Want a 250 or 500 gallon...worried about neighbors/city. In suburbs of Chicago.

[Q_Done_Right]

Long story short, I’ve been talking with several big pit builders about either a 250 or 500 gallon propane offset smoker (most likely on a trailer) that would be for both “residential” and “commercial” use. I’d like to cook on it at home every once in a while and I’d also like to start doing some pop ups at local breweries.

The problem I’m concerned about is with both potential neighbors (who complain to the cops and city) and of course the city itself. Either unit is not small and I had planned to keep it in my driveway of a single family residence. I was hoping to keep it in a standard two car garage but I don’t know if it will fit yet...still need to get some dimensions. I’m already moving out of my townhome soon because the HOA has given me fits over my current Old Country Pecos offset...and I just called the village office of one of the cities I’m considering moving to and they completely shut this idea down...not only can I not keep the 250/500 on a trailer in my driveway but I can’t even have it on skids in the backyard. Also, if I wanted to use it any business purposes, I can’t store it there. In short, I would be violating all kinds of ordinances there and I have a feeling I’m going to run into this problem in other nearby local towns as well.

For those of you that have large smokers of this size, do you keep it at home and in what manner?

Have you had any issues with neighbors or your local city about it?

And for those of you in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, do you know of any areas or towns where I might not have an issue with this? I work way up in the northshore area (Highland Park), so I don’t want to live anymore than about 45 minutes away. Cook county seems to be worse about this stuff than Lake so far.

 

[InThePitBBQ]

You will have a serious potential theft issue with a quality cooker that size, we never leave them out at night for any reason unless they are staffed for an overnight cook.

That aside, check zoning to see if there's anything legally preventing you using it at home for personal use. They can complain all they want, won't go far if there's no law to enforce.

I outfit all my mobile pit's with a GPS tracker, they are hidden in the frame and the insurance discount cover's the 3 years of service.

https://gpsandtrack.com/trailer-track-gps/

 

[Drunk Monkey]

Move south, we like smokers down here.

 

[Grabnabber]

In the city proper it will be absolutely no issue at all because it will be stolen before your neighbors have a chance to complain. :mrgreen:

 

[Huskres]

How could they ban a smoker on skids in the backyard. That’s crazy

 

[Grabnabber]

Because Illinois sucks. :caked:

 

[Q_Done_Right]

The smoker will be well secured. I have plans in place to prevent theft. But right now I just want to know where (and how) those of you who have smokers of this size on a trailer are storing them? And if it’s at home, have you had any issues from the city you live in?

And yes, the city (Palatine) I talked to today told me a smoker of that size on skids in the backyard would be considered to be too big for a residential premise. And if anyone complained of smoke and they found out I would face potential fines/issues.

 

[Q_Done_Right]

Because Illinois sucks. :caked:

Believe me, I know... :sad:

 

[Grabnabber]

Specifically, what local ordinance would it violate?

 

[Q_Done_Right]

Specifically, what local ordinance would it violate?

I can’t store any smoker that I would be using “commercially” (for small pop ups) anywhere at my residence and I was told it would also violate an “excessive” smoke and noxious/toxic pollutant ordinance they have in place. Apparently, this also applies to fire pits, etc. If nobody every complained (not likely, I’ve had several current neighbors call the cops and report me to the HOA), then I could probably get by. But I know how this goes...somebody won’t like it. This was only for Palatine though. Problem is I think much of Cook County and other parts of the NW suburbs even in other counties will be the same. I’m just curious if anyone else on here has what I want and lives in the same general area of the Chicago suburbs...

 

[sudsandswine]

I was told it would also violate an “excessive” smoke and noxious/toxic pollutant ordinance they have in place. Apparently, this also applies to fire pits, etc.

Lawdy

 

[Stlsportster]

Jason TQ has a huge Shirley Fab and stores it in the garage. Pulls it out to smoke on the driveway...feeds most of his neighbors too, so I think they all get along well with the smoker.

I’ve seen a few guys here with removable/ fold-down stacks and removable trailer tongues to make them fit in a garage. If you’re going with a custom build you should be able to shave some size with options like that.

 

[MountainMan]

Sounds like you need to move.......... to make everyone happy

 

[JacksBBQ]

Lawdy

This makes me appreciate living in East Texas. The only time somebody takes offense to my smoke, it's because I haven't invited them over to eat yet.

 

[Rockinar]

I live in typical suburbia with a strick HOA and cook in my driveway with a 24x60 trailer all the time. I keep it in my garage.

One thing you can do to keep neighbors on your good side is cook at night. I think you will find yourself doing this anyways due to timing unless you have an Alto Sham where you could cook during the day, then keep it warm for infinity until youre ready to eat. I do a lot of brisket and just started practicing pork butts with it, and I dont fire up about 8 or 9 at night, cook all night then by the time neighbors are waking up and coming outside, Im done cooking, the food is resting in a cooler and Ive gone to sleep a few hours. Nobody even knew I was cooking if it was not for the smoker in the driveway still.

Ive never had any complaints, but I still try to be respectful of my neighbors and keep the smoke to a minmum. Only time I really cook during the day is short cooks of chicken only. If im doing ribs Ill throw those in on the tail end of an all night brisket cook.

So the neighbors might see the trailer in the driveway, but rarely see me cooking on it and the smoke does not bother anyone cause they're asleep. Everyone's happy.

 

[gcs]

Is there a size that is small enough not to be "commercial" but big enough you can live with that will satisfy the requirements? something you can adapt to fit in a garage?

 

[cfrazier77]

You are stuck up there, Illinois is bad but Chicago and that area is the worst. Any of those municipalities can determine that your smoke is a public nuisance or worse. Individual rights have been removed for the rights of the group which are decided by the government. Sorry. Is there anyway you can transfer? I did am much happier.

 

[Beer/Meat/Victory]

All of this chatter makes me appreciate living in an area without a HOA.

 

[SmoothBoarBBQ]

Gotta be honest...sounds like having a smoker of that size in your area is going to a nightmare all around. If you can't store it in your driveway or your backyard, then why even bother having one?

I have my food trailer parked out front my house on the road, and an offset smoker in my backyard. My neighbors LOVE it because I'm rolling smoke for 12+ hours a day, and they often get free food. haha

Mind you I live in eastern North Carolina where BBQ is heavily rooted in tradition, so it's much more accepted out here. I couldn't imagine neighbors whining about BBQ smoke, but I do know it happens. Just seems like in your area it's not worth the headache. Any chance you know of a solid commissary kitchen that has storage space? This way you can leave it there, locked up, and you can grab it whenever you need it for your commercial endeavors.

Good luck and I hope it all works out for you...tough situation.

 

[pjtexas1]

Sounds like you need a vertical cooker or one like the shirley straight back design. That will increase your capacity and keep you in a smaller footprint.

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