Is it OK to BBQ on your balcony?

[nburge]

I just rented a new place with a big balcony, mainly because I like to sit outdoors and I wanted a private place where I could BBQ with my wife rather than having to fight for use of an oversized pit. But when I signed the lease I notice 2 terms:

- "no unauthorised storage" Not to keep or permit to be kept on the said premises or any part thereof any materials of a dangerous or explosive nature or the keeping of which may contravene any statute or subsidiary legislation"

And

- "void of insurance" - Not to fo or permit to be done anything whereby the policy or policies of insurance on the said promises against damage by fire may become void or voidable or whereby the premium thereupon may be increased"

Now, I used to live in South Africa where they would have a BBQ by the window in my office, so I'm certain there's a near zero risk of fire from a gas BBQ (or coal for that matter). However I assume the first one may stop me from legitimately keeping gas cannisters to power the thing.

I'm awaiting the rules from management, although it's a new place so they're taking their time, and I'm aware that some people may not appreciate a BBQ underneath them (I'm on floor 39, so only 3 higher, but the balconies are all identical so the smoke would rise up to the same point on their balcony as the BBQ sat on mine). A mitigating point is that (in the short time I've been here) it seems to be very windy outside constantly, so the smoke ought to dissipate quickly.

Has anyone had experience of this? Pros/Cons of having a BBQ on your own balcony? I'll be really sad if I can't grill up outside once in a while...

The other thing I saw was little "electric BBQ's" - has anyone used one of those and had reasonable results?

[nakatago]

I just rented a new place with a big balcony, mainly because I like to sit outdoors and I wanted a private place where I could BBQ with my wife rather than having to fight for use of an oversized pit. But when I signed the lease I notice 2 terms:

- "no unauthorised storage" Not to keep or permit to be kept on the said premises or any part thereof any materials of a dangerous or explosive nature or the keeping of which may contravene any statute or subsidiary legislation"

And

- "void of insurance" - Not to fo or permit to be done anything whereby the policy or policies of insurance on the said promises against damage by fire may become void or voidable or whereby the premium thereupon may be increased"

Now, I used to live in South Africa where they would have a BBQ by the window in my office, so I'm certain there's a near zero risk of fire from a gas BBQ (or coal for that matter). However I assume the first one may stop me from legitimately keeping gas cannisters to power the thing.

I'm awaiting the rules from management, although it's a new place so they're taking their time, and I'm aware that some people may not appreciate a BBQ underneath them (I'm on floor 39, so only 3 higher, but the balconies are all identical so the smoke would rise up to the same point on their balcony as the BBQ sat on mine). A mitigating point is that (in the short time I've been here) it seems to be very windy outside constantly, so the smoke ought to dissipate quickly.

Has anyone had experience of this? Pros/Cons of having a BBQ on your own balcony? I'll be really sad if I can't grill up outside once in a while...

The other thing I saw was little "electric BBQ's" - has anyone used one of those and had reasonable results?

liken electric BBQ's to oven toasters, but for bigger stuff?

[nburge]

Hmm, that's what I feared. Then again, I was skeptical about gas ones when they first came out too! Maybe one of the mini-gas ones (there's only going to be 2 of us in the place) will suffice... I doubt that would make much smell if I kept the lid on.

[nakatago]

these are not the droids you are looking for...

[ScoobyDoes]

I guess you can get away with that as long as you're discreet about it and inconvenience no one. And you keep it away and out of sight when you're not using it. But make sure it's really small and inconspicuous even if you're using it.

Ok, we never had this conversation.

I guess because you want to highlight that even if it is not written in the Tenancy Agreement it might actually be against the 'House Rules' of the condo itself....in which case they have BBQ pits to use most likely beside the pool?

[nakatago]

I guess because you want to highlight that even if it is not written in the Tenancy Agreement it might actually be against the 'House Rules' of the condo itself....in which case they have BBQ pits to use most likely beside the pool?

what the hell are you talking about?

[BillyB]

I hardly think BBQ'ing a few steaks or a bit of chicken or fish once in a while is going to result in 10 lashes.......Try it and act naive if questioned!!

[x9200]

Well, we have neighbors who do it and typically lots of smoke goes to our apartment. It could be really thick smoke. The only reason I have not done anything about this so far is they do it once every two weeks or so but I think it is very inconsiderate and no, it's not ok.
You may think the smoke will quickly dissipate (so it may appear in our place - very drifty) but it goes right inside.

[nakatago]

Well, we have neighbors who do it and typically lots of smoke goes to our apartment. It could be really thick smoke. The only reason I have not done anything about this so far is they do it once every two weeks or so but I think it is very inconsiderate and no, it's not ok.
You may think the smoke will quickly dissipate (so it may appear in our place - very drifty) but it goes right inside.

methinks electric grills could be ok or even this.

[x9200]

methinks electric grills could be ok or even this.

Methings the same. Normally the problem is water in the charcoal. Once everything glows red the problem is negligible.

[Strong Eagle]

Just do it.

[nakatago]

I'm guessing nburge is just getting the no u-turn syndrome?

[carteki]

Well, we have neighbors who do it and typically lots of smoke goes to our apartment. It could be really thick smoke. The only reason I have not done anything about this so far is they do it once every two weeks or so but I think it is very inconsiderate and no, it's not ok.
You may think the smoke will quickly dissipate (so it may appear in our place - very drifty) but it goes right inside.

Apart from the fact as to whether or not the rules allow it - have you thought how you would feel if your downstairs neighbours smoked out your apartment every now and then? I'm a saffer too and braaiing is as much a part of my culture as yours, but I am aware as to what the impact on my neighbours will be (and that is how the mgt are going to find out - when the neighbours complain).

[nburge]

I definitely don't have the "No U turn syndrome" - retarded rules must be broken!

I personally don't mind the smell of a BBQ, and I don't much care about the smoke wafting around, but I do understand that some people have a big problem with it (just like some have a big thing about noise late at night etc etc). I just happen to be pretty tolerant of others, and realise life's too short to get wound up. That said - the reason for this was to get others' experience so I don't end up getting chucked out on my ear.

For what it's worth the letting agent said I can do it, as long as it doesn't annoy anyone and that no-one can see me doing it. I'm thinking about getting a really small table top burner like this:http://www.outbackbbq.com.sg/products/o ... table-top/

I probably would use it a fair bit, but my balcony is quite long and goes round the corner of the building. Assuming the doors to the balcony above are in the same place as my doors, this would result in next to no smoke being wafted into either house. There are no other balconies in that direction either, so no-one will be able to see me do it. And I wouldn't be able to look over the edge of my balcony and see what's happening on the one below either, so if I get any complaints I'll blame the floor below

Thanks for the advice guys.

[JR8]

I see the issue as being split into two parts.

- You have to comply with lease and condo management rules
- you need to respect your neighbours (this likely ties into previous)

.... oh sod the analysis, I'd just go ahead and do it, trying to be discreet and if anything comes up as a result then deal with it.