Nothing says summer quite like the smoky aroma of sizzling burgers and the sound of laughter around a grill. Whether you’re a seasoned grillmaster or just here for the corn on the cob, firing up your apartment community’s shared grill can be a fun way to enjoy the sunshine with friends and neighbors.
But before you don your apron and start flipping patties, it’s worth brushing up on some friendly grill etiquette to keep the good vibes (and grill marks) going strong. From reserving your grill spot to sharing the space responsibly, here’s how to make your cookout a hit without ruffling any feathers.
Apartment Community Grill Etiquette
Your apartment community’s public grill is a great spot for a summer cookout, but it’s important to remember that other residents use it, too. Be respectful of your neighbors by acknowledging communal grill etiquette.
Reserve the grill
If your apartment community requires tenants to book grill time, make sure you schedule plenty of time for you and your friends to cook your burgers to perfection.
Bring your own tools
Community grills don’t provide tools, so you’ll need to bring your own spatula, tongs, meat thermometer, and grill brush. If your apartment community has a charcoal grill, you’ll need to bring your own charcoal, too.
Clean the grill
You don’t know who used the grill before you or what they cooked, so start by cleaning the grill. Heat the grill and use a grill brush to scrape any residue off the grates so your hot dogs don’t taste like your neighbor’s pork chops.
Use aluminum foil
While not required, placing aluminum foil on the grates and poking a few holes in it before grilling can make cleaning up much easier and avoid cross-contamination of common allergens. Aluminum foil also allows you to grill loose vegetables without worrying about them falling through the grates.
Be mindful of dietary restrictions
If you’re hosting a party, know what your guests can and can’t eat. Grilling meats is a summer staple, but make sure you offer filling plant-based options for vegetarian or vegan guests.
If you have friends who follow kosher or halal, cook kosher and halal meats before non-kosher (treif) or non-halal (haram) meats like pork and ham. It’s also important to note that kosher requires grillmasters to “kasher” a grill by heating it up to cleanse the grill of treif food, and halal requires specific sanitation of shared facilities like communal grills.
Be respectful of the next cookout, too. If you choose not to cover the grates with foil, avoid grilling foods with common allergens like shellfish, wheat, and nuts. Even if you clean the grill, these allergens can linger and trigger an allergic reaction at the next cookout.
Don’t burn the place down
Grills are a fire hazard, so it’s important to grill responsibly.
Keep small children and pets away from the grill and avoid horseplay near the grill. If you and your guests are sipping on alcohol, make sure you stay alert and pay attention to the food you’re cooking.
Clean up
Just like you prepped the grill for yourself, make sure the grill is ready for your neighbors to use. After you’re finished cooking, turn the heat down and clean the grates with a grill brush. Turn the grill off and allow it to cool, then sweep any ashes or charcoal out from the bottom of the grill.
What to Grill (Other Than Burgers)
Burgers, hot dogs, and bratwurst are staples of a good cookout, but you can do much more with a grill. Level up your grill game with seasonal fruits and vegetables.
Corn on the cob
Corn on the cob is an easy classic and a tasty crowd-pleaser.
Lather the corn with butter and seasonings, wrap the ears in foil, then cook them on the grill for about 20 minutes. Turn the ears every few minutes to make sure they cook evenly.
Vegetable skewers
Vegetable skewers are yummy on their own or accompanied by a perfectly cooked burger.
Slice bell peppers, onions, zucchini, and summer squash and slide them onto skewers. Season the skewers, then cook them on the grill until the vegetables are soft and charred.
Pineapple
Grilled pineapple is popular in Brazilian culture as a sweet and smoky palate cleanser.
Slice a pineapple into spears or rings, then cook the slices on the grill. For some extra sweetness, coat the pineapple slices in brown sugar before placing them on the grill.
Peaches
Grilled peaches make the perfect summer dessert.
Simply slice your peaches in half and remove the pit, then sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon all over the peach halves. Cook the peach halves on the grill until they’re warm and tender, then serve with vanilla ice cream.
Other seasonal produce
Get creative with in-season produce! Watermelon, tomatoes, avocados, carrots, celery, and eggplant are all in season and easy to cook on the grill. Experiment with different seasonings and flavor pairings to make your cookout one to remember!
Whether you prefer hot dogs or hamburgers, hosting a summer cookout at your apartment community can be a great way to enjoy the summer sun with a group of friends. Get creative with your entrees and side dishes, and follow communal grill etiquette to make sure the next resident can host a great summer cookout, too!
