Patio covers are the perfect way to extend your current living area into the backyard or to create your own separate area in the yard. With a grill added into the mix, you can extend your kitchen at the same time. However, when grilling out on your backyard patio, especially if you have a patio cover of some sort, it is important to consider a few things to make sure that you are still creating a safe and fun environment for all of your guests.

Try to Avoid Placing Your Grill Directly Beneath the Patio Cover.

Whether you have a charcoal, wood or gas burning grill, it is going to put off a lot of heat. As a general rule, the heat is going to rise straight up. Therefore, you need a well-ventilated area for your grill. If your grill is placed directly beneath your patio cover, the heat could cause the patio cover to become damaged. Even if it doesn't damage the cover, it isn't going to allow the heat to escape, which is going to heat up the atmosphere and make it less enjoyable. Therefore, you need to try to place your grill somewhere so that it isn't directly underneath the cover. Alternatively, you may want to consider a retractable patio cover, which can be moved out of the way to allow the heat to escape, or a lattice patio cover, which will allow the heat to escape between the pieces of lattice. Don't forget to also keep your grill at least 15 feet away from your house or any other solid structure.

Take Mind of the Direction That the Wind Is Blowing.

Aside from heat, smoke is another thing that you will have to deal with when grilling. For that reason, you need to see which direction the wind is blowing. Once this has been determined, set your grill up so that the smoke will not blow toward your guests and will blow away from them. The last thing you want to do is smoke them out before they've had a chance to taste your grilling. A retractable or lattice patio cover can help ensure that the smoke leaves the patio area, just as it does with the heat.

If your patio cover has been damaged and you need to have it repaired or replaced, contact a professional if you do not feel comfortable handling the task on your own. If you don't have a patio cover yet, contact an patio cover seller or an expert installer in your area as soon as possible so that you can start enjoying the many benefits that a patio cover can offer.