An outdoor barbeque is one of the most fun ideas you can share with your family or friends on weekends and holidays. And with the best electric grill for apartment balcony, you can now carry on the tradition even in the urban. But that’s assuming you know how to grill on apartment balcony without having the landlord evict or call the police on you.
Yes, indeed. You can’t fire up a grill for barbecues just anyhow in apartments and condominiums. There are some state laws and building policies that are against grilling in certain conditions due to the violation of fire codes.
So, if you want to do it, you’ll first need to check what’s allowed in your place. Else, you’ll find yourself on the wrong side of the law for violating the lease and city ordinance.
Safety Comes First before Grilling
Well, it’s not one or two people who have had a grill fire in their apartment complexes. If you’re not a first-timer, you definitely know that animal fat and even vegetable oil are flammable. Hence, perhaps one of the reasons many US states have adopted the international fire code, which prohibits using most grills on combustible balconies.
Just as the name, a combustible balcony is one from highly flammable materials, including wood, composite, canvas, and vinyl. These materials can be part of the balcony floor, wall, railing, or screen enclosure.
So, even if your building and state laws allow barbecuing, you still have to be responsible to ensure your safety and those around you.
That said, let’s look at a simple guide to apartment grilling, with tips and safety rules to make sure you have many balcony barbeques after this one.
A Quick Guide to Apartment Grilling
Here are the six crucial things to consider if you want to enjoy a successful and fun grilling experience on your apartment balcony.
- Use A Grill Safe For Your Apartment Balcony
Basically, a balcony is still a part of the apartment unit. So, before you can start making those burgers, you’ll need a grill fit for your situation. That’s in terms of the building policies, state laws, balcony construction materials, and the available space.
In general, there are three main types of grills, which borrow their name from their type of fuel. They include an electric grill, gas (propane) grill, and charcoal grills. However, many states are against using charcoal burners and open-flame cooking devices (like a gas grill) on combustible balconies.
So, the electric grill is the best option to grill on apartment balconies. You just need to get the right size and also have a nearby wall outlet (not a power extension).
- Have all the Grilling Tools in Hand
As with any other cooking, you’ll need to have all the tools close when you grill at your apartment balcony. So, a portable kitchen cabinet to hold all the necessities might make your life easier.
- Use the grill at the right position:
The worst thing that can happen is for your would-be fun grilling session to end up with a blazing balcony. So, when setting up the grill for use, make sure it’s away (at least 3 feet) from the siding, balcony rails, and screen enclosures.
However, whether you’ll be able to maintain that space allowance depends on the size of appliance you have. Thus, taking us back to the first point on getting the right grill for your apartment space.
- Keep the kids & pets away from the grill area:
Do you let your kids close to the stove? Well, the basic kitchen rule is that kids should never be let near a burning oven or stove without the appropriate training. The same rule applies to a hot grill.
In fact, the U.S Fire Administration provides you should have at least a three-foot safety zone for your grill. Then, keep the kids and pets clear of this section.
- Other Safety Protocols for Grilling on Balconies
Apart from keeping your kids & pets away from the burning grill, you’ll also need to keep watch on the device the whole time. A lot of the accidental fires usually start when we’re not looking and no one was near to put them out.
So, it might be worthwhile to have a fire extinguisher nearby while grilling at your balcony. You should also have protective gear, including grilling gloves and stainless steel tools to protect you and other grill-ers from burns.
Note: in some states, you’ll need to have an automatic sprinkler system installed on the balcony before you can grill. The said states include Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, New Jersey, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and Washington.
- Remember to Turn off your Grill and Clean
After you have seared your last steak, turn off the electric grill and disconnect from the power outlet. If you were using a propane grill (do not recommend for balconies), also remember to turn off the gas cylinder.
Furthermore, you’ll also need to clean your grill after use. In doing so, you’ll get rid of the excess grease that can cause flare-ups and start accidental fires.
In Conclusion:
Even with no backyard, it’s still possible to enjoy a mouthwatering steak crust right from your apartment balcony. Thus, saving you the time and even money you’d have spent at The Grill House.
Furthermore, grilling at home gives you the freedom to use any meat variety and also the marinade you want. Then, you have control over the quality of the ingredients and the cleanliness of the tools.
Even so, do remember to check with your building manager and state laws before you start grilling on your apartment balcony. Also, use the right grill for your space and in the right manner.