This site is closed to new comments and posts.

Notice: This site uses cookies to function.
If you are not comfortable with cookies then please don't browse this website.

Terrace BBQ question — Brooklynian

Terrace BBQ question

jetshark
jetshark
edited November -1 in Park Slope
I just bought a new apartment with a terrace and though I haven't moved in yet I am super excited to do some outdoor cooking this summer.
I see on the NYFD website that gas grills are not permitted on non ground floor terraces...only charcoal. This seems strange to me.

There is nothing above the terrace, only beautiful brooklyn sky and while I was at the apartment inspecting some of the work that has been done I spied some gas grills on some of the surrounding buildings' terraces.

So is this just a law no one obeys and the authorities tolerate like double parking?

Comments

  • veets
    veets
    I worked in Building Management for years and as far as I know cooking on terraces is illegal. Not a bad law if I say so myself. As well as the fire hazzard the smells you create are not inviting to your neighbors.
  • brooklynjack
    brooklynjack
    Since when do authorities tolerate double parking? It is a $145 ticket and I've gotten my share.

    In any event why hassle with gas? Charcoal is much better, it burns hotter.

    You are 10 feet away from the building right?

    And please don't presume that everyone in this public forum is tolerant of scofflaws.
  • jetshark
    jetshark
    Tons of cars double park on street cleaning days with no tickets given. It blows my mind.

    While I do agree that charcoal is way better, both in heat and flavor. Gas is very convieniant and cleaner.

    I am looking our my office window right now and can spy two different terraces with gas grills on them......hrmmmmm
  • kelton flencher
    kelton flencher
    NY and Boston have grill bans on the books, but I've never seen it enforced. I'd just be mindful of the neighbors, use good sense and be smart with the fire.

    Enjoy

    ----
    scofflaw tolerant newbie
  • booklaw
    booklaw
    My next-door neighbor had a fire behind her brownstone because she had a charcoal grill on her rear (wooden) deck, and some hot coals dropped onto the deck from the grill.

    Her deck was a near-total loss, and there was some damage to my house as well.

    Personally, I think a gas grill is much safer on a wooden deck.
  • idlewild
    idlewild
    Does NYFD men propane or a gas line extended out from your apartment building to the terrace?
  • jetshark
    jetshark
    Not sure what you are asking there Idlewild.

    Just to be clear, I am asking about a gas canister grill on a cement terrace.
    We will be on the top floor with nothing above the terrace but beautiful brooklyn sky.

    There will be at least 4 feet between the grill and the building as well.
  • idlewild
    idlewild
    That's propane. Some times folks extend their natural gas line outside and attach it to their grill.
  • jetshark
    jetshark
    I understand you now. They don't specify tank or line. I just think it's one of those things, they want to be safer than sorry.

    I've been grilling all my life...gas and coal and have never had a problem with the fire getting out of the pot so to speak.

    From the NYFDs point of view there are alot of numb skulls out there and they need to make rules for the lowest common denominator.
    But I love me some outdoor cooking and see many grills on other terraces out my window. I promise to be careful and not burn down our beloved borough.
    I think my main concern is voiding my home owners insurance.
  • daver
    daver
    JetShark wrote: I understand you now. They don't specify tank or line. I just think it's one of those things, they want to be safer than sorry.

    I've been grilling all my life...gas and coal and have never had a problem with the fire getting out of the pot so to speak.

    From the NYFDs point of view there are alot of numb skulls out there and they need to make rules for the lowest common denominator.
    But I love me some outdoor cooking and see many grills on other terraces out my window. I promise to be careful and not burn down our beloved borough.
    I think my main concern is voiding my home owners insurance.
    I can't imagine that any mishap from violating the law regarding BBQ would be covered by your insurance, that isn't going to happen! I believe the rule is 10 foot (not four) on charcoal, BTW. By which I'm not saying don't do it necessarily, but I am saying that your homeowners won't cover it. Look over your policy carefully, I expect you'll find at least some mention in there about following applicable codes and laws.
  • jetshark
    jetshark
    Thank you Daver.

    Again I am thinking propane canister. I do love the taste of charcoal grilled food but when I am just cooking up a couple burgers for me and the wife it's just more practical to turn on, cook up, and turn off.

    Thanks for all the help though people...
  • daver
    daver
    JetShark wrote: Again I am thinking propane canister.
    Yeah, I know. And you know that the reality is that those aren't legally allowed at all. *shrug* You pays yer money and you takes yer chances, I suppose.

    I suspect you've already read this, but just for any others that might find it useful:
    http://home2.nyc.gov/html/fdny/html/safety/barbeque.shtml
  • vidro3
    vidro3
    i use my mini coleman propane grill on the roof all the time, a few times ive even put it on the fire escape. it may be illegal, but watev
  • carmen
    carmen
    propane does seem safer to me as well- I've also had a neighbor burn her wood porch down by leaving a charcoal grill she thought was burned off. It took out her entire porch and half of ours, and started seeping into the livingroom before she woke up and noticed.
  • stacey
    stacey
    Interesting, but old, article about this from the NYT:

    http://tinyurl.com/2sgrbr

    Interesting quote from that article:
    But in New York City, gas grills that use propane tanks present a conundrum. It is not illegal to buy or sell propane gas in tanks, nor to use a propane-fired grill in a large, well-ventilated outdoor area. But it is illegal to take a propane tank into a New York City building, to refill a propane tank anywhere in the city or to transport a tank of propane weighing more than a pound through a tunnel or over a bridge.

    Airlifting a tank of propane to a high-rise terrace would be legal, Chief Cunningham said wryly.
  • carmen
    carmen
    I brought an empty propane tank on a city bus not even THINKING about it and totally got reamed by the bus driver. It went a little something like this

    me: step on bus and swipe metrocard
    driver: "whats that"
    me: "what?"
    driver: "that" clearly not looking at my hands
    me: "an empty propane tank"
    d: "you cant take that on here"
    me: "its empty"
    d: "how do I know that"
    me: "if it was full I couldnt carry it"
    d: "well you cant take it on here"
    me: "well....should I get off? Can I have a refund?"
    d: "well, I dont know."
    me: stares at driver blankly for a second "soooo...can I sit down or what"
    d: eyemotions to the back
    me: sits


    i mean, I guess it was kind of a stupid thing to do but cmon asshole, could you not just say to get off the bus or sit down?

    Anyway, we have a backyard so its not as much of an issue but if we didnt I would risk it because I lurve grilling.
  • carnivore
    carnivore
  • jetshark
    jetshark
    Thank you for that link to the article Stacey.

    So if it's legal to sell propane in tanks but illegal to refill them where does that leave us?
  • booklaw
    booklaw
    It's not a problem. In Brooklyn it is standard to bring the empty tank to a store such as Lowe's, which will take your empty tank in trade for a full tank (after you pay the going rate, which I think was about $18 the last time I replaced my tank).
  • veets
    veets
    I hate to sound like the voice of sanity (or insanity) but I have seen dead babies on the ground after they fell out of windows (before the laws about window guard installations) and I have seen toddlers who have died after climbing up window guards that were installed incorrectly (making them ladders to death)and I have seen the results of people who cooked on their terrace and started a fire that destroyed their apartment and the apartment of other people.

    So I can't get on the bandwagon on this thread that propose that making your hamburger on your terrace is your right.

    Even if the probablity of statistics are in your favor. ....Whether the law states 10 feet or 8 feet or whatever... We live in a city and that proximity demands reasonable laws and perhaps even adherence and responsibility passed what the law actually allows. This is a situation where I don't violate the law and don't wiggle around it.

    More than willing to take your slings and arrows but not willing to remain silent... because unfortunately I have seen what risking statistical probablity results in... and it is a lot more than a fine.
  • kelton flencher
    kelton flencher
    hmm...who wants a burger?

    --------
    couth fails me
  • veets
    veets
    Kelton Flencher wrote: hmm...who wants a burger?

    --------
    couth fails me
    Was I just struck by an arrow?
    ech...
    who cares.
  • daver
    daver
    veets wrote: I hate to sound like the voice of sanity (or insanity) but I have seen dead babies on the ground after they fell out of windows (before the laws about window guard installations) and I have seen toddlers who have died after climbing up window guards that were installed incorrectly (making them ladders to death)and I have seen the results of people who cooked on their terrace and started a fire that destroyed their apartment and the apartment of other people.

    So I can't get on the bandwagon on this thread that propose that making your hamburger on your terrace is your right.

    Even if the probablity of statistics are in your favor. ....Whether the law states 10 feet or 8 feet or whatever... We live in a city and that proximity demands reasonable laws and perhaps even adherence and responsibility passed what the law actually allows. This is a situation where I don't violate the law and don't wiggle around it.

    More than willing to take your slings and arrows but not willing to remain silent... because unfortunately I have seen what risking statistical probablity results in... and it is a lot more than a fine.
    For the record, I didn't really voice such an opinion because the cooking seems to be a foregone conclusion. But I am in agreement with your post.
  • pitu
    pitu
    yes to smokey the bear, daver and veets - although I wouldn't start throwing around that dead baby talk

    Instead I'll say: I've woken up at 1:30 in the morning in a smoke-filled bedroom due to a neighbor's absent-mindedness. They were a non-flame-spreading neighbor for ten years before that, but shit happens.

    People slip and do stupid things when they are distracted or upset, not necessarily reckless. We're human, it happens.

    p.s.
    does everybody have a small home fire extinguisher? GET ONE!
    Mine worked great -- after sitting around for years!
Sign In or Register to comment.

Howdy, Stranger!

It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!

Sign In

Categories