Many people love to cook on their patio, but sometimes it can be hard to know where the best and safest place to put it on the patio. The answer will depend on the layout of your property and what you want out of it. Here are some strategies to consider when trying to find the perfect home for your Pit Boss on your backyard patio or deck.
Where Should I Place My Pit Boss Smoker On My Patio?
A good rule of thumb is to place your Pit Boss smoker on an accessible, flat surface that makes it easy for you to cook and is at least 10 feet away from your home’s exterior while in use. When not in use, it should be covered with a cover pushed up against the house to protect it from the wind, rain, and other elements.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the things to consider when trying to find a home for your pellet smoker on your backyard deck or patio.
#1 Choose the Right Size Grill
You’ll want a grill that is the right size for your balcony, patio, or wooden deck. Pit Boss pellet grills come in different sizes making it easy to find one that is the perfect size for your backyard space.
Before buying a grill, you’ll want to measure your space. Measure your patio, deck, or balcony to find out how much room you have for a smoker.
This will ensure that the grill you get is big enough to cook all of your favorite foods without crowding people at a party and it’s also not so large that it won’t fit in your backyard.
#2 Place It In An Area With the Best View
The biggest reason to have a deck other than a place to sit outside is the view. If you’re fortunate to have a great view of the mountains, trees or etc, don’t block it with the grill.
Before investing in a smoker, sit on your deck to note the spots that provide the best views. You don’t want to place your grill in a spot that will block the view, but you also want it to be accessible for cooking and keeping it clean.
Ensure there is enough space between the railing and grill. This way you can open/close the lid, stand behind it while keeping an eye on the kids, pets, and beautiful scenery.
#3 Shelter It From Wind and Other Elements
Those beautiful mountains that provide gorgeous scenery from your backyard are also the reason it gets so windy on the patio. Placing your grill in an open area that is prone to high winds will make it challenging to light or keep the grill at a consistent temperature.
This also means it will take longer for your food to cook or require more pellets for fuel consumption.
#4 Under An Awning
Placing the Pit Boss smoker under some type of coverage such as an awning, roof, or canopy will protect it from the elements such as rain, snow, and heat. Making it easy to use the grill year-round or in the rain without getting drenched.
The best part is setting the grill under an awning won’t affect the ventilation of the grill, making it safe to use.
#5 Position It Close to An Electrical Outlet
Pellet grills are electrical appliances that need to be plugged into a 120V outlet. Therefore, you’ll want to place it next to an outlet to avoid the inconvenience of running an extension cord.
If your patio or deck doesn’t have an outlet nearby, you can opt to install one by hiring a licensed electrician.
#6 Choose a Well Ventilated Area
Most backyard patios are open spaces with proper ventilation. However, if you’ve enclosed your patio with a screen porch, ensure it has proper ventilation otherwise you’re prone to carbon monoxide.
The pellet smoker must be placed in an area that allows the smoke to exit the covered areas. According to this forum, some people have used galvanized ducting to rout their exhaust stack outside.
#7 Ensure It’s 10 Feet Away From Your Home’s Exterior
Before turning on the grill, pull it at least 10 feet away from the house. Using it too close to the exterior of the home can cause damage to the exterior.
Ideally, keep it at least 20 feet away from your home’s walls with no obstacles such as bushes or fences in between them.
This will prevent any potential fires that may start when using the grill and you won’t have to worry about fumes affecting your family members inside of your home.
#8 Choose An Area that Gets Shade from the Summer Heat
Most people grill in the summertime, when it’s hot outside. Therefore, you’ll want to choose an area that gets shade from the summer sun so it doesn’t get too hot next to your grill or cooking station.
Grilling in direct sunlight will cause the smoker to burn hotter than it’s supposed to, causing you to overcook the food.
#9 Keep it Away from Overhead Branches or Outdoor Furniture
Be sure to avoid placing it under a tree that will drop leaves and other debris on the grill as well. Maple trees and pine trees lose sap, especially after they are pruned and the sap will ruin stainless steel grills.
If sap happens to fall on the grill, you’ll want to make sure you clean it off as soon as possible, especially, if you want to keep your stainless steel nice and shiny. Here’s how to clean sap off a stainless steel grill.
Keep the grill away from any patio furniture, bushes, or any other flammable materials.
#10 Place It Close Enough to the House Kitchen
You want the grill close enough to the house to make it easy for you to carry food, ingredients, and utensils back and forth. However, you don’t want it too close otherwise both the smoke and flies will go inside every time you open the patio door.
#11 Choose A Well Lit Area
If you plan on smoking meat in the early or late night hours, you’ll want to place the grill where it gets light. The last thing you want to do is use a flashlight or headlamp while trying to grill in the dark.
#12 Choose a Flat Even Surface Area
Choose a flat surface to park and use the pellet grill. Operating a grill on uneven surfaces may cause the grill to be unstable. Making it easy to tip over and cause injuries.
#13 Position the Grill So You Can Converse With Guests
Create a small area beside the grill that allows you to chat with family and friends while cooking.
#14 Keep It Away from Pets and Children
Pellet grills are hot and both kids and pets will always be distracted. Place the grill in a safe place away from where the kids play.
Parents need to teach their kids about grill safety and keeping away from it when it’s hot.
Setting some rules for everyone in the family will help prevent burns and accidents.
#15 Remove All Combustible Materials
When setting up the grill, ensure all combustible materials are at a safe distance from the grill. Items to keep in mind are outdoor furniture, umbrellas, branches, house siding, deck railing, and other grills such as gas or propane.
The Pit Boss owners manual recommends a minimum clearance of 305mm (12 inches) on all sides and front and back from combustible items.
#16 Consider Investing in An Outdoor Kitchen
If you spend a lot of time cooking on the Pit Boss pellet grill, maybe it’s time to invest in an outdoor kitchen. An outdoor kitchen makes cooking outdoors much easier, as you’ll have a specific place allocated for cooking.
Before investing in an outdoor kitchen, you need to consider if it’s the right option for you. If an outdoor kitchen isn’t in the budget, then consider a grill bump out.
A bump-out for the grill allows the front of the grill to be flush with the railing of the deck to help maximize deck space. This video shows you what it is and why you may want to consider one.
#17 Over A Protective Mat
Position your smoker over a grill mat to help protect it against heat-related damage and ugly cooking stains. A protective mat acts as a barrier between the heat from the grill and your deck.
If you forget to place the grease bucket correctly, the grease will land on the protective mat instead of the wooden planks of the deck. Cleaning the mat is much easier than getting the oil stains out of your expensive deck.
Grilling mats can be purchased for as little as $20 – $35 and will protect your deck from scratches, stains, scrapes, and other damages caused by a heavy grill.
Final Word
It’s perfectly fine to use a pellet grill on a wooden deck or outdoor patio. When placed in a safe convenient spot, it will enhance your outdoor cooking experience.
Hopefully, these tips help you find the perfect home for your smoker on your patio or deck!
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