Question for fellow pellet smokers

[Flat Rocker]

I have a Blaz N Grill Works Grand Slam and for safety reasons, which I get, the recommendation is that the smoker needs to be at least 10 feet from the house. Cooking in the back yard, which I have always done, this isn't a problem. I'm curious if anyone has ever put their smoker in the garage, as close to the door as you can get, during really crappy or wet weather? In my 2-car garage, with a 16 foot opening, that would give me a little over 6 feet on either side of smoker if it were centered to the door opening. Is that asking for trouble or should there be enough clearance and air flow to do a cook if I had to? No cook is worth burning the house down for, and I'd be monitoring it constantly (never an overnight cook). If I had enough of an overhang to put the smoker on driveway I would, but it slopes so much that the smoker would never be level.
I appreciate any thoughts on this, and yes the insurance is current and paid up!

[RonB]

Some here have done that without problem. I would suggest using a fan to blow smoke out of the garage though.

Would it be possible to build a small platform to create a level space just under the overhang? That would move the cooker farther away from the garage? It wouldn't have to be much - just a piece of exterior grade plywood with a frame to keep it from sagging.

[Flat Rocker]

Maybe, but it wouldn't be easy. Someday, if it ever stops raining, I'll post a picture of the driveway and garage. Thanks man.

[EdF]

Yeah, I like the idea of a small, powerful fan blowing out too.

[kmhfive]

I put a frame and tarp up just outside of the garage door where I can fire up my GMG and the smoke stays outside, but I can sit inside the garage to watch it.

I have accidentally fired it up inside the garage and was surprised by the volume of smoke. I had no airflow or heat issues, just lots of smoke.

[rwalters]

I have used my pellet muncher and other smokers in the garage many times. With the garage door wide open, and a high velocity fan blowing the smoke out... it's worked like a charm

[CandySueQ]

Ditto on this! Fan is essential.

[gshayd]

I have a 32 x 30 carport with the first 10 feet dedicated to my smokers & Grills. I would suggest a good fan to blow the smoke out. These things put out some wind https://www.walmart.com/ip/20-High-V...Black/48947421

[Deaf Arty]

I've cooked on mine just inside the big door when it was raining, without a fan, but I have a side door (people size) at the other end of the garage, so I get a good air flow through. Now that I have an awning at the back of the house I have no need to use the garage any more. I agree that the fan is a really good idea. I just wasn't smart enough to think of it...

[FlaBouy]

Be a good boy scout and keep a charged fire extinguisher handy... don't ask me how I know that.

[Flat Rocker]

Here is the slope of the driveway (75') and how it drops off right out of the garage. A fan sounds like great advice if I ever decide to fire it up in the garage. FlaBouy : you know that we all want to know how you came to the realization of needing a fire extinguisher! Thanks everyone for your responses.

[FlaBouy]

That intel is classified "Need to Know" brother and is not mission critical.... I suppose no one else has ever experienced a hopper fire before. Asking for a friend. Carry on.

[Eugene A]

I just acquired a Camp Chef Woodwind. I haven't used it to cook anything yet; but, I did run some tests, e.g. seeing how the pellet use progressed while it was heating up; keeping tabs on temp fluctuations; seeing how long the feed cycle actually ran. I keep the grill in my lanai, screened in on two sides, against the back wall. When I use it, I pull it away about a foot or so (stucco walls). I have a ceiling fan, which I keep on low. I also have my gas grill and my propane smoker in the lanai -- on the screen side of the lanai. I haven't had to resort to using the garage for any cooks.

[Dr ROK]

I have set up my rec tec mini in my garage. I just open both the double garage door and the regular entry door on the back side of the garage. Plenty of breeze here in Nebraska on a daily basis to keep the smoke moving out without using a fan.

[Flat Rocker]

Unfortunately my 2nd garage door leads to the house so that's not an option. I did pick up fan a couple of weeks ago, still hoping that the BBQ gods will let me cook outside for Thanksgiving, but plan B is the garage and the fan. I'm in western NC now, but I grew up in NE where the wind blows all the damn time. Where do you live Dr ROK?

[Dr ROK]

Morrill, it's about as far west you can get without hitting Wyoming.

[Flat Rocker]

Yep, know it well. I was born in Kimball and still have family in Bridgeport and Scottsbluff. You definitely know about wind my friend!