Electricity instead of steam: Will Linz get public electric barbecue areas based on the Swiss model?

Every year at the beginning of summer, the discussion about public barbecue areas starts in Linz. After the city always encountered resistance in its half-hearted search for public barbecue areas, two new areas were opened in 2020, which, however, are in unattractive, hardly accessible places. Now a new idea comes into play: more central, almost smoke-free public electric grills, as they already exist in Switzerland and especially Australia.

Yes, barbecuing in the city usually causes problems – at least for those who do not have their own garden. In urban areas, noise, smoke and odor pollution often lead to real conflicts. In some large cities there are designated zones with permanently equipped barbecue areas. Such as in Vienna on the New Danube and at six other locations. Or in Munich, where there are ten inner-city barbecue zones.
In 2020, Linz has two barbecue areas in the absolute no man’s land (Lunzerstraße and a secluded parking lot between Pichlinger See and Wiener Bundesstraße). But what remains there and there are the intense clouds of smoke or meadow areas burned by disposable barbecues.

You had the same problems in Switzerland. In Bern, Lucerne and Zurich, the municipalities have therefore installed public electric grills. A model from the Australian brand has been available in Lucerne since the beginning of May 2022 ‘Christie Parksafe’ used, the city invested the equivalent of 43,300 euros in the electric grill. “We are also anticipating additional costs for cleaning and maintenance, which we cannot yet estimate,” says Claudio Läng, project manager of the Lucerne City Green Department.

Electric grills: safe and low in emissions
The advantages of electric grills are obvious: no additional costs for charcoal and lighters, almost no smoke, a far lower risk of fire and injury, easy cleaning, the non-stick coated grill plate also makes grilling a manageable challenge for hobby grillers. And last but not least, it’s much faster because you don’t have to wait for the right embers (if you can manage them at all).

The device has two plates that can be started easily with the push of a button. After 20 minutes, the grill switches off automatically, but can be activated again at the touch of a button. The device cannot be used when it rains, in winter it is dismantled and stored. Between 10:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m., the power supply is cut off to prevent nocturnal binges or improper use by beer-loving youngsters. In Lucerne, this is a pilot project that is scheduled to run until 2023.

Australia as a pioneer of public electric grills
In Australiawhere the manufacturer of the electric grills used in Switzerland comes from, public electric grills have been standard for many years. In Sydney alone there are ten central electric grill stations that are operated by the users can even be rated online. In Down Under the subject is dealt with in a much more relaxed manner, a family ‘Public Barbeque’ is part of a successful weekend there.

Kaum Vandalenakte
In Berne and Zürich there are already several public electric grills. In Zurich, the grills are used very frequently and have to be cleaned every day. Annual additional operating costs of around 15,000 euros are incurred per grill for the grilling season from April to October.
There has been no major damage from vandalism in either city. Occasionally, however, additional costs are incurred due to improper handling, such as burning PET bottles.

“It would be worth a try to finally get the barbecue issue under control”

Lorenz Potocnik / LINZplus

LINZplus: “Start pilot test in Linz”
Lorenz Potocnik from LINZplus finds the idea interesting and can imagine equipping selected places in Linz with electric grills as part of a pilot project: “It would be worth trying. Again and again it is not only forgotten when it comes to the topic of grilling: It needs care and ‘takers’. Just putting a device there and letting everything take care of itself would be pointless.”

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