Would this propane fire table be safe under a covered porch? The porch ceiling is 10 ft 9 inches. So the surface of the fire table would be 8ft 10 inches from the ceiling.
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Replies
Probably A Bad Idea
With the sides of the ceiling closed in, you would be trapping the heat at the ceiling. I expect that, at minimum, you'd get charring and blistering of the paint up there, over time.
Likewise, the ceiling fan in the second picture is sure to suffer.
At this point, someone is sure to say something like "but we'll only use it on the 'low' setting." Sure you will- but even that heat will be trapped by that ceiling.
Try this: Operate a BBQ with tree branches a similar distance above. You'll be surprised at how far up the leaves are damaged.
If you're going to be stubborn, at least mount a fire sprinkler overhead; you'll know right away when the temperature up there reached 165F :D
Thanks....
Thanks for the comment.
It all depends on how big a fire you plan on building. If it is just a little decorative flicker, probably no problem. If you plan on a fire to warm your behind on a chilly evening, you may have a problem.
It is not the temp. of the air that may accumalte at the ceiling, but the radiant heat that could possiblly be generated by a roaring fire. You could try installing a heat dectector (not smoke detector) on the ceiling. Over time you may also see smoke/soot accumilting on the ceilling.
Reverse the ceiling fan to blow up to disapate heat at the ceiling.
Yeah, you've got basically two problems:
How reliably can you prevent a flare up of some sort that creates waist-high flames, if only for a minute or two. Such an incident would be sufficient to immediately damage the paint, and, on a bad day, actually start a fire.
The radient (infrared) heat from the unit will bake the ceiling over time, even on relatively low settings. The paint will crack, the wood will split, and, not incidentally, the kindling temperature of the wood will be signficantly reduced.
I'd only recommend using this thing if the ceiling is replaced with heat/fire-resiatant materials of some sort.
(And ditch the ceiling fan.)
User
I wouldn't do it, but what do the specs say about clearances?
Duct You!
Please note most concerns would be addressed with a proper hood and exhaust duct.
I've used a propane grill that gets over 700 degrees under my much lower and enclosed on 3 sides porch for many years with no issues at all.I suppose there could be some smoke discoloration but if there is it's not noticeable.
Not a problem
I can't believe some of the answers here....this is done all the time...no different from BBQ under a porch roof.. The propane burned is clean, so no soot problems. The porch shown here is open on 3 sides, so plenty of ventilation. The ceiling is high enough that the heat will dissipate adequately before reaching it... common sense tells you not to put it near the walls, but other than that, I would not hesitate to put on the deck/porch you have shown... If you're still unsure, take a temperature reading at the ceiling with the firepit in use....I'm confident there will be very little to worry about..