Can a Blackstone griddle be used indoors?
Oftentimes, I have been asked by my readers whether I can use a Blackstone griddle indoors. I have also see people asked this question in cuisine forums? can Blackstone griddle be used indoors? So, I have decided to write a detailed post on this issue and I have drawn my own coclusion after doing a bit of reserach in the internet. Read on if you are interested.
Blackstone is one of the topmost manufacturers of griddles and grills. If you’re a grilling enthusiast, you may have heard of griddles or grills earlier.
These terms are often used interchangeably, although they are very different. For example, grills are usually grooved, while griddles are usually flat.
But that’s just a small detail. Grills are usually large and flat, and they have a rectangular shape. They are usually made of stainless steel or cast iron and have a connected wooden or PVC handle.
The cooking surface receives the heat from below and diffuses it. Thus, food is cooked by the oil spread on the plate, while the meat is cooked often with its own juice.
Griddles are also known as hot plates and you may have seen them in restaurants. Popular items such as sandwiches and hamburgers are cooked on a griddle. Using a conventional cooking method, these items can be fried quickly and easily.
Many cookers and grills also come with griddle accessories. However, the underlying principle is always the same: gas-fueled flames provide heat to the metal surface so that you can cook the food in whatever way you like.
If you are so inclined, you should also consider adding a griddle pan to your home kitchen. They are usually not very large and are a great replacement for large cooktops. This way, you can make restaurant-quality burgers from your home kitchen!
The griddles made by Blackstone, however, are a little different. They are larger and you will need a lot of experience to use them to their full potential.
The company itself states that their griddles are not intended for indoor use. Their answer is pretty succinct, though. For, they don’t mention why these griddles shouldn’t be used indoors.
Some people will tell you that their 17-inch griddle (a popular choice) is perfectly fine for indoor use.
Cooking with a griddle indoors
You should keep in mind that this is a complete griddle, not just a grill pan, so it’s not recommended for indoor use. It uses propane gas, just like the stove in your home. But the similarities aren’t so obvious.
First of all, you need to take safety precautions and combustion considerations before you light it.
The first obvious thing you need to consider is the use of propane. If you want to cook with the Blackstone griddle indoors, you will need to use propane. The natural gas in your home is not propane, so you can’t switch to it.
Instead, you will need to purchase a propane tank to use the grill. There are outdoor style propane tanks on the market that you should not bring into your home.
Propane gas does not disperse easily into the air, and you will need a strong venting system to get rid of it. There are smaller propane cylinders that you can buy and use as well.
But as we mentioned earlier, there are a few important things to consider when using propane.
Burning propane is known to create carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is an odorless gas that is usually produced when your stove isn’t burning properly. Without diving too deeply into the science, you should know that carbon monoxide is very harmful for human health and consuming it for a long time can be fatal.
If combustion is incomplete, it goes to produce carbon monoxide. Incomplete combustion usually occurs when the ideal ratio of propane to air is disturbed.
More importantly, if you educate yourself about the harmful effects of carbon monoxide, you will understand that you should not take any chances.
There are also other hazard considerations that you should take into account when using a griddle in your home. First, there is the open flame factor. This is obviously not critical for most people, but if you have stored the barbecue in a room with flammable materials such as curtains or clothes, the open flame is a serious problem. It’s simply a surefire recipe for a disaster!
If the open flame causes a fire, it will be incredibly difficult to extinguish. The propane tank that you need to use with the barbecue poses an additional safety problem, and the risk of explosion is also high.
When cooking with a griddle indoors, always make sure you place it in a well-ventilated space where there are no hazardous materials.
Most importantly, you need to think about the mess that occurs when you cook on a griddle. Firstly, there is always hot oil and grease, which tends to spill out from time to time.
It will fall down on both sides of the table and the worktop will get dirty. If you’re a fan of cooking, this won’t be a big problem for you, but it’s obviously difficult to deal with.
It’s not a big problem for most people, as many professional chefs tend to clean up during cooking.
And then there’s always the issue of smells and fumes. Harmful gases like carbon monoxide are considered silent killers because of their harmfulness. If you haven’t cleaned the griddle properly, the poor combustion will release this gas into your home.
If you notice a strange gas smell in your home, turn off the flame and then take the grill out to investigate exactly what part is causing the problem or leak.
These grills are simply not designed for indoor use, so you should only use them in a well-ventilated outdoor area.
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning
You should also be aware of the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, which is a very dangerous thing. This is important because most people are not aware of their symptoms.
The symptoms are not very noticeable and most people think they have the flu. Common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are stomach pain, weakness, regular vomiting and shortness of breath. Many people are also confused and have chest pains.
Remember that carbon monoxide poisoning can also kill a person. Many people exposed to high doses usually faint before they feel any symptoms.
Defective valves
If you use the Blackstone griddle often, you should always check the plugs and valves. You will have to turn the valves repeatedly, so it is important that you learn how they work.
If you turn the valve too far the first time, the flame will be bigger. However, this is not the problem. One of the biggest problems with cooking on a propane grill indoors is that gas can leak through faulty valves.
Like anything else, valves are susceptible to wear and tear over time. Since they control the flow of gas, a leak at this point can cause a serious problem. The gas will continue to leak and you won’t be able to find the cause of the problem.
What is more, it could lead to a blowout. Equipment failure is always a danger when cooking in a confined environment, and people have gotten serious third-degree burns as a result.
In fact, there have also been fatalities as a result of propane explosions.
If you use your griddle indoors, check it every few months. You can’t do this yourself, so you’ll need to call in a kitchen technician or expert to find out if the valves are leaking or faulty.
Because of the many problems associated with using the griddle indoors, not to mention the fact that the manufacturing company explicitly tells you not to, it’s generally wise to avoid using it indoors.
Instead, you should consider investing in a griddle as it can easily help you cook the same foods without having to worry about propane gas or other issues.
What you need for cooking
It is best to use a frying pan outdoors. But if you want to get the most out of your kitchen (whether you use it indoors or outdoors), there are a few important things to bear in mind.
Firstly, you’ll need to buy accessories to help you cook your favorite dishes in the griddle or frying pan. Here are some of the essential accessories you need to buy.
Spade and spatulas
These accessories are essential, and you simply can’t do without them. If you watch various videos of people cooking food on griddles around the world, you’ll notice that they all use spatulas and shovels.
Unlike traditional pots and pans, hotplates have a flat surface. This means you’ll need spatulas or shovels to lift those pots. There are a myriad of different products you can buy, so it’s best to do your research before making a purchase.
Infrared temperature gun
The amount of dry heat produced by a grill plate is considerable, so it’s important that you know the temperature at which your food will cook. The last thing you want is to pour oil on your frying pan and have it burst almost immediately.
Investing in a good quality infrared thermometer is a good idea, as it allows you to measure the temperature of your food without too much difficulty. There are usually cheaper options on the market for under $30, so you don’t have to worry about spending a lot of money.
The most important thing is that an infrared heat gun allows you to cook your food evenly. Often, the sides of steaks or meats don’t get cooked because the cooker doesn’t press them from both sides.
To avoid this problem, we recommend using an infrared gun and ensuring even temperature distribution. This way you will always get a great, well-cooked meat!
Grease boxes
The Blackstone griddle is also equipped with a grease tray, which allows you to effectively remove any fat that has accumulated on the bottom. It’s easy to remove the grease and you don’t have to spend a lot of time cleaning the grate.
However, by investing in a grease trap, you can easily collect grease in one place. They are made of durable aluminum foil, so you can easily dispose of the grease when you’re done.
Griddle bottles
A traditional oil dispenser may not be a wise choice with a Blackstone griddle because it produces dry heat. Instead, you should consider investing in special griddle bottles.
You’ll basically need two bottles. One uses cooking oil and the other uses water. From time to time you will need to sprinkle a little water on the frying pan to bring the temperature down.
These bottles have small drinking holes and tend to last a long time, making them a worthwhile investment for most people. You are really not required to spend a lot of money on these things, though.
Apron
One of the most important things you will probably need is an apron. Many people choose not to use an apron when they first start cooking on a griddle, but this is a very bad idea.
As mentioned above, a lot of oil escapes when using a frying pan. In a few minutes, you’ll find that cooking without an apron is the perfect recipe for getting your clothes dirty.
Getting a simple dark apron is a clever idea that solves this problem. There are also some great designs on the market, so if you want something unique, you can also choose them.
Wrapping up
Can Blackstone griddle be used indoors
Hopefully, by going through this post, you will have a sound knowledge about why you should not use a Blackstone griddle indoors. I would say, you can do it but the risks are many and you should use your discretion. However, I see no point in getting into trouble that might endanger your life.