used in most household stoves is natural gas. Therefore, you cannot switch it around when using a Griddle. In this case, you will need to buy a bottle of propane.
There are outdoor-styled propane tanks that you shouldn’t bring into the house. There are also smaller propane cylinders suitable for indoor use.
Odors and Gases
Improper combustion of propane creates carbon monoxide, a silent killer gas. This odorless gas does not dissolve into the air and requires a well-ventilated outdoor system to get rid of it.
Inhaling too much carbon monoxide for a prolonged period could result in severe health complications or death.
The common symptoms and effects of carbon monoxide poisoning include:
- Chest pains
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath
- Body weakness
- Seizures
- An upset stomach
- Persistent vomiting
Note: People with severe carbon monoxide poisoning mostly lose consciousness before showing any symptoms.
Open Frame
Cooking with a Griddle in a room with flammable substances and materials is disastrous. A spark from the open flame can ignite a fire that is tough to put out. The propane tank also can cause a fire hazard if it blows out.
When using a Griddle indoors, ensure that the room is well-ventilated and no flammable/ explosive materials around.
Smoke
Griddles produce a lot of smoke during use. It gets worse if the food you are cooking has a lot of fat and grease.
The hot Griddle plate causes the grease to melt and catch fire, producing a lot of smoke in the process. The smoke fills the air in your kitchen, and getting rid of it is strenuous due to minimal ventilation.
The Mess Created by Griddles
Cooking on a hot plate is a bit messy, no matter how careful you are. Grease splatters and hot oil pops from the Griddle plate and lands on your countertop, cabinets, kitchen walls, dishes, and appliances.
This way, you will have a little more mess to clean up after cooking. The Griddle needs special cleaning, seasoning, and storage after every use to protect it from rust and dust.
You will need to know how to dispose of the grease left behind after griddling. Do not pour it down the drain, as it will clog the drainage pipes.
The utensils used to cook and serve griddled food also need special attention. You will need to remove the excess grease from them first before washing them in the sink.
Faulty Valves and Connectors
If you use your Griddle often, ensure that its connectors and valves are in good condition. The valves regulate gas flow and are likely to wear out over time.
Faulty valves can cause gas leakage, which is fatal when using the Griddle indoors. Prolonged leakage could lead to gas blow-outs, resulting in severe burns and related injuries.
If you use your Griddle indoors, let an expert inspect it every few months to determine whether or not the valves and connectors are faulty.
The Size of Your Griddle
The size of your Griddle will determine whether you should bring it indoors or not.
Some Griddles are incredibly large, thus suitable for outdoor use only. There are also smaller versions that you can carry to the campsite and use indoors.
Blackstone Griddle sizes include; 17-inch, 22-inch, 28-inch, 30-inch, and 36-inch. The 17-inch models are the most appropriate for indoor use due to their small size.
Safety Precautions When Using a Blackstone Griddle Indoors
Proper Ventilation
Ventilation is the main barrier to cooking with a Griddle indoors. When propane burns, it produces carbon monoxide, a colorless and odorless gas that is very poisonous.
Since a Griddle is improperly ventilated, carbon monoxide accumulates to dangerous levels. For this reason, commercial kitchen Griddles have massive ventilation hoods on top of the cooking area.
Besides carbon monoxide, leaking propane is common when using a flat-top grill. Propane gas is also colorless and odorless but highly flammable.
As such, you need proper ventilation to keep all poisonous gases at bay. If possible, open all the windows and doors in the cooking area and leave them open during the grilling process.
You can also turn on an exhaust fan or ceiling fan to whisk away any carbon monoxide and leaking propane gas.
Place Your Griddle on a Safe Surface
You can use a heavy, unpolished stone because it cannot conduct heat or melt. Ensure that it is stable and sturdy enough to support the metal grill throughout the cooking.
A hot Griddle will melt laminate countertops and burn wooden countertops. Excessive heat can also penetrate through metallic surfaces such as stainless steel and heat them to dangerous degrees.
Keep Kids and Pets Away
When using a flat-top grill indoors, excited children and pets can always come to the cooking area. The hot cooking surface, popping oil, and poisonous gases expose them to a dangerous situation.
Before firing up your grill, enclose your pets in a separate place and ensure the children are in a safe play area.
Do Not Use the Griddle Near Heat, Fire, or Electrical Outlets
Avoid using your propane-fueled Griddle near the fireplace, electrical kitchen appliances, and any other place with open flames.
Any tiny spark can cause the gas to explode and cause devastating damage to property and personal injuries.
Note:
There are a lot of concerns in using a Blackstone flat-top grill in an enclosed environment. The Blackstone company also advises against using their Griddles indoors.
They recommend that you use your Griddle outdoors and at least 10 feet away from buildings, gas cylinders, and combustible materials.
Therefore, it is good to avoid using the flat-top grill indoors altogether.
Instead, you can consider investing in a Griddle pan. The pan is not as big as the hot plate but serves as a fantastic substitute.
You can use it on your kitchen stove to make restaurant-quality burgers without suffering the effects of propane gas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Use a Blackstone Griddle Indoors?
No, the Blackstone company advises against using their Griddles indoors. Flat-top grills use propane, and if this gas undergoes improper combustion, it produces poisonous carbon monoxide.
Griddles cook under an open frame which poses risks of explosions if there is gas leakage or when used near flammable materials. For these reasons, you should never use a Blackstone Griddle indoors.
Are Blackstone griddles safe?
Blackstone Griddles are very safe as long as you handle them correctly and responsibly. Ensure that you use a Griddle in a well-ventilated outdoor space, do not use it near flammable substances, and never hold the hot plate with bear hands.
Also, do not allow kiddos or pets to touch or play around with a hot Griddle.
Can I use my Blackstone Griddle in the garage?
You can use a Blackstone Griddle in the garage, although it is not advisable. You will need enough room and ventilation to operate a flat-top grill safely. You should also ensure no flammable materials, gas, or chemicals in the garage.
Is it safe to grill in a garage with the door open?
It is not advisable to grill in the garage even with the door open. The garage door may not offer enough ventilation to eliminate the carbon monoxide, which results from improper combustion of propane gas.
Wrapping Up
It is possible to use a Blackstone Griddle indoors, but it is not recommendable. Griddles produce latent grease vapors, which are highly flammable. They also use propane gas, which produces deadly carbon monoxide if it undergoes improper combustion.
It is safe to use a Blackstone Griddle in a spacious, well-ventilated outdoor space.