Random household issues -- questions asked and answered here

tim1_2 wrote:

Ev wrote:Anyone have any experience living on a lower floor (2nd -3rd floor) apartment? I really like a 2nd floor unit at the new Tamarack condo in Hintonburg however I'm not sure about living so close to the ground.

Do you live on or near the ground now?

Yeah in the suburbs lol.

What issue do you foresee in a 2nd or 3rd floor condo?

just noise, less privacy, no view, etc. But I don't think it would be bad, just different from what I'm used to.

Ev wrote:just noise, less privacy, no view, etc. But I don't think it would be bad, just different from what I'm used to.

Yeah, all those things come hand-in-hand with apartment/condo life. Also, by being only on the 2nd or 3rd floor, your chances of surviving a drunken tumble off your balcony are greatly improved than if you were higher up!

A Russian lady here at work told me that back in Soviet Russia, you actually paid more for the lower floors, as they were more safe in event of a fire/earthquake/whatever.

Yeah I could buy one on the highest floor (5th floor) for under 280 but it's only 518 square feet, and you're not allowed a BBQ.

tim1_2 wrote:

Ev wrote:just noise, less privacy, no view, etc. But I don't think it would be bad, just different from what I'm used to.

Yeah, all those things come hand-in-hand with apartment/condo life.  Also, by being only on the 2nd or 3rd floor, your chances of surviving a drunken tumble off your balcony are greatly improved than if you were higher up!

A Russian lady here at work told me that back in Soviet Russia, you actually paid more for the lower floors, as they were more safe in event of a fire/earthquake/whatever.

Back in Soviet Russia, we lived on the 12th floor. And you thought *I* was cheap -- it's hereditary.

P.S. The building had 15 floors. 1st floor was lobby and some utility space, no apartments. Second floor was a day care (back of the building the ground rose to 2nd floor level so it was a walkout for the daycare kids playground). Apartments started on the third. First six month or longer the elevators weren't working.

Ev wrote:Yeah I could buy one on the highest floor (5th floor) for under 280 but it's only 518 square feet, and you're not allowed a BBQ.

No BBQ would be a deal-breaker for me, as it is one of life's greatest pleasures. Of course, I used to BBQ on my 9th floor apartment illegally all the time, and never got in trouble, but it'd be tougher to hide on only the 5th floor.

Take the 2nd or 3rd floor and enjoy your grilled meat.

tim1_2 wrote:

Ev wrote:Yeah I could buy one on the highest floor (5th floor) for under 280 but it's only 518 square feet, and you're not allowed a BBQ.

No BBQ would be a deal-breaker for me, as it is one of life's greatest pleasures.  Of course, I used to BBQ on my 9th floor apartment illegally all the time, and never got in trouble, but it'd be tougher to hide on only the 5th floor.

Take the 2nd or 3rd floor and enjoy your grilled meat.

Haha yup I can't see myself not BBQing. I've seen some buildings like one in Little Italy where you can BBQ wherever since all units come with gas hookup.

It's a little different with a condo corp I'd imagine. Old people or stuck up yuppies would probably complain if they saw you.

I was on the 2nd or 3rd floor and they still had a rule against BBQs. So we had a little Hibachi (it was just the two of us at the time) and nobody ever gave us grief.

Or get a jennair or somethign similar. Built-in griller on your stove-top or one of those grill/griddle standalones.

Ev wrote:

tim1_2 wrote:

Ev wrote:Yeah I could buy one on the highest floor (5th floor) for under 280 but it's only 518 square feet, and you're not allowed a BBQ.

No BBQ would be a deal-breaker for me, as it is one of life's greatest pleasures.  Of course, I used to BBQ on my 9th floor apartment illegally all the time, and never got in trouble, but it'd be tougher to hide on only the 5th floor.

Take the 2nd or 3rd floor and enjoy your grilled meat.

Haha yup I can't see myself not BBQing. I've seen some buildings like one in Little Italy where you can BBQ wherever since all units come with gas hookup.

It's a little different with a condo corp I'd imagine. Old people or stuck up yuppies would probably complain if they saw you.

So there you go, my friend. Your decision is made for you. 2nd or 3rd floor.

Naw it's too expensive lol. I'll get a George Foreman

Turns out I can use an electric or maybe even charcoal. Win.

Ev wrote:Turns out I can use an electric or maybe even charcoal. Win.

Welcome to Hibachi Country, young fella.

Get a big honking smoker... heh heh.

There's tons of charcoal BBQ options.  What you want is either one of these:

Full size: http://www.rona.ca/en/charcoal-barbecue-p1666055

Mini: http://www.rona.ca/en/charcoal-barbecue

Trust me and get a Weber.

Apparently this Weber is the best on the market for electric grills:

http://www.amazon.com/Weber-526001-Electric-Discontinued-Manufacturer/dp/B001H1NH6A

tim1_2 wrote:There's tons of charcoal BBQ options.  What you want is either one of these:

Full size: http://www.rona.ca/en/charcoal-barbecue-p1666055

Mini: http://www.rona.ca/en/charcoal-barbecue

Trust me and get a Weber.

Does it produce a ton of smoke? We have an egg at home and that produces a ton, just wondering if it's similar.

Ev wrote:

tim1_2 wrote:There's tons of charcoal BBQ options.  What you want is either one of these:

Full size: http://www.rona.ca/en/charcoal-barbecue-p1666055

Mini: http://www.rona.ca/en/charcoal-barbecue

Trust me and get a Weber.

Does it produce a ton of smoke? We have an egg at home and that produces a ton, just wondering if it's similar.

If you're just cooking with regular charcoal, it doesn't produce a ton of smoke.  It also depends if you're cooking "direct" or "indirect".  Direct means your food is right over the hot coals, indirect means it's more just like an oven, where your coals are piled on one side and your food is on the other, not directly over them.  If your food is directly over the coals (like when you're searing steaks), the juices and stuff dripping on the coals produces a bit more smoke, but nothing crazy.

If you decide to add wood chips/chunks for more smoky deliciousness, it will obviously create more smoke.

I guess the other issue is actually lighting the charcoal.  Depending on your method of lighting (i.e. charcoal chimney), a lot of smoke can be produced.  I have the Weber Performer (http://www.rona.ca/en/charcoal-barbecue-16665696?gclid=CP3D0JDmyb4CFZFufgodPYcAwg), so it has integrated gas-assist lighting, but it might be a little big for your purposes. 

Are you legally allowed to have a charcoal BBQ?