As a city dweller, you must have felt heartbroken at the glance of grilling pictures always in a spacious environment, ranches, beaches, backyards, campsites, and many more.
So, if you are living in a small apartment in a congested town, you might think that enjoying grilling is not your cup of tea.
But did you know that you can still cook smoky food indoors?
Those who have given up all hopes, herein is some good news about the best grill for apartment dwellers in condos.
However, things have changed. Now, you can enjoy the thrill of grilling, even if you live in apartments in urban centers. All you need is a balcony or patio whether it is small or big.
For your help, we have compiled this in-depth review article to provide all the information about small grills. These portable items fit perfectly in small spaces offering the perfect solution to grilling in apartments in towns and cities.
The 7 Best Grill For Apartment Dwellers
- Char-Broil Classic – Best Charcoal Grill For Apartment Dwellers
- Weber Q1200 – Best Propane Grill for Apartment Balcony
- Weber 55020001 – Best Electric Grill For Apartment Balcony
- Cuisinart CGG-240 – Best Gas Grill For Apartment Balcony
- Coleman RoadTrip – Best Portable Grill For Apartment Dweller
- Weber original Kettle – Best Small Gas Grill For Apartments
1. Char-Broil Classic 360 3-Burner Liquid Propane Gas Grill with Side Burner
The Char-broil classic 360 3-burner liquid propane gas grill with a side burner is one of the best apartment dweller grills. It generates 30000 BTU heat utilizing 3 burners while distributing heat evenly across the entire 360 sq. inch primary cooking surface.
The 8000 BTU side burner provides a sufficient secondary cooking area for sides and sauces. The 3-4 burner basic grill cover (sold separately) for this works well to protect the grill.
In addition to that, this grill has a 170 sq. inch porcelain-coated swing-away rack for warming. This best propane grill for the apartment has the perfect side slab for ribs on the top rack and steaks, burgers, chickens on the bottom shelf, which turns it into ideal size apartment balcony grill.
This portable grill’s size is friendly for apartment balcony use, thanks to having 51.2-Inches w x 24inches L x 43inches H. inches dimensions. This indoor grill is also effortless to assemble by following the easy-to-understand directions. Just follow the instructions, and that’s all.
This 48.5 lb. lightweight little apartment dweller grill is so far a superb product at a great price. The stainless-steel burner of this best BBQ grill is durable, while the Piezo ignition system ensures a smooth and fail-proof starting or lighting system.
Besides, the two 6-inch wheels make it portable, and two fixed legs keep it firmly in one place. The cooking surface size is 26 inches wide, 14 inches deep, and porcelain-coated grates bless this propane grill with sticky-free and easy to clean features.
The lid and the firebox are made of porcelain-coated steel, helping them to stand up to weather impact and rigorous cleaning.
A multi-purpose external thermometer can fill the drawback of this classic 360 grill.
Pros:
- High Value For Money
- Easy To Clean
- Durable
- Easy To Assemble
- Even Heating
- Large Cooking Space
- Side Cooking Options
Cons:
- No Thermometer
2. Weber 51060001 Q1200 Liquid Propane Grill
Weber Q1200 Liquid Propane Grill is an ultra-convenient apartment balcony grill. It is a product of endless hours of dedicated hard work for perfecting the product by the world-famous “Weber”, the famous grill-making company. This is a perfect small-size grill for compact spaces like apartment balconies.
The impressive dimensions 24.6H x 40.5 W x 20.5 D inches when the lid is open (Full Size) and 15.5 H x 40.9 W x 16.5 D, when the lid is closed, make this item perfectly suitable for mini spaces.
Furthermore, this indoor grill for apartments has 8500 BTUs heat generation capacity. The system heats up quickly and evenly the whole 189 sq. Inches primary cooking area after the start. The porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grates and cast aluminum lid give ultra-heat absorption and easy to clean features.
This grill for the apartment patio runs on a 1 lb. propane tank that is sold separately. You can also buy an adapter to use the bigger 20 lb. propane tank (sold separately). This great little grill is also easy to use as well as safe to store in small apartment balconies for during and after grilling purposes.
This is a great little grill. The size is perfect for feeding a family of six with ease. So, indoor, as well as outdoor BBQ aficionados, love this excellent grill for its lightweight of only 30 lb. and portability. This well-made grill heats up quickly after the start with a closed lid.
The inbuilt thermometer enables instant and continuous temperature management for precise cooking. The cooling shroud allows proper heat circulation for ideal and even cooking.
This BBQ grill for the apartment balcony gets heated up to 550 degrees, which is hot enough to cook or grill anything you can think of. This sturdy grill comes mostly assembled, which is easy to set up, and the great majority of users recommend it for this reason.
All components such as cooking grates, burner table, and grease management system are kept inside the cooking box. The single-piece no weld high-grade burner tube can withstand whatever small amount of water is found inside LP and natural gas.
This adds to safety for indoor use inside such as apartment balconies. The burner valves allow limitless control over setting the heat levels.
The easily replaceable grease tray below the cook box takes all the juices and transfers them to the catch pan. When full, just remove the grease pan and replace it with an empty one.
Pros:
- Proper Air Circulation
- Quick Heat
- Disposable Cylinder
- Even-Heat Distribution.
- Lightweight And Compact
- 5-Year Warranty
Cons:
- The Presence Of Brass Material Poses The Risk Of Cancer And Birth Defect.
3. Weber Original Kettle Apartment Dweller Charcoal Grill
The Weber 22-inch original charcoal kettle grill is a revolutionary item, which can use both regular and mesquite charcoal. This is an incredible grill that lasts lifelong.
With 25 x 22.5 x 39.5 inches dimension and weight of only 31.1 lbs, this is a perfect grill for small indoor spaces, especially like balconies where gas or charcoal grill use is prohibited. The compact size also makes it easy to store in a small area, carry/ move/ transport from one place to another- indoor and outdoor.
This is very easy to assemble. Just put the 3 poles into the kettle base, attach the wheels, screw the handles onto the lid and insert the coal catcher, and it is ready to go. Even a novice can assemble the components/ parts within 15 minutes.
This Weber charcoal grill has improved over the earlier version sold 5 years ago. It incorporates a heat shield on the lid under the handle, more sear attachment over the legs, and is also long-lasting. This outstanding medium size great grill makes your grilling easier and makes meals tastier minus the use of starter fluid.
The rapid-fire chimney starter is an extremely useful tool to help the grill cook excellent food. This charcoal grill gives meat real charcoal flavor by adding a great deal of higher fluid throughout the grilling sessions.
The durable steel plates cooking grate retain heat and are also easy to clean. The ash catcher of this dweller Grill is very simple to remove, just lift off the attached clips to the legs, and that’s all.
The Grill grates are also easy to clean. You can use a bristle-free brush or a coarse fiber brush to clean the grill. Almost all the users from novice to expert highly recommend this Weber charcoal grill as it is sturdy, easy to use, easy to clean, and retains heat well.
Pros:
- Easy To Assemble
- Easy To Use
- Light Weight
- Easy Storage And Carry
- Easy To Clean
- Long-Lasting
Cons:
- Few Customers Reported Collection Plate As Very Unstable
4. Cuisinart CGG-240 Stainless Steel Roll-Away Gas Grill
Blending unmatchable performance with portability as well as small size, Cuisinart CGG 240 is a brilliant apartment grill equipment. This tabletop and metal frame grill is a perfect size for portable and lightweight items that weigh 41 pounds, making it easy to carry and small enough to place in small apartment balconies.
This little grill uses a 20 lb. or 30 lb. propane tank that can also fit in the small living zone. The gas grill grates are made of heavy-duty cast iron covered with double-wall stainless steel covers. The durable grates are easy to clean using a plastic non-bristle brush when cool and also easy to season with soybean oil when heated.
This best portable grill for an apartment possesses a single burner. It produces 15000 BTU, good enough to heat up the whole primary cooking area of 240 sq. inches quickly. The Cuisinart grill heats up to 400 degrees that make the perfect grill marks on the meat.
This best apartment living grill is made for all in all adaptability. Besides, it had a sufficient cooking area, full-size height, and very handy hideaway side shelves, making it a super convenient apartment dweller’s grill. Foldable stainless-steel side shelves fold out and fold in to provide sufficient space for keeping plates or condiments. They easily fold back undercover for easy storage when not in use.
This grill is very trouble-free to assemble by following the easy-to-understand instructions. This best indoor grill for an apartment is also hassle-free to clean. Just take out the grates and clean with water mixed with a vinegar solution (50%) and scotch sponge. The entire process takes only a few minutes.
Cleaning the gas frame is also easy. This 42.8 x 21 x 36 inches dimension grill is the right size grill that fits well in apartment balconies and performs excellently. That is why experts and veteran grillers highly recommend this grill.
The collapsible stand allows it to turn into compact enough to fit inside small storage areas, thus, making it easy to carry in RVs, cars, and trucks. The built-in thermometer lets easy and accurate heat management.
Furthermore, the twist start ignition system allows easy and efficient starting. Finally, the grill is easy to set up, transport, and keep in apartment balconies.
Pros:
- Easy To Assemble
- Great Heat Output
- Easy To Use
- Easy To Clean
- Even Heating
- Accurate Temperature Control
Cons:
- Not Long Lasting
5. Weber 55020001 Q 2400 Electric Grill
The Weber Q 2400 electric grill is an excellent grill for apartments and condos where gas or charcoal grills are prohibited.
The grill has all the essential features to give you a fabulous cooking experience. Having a dimension of 25.1 x 31.5 x 26 inches it is also space-saving and portable– just the right combination for use as an apartment balcony grill. The cast iron grill grates and supreme quality body finishes promise unmatched durability.
This electric grill has a 1560-watt electric heating element to heat the entire 280 sq. Inches cooking area. This electric grill for the apartment gets hot enough to sear steaks and other food as it is powered to heat from 500 -550 F (max). Heat can be controlled without setting any limit. This portable grill for an apartment is easy to put together and cook food nicely on it.
It takes longer than a gas grill to come to temperature, but once at optimum temperature, you can sear the meat quickly. Besides, the temperature control is much more consistent, using a chart that comes along with it.
The users of this best grill for apartments highly recommend it for grilling steaks, chickens, and burgers following the time chart that turns out everything perfectly. Users should let 20 minutes for the grills to heat before putting on cast aluminum lid closed, then set the timer, turn out the closed lid, and then enjoy perfectly grilled juicy meat.
This electric grill is also very easy to clean. Just use a sponge with an attached wand and grill dissolving dish soap to clean it. This grill comes along with a disposable aluminum drip pan, which is so easy to remove and clean.
A 6–feet grounded cord is provided with this grill for residual operating current (RCD), not exceeding 30m. This lightweight equipment weighing just 42 pounds makes it easy to move from one place to another- indoor or outdoor locations.
The use of cast Aluminum in the body also makes them well-built. For enhancing portability and safety, users have also highly appreciated the use of the Weber Q portable cart and Weber grill cover, which is available in a separate sales package.
A 5-year warranty is applicable on selective parts such as the cook box, burner tubes, grates, and plastic components. All other parts are backed by a 2-year warranty.
Pros:
- High-Quality Materials
- Long-Lasting
- Easy To Assemble
- Temperature Control
- Easy To Clean
- Size And Weight Perfect For Apartment Use
- 5-Year Warranty
Cons:
- Cast Iron Parts are Difficult To Clean
- Grates Don’t Have A Temperature Gauge.
6. Coleman RoadTrip Portable Apartment Propane Grill
The Coleman Road Trip 285 Portable Stand-up Propane Grill is an ideal grill for use in small spaces such as apartment balconies and patios. This 30.75 x 19.2 x 26.1-dimensions grill is sufficiently small in size to fit easily in apartment verandas.
This is the ultimate portable grill, unlike most of its peers. This 46.7 lb. lightweight equipment is ingeniously designed for compactness and portability, which makes it ideally suited for indoor use.
The grill grates are made of porcelain-coated cast iron that adds the easy to clean feature also to this LP grill. The side table of the dwellers’ grill has enough space and the capacity to hold many items that you need during grilling.
The water pan provides moisture during grilling, so the food doesn’t get dry during cooking. This grill can be adjusted with different accessories that go well with it.
The most important thing worth mention in this context is the tabletop that blesses its great feature of being easy to use in indoor apartment balconies, patios and outdoor camping, tailgating, beach parties, and road trips.
This small grill for apartment dwellers has a large cooking area of 285 sq. inches enabling you to cook brats, hotdogs, burgers, and many other items. It also heats up fast and cooks quickly.
The cooking surface area is 30” inches above the ground. Coleman Road Trip Stand-up portable propane grill is easy to assemble. Just follow the instructions, which are really easy to understand. Grill users love this equipment because this perfect apartment dweller grill is easy and hassle-free to set up, take down, and transport.
This grill works great while offering a vast heating range from 3250 to 20,000BTU, spreading temperature evenly across the entire 285 sq. inches primary cooking surface powered by 3 burners. It also uses one 1 lb. propane cylinder (sold separately).
A built-in lid thermometer helps in temperature management during cooking. An overwhelming majority of users recommend this grill for the apartment patio, which works like a champion due to its numerous useful features.
The 3 independent zone temperature enables 3 different grillings or cooking at the same time. The quick foldable lightweight legs and 2 wheels let the grill move smoothly to any small space within indoor apartment balconies as well as outdoor places like camping trips, tailgating, and beach parties.
It’s another star quality that it offers both the grate and griddle option (sold separately) for cooking. This item is backed by 3 years limited warranty.
Pros:
- Small Size Suitable For Apartment Balconies
- Heavy Duty Material
- Easy To Clean
- Lightweight
- Grate And Griddle Cooking Options
- Independent Cooking Zones
- Built-In Thermometer
- Easy To Assemble
- Easy To Set Up And Take Down
- Also Suitable For Outdoor Grilling
- 3-year warranty
Cons:
- Side Tables Are Stiff In, Slide In, And Slide Out According To Few Customers Reviews
- Few Issues Related To Difficulties Of Cleaning Of Water Pan Reported
Thinking of a Korean BBQ grill? Check awesome Korean BBQ guide and recipes.
7. George Foreman Indoor or Outdoor Dwellers’ Electric Grill
George Foreman 15-Serving is an excellent indoor-outdoor grill for an apartment for being a small size electric grill.
Besides, having a dimension of 22.2 x 20.5 x 13 inches, George Gorman is a perfect grill for apartment dwellers, especially having small balconies.
This best apartment patio grill is super easy to assemble, taking only 10 minutes to put together through following very easy-to-understand instructions.
This indoor grill for an apartment can be placed directly over the tabletop or atop the pedestal. On its own, the grill surface stands 6” high, and with a tabletop or pedestal, it will be 2 ½ ft tall, making it easy for the grillers to grill.
This grill for apartment living is a fantastic device that takes only 10 minutes to heat up its surface area while you gather your steaks, kebobs, or fish, hot dogs, burgers, or whatever to be grilled.
This GF Grill is a perfect alternative to gas or charcoal grills for its grilling output qualities. Besides, the non-stick coating makes it easy to clean as well as easy to use.
The grilling area of 240 sq. inches is large enough to place 20 – 22 hamburgers or 4-6 steaks. This George Foreman equipment doesn’t grill both sides, i.e., they have only one grilling surface. The drip tray is made of very lightweight metal, thereby easy to remove.
The vast majority of users highly recommend it for cooking very tender, juicy, and favorable meat. The easy-to-remove stand takes you from patio to countertop, making it perfect for grilling anywhere, anytime.
The temperature probe makes it possible to apply 5 different temperature setups to cook any kind of food. The 21 lb. lightweight design bestows it easy to carry, move, and transport features. Lid handles can turn or vent clockwise, which helps in dry cooking.
Twisting the lid counter-clockwise helps to retain moisture in the meat. This magnificent, dependable grill offers 3 years limited warranty.
Pros:
- Best For Small Spaces
- Fully Permitted For Apartment Use
- Easy To Clean
- Temperature Control
- Adaptability
- Long-Lasting
- Portability
- Lightweight
- 3-Year Warranty
Cons:
- The Drip Tray Is too Small causing Overflow Issue
Factors to Consider When Picking the Grill for Dwellers Living in Apartments
It is natural to be confused while picking up the best grill for a dweller living in an apartment. There are plethoras of options scattered all across the market.
However, keeping in mind the following limited number of facts can help you make the right decision with ease and confidence.
Temperature Range
It is vital to know how much heat is generated. If it is something like 300 F max. Then it is OK for cooking a great number of foods but certainly not steaks, meat, and burgers.
Below is given a mini table of temperatures essential for different types of cooking inside an apartment:
- A: 325 F: Good enough for cooking sausages, pork, grilled vegetables, and baked potatoes for slow cooking.
- B: 350 F: Appreciated for kebabs sirloin tips.
- C: 380 F: Essential for roasting
- D: 400 F: Needed for burgers, New York strips, tenderloins, and fillet mignon.
- E: 600 F: Searing steaks and Burgers.
Heat Control
Without having a proper heat control system, you will easily burn your food while cooking indoor. The heat control knob is turned to increase or decrease the heat as per cooking requirements.
Drip Tray
Drip Tray minimizes the cleaning activities. Make sure it is removable.
Cord Length
Make sure that the cord length is sufficient to reach the socket for connection with the units while grilling in balconies.
Warming Racks
Usually located at the side, the warming racks are used to keep the food warm for a longer time. However, not all grills have warming racks.
Grill Grates
This is a critical issue. Grill grates begin to corrode due to rusting in the due course. This can create serious problems related to taste, flavors, and even digestion. So, pay attention to the following facts about grill grates.
- A: Most grill grates are non-stick coated for the ease of cleaning. But this can create noxious fumes when they are damaged. Besides, steel grates usually have a short life. The best thing about grill grate is its role in heating up quickly and evenly.
- B: porcelain grates: Porcelain grates prevent rusting and keep the food clean, healthy and add extra tastes. They also heat slowly and helps in enhancing the added flavors.
Surface Area
Yet another vital issue is the cooking surface area of grills for apartment dwellers. It all depends on how many people you are going to serve. A detailed list is supplied below:
- A: For 2-4 persons, 200-140 sq. inch surface area is OK.
- B: For 6-8 people, 200 sq. Ft cooking surface area is essential.
- C: For 8-13 persons 200 -240 sq. inch area will be enough.
- D: To serve a family, friends, larger than average size family, the cooking surface area should be greater than 240 sq. inch.
Therefore, choose a bigger grill cooking surface if you have to serve a large number of people too often.
Built-in Thermometer
This will let you monitor the temperature to avoid over or under-cooking as well as retain the flavors.
Foldable Shelves
Foldable shelves provide extra space to keep the cooking materials handy. After the cooking, you can just fold them to a compact size for easy storage.
Removable Grates
Removable grates ensure easy cleaning for both indoor and outdoor grilling sessions.
FAQs
What kind of grill can you have at an apartment?
When it comes to choosing grills for an apartment, it implies you have limited space to place and use it. Countless grill items easily fit in a balcony, terrace, or in small patios. However, you need to consider a few factors before picking one.
Size of the Grill
You need to select the grill according to the space available on your balcony or kitchen countertop. It is recommended to have a grill that will occupy a maximum of 42 inches of space.
Again, if you want to keep it on your balcony, make sure there is enough space for gaiting. Unless you won’t be able to keep your ingredients pass through it.
Portable
Consider the portable grills for the balcony or terrace. Of course, it is not desirable to occupy the verandah with BBQ all the time.
A portable grill will enable you to set it aside while not in use. Thus, it would be protected from changing seasons, in case you prefer to keep it on the rooftop.
Electric Grills
Choose an electric grill if you want to cook on the balcony. Gas, propane, and charcoal grills can be risky for apartment dwellers. These grills have the intensity to catch fire quickly.
For the safety of your family and the apartment premises, buy portable electric grills. These items are lightweight, easy to clean and use.
Can you have a grill on an apartment balcony?
Of course, you can keep a grill on the apartment balcony. But this is largely subject to permissible rules. The rules for keeping grill and inflammable items in the balcony differ from one state to another in the US.
For instance, apartment residents are not allowed to keep a grill on the balcony in Florida. Hence, the rules are very strict in the state.
On the contrary, according to the regulations in Philadelphia, you can even use a charcoal grill on the balcony (subject to certain obligatory conditions).
If you are keen on using a grill on the balcony, it is recommended to read the guidelines of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
Before you purchase anything, consider the available space on the balcony and the regulations in your locality. Under all circumstances, it is mandatory to follow the rules.
On average, about 10,600 fire accidents occur in apartments due to indoor grills. This is where the safety norms matter.
For the best experience, we recommend using only portable electric grills. These items are by far the safest BBQ grill equipment. Using gas, propane, or charcoal grill can be damn risky.
Final Thoughts
Finally, we hope you, as a city or town dweller, are feeling a little more hopeful that now you have the option to enjoy grilling. Even if you have a small space, there is ample scope up a grill in the balcony.
We hope that the valuable information in this guide will help you to think smartly. Before buying anything, make a much-needed comparative analysis, assess your needs, take into account your budget as well as available space to finally get your choicest grill, and start barbecuing.