05/27/2023
If it rains on your cookout, can you grill under a pop-up tent?
The short answer is "Yes," but the long answer is "Don't be stupid."
Here are MODE Magazine's tips to safely grill under a pop-up tent. (Note, tips are observations and not instructions. Be smart about any fire-related activity.)
FIRST! - Make sure you have a fire extinguisher, or two, near the grill at all times. This is the one super-important pack-along that 95% of grill masters forget.
#1 - Grill under a pop-up tent that is at least eight feet tall at the lowest edges. MODE recommends creating a "tarp tent" with a grommeted tarp, and two 12' and two 10' galvanized poles, you can get at any hardware store. (Search online for setup examples.) Or, buy a fire-resistant tent, not the cheapest one you can find.
#2 - Make sure any tent a grill is under, is OPEN on all sides. Carbon Dioxide will build up under tents with closed sides, even one, and yes, even if they are just netting.
#3 - Position the grill to one corner of your tent. Fumes will exhaust faster, and it's okay if rain gets on your grill cover. Just keep it closed as much as possible.
#4 - Make sure you can move around your grill; leave plenty of space on all sides, and don't store anything under an active grill.
#5 - If possible, "half-grill" your foods at home, the morning of your cookout. This will make getting them to perfect easier and most of all faster.
#6 - A gentle breeze is good, it will keep fumes and smoke moving away from the grill. If it'd totally calm, bring a small fan.
#7 - TIE / STAKE your tent securely. Use long stakes, augers, vehicle towing hooks, nearby trees, etc. One unexpected gust could throw your tent, tables, chairs, and YOUR GRILL all over the place.
LAST! - Don't skimp or be lazy, seriously. Pretend the worst possible thing might happen and plan accordingly. It's better to be prepared and not need it, than need it and not be prepared.
