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AIBU?

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Original poster

BBQ party tonight

409 replies

Grumpynan · 15/08/2026 08:29

We have planned a family get together this evening with a charcoal bbq in the garden. I hasten to add it’s a proper one not disposable.

should we still go ahead, or should I play save and cook the food indoors, what’s everyone else doing,

I mean, it stresses disposable bbq, says nothing about kettle ones in a garden. But I don’t want to cause any problems, and tbh we have a lot of trees around us and I’m a little worried, DH says I’m being silly but ?

OP posts:
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8
Sereine · 15/08/2026 09:29

We were going to have a barbecue this weekend but have changed over to cooking indoors. Even if it's safe, we reckoned that the smoke from the barbecue would freak out the neighbours, and they're entitled not to be terrified their house is about to burn down.

CallUpMyMamaSaidImInLoveWithTheStripperYo · 15/08/2026 09:29

Ginmonkeyagain · 15/08/2026 09:20

You have an oven I presume? A nice safe indoor electric oven? Use that.

Also what the actual fuck is wrong with people, it's been hotter than satan's jockstrap for the last few days and the air is like soup, why on earth would anyone want to be bent over burning coals for hours cooking?

Yes OP just have a nice salad. Maybe a packet of crisps.

PinkHairbrushClub · 15/08/2026 09:28

We had plans to BBQ tonight. Made a few weeks ago (optimists). We’ve flipped plans and I’m going out to get party food bits and pizzas and we’ll cook indoors and eat outside instead. We probably could safely cook outdoors because we have a large patio space but is it really worth risking it? I don’t think so. It only takes one flying ember on a breeze in the wrong direction.

sittingonabeach · 15/08/2026 09:28

MassiveOvaryaction · 15/08/2026 09:19

I was nervous about dh lighting our (not gas, not disposable) barbecue a week ago, before the big fire started locally. We had the hosepipe close though and nowhere near wooden fences or the shed. I was relieved when it was out though.

If you're in a flagged/concrete back yard without wooden fences or dry vegetation then you'd probably be ok, otherwise I think you're better cooking indoors.

How many places don’t have dry vegetation at the moment

Sherararara · 15/08/2026 09:28

A normal barbecue used sensibly is perfectly safe. Of course you can go ahead.

FreshAirandSunshine · 15/08/2026 09:28

As a guest I’d be really uncomfortable attending a BBQ at the moment. Would be v relieved if host messaged to say there was a change of plan and food would be cooked indoors.

CallUpMyMamaSaidImInLoveWithTheStripperYo · 15/08/2026 09:27

SinisterGreenMan · 15/08/2026 09:23

Yes. Be sensible. Leave the fucking barbecue in the shed and cook indoors. FFS. 😡

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Leave your bbq THE FUCK AT HOME 😡

😂😂

sittingonabeach · 15/08/2026 09:27

QuintadosMalvados · 15/08/2026 09:23

Yeah. There's always going to be pearl clutching neighbours.

I think it would be OK from a safety perspective but who needs the hassle?

Plus some guests may be the anxious type.

Not worth it.

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Pearl clutching neighbours! At a time when fires are spreading like ‘wildfire’ would you blame neighbours being worried

Those poor people in Stourbridge who lost their homes

BitterTits · 15/08/2026 09:27

The fact that you claim zero risk suggests that you don't understand risk.

AngelinaFibres · 15/08/2026 09:26

If I was invited to a get together this weekend and found it involved my friends cooking outside with any form of flame I'd think they were absolute dicks.

concertinacornflake · 15/08/2026 09:25

hamnish · 15/08/2026 08:33

It’s been a long, hot week, full of shit news, and maybe I’m just tired, but for one weekend, can’t people just do what they’ve been asked to do, for the sake of the fire service and everyone around them?

This. Just cook indoors and have a BBQ another time.

sittingonabeach · 15/08/2026 09:24

How many people when having a BBQ with friends will have a few drinks and not be as careful as they could be as chatting and being distracted.

valadon68 · 15/08/2026 09:24

NetZeroZealot · 15/08/2026 09:17

The alert quite clearly referred to disposable barbecues. Self contained ones in gardens are allowed. Of course you should be sensible.

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It asked people not to do anything which could start a fire including but not limited to some common activities. Just because they didn't explicitly say you shouldn't leave cigarette ends in a dry field doesn't mean it's ok to do that. A BBQ involves a 'small flame', so...

SinisterGreenMan · 15/08/2026 09:23

NetZeroZealot · 15/08/2026 09:21

This. Ok to use normal household BBQ- but be sensible

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Yes. Be sensible. Leave the fucking barbecue in the shed and cook indoors. FFS. 😡

AngelinaFibres · 15/08/2026 09:23

JustMyView13 · 15/08/2026 09:19

Gas BBQ’s don’t smoke like coal, so neighbours are unlikely to notice.
Near a fence, shrubs, grass or anything dry and flammable is always stupid though.

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They'll smell the smell of greasy fat cooking that accompanies every BBQ.

QuintadosMalvados · 15/08/2026 09:23

cloudtreecarpet · 15/08/2026 09:04

Will you enjoy it or will you spend the whole time fretting about it and feeling anxious about what your neighbours think?

It's very low risk but not absolutely no risk so I would just err on the side of caution so that I could kick back, relax and have a few drinks without the worry.

It's just not worth the hassle is it?

Yeah. There's always going to be pearl clutching neighbours.

I think it would be OK from a safety perspective but who needs the hassle?

Plus some guests may be the anxious type.

Not worth it.

Monty36 · 15/08/2026 09:21

If only to have grown ups ….. who don’t behave like children who if told ‘no’ create a fuss and want to do what they have been told ‘no’ to.

NetZeroZealot · 15/08/2026 09:21

TheFallenMadonna · 15/08/2026 08:43

The guidance is here, and says that household barbecues shouldn't be left unattended.

This. Ok to use normal household BBQ- but be sensible

AngelinaFibres · 15/08/2026 09:21

LoyalAquaAnt · 15/08/2026 09:02

Use your brain.

Many of the previous posters here don't seem to have a brain.Do not do anything that involves a flame outside.

user1464187087 · 15/08/2026 09:21

You are running the risk of your neighbours phoning the fire brigade or the police if you do have the BBQ. I'm not commenting on if they should or not, however our local police force and fire brigade are receiving a high number of calls about this now. Even with non disposable barbecues.
People are genuinely worried.

Ginmonkeyagain · 15/08/2026 09:20

You have an oven I presume? A nice safe indoor electric oven? Use that.

Also what the actual fuck is wrong with people, it's been hotter than satan's jockstrap for the last few days and the air is like soup, why on earth would anyone want to be bent over burning coals for hours cooking?

valadon68 · 15/08/2026 09:19

Creating extra heat is a bad idea. I think we're all now more clued up about smoke affecting air quality. And third, your neighbours several doors down won't know what kind of fire it is when they smell smoke so you will be winding them right up.
Homes have just been destroyed, people are on edge, have a bit of respect for the spirit and importance of the alert, surely...

Someone was setting off fireworks yesterday morning near us. It just breeds irritation and anxiety at a time when we should be pulling together.

JustMyView13 · 15/08/2026 09:19

ErlingHaalandsManBun · 15/08/2026 09:08

I would be hiding the BBQ.

What a prick and if he were mine I would tell him as such also.

There are always people that think the rules don't apply to them, or just don't like being told what to do and will do it anyway.

Okay so the risk from a normal BBQ may be low but the risk is still there and your neighbours could panic or worry seeing smoke coming from your garden. Expect a few knocks at your door from disgruntled neighbours.

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Gas BBQ’s don’t smoke like coal, so neighbours are unlikely to notice.
Near a fence, shrubs, grass or anything dry and flammable is always stupid though.

MassiveOvaryaction · 15/08/2026 09:19

I was nervous about dh lighting our (not gas, not disposable) barbecue a week ago, before the big fire started locally. We had the hosepipe close though and nowhere near wooden fences or the shed. I was relieved when it was out though.

If you're in a flagged/concrete back yard without wooden fences or dry vegetation then you'd probably be ok, otherwise I think you're better cooking indoors.

NetZeroZealot · 15/08/2026 09:17

KnittingOnEmpty · 15/08/2026 08:39

Didn't you get the alert? Why do you think it doesn't apply to you? Do not have a BBQ, disposable or not!

The alert quite clearly referred to disposable barbecues. Self contained ones in gardens are allowed. Of course you should be sensible.