Pop up gazebos or canopies, as others may call them, are great at providing shelter…
If you’re considering cooking underneath a pop-up gazebo, then it’s an immediate no, you should think twice about cooking inside a fabric gazebo.
The roof section of a gazebo is constructed from polyester and this fabric can easily ignite and burn. Especially with the type of waterproof coating that is added to its exterior.
The side panels can also catch fire because they’re made from the same material but may have a lower level of PVC coating applied. Regardless, they can still ignite and burn.
If you’re looking to cook outdoors then check out these BBQ Shelter kits in the UK
Purpose-built BBQ gazebos generally include shelves for plates of food and serving utensils. The frames of BBQ shelters consist of powder-coated steel.
Why You Shouldn’t Cook inside a Pop-up Gazebo
- Your Gazebo May Catch Fire
- You May Breathe in Smoke or Carbon Monoxide
- Could Damage the Waterproof Coating
- Your Gazebo Could Blow Away
- Flame Retardant Gazebos Still Ignite!
- Can Get Too Hot Inside the Gazebo
Your Gazebo May Catch Fire
The canopy and side panels could catch fire. This is dangerous if you’re underneath but it could also be hard to put the fire out once it’s started.
Once the fabric is burnt, your pop-up gazebo is of no use at all and would need throwing away unless you replace sections of it and that is expensive and unnecessary.
You May Breathe in Smoke or Carbon Monoxide
Cooking underneath may potentially risk serious health issues.
Cooking inside a gazebo and with the sides down will create a poorly ventilated area which will cause excessive smoke inhalation.
Breathing In Smoke Can Cause:
- Coughing.
- Trouble breathing
- Sore eyes
- An Itchy throat
- Streaming nose
- Irritated sinuses
- Wheezing
- Chest pains
Could Damage the Waterproof Coating
Often during cookouts, you cook food that has a high-fat content that may spit hot fat and this could land on the underside of the canopy or on the sidewalls causing the waterproofing to melt.
Once the protective coating (PU or PVC) has melted then it would no longer be effective during rain. It would still be usable but not as effective. You may even end up with a large hole where the fat lands.
You could possibly try a waterproof spray to try and correct this but it would be a temporary measure as the protective coating you add manually would gradually fade become less effective.
Pop-up Canopies Can Blow Away
If your canopy is not anchored down properly then it can easily blow away. The last thing you’d want whilst cooking under a canopy would be for it to lift up and be blown away.
I have seen this happen first hand and the steel roof section, together with the legs can cause serious damage to whoever or whatever gets in the way whilst it’s being blown around.
All canopies should have anchor weights around the legs of the frame to hold it down. However, even should you use anchors, you should still not cook underneath your canopy…
Very Hot Underneath the Canopy
In hot weather, canopies can still be uncomfortable to sit under because ventilation is not always that good, especially if you have the sides connected.
Can you imagine cooking underneath a canopy too? As all the heat rises from the coals, the pointed roof section would hold a lot of the hot air, causing it to be very warm around head height level.
A vented roof canopy is better as this type lets air circulate and helps to keep your canopy environment cooler. However, you should still not cook under a canopy, vented or not vented…
