I'm close to moving into my newly renovated house but not sure if it's safe to grill on the deck. All of my grills have the enclosed ash pan. How do you guys do it? I suppose with a GA Performer there aren't any small coals or embers to worry about with a chimney if you get the coals going in the charcoal baskets.
Love to hear all your thoughts.
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My previous house was a composite deck. Used charcoal on it often. At the time I only had a OTG. I was concerned but never had any issues. I alway kept the hose close, tried to avoid windy days, placed my chimney on a 12x12 paver after I dumped it, emptied the ash bucket often. I would only use a grill with the ash bucket.
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With precautions im sure you can manage...
For me..i couldnt do it..i know id be thinking about it too mich post cook..bed time..
My solution was to install paver patio adjavent to my deck....
If you have a wsm or plan on doing long smoke sessions..best bet is to think ahead about whether you would second guess yourself going to bed with wsm running on your backdeck....composite decking can catch fire just like any other vinyl/plastic material....
Good luck with your decision
Quote from: toolhead on April 16, 2017, 03:12:35 AM
With precautions im sure you can manage...
For me..i couldnt do it..i know id be thinking about it too mich post cook..bed time..
My solution was to install paver patio adjavent to my deck....
If you have a wsm or plan on doing long smoke sessions..best bet is to think ahead about whether you would second guess yourself going to bed with wsm running on your backdeck....composite decking can catch fire just like any other vinyl/plastic material....
Good luck with your decision
I did similar. I poured a patio on either side of my existing deck. Plus it's easier to roll the kettles around on.
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I'm just not going to do it. It's not ideal as the deck has a set of stairs off the back of the house about 10-12 steps high so it'll be a lot of up and down. But it is what it is.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170416/eab9bd90bc30fce2d7b5a7292e623532.jpg)
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I don't use a kettle on a wood deck, but if I were going to cook around anything that was dry and could catch I know how I would do it. My first kettle that I scored on Craigslist was a 22 and it didn't have a ash pan. I used a pie tin set on the three one touch cleaning vanes to catch the ashes. Later I ordered a ash pan and it sets just fine on the vanes as well. I would put foil in it to make clean up easy. Air flows under the pan, up and around the edges and under the fire. Would work for most cooks. Everything stays inside the kettle happy cooker style except the coals are above the pan on the fire grate.. The foil reflects the heat up but don't know if it makes a big difference. Coals burn to completion. You could get a squirt bottle and spray the fire out if you were worried about leaving it unattended. I think a kettle with the premium ash pan would work just fine as well if you monitor it. I clean my kettles with the squirt bottle. The premium pan makes it easy. A hose is good too in case a live kettle got turned over. I have a gas assist and like it. I use a chimney but don't do the paper thing. I don't have a problem with a little charcoal starter if I don't use the Performer's gas assist. I feel like I get a faster start and don't fog the neighbors as much. I agree with the guys though, only you can decide what is safe for you.
Oh, I just remembered. My son in law has a Premium kettle and we use it all the time on a wood deck connected to the house. No problems yet, but maybe I should rethink about fire safety some.
Try this:
BBQ Deck Saver, put under your grill to stop grease and food on the deck.
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I would use a kettle on a wood deck if I needed to. Enclosed ash catch and shut vents when done. Maybe a pad or pavers under it.
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Quote from: Joetee on April 16, 2017, 05:26:08 AM
Try this:
BBQ Deck Saver, put under your grill to stop grease and food on the deck.
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Well the web page didn't show up. I'll try again.
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Quote from: Joetee on April 16, 2017, 05:26:08 AM
Try this:
BBQ Deck Saver, put under your grill to stop grease and food on the deck.
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(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170416/7a699f263d3ab2296cfa844d71473f4b.jpg)
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Aluminum hot water heater catch pan. Close off the outlet and add some water for an extra measure of safety.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-24-in-Aluminum-Drain-Pan-15013/205680995
Good morning and happy easter! I.have cooked on my wood deck for 18 yrs. Plus smoked in my wsm. Never a problem .where iam very careful is with the chimney starter. But on the deck on ly with ash catcher. The older webers go down on the grass. Good luck you will be fine .unless you have to many beers and miss the grill when you dump the charcoal from the chimney starter. C.W.
I use these:
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/HOP5/11430/N0026.oap?ck=Search_N0026_-1_-1&categoryRedirect=N0026&pt=N0026
and the 18"x26" pans
I have my kettle on the deck with one of those
Asbestos grill mats from lowes.. never a problem
My parents have a PT deck and grill on it ALL THE TIME. The kettles are on the deck with no protection and there hasn't even been a stray coal in 30 years; they have an offset that sits in side a pan my mom had put together for whole pigs, but that's more so to catch grease vs. fire protection....
I have always grilled on the deck. All my kettles have the enclosed ash pot. I would not do it with daisy wheels. The biggest risk is when you are dumping a chimney and one of the lit coals getting loose. I keep a water hose handy just in case, always stay near when I'm cooking and when I'm done I close off all the vents and have no worries about the grill shutting down safely even unattended.
I've been grilling on my wooden deck for the past 10 years using a Gen 2 performer or OTS with no issues. The one time I had an issue was when I was using a daisy wheeled Smokey Joe and had an ash go through. It left a mark but did not ignite. Given the lack of an ash pan, that was just stupidity on my part.
I do also have a hose bib within 10 ft of my grilling spot which gives me a little peace of mind.
Quote from: captjoe06 on April 16, 2017, 04:55:54 AM
I'm just not going to do it. It's not ideal as the deck has a set of stairs off the back of the house about 10-12 steps high so it'll be a lot of up and down. But it is what it is.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170416/eab9bd90bc30fce2d7b5a7292e623532.jpg)
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Looks like a nice set up Joe!
I also have to go down a flight of stairs to get to my grilling area, sucks sometimes, but you get used to it...
Plus you start learning real quick to take everything down with you to minimize trips up and down.
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Quote from: swamprb on April 16, 2017, 07:32:05 AM
I use these:
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/HOP5/11430/N0026.oap?ck=Search_N0026_-1_-1&categoryRedirect=N0026&pt=N0026
and the 18"x26" pans
This is what I used under my WSM until I built a small brick pad next to the deck. It worked very well.
Hi Joe, I think grilling on the deck isn't ideal but I wouldn't have any qualms doing so for an attended cook and cooldown time. The suggestions above are all great. Safety first! I would definately line immediately underneath the cookers. A grill mat is cheap and easy but you can also build a platform with non-flammable composite wood to be underneath the cookers or even the entire grill area depending on how it's set up. You should also install a fire extinguisher nearby and make sure that your family is trained. Some fire departments have free classes around the spring and summer time. Costco has nice ones locally but they are also readily avialable on Amazon. You might even consider installing a heat triggered fire alarm or sprinkler in that area. Check your local building codes before doing so. You can even go the extra mile by putting small hole expanded metal on the Ash catcher collar holes.Personally, I would use a WSM in a non-flammable area. Reasons being I'm always paranoid some asshole animal is going to tip it over when it's unattended over a long cook and embers sometimes fall out of the bottom vents.
Enjoy the new house!
I think with the grill mats or pavers under the kettles would be ok but you have to feel comfortable with your decision. Congrats on the new house!
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I use my 22" kettle on my wood deck all the time. Even overnight cooks.
Come to think of it...perhaps it isn't that safe???
It has the ash catcher. Perhaps I should build an area off to the side with concrete slabs to put the BBQ on?
Provided it's not crazy windy, I've been using a 3 x 5 ft piece of backer board under the cooker(s) on both wood and composite decks for years. No worries, dirt cheap and easily moved.
Quote from: kanewtz on April 17, 2017, 04:27:55 AM
I use my 22" kettle on my wood deck all the time. Even overnight cooks.
Come to think of it...perhaps it isn't that safe???
It has the ash catcher. Perhaps I should build an area off to the side with concrete slabs to put the BBQ on?
this..
we all have our own comfort level.. when i got into charcoal.. i looked at my deck and said.. cant do it.. i dont want to have to worry about the safety issues.. especially given i started with a wsm, which would run long cooks.
started on the lawn with wsm / grills on some pavers, on top of the grass... then grass stopped growing and the grills were getting rain/ mud splashes and that area started going downhill in terms of aesthetics..
paver planning idea popped up and next thing you know.. was a big big hole...
whereas i have no issues with long/ exhausting process projects.. im glad that project is completed..
Quote from: toolhead on April 17, 2017, 06:49:28 AM
Quote from: kanewtz on April 17, 2017, 04:27:55 AM
I use my 22" kettle on my wood deck all the time. Even overnight cooks.
Come to think of it...perhaps it isn't that safe???
It has the ash catcher. Perhaps I should build an area off to the side with concrete slabs to put the BBQ on?
this..
we all have our own comfort level.. when i got into charcoal.. i looked at my deck and said.. cant do it.. i dont want to have to worry about the safety issues.. especially given i started with a wsm, which would run long cooks.
started on the lawn with wsm / grills on some pavers, on top of the grass... then grass stopped growing and the grills were getting rain/ mud splashes and that area started going downhill in terms of aesthetics..
paver planning idea popped up and next thing you know.. was a big big hole...
whereas i have no issues with long/ exhausting process projects.. im glad that project is completed..
Do you have pictures of your setup??
I used the SSP on a wooden deck for 7 years....never a problem...but I used one of these just to be sure....
https://www.lowes.com/pd/The-Original-Grill-Pad-Fiber-Cement-Rectangle-Grill-Mat/50174799
I am on wooden decks but have a Costco mat. That mat has about 15 holes in it now after 2 years of cooking. A MBH if set up for low and slow with foil under the food and the vent underneath the coal closed at all times is a reliable way to use a oldie....in fact with a Happy Cooker internal ash pan added it is more reliable than a OTG I believe. I use OTG's on the decks for smoking and grilling but use them exclusively when grilling. But even then in my 4 years of using OTG's I have witnessed a ember come out on such an angle with enough speed as to escape through the upper holes on the ash pan ring. If I had not seen it I would not believe it.
I have been using my 3 wheelers on my wood deck for several years now. I do pull them away from the railing when I light them up. I have a fire extinguisher right inside the door just in case. The only slightly dicey part is using the chimney starter. I have no place else other than perhaps the driveway that I could use my grills. Someday I may add a small patio (to allow for grill expansion?) when money permits. Now that I have read this thread though.. it does make me think about adding a grill mat.
I used to, all the damn time. Even overnight cooks.
The ONLY burns my deck suffered were from me pouring chimneys.
I was typically very careful. I almost burned down my NEIGHBORS patio once. Some crazy lump charcoal I had sent floating embers downwind. There were literally little orange embers rolling around on their patio, bouncing off their patio furniture. No one was home, so I grabbed their hose and just soaked all their shit with water.
Good save Troy.
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So I did a bit of an experiment. Here's 2 pieces of 16 year old cedar. One I soaked with water first the other I left dry. I lit 2 fire starters and let them go.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170418/92924a1d80e9a65ad09f09d437d5ccd3.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170418/a33cc66b3c9d4b2be27e118f77b87fe1.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170418/d816dbf9a5519fdd92f2be3a52bf46be.jpg)
The first pic is startup. the second is a few minutes in. The last is once the fire went out. The top log is the soaked one.
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Do the same test with a fully lit briquette
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I'll try that tomorrow. These fire starters burned for almost 10 minutes on top of the wood.
I think where the biggest issue would be it that an ember would fall between the planks where there could be a build up of combustible bits.
I would guess that there is a 99% chance that nothing will happen, but there is a 1% chance that something could happen. Now there are multiple ways of doing things that would take the odds to 99.9999%. But in the end... there is always a chance that something could happen.
haven't done it, but what about making a "grilling area" on your deck and laying tile down.
Here's with lit briquettes 1 hr in. Wet on the left.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170418/9542e4f14f9dc8b735b3e9691bc5f91e.jpg)
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good test.. looks like we have a lot of like minds here.. testing/ comparisons etc..
as mentioned my concern with using charcoal grills on my decks is the real world environment.
under decks you have leaves/ dead grass clipping and everything else that builds up.. an ember falls through one of the deck gaps and thats were the risk lies.
less concerning is charcoal on the actual deck, given you would be able to see that readily and address it..
im sure there are plenty of folks whom carefully use charcoal grills on their decks and have no issues and they have their own comfort levels.
ie.. how many CL ads do we see with kettles/ performers obviously being stored / used on decks.. lots
Thanks for the tests. I'm just not gonna do it. I suspect if there was decent wind stoking a small ember things could be different.
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Here's a pic after the briquettes have burned out. About 3 hrs in time.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170419/5ed70acd864f2b3183103dfb09eb274d.jpg)
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Good to know Darko thanks for the experiment.
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Thanks. It was fun to do. I'm actually thinking about building a bunch of little decks around 12"x 12" with various materials and configurations just to see how they burn!
LMAO! If you have the miniature Weber kettles you could keep them for displaying the little kettles. Might even sell some here.
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I have 2 of the red ones. I'm still looking for a mini black.
Hey Capt Joe, I've grilled and slowcooked on my wooden deck for over 20 yrs and never had a problem ::)
(http://pics.weberkettleclub.com/images/2016/04/10/ReasonforAshPANs002.md.jpg)
Until I had a problem. While dumping hot coals into my char baskets one of the suckers got caught on the bottom ring and dropped out onto the crack between two deck boards. What you don't see here is that it was also hidden by a Whiskey barrel waiting to be cut up for oak chunks. It was a slow cook and as luck would have it my back was to the slow burn.
Since this happened I've rebuilt the deck with new Western Red Cedar (the one in the pic is over 25 yrs old ... a pretty good run). I still grill/slow-cook on my new wood deck, but I have three of the asbestos like floor covers from Home Despot. It's just the size of a Perf Dlx. When I use one of the daisy wheelers, I USE MY HAPPER COOKER INTERNAL ASH PAN without fail.
I'd much rather cook on the grass but my deck is on the main level of the house well above the ground.
As I see it; the problem areas are transferring hot coals, leaving the ash-sweeps open when pouring hot coals (especially lump, small lump), and brisk wind agitating the fallout when the lid is removed.
At my house (with it's new deck), I do NOT do overnight cooks unless I'm willing to sit and monitor the kettle/WSM.
SJ
I do, with a mat
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Just put a sheet of wonder board under the grill
Quote from: SmokenJoe on April 18, 2017, 09:23:00 PM
Hey Capt Joe, I've grilled and slowcooked on my wooden deck for over 20 yrs and never had a problem ::)
(http://pics.weberkettleclub.com/images/2016/04/10/ReasonforAshPANs002.md.jpg)
Until I had a problem. While dumping hot coals into my char baskets one of the suckers got caught on the bottom ring and dropped out onto the crack between two deck boards. What you don't see here is that it was also hidden by a Whiskey barrel waiting to be cut up for oak chunks. It was a slow cook and as luck would have it my back was to the slow burn.
Since this happened I've rebuilt the deck with new Western Red Cedar (the one in the pic is over 25 yrs old ... a pretty good run). I still grill/slow-cook on my new wood deck, but I have three of the asbestos like floor covers from Home Despot. It's just the size of a Perf Dlx. When I use one of the daisy wheelers, I USE MY HAPPER COOKER INTERNAL ASH PAN without fail.
I'd much rather cook on the grass but my deck is on the main level of the house well above the ground.
As I see it; the problem areas are transferring hot coals, leaving the ash-sweeps open when pouring hot coals (especially lump, small lump), and brisk wind agitating the fallout when the lid is removed.
At my house (with it's new deck), I do NOT do overnight cooks unless I'm willing to sit and monitor the kettle/WSM.
SJ
This...its that perfect series of events..
*.sorry to hear about ur situation*
I grill on my wood deck, I can't see how this could be a problem with a Weber kettle design, especially if you have an ash catcher. There's nowhere that a burning coal can escape. Just keep it reasonably far from the handrail and close the vents when you're done.
One problem I did have was when a red hot coal got stuck in a chimney starter and fell out as I moved it to the table, and burned about 1/2" through the deck. This was maybe the second time I used the grill and I've been paying close attention to the chimney ever since.
Added: I never leave it unattended for a long period of time, either.
I grill on a wood deck. That being said it is a "floating" deck that is not attached to my house and I would never leave it burning all night without supervision.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kds80xmLUPA
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170427/f9fc7434eb2962936505e7e3cbfcdc11.jpg)
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