No backyard for a barbecue? No worries

(Credit: ProductDose)

Yup, just in time for summer. It's all of 12 degrees Fahrenheit here in Manhattan, which is a big improvement over the 8-degree temperatures this morning, but still not warm enough to be thinking about outdoor barbecues. Nevertheless, this contraption on ProductDose is worth a nod, in my opinion: it's a balcony barbecue that allows you to fix a mini charcoal grill onto the edge of a balcony and use it to prepare burgers, fish, steaks, shish kebabs, or what-have-you. It looks as though it was somewhat inspired by flower boxes: there's a lower space to hold charcoal, and then an upper grill that can fit a handful of edible goodies. It's billed as a great space-saver for apartment dwellers. Mmm, grilled zucchini.

The whole concept of such a gadget, however, hinges on the assumption that people who live in apartments actually have balconies. (For example, I don't.) So, I guess you could substitute the fire escape instead, but that might be kind of illegal...

[pkscout]

This will never sell

Most apartment complexes have regulations that you can't have a combustible flame within 10 feet of the structure. Very, very few balconies are more than 10 feet out, and most are integrated with the structure anyway. I don't see this product going anywhere.