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Original poster

Neighbour bbq smoke

303 replies

Heathershimmerwinner · 11/05/2025 15:54

Hi. My neighbour round the back has a raised bbq area. He has bbqs twice a day, not kidding. It’s getting a bit too much. The smell of the smoke is making me feel sick. We don’t get on with him as it is. So speaking to him is out the question. My washing constantly smells of smoke. I wouldn’t bother if he barbecued now and again. But it’s twice a day.

OP posts:
faerietales · 11/05/2025 16:47

user1476613140 · 11/05/2025 16:42

Inside as there's not much choice, but on a dry day it's necessary to dry clothes outside.

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If you manage on rainy days, it's obviously not a "necessity" on dry days.

Zone2NorthLondon · 11/05/2025 16:47

ByQuaintAzureWasp · 11/05/2025 16:45

I'd contact environmental health department at my local council to ask if its permitted or not

permitted? Of course it’s permitted. There isn’t a local authority guide to bbq in community

Jujujudo · 11/05/2025 16:47

Get an industrial sized fan and put it by your laundry facing his garden. It will help to blow the smoke away.

faerietales · 11/05/2025 16:47

Jojimoji · 11/05/2025 16:39

Nope, because I doubt that cooking with the backdoor open would cause the same amount of smoke and smell as flipping burgers outside a twice a day .

I have a BBQ.
My neighbour has a massive, professional BBQ. They use it quite a lot in the summer and sometimes in winter too. It creates tonnes of smoke. I hate it and I just close the windows but I do not complain because they are entitled to enjoy their garden too.

However, if he started using it twice a day, every day I would find that unreasonable and tell him .
He wouldn't care. He's a knob.
But in those circumstances I'd still complain and don't think OP is unreasonable to complain if it's every day, twice a day.

I mean, she can complain all she wants, but he can turn around and tell her to mind her own business. Or, more likely, he'll tell her to stop doing something that drives him up the wall instead.

If a neighbour told me I couldn't BBQ in my own garden in the summer I'd nod, smile and carry on regardless.

faerietales · 11/05/2025 16:45

Digdongdoo · 11/05/2025 16:37

People do moan about that. Nextdoor app is full of stuff like that.

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I'm not sure the NextDoor app is a good example of rational behaviour.

UndermyShoeJoe · 11/05/2025 16:45

user1476613140 · 11/05/2025 16:40

Eating BBQ food = not necessary

Hang up washing outside to dry = necessary.

I mean a whole chicken or a brisket is not “bbq food” my salmon with lemon is not “bbq food” it’s just food cooked on a bbq.

ByQuaintAzureWasp · 11/05/2025 16:45

I'd contact environmental health department at my local council to ask if its permitted or not

Bustabloodvessel · 11/05/2025 16:44

Environmental health will do nothing about it at all. Just ask him to give you notice & get your washing in.

OneFootInTheDave · 11/05/2025 16:43

ThejoyofNC · 11/05/2025 15:58

I do the majority of my cooking outside in this weather. Don't like it, don't put your washing out.

You seem like a wonderful person…

Zone2NorthLondon · 11/05/2025 16:43

this Isn’t an environmental health issue, local authority won’t act . Won’t meet threshold for intervention

user1476613140 · 11/05/2025 16:42

TooGoodToGoto · 11/05/2025 16:41

How do you dry your clothes when it’s raining?

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Inside as there's not much choice, but on a dry day it's necessary to dry clothes outside.

AgnesX · 11/05/2025 16:42

ThejoyofNC · 11/05/2025 15:58

I do the majority of my cooking outside in this weather. Don't like it, don't put your washing out.

Really ignorant comment. With neighbours like that who needs enemies 😆

TooGoodToGoto · 11/05/2025 16:41

user1476613140 · 11/05/2025 16:40

Eating BBQ food = not necessary

Hang up washing outside to dry = necessary.

How do you dry your clothes when it’s raining?

LadyBracknellsHandbagg · 11/05/2025 16:41

ThejoyofNC · 11/05/2025 15:58

I do the majority of my cooking outside in this weather. Don't like it, don't put your washing out.

You sound nice.

ilovemydogandmrobama2 · 11/05/2025 16:40

When we have a BBQ one of the kids always goes next door and gives the neighbours an hours notice so they can bring it on or if it's almost dry, we wait.

TooGoodToGoto · 11/05/2025 16:40

Heathershimmerwinner · 11/05/2025 16:01

HotHoney · Today 15:54
smart ar**! Why would I communicate telepathically? 🙄 I’d obviously speak to the environmental health

What would you say to environmental health? What issues apart from you don’t like the smell is it causing?

im not sure you can do anything about his BBQ to be honest.

The only thing is to have a word and appeal to his better nature, but not sure EH can help you.

user1476613140 · 11/05/2025 16:40

Eating BBQ food = not necessary

Hang up washing outside to dry = necessary.

Digdongdoo · 11/05/2025 16:40

Heathershimmerwinner · 11/05/2025 16:37

Digdongdoo · Today 16:11
believe me it’s been every x 2 day for the past few weeks. Im off sick just now from work after surgery. He doesn’t work. Is so annoying and inconsiderate. I wonder if anyone who thinks it’s ok, would enjoy the smell of fresh bbq smoke for all this time. No I think not!!

I rather enjoy the smell of a barbie. Spent many years somewhere that charcoal or firewood outside was the default. Nor has it ever affected my washing honestly...
It'll be raining again before you know it.

Jojimoji · 11/05/2025 16:39

Nope, because I doubt that cooking with the backdoor open would cause the same amount of smoke and smell as flipping burgers outside a twice a day .

I have a BBQ.
My neighbour has a massive, professional BBQ. They use it quite a lot in the summer and sometimes in winter too. It creates tonnes of smoke. I hate it and I just close the windows but I do not complain because they are entitled to enjoy their garden too.

However, if he started using it twice a day, every day I would find that unreasonable and tell him .
He wouldn't care. He's a knob.
But in those circumstances I'd still complain and don't think OP is unreasonable to complain if it's every day, twice a day.

Ilikeadrink14 · 11/05/2025 16:39

This post started off well and was interesting. Then the usual smart-arses came along, picking holes in everything, criticising everything and each trying to outdo the other with increasingly more stupid comments. Result? A potentially good post ruined.
I wish some people would grow up and shut up!

monkeysox · 11/05/2025 16:39

Heronwatcher · 11/05/2025 16:08

Oh come on though, you can dry washing inside (airer/ tumble dryer). We have so few decent days in this country when you can eat outside, and if you live in a built up area someone’s always going to have their washing out.

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Disagree. Stupidity to dry inside

monkeysox · 11/05/2025 16:38

ThejoyofNC · 11/05/2025 15:58

I do the majority of my cooking outside in this weather. Don't like it, don't put your washing out.

Selfish.

Digdongdoo · 11/05/2025 16:37

faerietales · 11/05/2025 16:31

Even OP says he doesn't do it all day. It's twice a day to cook food. It's hardly a massive deal.

Would you criticise someone for cooking with their back doors open in the same way?

Show quote history

People do moan about that. Nextdoor app is full of stuff like that.

Original poster
Heathershimmerwinner · 11/05/2025 16:37

Digdongdoo · Today 16:11
believe me it’s been every x 2 day for the past few weeks. Im off sick just now from work after surgery. He doesn’t work. Is so annoying and inconsiderate. I wonder if anyone who thinks it’s ok, would enjoy the smell of fresh bbq smoke for all this time. No I think not!!

OP posts:
TheGreyQuail · 11/05/2025 16:35

ThejoyofNC · 11/05/2025 15:58

I do the majority of my cooking outside in this weather. Don't like it, don't put your washing out.

Why sould anyone have to go to the expense of tumble drying when the weather is good?
Do you cause lots of smoke? If not, it shouldn't be a problem, however, some fucker with a stinking bbq twice a day is another matter.