You can have a grill on a balcony, but you need to be careful because you should never leave it unattended. You should also check your balcony is safe for a barbecue before you begin cooking. Plus, you can have a BBQ on a balcony but it must be on a stand and the stand must be higher than the balcony railing. You also need to ensure that you’re not setting fire to anything combustible on the balcony.
Moreover, you can have a grill on a balcony as long as you follow the rules of your apartment building. Some buildings don’t allow glass-covered balconies, so if you want one, you should check with your building manager or landlord first to ensure it’s allowed.
According to a study conducted by Fire Safety USA, balcony grilling is one of the leading causes of residential fires. The study found that between the years of 2010 and 2020, there were an average of 860 residential fires started by grilling each year. These fires resulted in an average of 20 civilian deaths, 140 civilian injuries, and $75 million in property damage annually.
What Kind Of Grill Do you Need For The Balcony?
The best grill for your balcony depends on the space you have available, your budget, and the type of food you want to cook.
You’ll want to think about how much space you have in your apartment or home, as well as how much cooking you want to do.
If you live in an apartment, then you’ll need a grill that is more compact than a large one. A good grill for your balcony should be easy to maintain and clean.
You also need to look for a grill that is sturdy enough to hold the weight of the food. So, the best option for you would be a portable grill that can be easily moved around and stored.
How Big Does The Grill Need To Be For a Balcony?
If you’re going to buy a grill for a balcony, then it’s important to make sure you get the right size. If you get one that’s too small, it won’t be able to cook enough food to feed the number of people you invite over.
It all depends on how much cooking you do, and what type of food you’re cooking. For example, if you’re just firing up some hot dogs or hamburgers, then a small two-burner grill will probably get the job done.
Or if you tend to cook for large groups of people then you’re going to need a larger grill with a high cooking capacity.
Will You Be Able To Install The Grill Safely On The Balcony?
It’s important to think about things like the size of your balcony and whether you’ll be able to set up the grill safely.
You’ll also want to think about whether you’ll have enough room for the grill, the pots and pans, and any storage.
The balcony should be strong enough to support the grill and there shouldn’t be any obstructions or safety risks below the balcony like balconies below it or bushes.
Remember, grills can get extremely hot and if the grill tips over and catches fire or falls into the pool, it could be dangerous. Make sure to do your research before purchasing a grill for the balcony.
How To Set a Grill On The Balcony?
Before you start grilling, you have to plan your space. You don’t want the grill to take up too much space, otherwise, it will make everything else uncomfortable.
- Step 1
So the first thing you have to do is decide how much space you’re willing to give up for your grill.
- Step 2
Place the grill on your balcony or terrace, away from any plants or other combustible materials.
- Step 3
Fill the chimney starter with charcoal and light it. When it’s good and hot, dump the charcoal into the bottom of the grill (not on the sides).
- Step 4
Add lighter fluid to the coals if you like.
- Step 5
Before you start grilling, you have to clean the grill.
- Step 6
To do that, turn the grill on and let it heat up while you brush it with a wire brush to scrape off any loose bits or gunk.
- Step 7
When the grill is heated, turn it off and brush it again.
- Step 8
Make the space for all other things that are needed with grilling near the grill.
- Step 9
You are all set for grilling.
Pros and Cons Of Using a Grill On The Balcony
Pros
1. You can cook your own food with more ease, you don’t have to go out of the house to buy food (if you live alone), and you can save a lot of money.
2. And the balcony gets a lot of natural light you don’t need extra lights in the daytime.
3. Another benefit of grilling at home on the balcony is that you can be more creative with your recipes.
Cons
However, you will have to deal with the heat and smoke from the grill. Especially, it can become very hot on the balcony during the summer.
Conclusion!
As we have learned many new ways to install a grill on the balcony, you should be aware of how the grill will affect your balcony.
It can be a very useful way to cook your own food, but if you are not careful about the installation, it can also affect your balcony.
I hope you learned a lot and enjoyed the article. Thanks for reading.
My name is David Lapp and I’m the Founder and Senior Editor of Grilling Forever. I started the website to share my passion for grilling and barbecue. I am also a holder of a BS degree in Nutrition and Food Studies. Learn More!