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With summer comes barbecues. The two go together hand in hand. We all love the smell of barbecue in the air of a summer evening, and we all love to get our own grills going. But, for those without a garden, grilling becomes a lot more difficult. The good news is, it’s possible to host the perfect outdoor feast on a balcony. There’s no denying that there are a few extra things to consider. But, with the right equipment and a little planning, a balcony bbq could be the perfect thing. Whether you want to invite a few guests or eat outside with the family, these points have got you covered. 

Deciding which barbecue to buy is never easy. But, deciding on the right grill for a balcony is even harder. The main thing to consider is safety. In the garden, you have the option of keeping your choice well away from the house. As such, high flames aren’t a problem. Cooking on a balcony is a different matter. Despite your best efforts, your bbq is always going to be close to your home. So, a flaming inferno is not what you need. Instead, look out for safer options. Your best bet is to opt for one of the many electric grills on the market. That way, you eliminate the open flame risk altogether. This option also means your machine will emit less damaging gasses like carbon monoxide. Which has got to a plus when your guests will be in such close quarters. 

If you don’t think you could cope without the feel of flames, choose a gas barbecue instead. These still contain fire, but they’re easier to control than the flames of a charcoal barbecue. As such, they’re a much better choice when it comes to safety. Remember, too, that whichever option you choose, there’s going to be extreme heat. A lot of it. It’s worth thinking about where you place your preferred grill. Keeping it away from flapping curtains is a must. Make sure, too, that it doesn’t burn your guests. Keep it as far as possible from where they’ll be sitting. 

We all know that fantastic barbecue food isn’t all about what we cook on the grill itself. The accompaniments are what really set the meal on fire. And, the benefit of a balcony barbecue is that you’ll be close to the kitchen. So, it makes sense that you make your accompaniments there. Unlike if your guests were in the garden, you’ll be able to stay nearby while doing this. Keep the window, or balcony doors open. That way, you can still be part of the conversation.

First, no barbecue would be complete without a salad. This is hard to get wrong, but it’s also hard to make it exciting. Make it so by incorporating fruits, nuts, and other more unusual additions. These will ensure your guests are in for a treat. It’s also worth cooking up a few pasta dishes. This is also a perfect opportunity to cater for any vegetarians in attendance. One thing’s sure; they won’t be eating what comes off the grill. The good news is that pasta salads aren’t difficult to get right. With fairly little effort, you can create some incredible tasting dishes. Take your pick between roasted vegetable dishes, tomato based pasta, and Greek style pasta salads. You may also want to make your own coleslaw. It’ll be the perfect accompaniment to all your other delicious dishes. 

Chances are, you won’t have access to an enormous amount of space on your balcony. So, it’s important you make the most of the space you do have. We’ve already spoken about working out where to place your grill for safety. It’s worth thinking about space, too. Grills are large, so you want to put yours somewhere it takes up the least amount of space possible. Putting it in the middle of the balcony, for example, won’t do you any favors. Instead, try to place it somewhere on the outside. You’re also going to need to fit a table somewhere. Consider which shape would be best. Round tables can be useful for saving space if your balcony is wide. But, a rectangular choice would be better for a narrow balcony. And, don’t fear if you don’t have space outside. Keeping the balcony doors open with a table just inside provides the best of both worlds.