Rules Cap the Tank, Not the Best Gas Grill for Apartment Balcony

1. Charbroil 1-Burner Portable Propane Gas Grill, Black, 17402049 — Best Overall

The one listing that names a 1 lb tank and also gives you the burner output, the grate size and a gauge.

Key Specifications

Why We Recommend It

This is the clearest answer on the page to the question a balcony rule asks. The first bullet reads: “Powered by liquid propane gas, this grill runs on a 1-pound propane gas tank, not included.” No hedging, no “small tank”, no adapter needed. Where a local fire code carves out an exception for small propane cooking devices on a 1 lb cylinder, this is the grill whose listing lets you show that it fits the description. Whether your building and your lease allow it is a separate question, and only they can answer it.

It also gives the numbers the other 1 lb listings leave out. “This grill has a 9,500 BTU rating.” The grate is 240 square inches, enough, the listing says, to “Grill up to 10 burgers, 4 chicken breasts or 14 brats”. The GasOne GPT-25 names the 1 lb cylinder too, but gives no BTU figure and no area, only grate dimensions. The MASTER COOK names it and gives 11,500 BTU, but sits on a cart built to hold a 20 lb tank. This is the only grill here that pairs a stated 1 lb cylinder with a stated BTU figure on a tabletop body.

The listing explains its own BTU number, which is rare and useful. “BTU is a measurement of energy used by your grill and is not related to how hot it will get. Grills with lower BTUs burn less fuel to cook your food.” On a 1 lb cylinder that matters. A pound of propane holds roughly 21,500 BTU, a standard figure, so at its full 9,500 BTU rating this burner would empty a full cylinder in a little over two hours, by our arithmetic. Turned down, it lasts longer. That is plenty for a weeknight dinner and a reason to keep a spare cylinder, stored where your building allows.

The details suit a small, shared space. The lid-mounted gauge “displays accurate temps”, so you can cook lid-down without opening it to check. The Piezo igniter means no matches. The “removable grease tray catches oil drippings and slides out for easy cleaning”, which on a balcony is the difference between a clean floor and grease running toward the neighbours below. The grates are porcelain-coated wire.

The cost is weight. At 21.3 pounds it is the heaviest of the tabletop grills here, about three times the GasOne GPT-25 and nearly double the Charbroil Portable Convective. Its listed footprint is about 402 square inches, roughly 2.8 square feet, by our arithmetic. That is a sizeable piece of a small balcony table, and you will need a stable, non-combustible surface for it, never a railing or a ledge.

What to weigh. It is sold by Amazon.com and ranks #135,922 overall and #201 in Propane Grills, the weakest overall rank of the ten. That tells you about sales, not suitability. Minimal assembly is required and the warranty covers grates, lid, firebox and other parts for 1 year. If your rules turn on a 1 lb cylinder, this is the most completely documented grill on the page.

Best for: A renter whose building or fire code allows small 1 lb propane cooking devices and who wants every key number stated.

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2. GasOne GPT-25 Propane Burner Gas Grill with Foldable Legs — Best Budget

The smallest, lightest and lowest-priced grill here, and the only listing that names both balconies and 1 lb cylinders.

Key Specifications

Why We Recommend It

This is the only listing on the page that ticks both balcony boxes in words. The first bullet names “balconies” among its uses, alongside “camping trips, tailgates, RV travel, picnics… boating, and outdoor gatherings where space is limited”. The last bullet says it is “ready to use with standard 1 lb propane cylinders”. Two other listings mention balconies, and two others name a 1 lb cylinder. Only this one does both. Neither claim is a permission, but together they describe a grill that fits the usual small-cylinder exception on paper.

It is the smallest thing here by a distance. The spec table gives 16.75 by 11.0 inches, about 184 square inches of footprint by our arithmetic, a little under 1.3 square feet. The next smallest, the Cuisinart, covers about 246 by its spec table. The GPT-25 also weighs the least: “this camping grill weighs only 6.9 lbs”, says the bullet, though the spec table leaves weight blank. It is the one grill on the page you could carry up several flights with a cylinder in the other hand.

The 20 lb option is worth reading carefully. The listing says the grill is “compatible with 20 lb propane tanks when paired with the GasOne model 50139 adapter (sold separately)”. That is convenient at a campsite. On a balcony it may take you outside the small-cylinder exception that made the grill attractive in the first place, because many rules that allow a 1 lb cylinder do not allow a 20 lb tank on an upper-floor balcony. Check before you buy the adapter.

What it leaves out is a lot. There is no BTU figure; the listing promises “a powerful single burner” and “High Heat Output” without a number. There is no stated cooking area, though the 16.37 by 10.5 inch grate works out at about 172 square inches by our arithmetic, a little more than the Cuisinart’s 146. No lid is mentioned, and no ignition system. An open grill with no lid cooks with the flame exposed to wind, which on a breezy upper floor is a practical consideration as well as a safety one.

The regulator is the one control it describes. “This barbeque grill includes a heavy-duty adjustable regulator that lets you control the flame precisely and ensures safe, efficient fuel use.” Assembly is described as “Quick 10-Minute”, with “No complicated tools”. The build is “high-temperature paint and sturdy metal construction”.

What to weigh. It is sold by Gasone / Alpha rather than Amazon.com, ranks #90,334 overall and #141 in Propane Grills, and carries a 1 year manufacturer warranty. If floor space and stairs are your constraints and your rules allow a 1 lb cylinder, nothing else here is as small or as light. Bring your own way of lighting it safely, since the listing does not mention an igniter.

Best for: A renter with a small balcony, stairs to climb and rules that allow a 1 lb cylinder, who can live without a lid.

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3. Megamaster Tabletop 1 Burner Gas Grill, Foldable Legs with Warming Rack — Most Cooking Space

The most cooking area on any tabletop here and the longest warranty, from a listing that never names its cylinder.

Key Specifications

Why We Recommend It

On paper this is the most grill per pound on the page. The listing gives “360 SQ IN COOKING SPACE”, 11,000 BTU from a stainless steel burner and a listed weight of 14.42 pounds. No other tabletop grill here states more cooking area; the next largest is the Charbroil 1-Burner at 240. Only the MASTER COOK and COWSAR carts come close, at 266 and 258, and both weigh more or list no weight.

The 360 needs one question answered. The title includes a “Warming Rack”, and the listing does not say whether the 360 square inches counts it. Some makers add the rack to the headline figure; some do not. If the main grate alone is what you need to know, ask the seller. Even if the rack is included, the listing’s outline of 28.43 by 19.69 inches leaves room for a generous main grate.

The cylinder is the gap that matters on a balcony. Nothing in the five bullets or the spec table says what tank this grill takes. It calls itself a “camping grill” and a “portable propane grill”, which suggests a small cylinder, but suggestion is not something you can show a landlord. If your rules turn on a 1 lb cylinder, get the seller to confirm it, or read the owner’s manual, before you count on this grill.

It is also the biggest tabletop footprint here. 28.43 by 19.69 inches is about 560 square inches, roughly 3.9 square feet, by our arithmetic. That is three times the GasOne GPT-25 and more than most small balcony tables offer once you leave room around it. The “foldable legs and locking lid” make it easier to store, and the listing says this comes “without compromising on stability during use”.

The warranty is the longest on the page. The spec table says “5 Year”. Next best is the Cuisinart at 3 years; most others give 1 year or nothing. The build is a “sturdy steel frame” with a “heat-resistant finish” and a porcelain steel firebox. Ignition is not mentioned, and neither is a grease tray.

What to weigh. It is sold by Amazon.com and ranks #7,590 overall and #2 in Propane Grills, second only to the Charbroil Portable Convective. At 11,000 BTU over 360 square inches it has the lowest burner output per square inch of any grill with both figures, about 31 BTU, by our arithmetic. If cooking space for a household matters most and your rules allow it, this is the roomiest tabletop here; confirm the cylinder first.

Best for: A household that wants the most grate on a tabletop grill and can confirm with the seller that it runs on the cylinder its rules allow.

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4. Charbroil Portable Convective 1-Burner Propane Gas Grill, 465133010 — Best Seller

The best-selling propane grill on Amazon at capture, and one of the least documented listings on this page.

Key Specifications

Why We Recommend It

This is the grill most shoppers in this category were buying on 5 October 2026. It ranks #4,163 overall and #1 in Propane Grills, the best rank on the page by a wide margin. Whatever is driving those sales, it is not the listing’s detail. Six short bullets cover the fuel, the grates, the size, the steel, the warranty and the assembly, and none gives a cylinder size or a BTU figure.

The fuel line is the vaguest on the page. “With the power of liquid propane this Portable Gas Grill is convenient and versatile.” That is all. It does not say 1 lb, 20 lb or adapter. A portable Charbroil at this size may well take a small cylinder, but the listing does not say so, and on a balcony that is the fact you need in writing. Check the owner’s manual or ask before you buy.

The size is the good news. “190 square inches of cooking space Dimensions: 15” H x 24.1” W x 12.3” D”, says the bullet, and the spec table rounds to 24 by 12 by 15. That is about 296 square inches of footprint from the bullet, about 288 from the spec table, roughly two square feet, by our arithmetic. At 11.0 pounds it is the third-lightest grill here, after the GasOne GPT-25 and the Cuisinart’s 10 lb title figure. For a narrow balcony table it is one of the easiest fits on the page.

The warranty fields disagree, and the shorter one is in the bullet. The bullet says “90 Days Burner, Grate, Lid and Other Parts”. The spec table says “1 Year”. Plan for 90 days unless the seller confirms otherwise. It is the shortest warranty stated anywhere on this page.

It also gives no ignition and no BTU. The model name says “Convective”, and the listing does not explain what that means in practice. Without a BTU figure you cannot estimate how long a cylinder lasts or compare it against the Cuisinart’s 8,000 or the Nexgrill’s 10,000. The grates are porcelain coated for “rust-resistance and easy-to-clean convenience”, and the body is steel with “a durable, high-temperature finish”.

What to weigh. It is sold by Amazon.com and is one of the lowest-priced grills here. If you want a light, small, popular grill and you will confirm the cylinder yourself, it is a sensible shortlist pick. If you need the listing itself to answer the balcony questions, the Charbroil 1-Burner does that and this does not.

Best for: A buyer who wants the popular small choice and will confirm the cylinder and warranty before paying.

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5. Cuisinart Gas Grill with Locking Lid, Portable, 8,000 BTU, CGG-059A — Best Grab-and-Go

Names balconies, latches shut and needs no assembly, but never says what cylinder it burns.

Key Specifications

Why We Recommend It

The Cuisinart names balconies outright. “Weighing just 10 lbs. with a compact 19” x 11.5” x 10” build, this portable grill is perfect for camping, tailgating, patios, and balconies.” It is one of three listings here to use the word, and it is a fair description of its size. It is not a statement that the grill is allowed on your balcony, and the listing does not name the cylinder that a balcony rule would ask about.

It is small, with one weight discrepancy. The title and bullet say 10 pounds; the spec table says 13.0. The dimensions disagree in the same direction: 19 by 11.5 by 10 inches in the bullet, 20.5 by 12 by 10.2 in the spec table. The larger set gives about 246 square inches of footprint, the smaller about 219, by our arithmetic. Either way it is the second-smallest grill here after the GasOne GPT-25, and either weight is light enough to carry with one hand by the latched lid.

The output and heat are stated, which helps. “8,000 BTU burner heats quickly and evenly, reaching temperatures over 600°F.” That is the lowest BTU figure on the page, and it feeds the smallest stated grate, 146 square inches, so per square inch it sits at about 55 BTU by our arithmetic, near the top of the grills that give both figures. Lower BTU also means slower fuel use: if it does run on a 1 lb cylinder, a full one would last roughly two and a half to three hours at full output, by our arithmetic. The listing does not confirm the cylinder, so treat that as conditional.

It is the most ready-to-cook grill here. “No assembly required—ready to grill in under 5 minutes with no tools or matches needed.” Ignition is push-button. The “146-square-inch enameled steel grate” is “dishwasher safe”, which for an apartment kitchen is a real advantage over grates you have to scrub over a sink.

The lid is built for moving and storing. “The portable gas grill lid securely latches for hassle-free carrying and storage.” That matters if you plan to bring the grill in after cooking. The grill can come inside once it is completely cool; the cylinder is a separate question that your lease and local rules govern, and many prohibit keeping propane indoors.

What to weigh. It is sold by Amazon.com, ranks #37,049 overall and #39 in Propane Grills, and carries a 3 year limited warranty, the second-longest here. Its grate is the smallest stated, enough for two or three people rather than a crowd. If you want something you can carry out, cook on and put away quickly, and you will confirm the cylinder, it is a tidy choice.

Best for: One or two people who want a lidded grill they can carry out and put away in minutes, once the cylinder is confirmed.

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6. Nexgrill Tabletop 1 Burner Gas Grill, Compact with Cast Aluminum Frame, 820-BC002 — Best Cast Iron Grate

A cast aluminium body, a cast iron grate and a grease tray, with a cylinder described only as small.

Key Specifications

Why We Recommend It

The Nexgrill comes close to answering the cylinder question, then stops. The last bullet reads: “Designed for use with liquid propane, this small gas grill works with small propane tanks, making it a convenient and portable option for grilling anywhere.” “Small propane tanks” most likely means the familiar 1 lb cylinder, but the listing never gives the size, and a balcony rule is written in sizes. Ask the seller to confirm before you rely on it.

Its materials are the most distinctive on the page. The frame is “durable cast aluminum”, which the listing says resists “rust and corrosion”, a fair point for a grill that lives outdoors on a balcony. The grate is cast iron, which “Get[s] exceptional sears” in the listing’s words. Cast iron holds more heat than the wire and enamelled grates on most tabletop grills here, which helps a small burner put marks on a steak. It also needs drying and oiling to avoid rust. The COWSAR and MASTER COOK carts also have cast iron grates; this is the only tabletop that does.

It covers the practical details. Piezo ignition is stated, so no matches. A locking lid keeps it closed for carrying. “The removable grease tray collects grease and drippings”, one of only four grills here that mention grease management at all. On a balcony, where dripping fat can stain decking, reach the unit below or feed a flare-up, that is worth more than an extra thousand BTU.

The numbers sit in the middle. 10,000 BTU over 183 square inches is about 55 BTU per square inch, by our arithmetic, level with the Cuisinart. If it does take a 1 lb cylinder, a full one would last a little over two hours at full output. The footprint is about 379 square inches, roughly 2.6 square feet, by our arithmetic, and the listed weight is 15.65 pounds.

What to weigh. It is sold by Amazon.com and ranks #17,063 overall and #15 in Propane Grills, the third-best rank here. The warranty is listed as “1 year manufacturer*”, with an asterisk the listing does not explain. If you want a sturdier-feeling tabletop with a grate that sears and a tray that keeps grease off the floor, it is a strong choice once the tank size is confirmed.

Best for: A cook who wants sear marks and grease control on a tabletop grill, and will confirm the tank size first.

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7. GasOne GPT-17B Tabletop Propane Grill, Tan Brown — Simplest Tabletop

A plain open tabletop grill whose listing gives a weight and a footprint, and almost nothing else.

Key Specifications

Why We Recommend It

This listing answers the fewest of the balcony questions. It gives no cylinder size, no BTU figure and no cooking area. The bullets describe a “heavy duty stainless steel burner head and porcelain coated non-stick grilling grate”, an “improved cooking surface, providing a larger cooking area” and an “easy to adjust temperature knob”. Larger than what, and by how much, it does not say.

It is at least clear about size and weight. The spec table gives 26.77 by 14.17 by 13.39 inches and 11.15 pounds. That is about 379 square inches of footprint, roughly 2.6 square feet, by our arithmetic, almost exactly the Nexgrill’s, in a lower, wider shape. At 11.15 pounds it sits with the Charbroil Portable Convective among the lighter grills here.

It is described almost as a griddle. One bullet calls it “The Gas One propane griddle”, and the pitch is grilling “burgers, steaks, brats, veggies or cheese without any excess oil”. No lid is mentioned. Like the GPT-25, an open design cooks with the flame exposed to the wind, which on an upper floor makes a sheltered, stable spot well away from walls, railings and anything combustible more important.

The handles are the one feature it leans on. “Convenient heat resistant handles for practical moving and handling.” Moving a lit or hot grill is never a good idea on a crowded balcony, but handles that stay cooler make it easier to clear away once it has cooled. The listing suggests RVs, camping, back yards and home use, and does not mention balconies.

What to weigh. It is sold by Amazon.com, ranks #41,475 overall and #46 in Propane Grills, and has a 1 year warranty. Its sibling, the GPT-25, states 1 lb cylinders, balconies, a regulator and grate dimensions, at a lower weight. Unless you prefer this shape, the GPT-25 is the better-documented GasOne for a balcony. If you do buy this one, confirm the cylinder and the burner output with the seller first.

Best for: A buyer who likes a low, open tabletop shape and is willing to get the cylinder and output from the seller.

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8. MASTER COOK Single Burner Propane Gas Grill, 11,500 BTU, Tabletop with Cart — Best Cart Conversion

A tabletop grill that rides on a cart, takes a 1 lb or 20 lb tank, and keeps a 20 lb tank shelf below.

Key Specifications

Why We Recommend It

This is two grills in one listing, and the balcony answer depends on which one you use. “Take the propane gas grill body from the cart for a griddle cooking combination on an outdoor table, can be a tabletop grill.” Off the cart, it is a single-burner tabletop. On the cart, it is a 39.37 inch tall station “with gas bottle storage area for 20 lbs gas tank(not include)”.

It names the 1 lb cylinder, alongside the 20 lb one. “Our grills are equipped with a hose that you can connect 1 lb or 20 lb propane tank (Not include) wherever you are.” The 23.6 inch hose and regulator are included. That flexibility is the point of the design, and also the trap on a balcony. Where the rule allows a 1 lb cylinder and not a 20 lb tank, the cart’s tank shelf is a feature you should not use there, and a 20 lb tank stored on a balcony may be against the rules even when it is not connected.

The cooking numbers are generous. 11,500 BTU from “powerful U-shaped stainless steel burners” over two cast iron grates and 266 square inches, which the bullet also gives as “18.7 x 14 inch of the cooking area”. 18.7 by 14 is about 262 square inches by our arithmetic, close to the headline. Per square inch that is about 43 BTU. A built-in temperature gauge and a removable grease collection are both stated, the only grill here besides the Charbroil 1-Burner with a gauge.

The cart is big. The bullet gives 40.15 by 20.47 inches with both shelves fitted, about 822 square inches or 5.7 square feet by our arithmetic, and “29.5 inch Length when removing both side shelves”, about 604 square inches. The spec table swaps length and width, at 20.07 by 40.16. Either way, the cart takes a sizeable share of a typical apartment balcony. The side shelves “can hold up to 4.4 lbs” and fold under the lid.

It lists no weight and no warranty. The weight field is absent; the warranty field reads 0. Neither is ideal for a grill you may have to carry through a lobby and up in a lift. Manufacturer is listed as ZEFEEL, and the seller is MASTER COOK DIRECT rather than Amazon.com.

What to weigh. It ranks #131,477 overall and #195 in Propane Grills. If your balcony is generous and your rules allow a 1 lb cylinder, the tabletop half of this grill plus a 1 lb cylinder gives you the higher stated output of the two grills here with a gauge. If space is tight, the cart is more grill than a small balcony needs.

Best for: A renter with a roomy balcony who wants a grill with a gauge and will run it on the cylinder size their rules allow.

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9. COWSAR 2-Burner Propane BBQ Grill, 16000 BTU, Stainless Steel, JD-2B — Most Burner Power

Two burners and 16,000 BTU on wheels, with the largest footprint here and a tank holder of unstated size.

Key Specifications

Why We Recommend It

This is the most powerful grill here, and the least like a balcony grill. “Equipped with two independent 8000 BTU burners that generate a total 16000 BTU heating power.” Two burners give it something none of the single-burner grills can offer: a hot side and a cooler side for searing and then finishing. But it arrives as a 47.4 pound stainless cart with “a dedicated propane tank holder”, and the listing never says what size of tank that holder takes.

The tank holder is the question to ask first. A holder on a cart of this kind usually means a 20 lb tank, and many balcony rules that allow small cylinders do not allow 20 lb tanks on upper floors. The listing does not confirm either way. If your rules turn on a 1 lb cylinder, get a straight answer from the seller about whether this grill runs on one, and whether two burners on a single small cylinder is practical. At its full 16,000 BTU, a 1 lb cylinder would last about an hour and twenty minutes, by our arithmetic.

The footprint is the largest on the page. The spec table gives 42.91 inches for both length and height, and 21.18 for width. Read as a floor plan, that is about 909 square inches, more than six square feet, by our arithmetic. The listing mentions a “Folding design” without saying which dimension folds or what it folds to. On a small balcony, measure twice and leave clearance on every side.

The cooking system is the most complete here. “This grill features a 258 sq.in dual cooking system with a heavy-duty cast iron grate… and a baking tray net for vegetables, bread, seafood and more. A built-in warming rack preserves food warmth.” There is a side shelf for utensils and a “removable pull-out drip tray” that the listing says reduces “grill flare-ups for safer cooking”. Per square inch, 16,000 BTU over 258 square inches is about 62 BTU by our arithmetic, the highest of the six grills that state both figures.

What to weigh. It is sold by Amazon.com and ranks #35,025 overall and #34 in Propane Grills. The warranty field reads 0, so treat the warranty as not stated. This is a backyard-patio grill sold in a compact size. On a large ground-floor patio, or a deck where your rules allow a full tank, it offers the most cooking flexibility here. On a typical apartment balcony, it is the hardest of the ten to justify.

Best for: A ground-floor patio or roomy deck where full-size tanks are allowed and two burners matter more than floor space.

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10. Charbroil Bistro Pro 2-in-1 Gas & Charcoal Grill, 240 Sq. In., 25302161 — Check Your Rules First

The only grill here with Balcony in its title, and also the only one that burns charcoal.

Key Specifications

Why We Recommend It

The title promises a balcony grill; the fuel may rule it out. It reads “Compact Black Grill for Patio & Balcony”, and a bullet repeats that it is “built to fit patios, balconies & smaller outdoor spaces”. It is also a charcoal grill: “This gas grill lets you go from classic gas grilling to charcoal cooking in minutes by placing charcoal on the built-in charcoal rack and lighting the coals with the gas burner.” Charcoal is the fuel that balcony rules most often single out. The model fire code’s small-cylinder exception covers propane devices, not charcoal, and many leases ban charcoal even where they tolerate gas.

It does not say what gas tank it takes. Not in the title, the nine bullets or the spec table. A 39.6 inch tall freestanding grill with a 23 by 32.8 inch outline is the kind that usually runs on a full-size tank, but the listing does not confirm it, and you should not assume either way. If you are considering it for a balcony, the cylinder question and the charcoal question both need answers before you buy.

It is the heaviest grill here and one of the largest. 51.0 pounds, and about 754 square inches of footprint, roughly 5.2 square feet, by our arithmetic. Only the COWSAR and the MASTER COOK cart, with shelves fitted, cover more. If your building has no lift, 51 pounds up the stairs is a real consideration.

It cooks hot and big for its size. “Our gas grills reach temperatures up to 750°F to create impressive sear marks.” That is the highest stated temperature on the page; the Cuisinart says over 600°F and no other listing gives one. The primary grate is 240 square inches, enough, it says, to “grill up to 12 burgers, plus a warming rack”. No BTU figure is given.

The warranty fields disagree. A bullet says “backed by a 2-year limited warranty”. The spec table says burners, grates and other parts have a 1 year warranty. Plan for the shorter, and ask the seller which parts the two years covers.

What to weigh. It is sold by Amazon.com and ranks #71,285 overall and #109 in Gas Grills, the only grill here Amazon does not file in Propane Grills. If your rules allow full-size propane on your balcony or patio, and you would never light the charcoal there, it is the most capable cook on the page. If your rules turn on a small cylinder, or ban charcoal, the word Balcony in its title does not change that.

Best for: A patio or balcony where the lease and fire code allow full-size propane, cooked on with gas only unless charcoal is clearly permitted.

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