How to Safely Grill on Your Outdoor Deck

The smell of smoldering charcoal drifts through the air as family and friends gather on the deck, eagerly waiting for the homemade burgers and roasted corn that are sizzling perfectly. It’s true–nothing brings people together like a lively backyard barbecue. While your outdoor deck may be the ideal spot for outdoor entertaining, it isn’t always the safest place for smoking summer favorites like savory sausages and shrimp skewers.  

According to the National Fire Protection Association, an average of 21,682 people were admitted to the ER from injuries involving grills between 2020 and 2024. 

However, by taking some safety precautions and using quality equipment, you can keep your cookouts fun and incident-free. We’ve created this guide to help you grill safely on your deck.

Whether you’re cooking with gas or charcoal, you’ll want to take every measure necessary to ensure a successful cookout. Although grilling is relatively safe, pay special attention to the grill and surrounding areas, especially on wooden decks due to its flammable nature and tendencies to stain.

When hosting a summertime shindig on your deck, be wary of dripping grease and free-falling food. Although they pose no immediate threat to you or your guests, grease and food residue are nearly impossible to remove from wooden decks and typically require a new coat of paint or varnish to mask blemishes.

If your family is known for frequently spilling the (baked) beans, consider installing composite decking. Unlike natural wood, composite lumber is low-maintenance and resistant to stains. Simply remove any excess spillage and wipe the area with a damp cloth for a quick and easy cleanup. Whether it’s splattered ketchup or grease from a leaky drip pan, accidents happen. Composite decking ensures a streamlined cleanup, allowing you to get back to enjoying your outdoor dining set.

When cooking with fire, it’s always best to play it safe. Before lighting charcoal briquettes, keep your family and deck protected from stray flames by adding a few grilling gadgets such as: 

• Grill mats: Protect your deck from burning embers and stubborn grease stains by placing a grill mat under the pit. Look for a durable mat that is heavy enough to withstand wind and extends a few inches past the perimeter of your grill. 
• Drip pans: When cooking fattier cuts or grilling at high temperatures for a short period, place a drip pan beneath the meat and on top of the coals. A drip pan will catch any trickling grease, making cleanups easier. It will also prevent any hazardous flare-ups.
• Safety gates: Nothing brings people together like a weekend barbecue by the pool. However, when children and pets are in attendance, it’s important to keep curious hands and paws out of harm’s way. Enclose the grill with a safety gate. Add a rocking chair set and a chest of ice-cold beers within that gate for the ultimate adults-only oasis. 
• High-quality grill brushes: Cheap cleaning brushes are prone to shedding, leaving sharp slivers of steel behind on the surface of your grill. Make sure you’re eating meat, not metal, by investing in a well-crafted stainless steel cleaning brush. Accidental ingestion of these shreds can cause cuts in your mouth or harmful damage to your digestive system. After brushing the grate, wipe down all cooking surfaces to catch any stray fibers. 

Since these cooking tools can be quite affordable, many people mistakenly choose the cheapest options or skip them altogether. However, this isn't an area where you should save money. Investing in quality equipment for your grilling tools is the first step toward enjoying a successful, flame-free cookout.

Hamburger or hot dog? Charcoal or natural gas? Natural wood decking or HDPE composite lumber? Whether you’re a grill master or a barbecue novice, you’re faced with several choices when grilling on your outdoor deck. However, when cooking with an open flame, taking the proper precautions should never be in question.