It’s the weekend and it’s time to pull out the Pit Boss to smoke some wings for the big game. However, you look outside and it’s pouring down rain, and you don’t want the smoker to get wet. This has you thinking can I use a Pit Boss pellet grill in the garage?
Can You Use A Garage In The Garage?
You should Never use the Pit Boss or any pellet smoker in the garage. Even with the door open as it opens you up for a risk to fire, potential smoke build-up, and carbon monoxide danger.
That said, it doesn’t mean you can’t use your pellet grill during rainy, cold, or snowy days. I use my Pit Boss year-round. As a matter of fact, I just cooked wings this past weekend and it’s the second weekend of November.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the options you have to grill year-round.
As well as the risks you face if you try using the pellet grill in the garage. Plus, I’ll share a great alternative grill that works both indoors and outdoors if you don’t want to pull the Pit Boss out of the garage year-round.
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Is It Safe to Use A Smoker In The Grage? (Reasons Not Too)
Carbon Monoxide
If you do not already know, carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, tasteless gas that is highly poisonous. Most people don’t even know they are being exposed to it. until it’s too late or they start experiencing symptoms such as headaches, nausea, and vomiting.
High levels of carbon monoxide poisoning can lead to death if not treated in time. So how does this relate to using your smoker in the garage?
Well, carbon monoxide is produced when any material containing carbon is burned at high temperatures, including wood, propane, gas, coal, and even charcoal, which doesn’t matter when you’re using the smoker outdoors.
However, when you’re using the electric smoker indoors or in an area without a lot of ventilation, the build-up of smoke exposes you to carbon monoxide poisoning.
It’s best to pull the grill outside of the garage, where it will have plenty of ventilation and keep your lungs and the garage safe.
While not recommended, some people will open their garage door and pull the grill where it sits half in and half out of the garage. It’s not recommended and the owner’s manual specifically says to use the pellet grill outside.
If you are using your smoker with it half in and half out of the garage, install a carbon monoxide detector in the garage, preferably where you are cooking. It’s the only way you’ll know for sure if your grill is emitting dangerous levels of carbon monoxide.
Risk of Fire
Whether you’re grilling on a Pit Boss pellet grill like me or using a gas, charcoal, or propane grill, you’re dealing with fire. Flare-ups can happen both indoors and outdoors.
The biggest difference is when using your pellet grill in the garage, there are many combustible materials such as gas cans, lighter fuel, oil, paint, and other garage safety hazards that can add fuel to the fire.
All it takes is one flare-up and you’re looking at a potential fire that can easily and quickly get out of control. This is why using a pellet grill or any other type of grill in an enclosed area is not recommended.
If you decide to proceed using your grill in the garage, (not recommended) make sure you stay far away as possible from any combustible items, flammables, chemicals and etc.
Open the service door, garage door, windows, or doors to allow all the ventilation you can.
I recommend having a Kidde FA110 Multi Purpose Fire Extinguisher... nearby that can be used on flammable liquids that are commonly found in household garages.
Just remember the PASS method for putting out a fire. This video walks you through the process, which I’ll outline below.
- P-ull: Pull the pin to discharge the extinguisher.
- A-im: Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire.
- S-queeze: Squeeze the lever to discharge the distinguishing agent.
- S-weep: Sweep the extinguisher nozzle from left to right or back and forth until the fire it out.
In addition to the fire extinguisher, you’ll want to invest in a carbon monoxide detecter for your garage. Even if you don’t plan on grilling in your garage, it’s a safe way to keep your family safe from carbon monoxide poisoning.
If you do operate the pellet grill in the garage, at least make sure you don’t use it on a long slow cook or leave it unattended during the day or night.
At the end of the day, it’s NOT the best option, especially, when there are much safer options for grilling outside and still staying dry.
Smoke Buildup
Besides the risk of carbon monoxide, the buildup of smoke can create a potentially dangerous situation if someone who has asthma, burning eyes, or other respiratory problems enters the garage.
The pellet grill is popular for the amount of smoke it produces. At startup, it produces the thick “white smoke” as the fire rod starts heating up the grill.
The smoke will eventually dissipate as it heats up, but it is a smoker and therefore will always produce smoke throughout the cook that can build up in the garage.
Pro-longed Smell
You may not notice the smell a smoker leaves, because it’s usually used outside. However, when used indoors, the smell has nowhere to go but to linger on your precious items in the garage.
This may not seem like a big deal until you pull out your golf bag, baseball gloves, garden flags, baby clothing, Christmas decorations, or etc, and realize they have a stench on them.
Sure the smell will eventually go away, but it’s something you should be aware of when deciding to use your grill in the garage.
Where to Use Your Pit Boss Electric Smoker
So if you can’t use your electric smoker in the garage, where do you use it? Well, there are plenty of other options for homeowners, renters, campers, and co-op living residents to use their smokers without having to worry about any bad outcomes.
Just make sure there’s an electrical outlet nearby it needs to be plugged into a 120V electrical outlet to work.
Grill Gazebo
This is similar to an outdoor kitchen but much less expensive. Its main purpose is to protect you from harsh weather elements such as rain, snow, and sun.
Canopy Tent
A Coen L-GG001PST-F 8' X 5' Soft Top Brown Double... is a structure that has a roof and supports but no sides. You’ve likely seen a canopy tent in commercial settings such as fairs or outdoor shows.
Unlike the wood-built gazebo, you’ll have to set up/take down the canopy tent after every use, as it is not sturdy enough to withstand strong winds.
Covered Porch
If your home has a covered porch, then you already have a safe environment to operate your grill year-round. Just make sure the porch has at least 3 wide-open sides for superior ventilation, and you move the grill away from the exterior of the home before using it.
Having access to a covered porch also enables you to add a ceiling fan, outside TV, outdoor furniture, and a fridge to help you entertain your guests.
Alternate Grill to Consider
Maybe you live in an area where it’s just too cold to smoke? Or maybe you don’t have access to any of the options above.
It doesn’t mean you can’t grill your favorite foods year-round, it just means you need to invest in an indoor/outdoor electric grill.
It won’t be the same as smoking foods on your pellet grill. But it’s a great way to grill burgers, steaks, and anything else indoors.
- George Tough Nonstick Coating - There's a lot to love about this nonstick coating; it's durable, easy to clean, and removes the need for butter and oil
- Indoor or Outdoor Removable Stand - Don't let the weather keep you from the glory of grilling; the easy-to-remove stand takes you from patio to countertop in no time
- Adjustable Temperature Control - The temperature probe lets you choose from five heat settings to get the best results on any kind of food
- Apartment-Approved - Your landlord will love this grill just as much as you do because the fully electric system gives you high-quality grilling with no charcoal, no propane, and no flare-ups
- Included components: Use And Care Manuals
The George Foreman grills are extremely popular. These lightweight grills are great for use on the countertop, tabletop, tailgating.
It has a five heat adjustable temperature control setting making it easy to cook any type of food you want. It is an electric grill that doesn’t require any charcoal, pellets, gas, or propane, so you don’t have to worry about flare-ups.
Final Word
Pellet grills are safe to use when used outdoors. It’s not worth using it in an enclosed garage as it can cause carbon monoxide poisoning, other health issues, prolonged stench, and the risk of fire.
Hopefully, this article has provided you with some alternatives so you can stay dry, and keep using your pellet smoker year-round.