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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
Whosthetabbynow · 15/08/2026 12:03

BakedPotatoBeansCheeseColeslaw · 15/08/2026 11:58

I’m not reporting anyone. I’m just pointing out that if people had a bit more of a mindset towards facilitating the collective good rather than just what they want to do, we probably wouldn’t be in this situation to start with.

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Amen to that

EasternStandard · 15/08/2026 12:02

hoptart · 15/08/2026 11:55

I’m fine with you and all the other moral police on here thinking that. I can assure you it won’t be my BBQ starting a fire. As an actual sensible adult I’m well able to manage to safely operate a BBQ in hot and dry weather (as millions in Australia and elsewhere do every summer without issue).

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Just reading how they do it and it sounds pretty good. Although they do have TFB days, total fire ban which includes coal bbq

hoptart · 15/08/2026 12:01

Bluehouse14 · 15/08/2026 11:55

There's a lot of stupid people around unfortunately

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Including the ones who can’t exercise critical thinking skills to distinguish between the risk of a disposable BBQ in a grassland setting and a gas BBQ at home on a patio with water nearby?

BlueMum16 · 15/08/2026 11:58

BakedPotatoBeansCheeseColeslaw · 15/08/2026 11:43

The alert was about anything that might pose a fire risk SUCH AS disposable bbqs

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.this is the wording....
Residents, landowners and visitors should not undertake any activity that could start a fire, including disposable barbecues, firepits, garden incinerators or fireworks. Even a small flame can rapidly develop into a major wildfire placing lives, homes, businesses and emergency responders at risk.

An enclosed BBQ on a patio, fully attended is not an activity that could start a fire. It's not on anything combustible (such as directly in the lawn) it's contained (so flames are no nearby grass or bushes) and it has someone watching it (just in case of anything unexpected happens)

Basic risk assessment - what is the risk, how is it controlled, are further controls necessary (which is why some are suggesting a bucket of water nearby just in case a burning sausage jumps out and sets the lawn on fire when no one is watching).

People who hate BBQ or smoke are guilt tripping others.

BakedPotatoBeansCheeseColeslaw · 15/08/2026 11:58

Sherararara · 15/08/2026 11:50

Yes exactly - if they considered normal BBQs a significant risk they would have included it explicitly. But they made a conscious decision not to. Even the fire services are stating only disposable BBQs and are now emergency call centres are being swamped by people like you calling in reporting their neighbours.

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I’m not reporting anyone. I’m just pointing out that if people had a bit more of a mindset towards facilitating the collective good rather than just what they want to do, we probably wouldn’t be in this situation to start with.

ScorchedEarthAdjacent · 15/08/2026 11:58

It takes just one spark and a small fire can get out of control really quickly in these conditions. It’s not worth the risk

MoonKiss · 15/08/2026 11:57

This is nuts. We were having a barbecue (gas, on our patio) with a bunch of friends when the alerts came out. The issue is more about irresponsible idiots using disposable barbecues on grass (the Stourbridge fire allegedly caused by teens celebrating exam results in a field).

Common sense says to not be cooking on dry grass or near trees or fences, and to have a bucket of water at hand. FFS no wonder the fire service has had to ask people to stop calling 999 on the neighbours.

Bluehouse14 · 15/08/2026 11:55

Whosthetabbynow · 15/08/2026 11:44

The alert was necessitated by the selfish stupidity of people. I doubt they’ll take any notice anyway. “I’ll do what I like and fuck everyone else”. It’s lack of consideration for others that’s damaging this country; that and lack of common courtesy.

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There's a lot of stupid people around unfortunately

hoptart · 15/08/2026 11:55

NotMajorTom · 15/08/2026 11:26

You are part of the problem

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I’m fine with you and all the other moral police on here thinking that. I can assure you it won’t be my BBQ starting a fire. As an actual sensible adult I’m well able to manage to safely operate a BBQ in hot and dry weather (as millions in Australia and elsewhere do every summer without issue).

Sherararara · 15/08/2026 11:51

viques · 15/08/2026 11:50

And an outdoor kitchen with stainless steel fittings.😎

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Well I’ve got one. Don’t you?

viques · 15/08/2026 11:50

Sherararara · 15/08/2026 11:35

JFC. They have a bbq and pizza oven. Hardly unheard off.

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And an outdoor kitchen with stainless steel fittings.😎

Sherararara · 15/08/2026 11:50

BakedPotatoBeansCheeseColeslaw · 15/08/2026 11:43

The alert was about anything that might pose a fire risk SUCH AS disposable bbqs

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Yes exactly - if they considered normal BBQs a significant risk they would have included it explicitly. But they made a conscious decision not to. Even the fire services are stating only disposable BBQs and are now emergency call centres are being swamped by people like you calling in reporting their neighbours.

viques · 15/08/2026 11:48

Cloudysky81 · 15/08/2026 11:27

Our big green egg is actually next to the pool.

In the very unlikely event it erupts into an uncontrollable fire tonight, I'll push it into the pool. I hope that will satisfy the fire wardens on here.

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Excellent!

Bluehouse14 · 15/08/2026 11:47

moonraker0 · 15/08/2026 11:42

Better to be safe and starve than sorry.

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Good luck to you.

BakedPotatoBeansCheeseColeslaw · 15/08/2026 11:46

Whosthetabbynow · 15/08/2026 11:44

The alert was necessitated by the selfish stupidity of people. I doubt they’ll take any notice anyway. “I’ll do what I like and fuck everyone else”. It’s lack of consideration for others that’s damaging this country; that and lack of common courtesy.

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This is it basically - any sensible person wouldn’t be having a bbq at the moment anyway

Whosthetabbynow · 15/08/2026 11:44

99victoria · 15/08/2026 11:17

On the contrary - it's the alert that has caused all the issues because it was incorrectly sent out as an 'emergency' when it could have been sent as a public information text and it could have been more specific and given more guidance so that people didn't end up insulting each other like they are doing on this thread. They could have simply said 'do not have bbqs' but they didn't. So now everyone is getting hysterical - surely banning smoking would be the most effective way to stop wildfires!

Just heard on the radio that the Fire Service have had to put out a message asking people not to ring 999 to report their neighbours having bbqs!

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The alert was necessitated by the selfish stupidity of people. I doubt they’ll take any notice anyway. “I’ll do what I like and fuck everyone else”. It’s lack of consideration for others that’s damaging this country; that and lack of common courtesy.

BakedPotatoBeansCheeseColeslaw · 15/08/2026 11:43

BlueMum16 · 15/08/2026 10:58

This reminds me of COVID when people made up their own version of the rules.
The alert and news articles are about disposable BBQ. OP isn't using a disposable one

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The alert was about anything that might pose a fire risk SUCH AS disposable bbqs

Tortephant · 15/08/2026 11:42

Ablondiebutagoody · 15/08/2026 08:42

I'm with dh. Disposable bbqs are the bigger issue because people just put them on the ground in the middle of nowhere and/or leave them when they go home because they're hot and they can't be arsed to deal with it. Something on legs on your patio will be fine. Have the hose or a bucket of water nearby if you are worried.

The alert states BBqs, Firepits not just disposable bbqs.

ignoring it will likely invalidate your insurance so don’t be an idiot

moonraker0 · 15/08/2026 11:42

Bluehouse14 · 15/08/2026 11:39

You're absolutely right. It's definitely the same thing.

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Better to be safe and starve than sorry.

Bluehouse14 · 15/08/2026 11:39

moonraker0 · 15/08/2026 11:38

The street could burn down by cooking inside. I think OP should starve for the foreseeable just to be extra safe.

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You're absolutely right. It's definitely the same thing.

moonraker0 · 15/08/2026 11:38

Bluehouse14 · 15/08/2026 11:35

I think the real question is whether you'd feel regretful if your house and entire street burned down because your husband was fussing on exactly how the food was cooked? Is it REALLY worth the risk? I can't believe people have to ask the internet for such simple life decisions

The street could burn down by cooking inside. I think OP should starve for the foreseeable just to be extra safe.

Mintine · 15/08/2026 11:36

SinisterGreenMan · 15/08/2026 08:49

After seeing news footage of people's homes on fire, I wouldn't be lighting any kind of fire outside at the moment.

Even if your husband is OK with it, other people (your guests and neighbours, for example) definitely won't be.

No one will be able to relax properly while the barbecue is lit, so ignore your husband and cook indoors. I'm sure your guests will be relieved.

Have a lovely time with your family.

Totally agree with this, people shouldnt be lighting any kind of fire outside, kettle barbecue, or anything of the sort. Last night at least two of my neighbours had barbeques and it really was disconcerting, worrying if they were safe or not.

Sherararara · 15/08/2026 11:36

Bluehouse14 · 15/08/2026 11:35

I think the real question is whether you'd feel regretful if your house and entire street burned down because your husband was fussing on exactly how the food was cooked? Is it REALLY worth the risk? I can't believe people have to ask the internet for such simple life decisions

Jesus Christ.

Bluehouse14 · 15/08/2026 11:35

I think the real question is whether you'd feel regretful if your house and entire street burned down because your husband was fussing on exactly how the food was cooked? Is it REALLY worth the risk? I can't believe people have to ask the internet for such simple life decisions