Barbecue in a fireplace

[Demon-Xanth]

Here's the deal, my apartment complex will consider it a breaking of a lease if they even see a barbecue on your porch. They don't allow any kind of open cooking at all because of insurance reasons. HOWEVER, every apartment has a nice wood burning fireplace that we can use. So I was wondering:

Will putting a small grill in the fireplace be both safe, not fill the apartment with fumes, and work well?

 

[bigdog1218]

I do that during the winter when it's too cold to go outside, but we have a wood burning stove. I don't know how well it would work in a normal fireplace. There shouldn't be any problems with smoke.

 

[ultimatebob]

You would think that the food stains would make a mess of the fireplace, no?

 

[ahurtt]

Doesn't sound like a bright idea to me. Sounds like an accident waiting to happen IMO. FTL.

I might add that you would almost certainly be forfeiting your security deposit after you move out and they go in there to clean the place and find grease all over the fireplace.
If you do it enough also, you are likely to start a grease fire in the chimney.

 

[misle]

If you try it, keep a carbon monoxide detector handy... and a fire extinguisher.

 

[vi edit]

What type of wood are you burning?

 

[ForumMaster]

no. it's dumb. unless you plan on putting coal in fireplace. this isn't safe as the grills are meant for open places for a reason. the smoke would increase. just do it in a good iron pan. turns out much better anyway.

 

[captains]

fts

for the stupid

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
What type of wood are you burning?

I have a bunch of cedar, but never actually have used it.

The fireplace is something like this:
http://mk29.image.pbase.com/u16/dajavu/upload/11508558.1363641_fireplace.jpg

With glass doors and a vent for air to come in on the bottom. (currently plugged with pieces of foam to keep the cold air from blowing in)

This is about what I was thinking of putting inside of it where the wood would normally go:
http://images.orgill.com/200x200/1629922.JPG

 

[zebano]

Dubious proposition, but worth a try.

 

[AbsolutDealage]

You could always go old school and get an actual fireplace grill.

 

[AbsolutDealage]

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
I have a bunch of cedar, but never actually have used it.

Oh, FWIW, cedar will burn very hot and will not make any coals. You might do better with a hardwood fire (burned down to coals) if you are going to go with the option I listed above.

 

[Krazy4Real]

Give it a try. Just make sure you're not drunk when you do decide to do it.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Originally posted by: AbsolutDealage

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
I have a bunch of cedar, but never actually have used it.

Oh, FWIW, cedar will burn very hot and will not make any coals. You might do better with a hardwood fire (burned down to coals) if you are going to go with the option I listed above.

You have to use cedar to get oak started. And given the amount of times I expected to use the fireplace (ie: I haven't in the year I've been here) it's not much of an issue. It'd only be for a decorative fire, not for heating unless it's an emergency. If it was, an hour drive, or possibly just a friendly phone call, and I could get enough oak to fill my patio.

 

[sswingle]

Do it and post pics.

 

[AbsolutDealage]

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
You have to use cedar to get oak started.

Not really, but it does make it easier.

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
It'd only be for a decorative fire, not for heating unless it's an emergency.

That's fine. I was just saying that if you were going to go with the fireplace grill I linked above, that you would have a hard time grilling over cedar. I've seen it done, but it would make it a hell of a lot easier to just do it with hardwood (or lump charcoal started in a chimney starter).

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Originally posted by: AbsolutDealage

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
You have to use cedar to get oak started.

Not really, but it does make it easier.

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
It'd only be for a decorative fire, not for heating unless it's an emergency.

That's fine. I was just saying that if you were going to go with the fireplace grill I linked above, that you would have a hard time grilling over cedar. I've seen it done, but it would make it a hell of a lot easier to just do it with hardwood (or lump charcoal started in a chimney starter).

Oh yeah. Grilling over cedar would definately be retarded. Cedar doesn't have a good scent/flavor for grilling like hardwoods do.

 

[d3n]

Dutch oven cooking is fun. I don't see much of a problem with lighting up some charcoal and fixing up something. Its great for group cooking.

 

[Amused]

Um no.

Cooking in the fireplace will line the flue and chimney with grease and be an extreme fire hazard over time.

This is why all stove vents have filters.

Plus, the smoke will more than likely fill the room since the fire will not be hot enough to cause air to rise quickly enough in the chimney.

All in all it's a VERY bad idea.

 

[spidey07]

Why not just get a rotisserie and stick it in front of the fire?

mmmmmmmmmmmmm, roast beast.

 

[eits]

sounds kinda rednecky

 

[davew0670]

its a grill, not a barbeque for god sakes

 

[Squisher]

The scariest thing is that in the OP the picture you link to looks an awful lot like a gas fireplace.

 

[Scarpozzi]

If you're skilled in the kitchen and have good enough pans, you can bbq in your electric oven. You just have to have a good range hood and a fire extinguisher handy.

Just soak some wood chips and put them in a metal container like an aluminum pie pan...set them at the bottom of the oven and put your meat in the racks.

 

[mercanucaribe]

Originally posted by: AbsolutDealage

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
I have a bunch of cedar, but never actually have used it.

Oh, FWIW, cedar will burn very hot and will not make any coals. You might do better with a hardwood fire (burned down to coals) if you are going to go with the option I listed above.

I've grilled on lodgepole pine.