Proper BBQ Island Construction: Put LP tank under grill? How many vents?
Eric
I am a couple weeks away from having a company build an outdoor
island, and install my new grill (its a turbo elite drop-in). The plan
is for a cantilevered island, with two vented access doors centered
under the grillhead with room for the LP tank and a spare. The back of
the island would then have two 6X4" vents (one top, one bottom). The
area under the grillhead would have a heatshield.
I just got the grill today, and I'm flipping thru the manual, and it
is very specific about having having only ONE LP tank isolated in a
seperate enclosure, cross-ventilated, with a vented access door. It
also states that the barbeque enclosure should have upper and lower
vents (20 sq in minimum each) on both sides of the island.
I realize its generally a good idea to keep the LP tank as far away
from the heat/ignition source as possible, but is this a requirement?
Where can I find the code that regulates this? (is there one?)
Thanks,
BOB
"Eric" <wolfs...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:463d00da-3a2f-4f9e...@l42g2000hsc.googlegroups.com...
Check with your state and local building departments. A good plumbing
company that is licensed to do gas installations will know the codes.
BOB
Eric
I can understand venting the LP tank enclosure, but I am still trying
to figure out why the manual wants the sides of the built in open (see
links for scans of what I am talking about). I am guessing they are
thinking that if you turned the burners on without actually being lit,
the propane (being heavier than air) would flow out the louvers in the
grill, down into the island, and then out the vents. To me this seems
like even more of a risk. What if the vents in the island were clogged
or something. Now you are filling the entire island with propane.
Wouldnt it be better to leave the walls around the grill solid? Worst
case is the propane fills up the grill-head (which is also vented).
This seems less dangerous than filling up the entire island...
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee189/bugman74/BBQ1.jpg
Eric
>
> - Show quoted text -
Almost forgot: This is how the island would be setup:
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee189/bugman74/Plan.jpg
Edwin Pawlowski
> to figure out why the manual wants the sides of the built in open (see
> links for scans of what I am talking about). I am guessing they are
> thinking that if you turned the burners on without actually being lit,
> the propane (being heavier than air) would flow out the louvers in the
> grill, down into the island, and then out the vents. To me this seems
> like even more of a risk. What if the vents in the island were clogged
> or something. Now you are filling the entire island with propane.
> Wouldnt it be better to leave the walls around the grill solid? Worst
> case is the propane fills up the grill-head (which is also vented).
> This seems less dangerous than filling up the entire island...
So you think the remote possibility of clogged vents is worse than the
guaranteed method of building a huge bomb may be worse?
Only one word comes to mind. Idiot
Put in more vents, not less, if you are concerned. The right mix of propane
under the grill can take out half your house.
Nonnymus
> On Jul 19, 7:21 pm, Eric <wolfsber...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>> Hi Guys,
>> I am a couple weeks away from having a company build an outdoor
>> island, and install my new grill (its a turbo elite drop-in). The plan
>> is for a cantilevered island, with two vented access doors centered
>> under the grillhead with room for the LP tank and a spare. The back of
>> the island would then have two 6X4" vents (one top, one bottom). The
>> area under the grillhead would have a heatshield.
>>
>> I just got the grill today, and I'm flipping thru the manual, and it
>> is very specific about having having only ONE LP tank isolated in a
>> seperate enclosure, cross-ventilated, with a vented access door. It
>> also states that the barbeque enclosure should have upper and lower
>> vents (20 sq in minimum each) on both sides of the island.
>>
>> I realize its generally a good idea to keep the LP tank as far away
>> from the heat/ignition source as possible, but is this a requirement?
>> Where can I find the code that regulates this? (is there one?)
>>
Having experienced an LP explosion firsthand, let me say I agree with
Edwin. Add more vents if you're concerned about blockage of some. The
heat shield, clearances and design shown on your drawings seem to be
well thought out, and sensible.
FWIW, let me add my $.02 worth of experience as well. I strongly
recommend that you use steel studs for framing and concrete board for
the siding, heat shield and insides (except shelving). Screw the thing
together and then do the stucco or tile over the cement board. I'd shy
away from any wood in the thing, and would use coated wire closet
shelving for any interior shelves. It has nothing to do with fire, but
instead with long term durability. Even here in the desert, I've seen
delamination of ceramic tile from plywood movement and even from frost.
If I were to build an outdoor kitchen (I cook outdoors virtually every
day), I'd want a solid countertop like granite or Silestone to eliminate
any delamination threat, and would use ceramic, stone or slate tile on
the sides only. Even Slate might be a questionable choice, since it's
more prone to fracture and delamination, even when sealed, in an outdoor
environment.
--
Nonny
Nonnymus
I'm not who you think I am. I'm not who
I think I am. I am what I think you think I am.
Eric
> "Eric" <wolfsber...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
Edwin,
The propane tank enclosure would be well vented, no argument there. My
concern is leaving the two sides open where the grill drops in (see
the 3 scans above). I feel like I would rather have those two sides
sealed, so that only the head of the grill could fill up with propane,
vs allowing it to vent into the entire enclosure...
Eric
>
> - Show quoted text -
So it looks like Tucson, AZ abides by the 2003 International Fire
Code. I've looked thru it, and it doesnt say much about LP appliances/
storage. It refers to the International Fuel Gas Code (which is also
vague), and NFPA 58 which I cant find a copy of. I guess I will take
a trip down to the development services office and see if anyone can
help.
Edwin Pawlowski
The propane tank enclosure would be well vented, no argument there. My
concern is leaving the two sides open where the grill drops in (see
the 3 scans above). I feel like I would rather have those two sides
sealed, so that only the head of the grill could fill up with propane,
vs allowing it to vent into the entire enclosure...
KABOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
It must be vented and not allowed to build up in the head. It must be
allowed to vent down. If you want to close the sides and add a vent some
other location, OK, but to seal it is just asking for trouble. Have your
neighbors post photos of the aftermath.
Eric
> "Eric" <wolfsber...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
I made a sketch - its not the greatest, but here it goes. What do you
think about the design below? It is similar to what the manual wants,
but modified for my application. The grill-head can vent into the left
and right chambers. The right chamber has the LP Tank. Both chambers
have two rear vents. The LP tank access door is also louvered. This
leaves the seatwall, the area directly under/behind the grillhead, and
the left-most portion of the island (under the round bar) sealed with
no vents (and they shouldnt be needed, since the propane wont enter
those sealed areas and will vent out the other provided paths).
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee189/bugman74/Island_design.jpg
Nonnymus
>
> Edwin,
> The propane tank enclosure would be well vented, no argument there. My
> concern is leaving the two sides open where the grill drops in (see
> the 3 scans above). I feel like I would rather have those two sides
> sealed, so that only the head of the grill could fill up with propane,
> vs allowing it to vent into the entire enclosure...
Perhaps the side opening is to allow air to flow to the burners for
combustion. Where is the air intake for the cooker?
Edwin Pawlowski
think about the design below? It is similar to what the manual wants,
but modified for my application. The grill-head can vent into the left
and right chambers. The right chamber has the LP Tank. Both chambers
have two rear vents. The LP tank access door is also louvered. This
leaves the seatwall, the area directly under/behind the grillhead, and
the left-most portion of the island (under the round bar) sealed with
no vents (and they shouldnt be needed, since the propane wont enter
those sealed areas and will vent out the other provided paths).
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee189/bugman74/Island_design.jpg
******************************************
Looks like it should work. What is directly below the grill head? Is that
sealed? If not I'd put the vent on the back below it if possible and/or
make that access door in front a vent.
Eric
I think your right. Looks like the openings on the side do double
duty as venting/air intake?
Eric
> "Eric" <wolfsber...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
Directly below the grill head is sealed. Its only for storage. No
vents.
Only the left and right sides are open to propane flow from the tank
and/or the grill head.