Every yard or backyard owner will probably have thought about grilling at one point, but if you have a turf you might be wondering, ‘can you put a grill on grass?’
Generally speaking, you should not put any kind of grill on grass for several reasons. One, the uneven surface can cause instability and injury to the cook and guests.
Two, the heat and the open flame can make the grass catch fire or cause irreversible damage.
Can you put a grill on grass?
Grilling on grass is generally not recommended, especially during the hottest parts of the year. The dry grass can act as kindling and catch fire easily from burning charcoal, fat leaks and liquid fuel, among others.
Grills are outdoor cooking equipment and should not be used indoors. Safety rules state that the grill must be at least 25 feet away from your house or building, and that you should avoid using them on garages, carports, decks and patios.
The reason for this is simple- you’ll have an open flame which may cause susceptible objects to combust or explode.
Then there’s the problem of instability. Lawn grass might appear to be level, but when you place heavy equipment such as cookers and grills you’ll find that it isn’t so.
Grilling appliances on wheels might suddenly roll off, or those on stands might tip over and cause the charcoal or fuel to spill on your grass. All these things can lead to accidents, injury and burned grass.
The same holds true for homeowners who have artificial grass. Although most of them sold in the market are fireproof, they can still melt when they make contact with embers and hot charcoal. The smoke that comes from burned plastic is noxious and dangerous to people and pets.
The bottom line is that it’s possible to put a grill on grass and cook successfully with it, but you’ll have to be very careful. Most people wouldn’t think of putting a layer between the grill and the grass but it’s not considered safe. Plus, the meat you cook might be uneven in that one side is under while the other is over.
What to Put Under Grill on Grass?
If you really want to grill on grass then you can get something that makes the ground even and protects your grass. It’s okay to put your griller on a stone or even dirt surface as long as you observe a 5-foot perimeter around it. Paving stones, deck tiles and a grill mat can also serve as excellent in-between materials.
Paving Stones
There are several types of paving stones you can get, including concrete or brick. You won’t necessarily need to install them onto your grass- you can just get a non-permanent paving stone you can bring out if you wish to do some grilling.
Paving stones provide a proper and even grilling surface and keep your grass safe and relatively intact. Afterwards, you can remove and put them in the shed or garage.
The process might be more damaging to the grass than other methods but at the very least you and the others stay safe and there’s less chances of the grill tipping over.
Deck Tiles
Deck Tiles are similar to paving stones in that they provide a flat surface for optimal grilling. However, with deck tiles you’ll have the option to allocate a special spot for grilling and install it permanently.
Interlocking deck tiles serve to accommodate any grill type or size which means you get the exact surface space you need for your grill. Granted, your yard might look uniform, aesthetic-wise but you can just remove it and put it back the next time you have an outdoor party.
Grill Mat
Grill mats are specially designed to hold grills and are usually made from fiberglass that’s coated with fire-retardant material. It’s also customizable in a way that you can cut it to the exact size of your grill.
With it between the grass and your cooking equipment you won’t have to worry about sparks, errant oil and charcoal going to your lawn.
They’re not expensive and they’re widely available online and in hardware stores, but you may need to purchase several throughout the grill’s lifetime.
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