Neighbours BBQ Smoke Entering My House

LGeppys on 05/11/2021 - 15:14

Hi all, after a bit of advice.

I just moved into a place and recently with the warmer days my neighbours have started using their smoker. They start it early in the morning and leave it going for 8-10hrs at times. Unfortunately my house is very close to where their smoker is positioned. There are periods where I can see puffs of smoke blow over their fence and onto the side of my house. All the windows are closed, except for the bathroom which is about 2cm open to help prevent mould. But when I smell the smoke I close it. I also have an air purifier running to help.

I’ve tried to search online for rules about smoke, but haven’t found anything related to a bbq smoker (only fireplaces and chimneys). If it was a regular bbq that lasts 30 mins or so, I think that’s reasonable. But given it goes on for hours, are there any requirements for them to need to install a flue so the smoke is lifted higher? At the moment the smoke doesn’t even make the roof line. It just carries over the fence then towards my house. Given the proximity ~1.5m, the smoke is not very diffuse, so the smell is strong. None of the smoke blows into the direction of their own house, so they probably don’t realise how bad it is. I let her know about the smoke but they’ve done nothing to fix it. They’ve got it sitting against the fence and don’t want to move it elsewhere.

The other downside is with warm days, if they’re smoking, I can’t use my evaporative cooler because I need to keep the windows closed, or open them and get inundated with the smell of smoke. So regularly leaving my windows shut doesn’t sound like a very comfortable solution.

I don’t want to be a Karen, but I do think it is unreasonable to have smoke drifting into my place for hours on end. Are they required to manage the smoke to minimise the pollution to my side of the fence? Has anyone had a similar experience? If so, how did you resolve it?

Home & Garden

Comments

    • Nugs on 05/11/2021 - 20:03
      +3

      the air that enters the cooler would be smokey, it's concentration may be diluted but still noticeable. we had similar at our old house, although it was only a few times a year
      .

      • lordsnipe on 05/11/2021 - 21:25

        Depends if the cooler was downwind or upwind but that is a possibility.

  • Muzeeb on 05/11/2021 - 17:30
    +2

    Just ask for some smoked meat as CoMpEnSaTiOn. Yummmmmm

    • gromit on 06/11/2021 - 15:30
      -5

      If they are smoking the meat for 8-10 hours you won't want to eat it! will taste like ash.

      • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 06/11/2021 - 16:56
        +1

        ^ you've obviously never cooked beef shorties, cheek, brisket, lamb shoulder or pork butt.

        • gromit on 06/11/2021 - 16:58
          -2

          Cook them all the time. However I stop the smoke at about the 4 or 5 hour mark, then just let it slow cook.in there for the next 8+ hours, during which time very little smoke will be produced.

          • GrueHunter on 06/11/2021 - 18:55

            @gromit: Did it ever occur to you that it's not actually blowing smoke for all that time, and OP is exaggerating? Or that perhaps they're doing multiple cooks in one day - a smaller butt in the morning / early arvo to get held over in an esky, then topping up the wood for ribs in the late afternoon?

            • Sxio on 08/11/2021 - 14:24
              +1

              @GrueHunter: Did it ever occur to you that a neighbour doing multiple cooks everyday close to other neighbour's homes is pretty selfish and a bit too much?

  • outlander on 05/11/2021 - 17:53
    +4

    There's theoretically things they can do. A secondary burner on the exhaust would clear up a lot of the smoke. Or a catalyst system that functions similar to the catalytic converter on cars

    I have this same problem BTW. A Greek neighbour on one side, who loves to have family over and smokes meat for 4 hours twice a week, and another neighbour diagonally who likes to burn wet wood in the winter. It's a pain alright

    • ankor on 07/11/2021 - 20:51

      Who knew that smoking meat was a bad thing to do in the outlands :/

  • TEER3X on 05/11/2021 - 20:10
    +1

    You're probably going to have to buy a regular AC and just run that when they are smoking.

    If they just bought the smoker, they are probably using it far more now than they down the road when some of the novelty wears off.

  • R00D on 05/11/2021 - 21:13
    -8

    In winter time, I have to smell burning wood from my several neighbours open log fires. Probably the same people who travel internationally every year, vote Green and protest for action on climate change.

    • magnitude on 06/11/2021 - 16:31

      why did you get down voted? this is a serious concern of mine as well. in winter i have to shut my windows which i hate because of my neighbours and their smoking habits (the other kind).

      • smartazz104 on 06/11/2021 - 16:55
        +3

        He probably got downvoted for assuming his neighbours both Green and travel internationally every year. More likely that they are LNP voters.

      • R00D on 06/11/2021 - 20:28
        -4

        Most who claim to be 'green' simply virtue signal, this is almost always the case. They live the same as everyone else yet take a moral high ground by simply claiming to think they're 'for' the cause. Commonly are symptom of dealing with personal shame.

        Many, many hippie, greenie types out there who burn timber for heat. Shhhh… it doesn't count if you drive a Prius.

  • Godric on 05/11/2021 - 23:01

    Make your own smoke back at them

  • morse on 06/11/2021 - 03:29
    +6

    • Call council and find out what the rules are in your area, if you just explain it’s from a smoker they’ll know what the relevant response is. I’d say it’s still a type of fireplace.
      Eg in my local council it would be smoke pollution https://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/Services/Report-pay-apply/R…

    • Take a photo of the smoke blowing onto your property.

    • Also go and speak to the neighbour again, explain how it effects you and ask them about moving it. If it continues put your request in writing.

    I don’t think it’s reasonable for them to have smoke blowing over the fence for up to 8hrs per day, especially since you’ve asked them politely to move the smoker, not even cease using it completely.

  • mlbrooke on 06/11/2021 - 08:44
    -5

    Evaporative cooler keeps positive pressure in the home so you can run it without worrying about the smoker. I am one of those smokers and always wondered about neighbours, I thought they would be salivating at the smell of slow cooking delicious beef ribs or brisket…. you have opened my eyes to a new subsection of people who don't like to smell this deliciousness :-)

    With my new home I have plenty of space between my smoker and my neighbours though so they would not smell very much.

    • Geppys on 06/11/2021 - 13:21
      +3

      Maybe if you’re right in front of it, it smells like meat. It definitely doesn’t smell like cooking meat from inside my house. It’s just smoke smells. The first time I smelt it I thought it was a fire or controlled burning somewhere.
      Good thing you’ve got some distance from your neighbours.

  • Bob Svargis on 06/11/2021 - 10:09
    +9

    I run a smoker and once it’s going, you shouldn’t be getting massive smoke clouds. Sounds like the neighbour needs some more practice or needs to work on their technique.

    Anyway, any time I do an 18 hour brisket or some beef ribs (which can take up to 10 hours) I always take some to my neighbour as a gesture of goodwill. Sounds like your neighbour is a bit stupid to have not thought about that - sometimes all it takes is a kind gesture in exchange for the inconvenience of the smoke.

    • SBOB on 06/11/2021 - 10:23
      +3

      run a smoker and once it’s going, you shouldn’t be getting massive smoke clouds

      Exactly..sure, smoke on startup as the charcoal or fire gets up to temp.
      After that it should be barely noticeable

    • trapper on 06/11/2021 - 13:04
      +5

      any time I do an 18 hour brisket or some beef ribs (which can take up to 10 hours) I always take some to my neighbour as a gesture of goodwill.

      Damn, come live near me please.

    • Geppys on 06/11/2021 - 13:17
      +1

      Thanks for your input. Maybe the just don’t know what they’re doing.

      • gromit on 06/11/2021 - 15:52
        +2

        yup, that is almost certainly the problem, smokers despite the name shouldn't be billowing out large amounts of smoke for long periods unless they are doing something wrong. I smoke racks of ribs and brisket a few times a year. while the smoker may run for 12-18 hours, it will only be producing any real smoke for the first 4 or 5 hours. after that it is just a big bbq oven. usually I will start smoking early morning and the actual smoke part will be done by lunch and as SBOB says the actual worst part is while the fire is building temp.

    • mini2 on 08/11/2021 - 09:09

      I don't have a smoker but uses the same briquettes, yeah it's bellowing smoke outta the BBQ for the first 10-15 minutes but once it gets going, the smoke subsides significantly….until I've added more briquettes which is probably a couple of hours' down the track from the initial hit.

  • OzHunterNSW on 06/11/2021 - 10:13
    +14

    Yes… this Pi$$$e$ me off too. No respect. All these TV shows of "smokers" and what not… without consideration of neighbours.

    If you are renting… you have the landlord demand they stop, or move their BBQ. If private however, you have a much bigger problem. They will get smart and deliberately make extra smoke just to $HiT you off. This is the start of your living nightmare.

    You will be unable to enjoy a summer's breeze, bc of their intrusive smoke. They will get drunk and boisterous and begin to toss bottles etc over your fence.

    Only hope is that you are renting.

    • kiitos on 06/11/2021 - 10:49
      +1

      Sounds like you've experienced this yourself?

    • RiseAndRuin on 06/11/2021 - 11:26
      +6

      consideration of neighbours.

      AFAIK sadly that's not a thing in this country.

    • Emerald Owl on 07/11/2021 - 17:49
      +1

      Yea and it’s not like we live in a Texas ranch far away from people, it’s suburbia.

  • Herbse on 06/11/2021 - 10:50
    +4

    Fight fire with water.

    Get a sprinkler that flaps back and forth and goes over the fence and happens to put out the smoker's coals.

    If his smoke can enter your property, your water can enter his just as legally and annoyingly.

    • Geppys on 06/11/2021 - 13:19

      Lol I have entertained this thought.

    • funnysht on 07/11/2021 - 18:44

      Wouldn't spraying water on a smoker produce more smoke?

    • sparkles on 08/11/2021 - 07:53

      Yes, wait until they go inside and then make it "rain" every time the smoker runs.

  • Finde on 06/11/2021 - 13:00
    +4

    Demand compensation. Make then compensate you with the delicious smoked meats.

    Tell them you want beef shorties.

    You won't regret it.

  • Zhangus on 06/11/2021 - 13:38
    +2

    Best bet would be to chat with him. I smoke on the weekend and try to cook in the middle of my backyard to not have the smoke blow consistently close to one specific neighbour.

    Edit: if they have a wife who complains of the smoke like mine, they'll be conscious of the smoke they're causing and should be nice about it.

  • playswithfire on 06/11/2021 - 14:08

    If it's really stinky they are probably using briquettes instead of lump charcoal. Ask if they would mind trying the lump charcoal instead - then you'll get decent smelling cooking.

  • Vash1984 on 06/11/2021 - 14:45
    +10

    Pretend your very interested in smoking and ask if you could come over and watch them smoke, then keep asking them questions. Be very nice and keep asking questions everytime they smoke. They will eventually get so annoyed at you, they will try to smoke somewhere else to stop you from coming over. LoL.
    Or it could backfire and they love your company and they will smoke even more to get you to come over. Haha. Sorry

    • Geppys on 06/11/2021 - 16:29
      +2

      Lol this gave me a laugh.

  • Saver Scott on 06/11/2021 - 15:11
    +2

    Good luck sorting this out. We have an issue in our neighbourhood where morons put their fireplaces on regularly. It can be a hot 24 day and there’s smoke pouring out this (profanity)’s chimney. Many complained to council and the local member all of who couldn’t give a shit. They guy lights his fires at night now so he can’t be fingered for the crime.

    • Geppys on 06/11/2021 - 16:34

      That sounds horrible. Sorry you also have a sucky neighbour.

    • smartazz104 on 06/11/2021 - 16:57

      Should find a way to block their chimney…

      • magnitude on 06/11/2021 - 17:35
        +1

        id put a brick through his roof

        • funnysht on 07/11/2021 - 18:34
          -1

          Pour cement down his chimney

  • Kiro on 06/11/2021 - 15:20
    +3

    Fire extinguisher the crap out of it, when approached is play by smelling a fire an sewing smoke billow out of an unmanned appliance. Safety first.

    Do a few times and they should get the idea

  • Cusack on 06/11/2021 - 15:40
    +1

    Imagine if you were also a vegan!

    • newbo on 06/11/2021 - 21:16
      +6

      Wouldn't be for long!

  • herpadurkastan on 06/11/2021 - 16:12
    +26

    Buy a smoke alarm from Bunnings and put it on your fence.

    • smartblaa on 08/11/2021 - 00:20
      +4

      This is probably one of the best suggestions I've heard. I would add that a strategically placed smoke alarm indoors near the window facing the fence would probably have similar effect!

  • diddy50 on 06/11/2021 - 17:29

    What state you live in?

    Victoria is difficult, as smoking/cooking food falls outside of the legislation /regs on smoky chimneys etc.

    • SF3 on 06/11/2021 - 18:27
      +9

      What state you live in?

      OP could be living in state of despair.

      • diddy50 on 06/11/2021 - 18:30

        I feel for OP, but I also realise there may be little they can do to stop this.

    • Geppys on 06/11/2021 - 20:12
      +1

      Victoria.

      • diddy50 on 07/11/2021 - 11:10
        +3

        Lodge a complaint online to your local council.
        It's a nuisance or unreasonable smoke complaint.

        A local Environmental Health officer will investigate it. They'll speak to your neighbours about how they're burning, they may suggest ways to reduce the smoke or placement of the smoker.

        Tell them how it impacts you, how long it goes for and how often it occurs.

        Give them all the information. They also can't tell them who complained, but it will be obvious to the person smoking.

        Good luck. PM me if you have any questions

    • Littlevu on 08/11/2021 - 17:44

      The state where it’s beautiful one day and smoky the next.

  • pegasusx on 06/11/2021 - 18:49
    +17

    Sorry you had to put up with this. I had similar situation a long time ago with a neighbour, diagonally opposite lighting up charcoal BBQs right next on the fence line.
    Because they didnt want the smoke entering their house. So all the smoke went into our daughters room and we had to close the windows immediately.
    I had a chat to the person but he didnt speak English - older Lebanese gent. Didnt understand and just kept going.. So we put it off thinking it was once off.

    A few days later it started again. I got the shits and pulled out a industrial floor fan from my garage - and mounted it to a 3m fence post and put it on full blast. Smoke went back over the fence and you can hear the chaos. Never happened again after that. I think they got the message, even though we never communicated in a language.

    Sometimes you just have to be thick skin and do it.

    • GrueHunter on 06/11/2021 - 18:59
      +1

      and then everyone clapped

    • Geppys on 06/11/2021 - 20:19
      +7

      Glad you got a solution in the end. I think I might just try this. Even if they continue, as long as it keeps the smoke away then that’s kinda a win win.

    • fredk1000 on 06/11/2021 - 22:33

      Nice!

  • BartholemewH on 06/11/2021 - 20:14
    +2

    It'd be a shame if their smoker disappeared in the middle of the night.

    • Geppys on 06/11/2021 - 20:19

      Check the ozb classifieds for a free smoker 😉.

    • smartazz104 on 06/11/2021 - 20:22

      Think 4th dimensionally; steal all their meat.

  • newbo on 06/11/2021 - 21:15
    +2

    Get a smoker and have smoker wars.

  • ausdday on 06/11/2021 - 22:18
    -2

    Can you print this poster and stick it on your fence?

    • funnysht on 07/11/2021 - 18:33

      So you're telling me doc smoking and alcohol is better than eating smoked meat ?

      • ausdday on 07/11/2021 - 21:32

        Since it's on the internet, I guess it must be true.

  • CalmLemons on 07/11/2021 - 01:46

    That's a very well written OP post. Literally I'm surprised no one else has picked up on it.

    I would try the fan idea. They're handy to have around even after they move the bbq.

  • MrKnowItAll on 07/11/2021 - 02:44

    Just throw a bucket or water over the fence into the smoker. "Sorry I thought there was a fire" you'll do it twice maybe before they relocate their smoker.

  • ozbjunkie on 07/11/2021 - 08:50

    You could talk first

    Don't be mad

    Just explain what the situation is and ask if there's anything you could do to help, and whether there's anything your neighbour needs right now.

    Say you understand the wind blows whichever way it chooses and that everyone likes a little smoked meat but that it's crucial that good neighbourly behaviour continues because "we all have to love here"

    • beesquared on 07/11/2021 - 09:53

      She has spoken to them, no change

      “I let her know about the smoke but they’ve done nothing to fix it.“

      • ozbjunkie on 07/11/2021 - 11:41

        If talking doesn't work, I usually think it's good to talk again.

        Initial discussions are often difficult and feel one sided, before everyone learns everyone else's method of communication.

  • ldjg on 07/11/2021 - 09:23

    Report to your local council, l did only last week,

    As one of the rules weee if it is bothersome to the neighbours

    I pulled up from work last week 7.30 pm and my court was misty,, my garage full of smoke, all coming from a neighbour living over the back, not even in our street, this was the 3rd time that particular week,

    We are just coming out of lock down, l do not want to be locked in my own home and of course hanging washing out, l do not want clothes horses inside when l don’t need to.

    Contact toe council they will help, also maybe get a video of it happening.

  • best4less on 07/11/2021 - 12:02

    Since the Old Smoke detectors are being replaced /phased out, they are on special at all
    hardware shops
    I would put say 10 on my fence and just let them go off till it drives them batty :)

    • j05h on 07/11/2021 - 14:46
      +3

      I was thinking exactly the same. Put them in one of the bedrooms where the windows have to stay shut. Open the window, go out for dinner. Let the beautiful smoke song ring for hours. All you would need is 1. Neighbour might get the idea then!

      I don't like inconsiderate people, especially when they know about the issue. We have a neighbour who pumps water from a bore in the paddock using a petrol water pump. It's faced towards our house. They know it's loud. They know I don't love it but am fine as long as it is during the day. They still insist on putting it on at 7pm at night letting the raucous sound run until 11ish at night. Don't be a knob!

      • funnysht on 07/11/2021 - 19:38

        Noise laws?prob put loud music on at 5am directed at their house . They'll get the msg

    • spaceflight on 08/11/2021 - 11:14

      Since the Old Smoke detectors are being replaced /phased out, they are on special at all

      No they aren't.
      There is only a requirement to move to hard wired of you are building a new house or making significant renovations.

      Battery smoke alarms will always be available.

    • Geppys on 09/11/2021 - 07:06

      This is sounding like a good idea, but given they only come out for a few mins at a time, they probably won’t even notice it going off from inside their house. But it might be good enough for them to realise how much smoke they’re emitting over the fence.

  • sackrace on 07/11/2021 - 12:09

    If they're not home just douse it.

  • Butterfly Gocha on 07/11/2021 - 15:47

    Bikies

  • ipiok on 07/11/2021 - 16:42
    +2

    Just piss on their smoker

  • funnysht on 07/11/2021 - 18:31
    -1

    Make an anonymous call to the fire department..few of those calls they'll have to pay the fine and they'll stop

    Note: not serious advice

  • jonathan111 on 07/11/2021 - 21:20

    Use your hose to turn it off and flood it

  • greencomet on 07/11/2021 - 21:48
    +1

    I'm having a similar issue at the moment. A few weeks ago my next door neighbour installed a wood heater in his garage at the front of his house, with the chimney exiting from the single story roof right next to my driveway. When he uses it the smoke pours out, flows up my drive and into my house/backyard. I basically can't go into my yard when he's using it, I can't leave washing hanging on the line, my house absolutely sinks inside too. I have no idea what I can do about it, they don't speak English, I'm sure he's been burning things other than wood in it too as the smoke stinks and stings your eyes. My other next door neighbour (opposite side) has complained to the council about it as it's stinking their house out too.

    • funnysht on 07/11/2021 - 23:57

      draw a picture then put it in his mailbox…im sure he'll understand

    • Geppys on 09/11/2021 - 07:05

      Sorry you’re going through that. It’s really horrible to not be able to enjoy your own space, especially with nice weather coming up. Some people are either just clueless, or self-centred. I hope your council is helpful.

      • greencomet on 09/11/2021 - 12:06
        +2

        Small update on this, I spoke to my neighbour that complained to the council and he said that the council have received 5 other complaints about that guys smoke. Glad it's not just us two that's it's annoying.

        • Geppys on 10/11/2021 - 11:10

          Wow, that’s a lot of complaints. Hopefully that means the you never have to smell that smoke again!

  • knasty on 08/11/2021 - 07:38

    This reminds me of people who take open charcoal barbecues to busy parks or beach reserves. They setup their chairs upwind so they are unaffected whilst the poor buggers downwind cough and choke on the smoke…

    • sheepzpal on 08/11/2021 - 11:18
      -1

      sometimes you just gotta live with it mate. The world aint just yours

  • spaceflight on 08/11/2021 - 11:12

    if they’re smoking, I can’t use my evaporative cooler because I need to keep the windows closed, or open them and get inundated with the smell of smoke

    I don't think you know how evaporative cooling works.
    When your evaporative cooler is running you need to leave windows open so that the air can escape your house.

    Evaporative cooling only works properly if there is air movement.

    With the evaporative cooler on the smoke won't blow into your house because the evaporative cooler is forcing air in to your house so the air flow through your windows will be from the inside to outside.

    • Geppys on 09/11/2021 - 07:00

      Yes air does flow out, but the smoke is 1.5m away. The air flow is not enough to combat the smokes proximity. It may reduce it, but not prevent it completely.

  • ErlichBachman on 08/11/2021 - 11:20

    i used to do this to my neighbour

    though only for an hour max when bbq'ing

    feel bad reading this, lol

    they were twats anyway

  • Hangryuman on 08/11/2021 - 11:39

    not knowing the OPs local ordinances, I would think this comes under the legal term of nuisance, something one could sue for compensation but that would be a long-winded expensive PITA with no guarantee of payment even if ordered by the court

    general advice is to first talk to your neighbours - nicely, e.g. 'Hi - I notice you've got a smoker - that must taste good - how's that working for you ? (listen politely until they ask what you want, then say) 'unfortunately the smoke is coming into our house and that's not good' (wait for their response)

    if they respond appropriately like 'oh sorry I didn't realise - I'll fix it - move it, change time/location to stop it happening again' then thank them graciously and appreciatively

    if they arc up and tell you to STFU and GTFO, then politely advise them that you don't want to have to go to council/fire brigade.

    but I'd first google the address to find out if they are owners or tenants - tenants are more likely to behave badly but can be evicted for offensive behaviour much more easily than owners -

    I once lived opposite a small housing commission block - a number of break-ins in our row of terrace houses occurring within minutes of people going to the shops had us neighbours discussing that it was most likely the high balcony opposite but we had no proof - until one day a Greek wedding shirt (highly uniquely hand embroidered) was stolen from my neighours house - and days later I saw the daughter of the said balcony unit wearing it in the street.

    Well - I rang the manager of the housing commission block and told him the story - and within a few days, that family had been moved out and gone - problem solved !

    So yeah - consider wisely and well, and when the opportunity arises, act with alacrity !

  • Tleyx on 08/11/2021 - 13:29

    Report to strata if you have it

  • tamckinnon on 08/11/2021 - 13:44

    Move your indoor smoke detectors, outdoor and then go do the shopping.

  • mattyman on 08/11/2021 - 14:32

    I smoke using coal and woodchips. The wood burns through after the first 30-60 minutes so smoke is kept to a minimum for my neighbours. They're out of luck if they're using a more expensive pellet smoker though. They smoke for the entire cook.

    Have you tried asking for tasty smokey treats from your neighbour as compensation?

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