apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Don't tell my landlord, but we've been grilling for about 2 years now (including 3 times in the past week). We have a small table top propane grill which we bring inside whenever we're finished grilling. I remember last summer seeing tons of people grilling, though I haven't noticed anybody yet this year. My advice, just be careful about it. If you're in a larger building, it'll probably be pretty hard for them to catch you.

Having a propane tank is not illegal in Manhattan. However, using them (or getting caught using them) on a terrace, balcony, or roof is illegal. You are welcome to use a propane-fueled grill in your home as long as you have no more than two, and you are on the grounds (garden or yard) of your one or two-family home. Hence -- Manhattan grilling is difficult, unless you want to use charcoal.

The other thing to remember, is that getting caught with a propane tank in any of the tunnels going in and out of Manhattan is VERY unpleasant, and can result in HUGE fines. So -- if you're carting them around, take the bridges.

It is illegal but a law widely broken according to the view from our roof deck, where we can see several gas grills in action as we wait for our charcoal to heat up every night.

who would use a grill indoors? wouldn't that set off the smoke detector, piss of the neighbors and draw the fire dept. at the same time?

there was once an episode of "felicity" in which the RA caught a guy lighting up a grill in his (manhattan) dorm room. as a former RA, i could not believe that scene. to encounter such a stunt in real life would lift the dome off my skull.

there was once an episode of "felicity" in which the RA caught a guy lighting up a grill in his (manhattan) dorm room. as a former RA, i could not believe that scene. to encounter such a stunt in real life would lift the dome off my skull.

Here's the FDNY's site on grilling:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/fdny/html/safety/barbeque.shtml

I will say that I have known some people to grill on their fire escape with a table top grill...

Maybe use the small, Coleman camping propane canisters? Obviously not a lot of propane, but they'll be easy to hide when you're done!

I should have said earlier- I use the small coleman camping canisters. Works fine for the two of us

so you may not use them "in" your home, but in your yard or whatever you call the external part of the property around a non-apartment structure... that makes sense.

I just use charcoal. I think it has better flavor, and it's certainly cheaper than propane in Manhattan. If you are above 145th st., you can use your charcoal grill in the parks up there for picnics and such.

Here is a good NYTIMES article, you can't even have a propane tank if it is more than 1 pound.

http://www.nytimes.com/1999/07/04/nyregion/outlaws-in-greasy-aprons-flouting-propane-code-new-yorkers-grill-outdoors.html?pagewanted=2

$87 for a tank of propane???? Are you kidding me??!!

"$87 for a tank of propane???? Are you kidding me??!!"

I think that's deposit for the canister and delivery, she did say the next tank would be cheaper.

Using a grill (of any kind) on a balcony or rooftop is illegal in most cities. But I think most people do it anyway...

I have friends who burned down their beautiful house in Boston after grilling on their (wooden) porch. Please be careful!