The new way to Grill

One thing you will learn very quickly about living in the city. You can’t grill out the way you used to. No more big propane tank feeding a gas fired fury of heat to sear up a delicious steak or to toast up a salmon plank. Nope, the fire code for Denver says that you cannot put your mega grill on your balcony.

So if you love the Downtown lifestyle and live in a multi dwelling unit (and don’t think that is a high rise only, that is three or more units) you will not be allowed to grill out unless you work within the rules. So lets cover the rules first…

“In the past five years, barbeque grills are directly attributable to causing over 150 deck fires in the greater Denver area.

In response to the large number of deck and patio fires, most Denver metropolitan fire districts have adopted the 2006 International Fire Code. Provisions of this Code relating to the use of barbeque grills directly impact owners, residents and managers of multiple family dwellings which include any structure that contains three or more living units. Therefore, this ban essentially encompasses everything but single family and duplex type homes. However, it’s important to note that some of the fire districts have excluded townhomes from the definition of multiple family dwellings.

The Fire Code bans the use and operation of barbeque grills fueled by propane, natural gas, charcoal or any other open flame cooking device from any deck or balcony constructed with combustible material. Additionally, the ban extends to the use and operation of a barbeque grill within 10 feet of any combustible material. So, even if a homeowner is using a barbeque grill on a concrete patio, if the grill is within 10 feet of any combustible material – for example, a structure made of wood, siding or plastic – the owner may not use the barbeque. This ban also includes prohibiting the storage of propane tanks on a deck, balcony or patio.

The only exceptions to this rule are if the patio or balcony is protected by an automatic sprinkler system or if the barbeque grill’s gas source is smaller than 2.5 pounds, which is approximately a small camping style grill.”

Now that we know the rules lets talk about what this post is about. This is about how to have an awesome grilling experience, make that savory food you will love, and enjoy your evenings with the smell of sizzling steak and more.

The answer, from hunting around on the internet and asking around turns out to be a great little company called Electri-Chef located out of Temple Texas. They make serious style electric grills going up to 600 btu’s. From what I can tell these beauties were originally designed for Yachts and other fancy bout outings where you might not keep a fleet of propane tanks. In talking with the owner I have found out that they are also growing in demand from all of the MDU (Multi Dwelling Unit) buildings going up under the new fire code.

They aren’t the cheapest things in the world, going over two thousand for the bigger grills. But then again I love my steak and don’t want the cheapest thing. I want a great grill to prepare some great food.

Order from them direct and get the best deal. I ended up going through a reseller and paid more, but when I had the first service question they had me go direct to Electri Chef anyway so there doesn’t seem to be any benefit. And I learned when I called them the money I could have saved (bummer, but my mistake can be your benefit).

For the record, the problem I had involved a timer switch not working and a weak roller wheel weld giving way. I called and spoke with the owner, a super nice guy, and that was when I found out I could have saved money by going direct. Even though I didn’t buy through them they first made arrangements to send out new parts to switch and then surprised me with a call that they were going to send me a brand new grill. Awesome! They were so nice and so great at their customer service that I was impressed.

And true to their word a brand new grill showed up days later. Not a single thing wrong with it. I shipped the other one back and we were in business.

Now let me tell you about these grills. They are just as big as the mega buck gas grills. They have two timers on the front, one for each side and a heat indicator to let you know if its getting juice. The temperature gauge lets you set the heat you want and the timer tells it to activate. This way if you forget to turn your grill off and leave a temperature gauge on it will automatically get shut off when the timer hits zero. I certainly know a few folks who this will be a great benefit to. Especially if they are hosting a party and get absent minded.

Now these grills require a 220 or 230 Volt outlet, just like your washer and dryer or hot tub. Some buildings today, like ours, are being built and wired with these outlets automatically. But don’t despair if your home isn’t set up this way. Any electrician worth his dirt can convert an outlet or even run a new one.

With our new grill plugged in and a recent trip to the Marczyk’s completed I gave the new grill its first trial using a delicious Pedro Steak. Don’t try to google that term by the way, the folks at Marcyzk’s made it up. It is a sirloin steak or tri tip section. In addition to the steak was a great selection of vegies for roasting.

With the grill plugged in we turned the burners all the way up and dialed the timers on. Within seconds you could feel the heat start rising off of the grill face and within minutes they burned bright red. The cover offers two thermometers, one for each side, which showed the steady temperature increase. This was the first time we had used the grill and a little bit of that electric radiator smell kicked out and then quickly disappeared.

Everything got thrown on the grill and started sizzling. Ah.. such wonderful aromas filled our balcony and the grill was awesome. It rocked and did everything my best gas grill ever did. Except now I don’t have to go and swap tanks anymore. And now I am legal and in compliance with the Fire Code.

Not much more to say that that. Great food, great results, and its an electric fully compliant grill solution.

Expect to see more of these in Denver. And I can already envision a cool night, leaves changing, Monday night football, a cold beer and some great grilling. Very cool!