Can You Use a Blackstone Griddle Indoors?

It can be tempting to try to use a Blackstone griddle indoors. After all, it’s such a versatile tool, and it can be a lot of fun to cook on. However, there are some dangers associated with using a Blackstone griddle indoors.

It is not recommended to use a Blackstone griddle indoors because of the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. When you use a Blackstone griddle or any other gas griddle or grill, it produces carbon monoxide gas. This gas can build up indoors and cause serious health problems and even death.

In addition to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, using a Blackstone griddle indoors can also lead to the creation of grease-laden vapors. These vapors are flammable and the grease from the vapors can also settle on surfaces, which again is a fire hazard.

So, while it may be tempting to use a Blackstone griddle indoors, it’s important to be aware of the risks involved. If you do decide to use one indoors, be sure to take precautions to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning and grease fires.

Wanna learn more details? Then continue reading.

Table of Contents

• Why Would You Want to Use Your Blackstone Griddle Indoors?
• What Are the Dangers of Using a Gas Griddle Indoors?
• Are There Safer Alternatives for Indoor Griddling?
• Conclusion
• FAQ

Why Would You Want to Use Your Blackstone Griddle Indoors?

You are of course not the first person in the world to want to use their Blackstone griddle indoors. In fact, it’s one of the most common questions people ask.

People want to use their griddle indoors for a variety of reasons. Maybe they don’t have an outdoor space, or maybe they just want the convenience of being able to cook indoors when the weather is not ideal or they don’t like the idea of using Blackstone griddle in winter.

When it is raining and you don’t have a covered porch or a carport, I would advise you to simply skip griddling and opt for traditional cooking inside. I get it, griddling is addictive and some of the dishes you can make on a griddle are next-level delicious. But honestly, it’s just not worth the risk of burning your house down.

What Are the Dangers of Using a Gas Griddle Indoors?

First, let’s have quick look at how Blackstone griddles work. A Blackstone griddle is a type of cooking surface that uses propane gas to heat up. When propane burns, it produces a tremendous amount of heat which is then transferred to the griddle surface.

The generated heat can set things on fire very easily if the griddle is placed close to flammable objects. It is easy to place the griddle in a safe place outdoors. But indoors, it is usually a whole different story because of limited available space.

Also when propane burns, it may produce carbon monoxide gas which is a dangerous gas.

What is carbon monoxide and why is it dangerous?

Carbon monoxide or CO is a colorless and odorless gas that’s produced whenever any type of fuel is burned and the combustion is incomplete. In simpler words that means when there’s not enough oxygen to complete the burning process, carbon monoxide is produced.

CO is obviously not only produced by gas griddles, but by all sorts of fuel-burning machines such as furnaces, water heaters, cloth dryers, fireplaces, and even cars.

So why is CO dangerous? Because when inhaled, carbon monoxide prevents the blood from carrying oxygen to the body’s organs and tissues. And since the brain is one of the first organs to be affected by lack of oxygen this type of poisoning can quickly lead to loss of consciousness and even death.

Carbon monoxide is usually not a problem outdoors but indoors, without adequate ventilation, it can rapidly build up to dangerous levels.

According to Healthline.com, carbon monoxide poisoning may exhibit the following symptoms:

• dull headache
• weakness
• nausea
• vomiting
• confusion
• dizziness
• difficulty breathing
• death

The main danger of CO lies in the fact that you cannot see it, smell it or taste it. There are real-life horror stories with entire families dying in their sleep because of a furnace malfunction or a blocked chimney. So, please, take the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning seriously.

If you do decide to use your griddle indoors make sure you have a well-ventilated area and never leave it unattended.

What are grease-laden vapors?

Another danger of using a gas griddle indoors is that it produces grease-laden vapors. These vapors are not only flammable but the grease from them can also settle on surfaces and become a fire hazard.

Grease-laden vapors are produced when you are cooking meat products, or cooking with oil, butter, lard, and other greasy substances, including non-stick cooking sprays such as PAM.

When you are cooking on your stovetop, you most likely have a range hood running that extracts the odors and vapors outside and therefore prevents the grease-laden vapors from settling on surfaces.

But when you are using a Blackstone griddle, there is no hood fan to ventilate the area, so the vapors can quickly settle on surfaces, create a mess and over time become a fire hazard.

Consider the risks of open flame

Having an open flame inside your house is generally a bad idea. Of course, many people use gas stoves to cook, but those have some safety features which significantly reduce the risk of fire.

Imagine that a simple blow of the wind through the window can cause your drapes or curtains to touch the griddle and catch fire in a matter of seconds.

Propane bottles can be a hazard too

Another thing to consider is that when using a Blackstone griddle you need to have a propane tank nearby. While the risk of explosion is low, it is still a possibility and you need to be aware of it.

There also may be problems with the valves and hoses of the propane tank which can lead to gas leaks. Gas leaks are extremely dangerous as they can cause explosions too.

Sure, all these could happen outdoors as well but the risks of losing your house or life are much higher when you’re using a gas-fueled appliance indoors.

Would you like to have a mess everywhere around the griddle?

Griddling is not exactly a clean activity. Cooking on a griddle usually requires cooking oil or other greasy substance. I am sure you know grease pops are a pretty common occurrence whether you are grilling, griddling, or frying.

Imagine a huge grease pop splattering your beautiful white walls or ceiling.

On top of that, when you are done cooking, you need to clean the griddle before you can store it. And if you thought cooking was messy, just wait until you see how much of a mess you can make while trying to clean the griddle.

Yes, Blackstone griddles do have a grease management system but still, it is not going to be a clean process unless you already got some of experience.

Are There Safer Alternatives for Indoor Griddling?

Yes, for indoor use, I would recommend getting an electrical tabletop griddle. Being electrical, there is no open flame, no gas, and no risk of carbon monoxide poisoning as there is no combustion.

Being tabletop, it also doesn’t require as much space as a full-size gas griddle.

Can an electrical griddle cause a fire? Well, yes, any electrical appliance can cause a fire if not used properly. Also, the griddle top is still getting very hot and can set things on fire. But the risk is significantly lower than with gas griddles thanks to the absence of open flame.

Don’t forget that grease-laden vapors can be produced even when cooking on an electric griddle.

Another alternative is a griddle top that you can place over your gas or electric coil stove. These are becoming more and more popular as they offer the versatility of griddling without having to spend too much money. For example, Steelmade makes such griddles. And they are Made in the USA if that is something you care about.

Or you can always just use a cast iron pan on your stove and leave griddling for when you can be outdoors.

Conclusion

So, can you use a Blackstone griddle indoors?

There are dangers associated with using gas griddles and grills indoors such as carbon monoxide poisoning and grease-laden vapors. So it is absolutely not recommended. Even Blackstone mention on their website that their gas range of griddle is not designed for indoor use.

If you are stubborn and insist on using your griddle indoors, make sure you open all windows to improve the ventilation and never leave the griddle unattended.

FAQ