612492 Thu Apr 16 09:26:19 -0700 2009 23 41 Cookware 0 4601217 Hello Hounds, I have a terrace in a city condo and want to legally bbq. While I know that gas grills, with propane tanks, are not permitted, I can't tell if this applies to gas grills with a dedicated gas line that runs from the apartment to the grill outside. I have seen these in homes, but not in apartment buildings. Do the rules vary from borough to borough, or are they the same for all? Does anyone know? Any help you can give me will be great. Thanks!! Thu Apr 16 09:26:19 -0700 2009 117539 doughreme 1 4601236 I think the only one who can tell you that is the managing agent for your building. It doesn't matter what the rules are, but what your building will allow! Thu Apr 16 09:29:17 -0700 2009 4601217 63331 blondelle 1 4601421 Well, to a purist, you are never going to BBQ with gas. This really isn't a cookware question though - this is condo policy / building code type of question. You'll have to check the condo rules to see if this type of work is even allowed - the "innards" of the building are common property, so not sure where 'your' pipes begin and "their" pipes end.. Thu Apr 16 10:10:36 -0700 2009 4601217 176367 grant.cook 2 4601501 ok. You're right. Not bbq, just grilling... I looked at some previous posts in this board regarding electric grills that didn't work well and I thought perhaps getting a gas line might be better than using electric. Yes, ultimately it is up to the building, but if other condo dwellers have experiences, it would be nice to know. Thu Apr 16 10:28:37 -0700 2009 4601421 117539 doughreme 3 4601590 I live in Hoboken where gas or charcoal isn't allowed on terraces (which makes no sense to me, as most everyone has gas cooktops smack in the middle of their apartments...). So I bough an electric grill. What a waste. I'll be selling it on Craigs list soon. Much better off with a grill pan over the inside burger. Anyone have an electric grill that actually works? Thu Apr 16 10:57:17 -0700 2009 4601501 124339 bnemes3343 4 4860590 I live in NYC and bought a Dimplex PowerChef so that I could legally grill on a terrace and was surprised that it got hot enough to grill steak and lamb chops. Give it a try and see if it works. I think it has a money back guarantee Wed Jul 15 08:26:16 -0700 2009 4601590 1093848 bbqnyc 3 4602371 It is also a matter of law, if it is legal. Make a call to 311 Thu Apr 16 14:32:25 -0700 2009 4601501 28577 Jack_ 1 4601573 I'm not a NYC resident (westchester county) but isn't this a perfect question for 311? At least as far as borough by borough rules; of course your condo may say different. Thu Apr 16 10:51:47 -0700 2009 4601217 18353 DGresh 2 4602416 Not sure about this, but I think the rules are in place primarily to prevent odors from drifting between balconies, not just fire. This concern would exist for any type of grill. Thu Apr 16 14:51:53 -0700 2009 4601573 193049 pothead 1 4602435 When I lived on E. 49 by the U.N., no way. And any licensed contractor will tell you with just a phone call. Those were NYFD regs, which trump condo association rules. If regs vary by borough, it should be an easy inquiry. Thu Apr 16 14:56:06 -0700 2009 4601217 57170 Veggo 2 4603225 You're right: the Fire Department prohibits cooking on NYC apartment balconies. And of course many (if not most) co-op and condo by-laws are consistent with this. Thu Apr 16 20:53:24 -0700 2009 4602435 20001 Miss Priss 1 4602440 i think any terrace grilling is illegal. never stopped me, but there it is.... Thu Apr 16 14:59:41 -0700 2009 4601217 135229 thew 2 4602543 In Toronto, a natural gas grill on an apartment balcony is legal. Some apartments even come with balcony gas lines installed. It is also legal to use the one pound propane tanks (the ones that fuel torches) for balcony grilling. The 20 pound propane tanks commonly used for grilling can't be taken indoors, so these are not legal except on a ground level patio. However, most buildings prohibit balcony grilling under their own rules. Thu Apr 16 15:43:02 -0700 2009 4602440 23411 embee 3 4602675 we were discussing NYC, not toronto..... Thu Apr 16 16:41:16 -0700 2009 4602543 135229 thew 4 4603019 Or, in other words, this would have been more appropriate on a NYC board rather than under "Cookware" - not that this would have been allowed by CH, of course :-) Thu Apr 16 19:26:56 -0700 2009 4602675 23411 embee 2 4603239 When my next-door neighbors first moved into their apartment, they occasionally did some illegal charcoal grilling on their balcony. They're very pleasant people, but I found it highly offensive to have my private space permeated by the overpowering and long-lasting odors of lighter fluid, charcoal, and someone else's dinner. Please think of your own neighbors when you next consider doing some terrace grilling! Thu Apr 16 20:58:43 -0700 2009 4602440 20001 Miss Priss 3 4603591 ITA!!! The reek of our downstairs neighbors' salmon/chicken/hamburgers was overwhelming and persistent. Not to mention the lighter fluid and smoke. Our windows are directly above their terrace and even closing them did not prevent the smell from entering our apt. There was no way to protect ourselves. It was like an alien invasion from a horror movie. Please! Some consideration for others in a crowded city. Fri Apr 17 04:27:26 -0700 2009 4603239 11069 fauchon 3 4604185 that's why a chimney starter is a must for (illegal) grilling on a terrace or fire escape Fri Apr 17 08:30:52 -0700 2009 4603239 135229 thew 4 4608427 I placed a post somewhat earlier about electric grills (I don't want to get into a spat with the building mgt over real fires and in NYC, there really are rules about this) and have heard that Dimplex electric grills work well--received one affirmation. Does anyone on this thread have experience with this line of electric grills? Sun Apr 19 04:55:31 -0700 2009 4604185 204204 penthouse pup 5 4608710 Before investing it an expensive electric grill, you might want to check your building's rules (if you haven't already). Many buildings simply prohibit "cooking" on balconies, terraces, and roofs, regardless of heat source. Sun Apr 19 08:27:47 -0700 2009 4608427 20001 Miss Priss 4 4608703 A chimney starter may reduce the odor of the lighter fluid, but it doesn't address the lingering odors of cooking food--or the fire hazard. Why is it OK for one person to compromise the comfort and safety of many? Sun Apr 19 08:25:39 -0700 2009 4604185 20001 Miss Priss 5 4608924 the nature of living in society, and not as a hermit entails making such compromises - in both directions. The safety issue, i would say is probably being overblown here. It is fairly issue to minimize the fire hazard to pretty close to nil. as to harmful fumes - well as we are talking about NYC, where every day busses pass mere inches in front of our faces, i think a little smoke from a grill a few tens or hundreds of feet away is pretty minimal. as to cooking odors - do you complain if your neighbor cooks a particularly pungent fish dish or some cabbage inside their kitchen one friday night? Sun Apr 19 10:23:25 -0700 2009 4608703 135229 thew 6 4609417 First, the fact that one person takes issue with the basis for a validly-instituted safety regulation doesn't mean that others feel the same, or that they have to accept his violation of it. Second, grilling on balconies is illegal, and cooking in kitchens isn't. But I think at this point we must agree to disagree. Sun Apr 19 14:30:37 -0700 2009 4608924 20001 Miss Priss 7 4609422 i agree with both your points. i just think there are far more important concerns on the day to day. enjoy.... Sun Apr 19 14:35:24 -0700 2009 4609417 135229 thew