Best Grills For Apartment Balcony In 2021

Do you live in a city apartment and longing for some juicy barbecue steaks? 

If so then finding one of the best grills for an apartment balcony would be a great solution for you to eat delicious grilled food.

It doesn’t matter if you have a limited cooking space on your balcony. You can easily find a cooking device that requires little storage space. 

And the good thing is that even though they are small, they can offer features a full-size grill would offer.

There are a lot of grills available today, so I understand how choosing the right one for you can be intimidating. 

Here are 5 of the best grills for the apartment balcony and some tips and considerations you may find helpful.

Which is the Best Grill For an Apartment Balcony?

By now, you might probably have an idea of what to look for in a grill that you will put on the balcony. 

Today we have nice small and portable grills to choose from that are appropriate to use on a balcony and here they are.

George Foreman 15-Serving Indoor/Outdoor Electric Grill

First on the list is a model from George Foreman, one of the most trusted brands for an indoor barbecue grill. 

This George Foreman electric grill is mainly known for its ability to use both indoor and outdoor. You are able to use it in your kitchen or set up a table on your balcony and start grilling there.

Cooking area

At 240 square inches of circular grilling surface, cooking for your family won’t be an issue as you will be able to serve 15 burgers at a time.

This is a unit that has a nice design, is elevated, durable, and has a nonstick coating so the food won’t stick to the cooking grate easily.

Other features

It has a gorgeous high domed and vented cover which makes your food juicier. You have the option to remove the grill from the stand and also cook inside with a tabletop unit.

It features five heat settings to prepare tender and larger pieces of meat.

It is an electric grill that is approved to use in apartments because there are no flare-ups, no smoke, and use of charcoal or gas. The model weighs 21 pounds.

Pros
  • Big cooking surface
  • Ideal for both indoor and outdoor use
  • Exceptional high-domed and vented cover
  • Easy to clean
Cons
  • A little heavy
  • Short cord
Check Reviews On Amazon

Char-Broil 20602109 Patio Bistro TRU-Infrared Electric Grill

Balcony grilling has always been easy with Char-Broil TRU Infrared Electric Patio Bistro. Like the previous one, this brand has been known for producing revolutionary cooking grills, both electric and gas.

Cooking space and features

It has 320 square inches of cooking space and porcelain-coated cast-iron grates that are resistant to rust and is also easy to clean.

This model features an integrated control knob to adjust temperatures easily. You won’t believe it, it has a removable warming rack too, it is quite interesting that a small device like this has it but it is a great feature to have.

This grill is reliable, space-saving, user-friendly, and cooks wonderfully. You will be able to prepare 12 burgers at a time.

It features TRU-infrared technology which means you will get juicy food and shouldn’t experience flare-ups, charred food, hot and cold spots, and smoke.

This model also has a lid-mounted temperature gauge, a flip-up shelve, and a grease tray for easy cleaning. It weighs 47.6 pounds.

Pros
  • Flip-up shelves storage
  • Electric TRU-Infrared cooking system
  • Easy to clean and rust-resistant
  • Heats up quickly
Cons
  • The cover has no perfect fit
Check Reviews On Amazon

Weber 10020 Smokey Joe 14-Inch Portable Grill

Another model that is worth checking out is Weber 10020 Smokey Joe 14-Inch Portable Grill. There are many reasons why this should be considered as the best grill for an apartment balcony.

Features

First of all, it is compact and lightweight as it weighs only 9.5 pounds while its size is 15.6” x 15.6” x 9”. It will surely fit any balcony of any size and stowing it away shouldn’t be a problem.

It has a porcelain-enameled lid and bowl that retains heat. The grill features rust-free aluminum dampers for easy temperature management.

The grate is made of durable plated steel that retains heat well and is easy to clean. This model has 3 aluminum legs and an aluminum ash catcher.

Cooking

It uses charcoal for fuel. Its grate measures 14 ½” in diameter and this means you are can cook a meal for a small family. You will be able to prepare 5 burgers at once. It has a heat-resistant handle to lift the lid.

Pros
  • Quite an impressive capacity for a small grill
  • Adjustable vents on top and bottom
  • Lightweight design
  • Aluminum ashtray for the easy cleaning process
  • 10-year warranty
Cons
  • Bottom vents of the smoker tent to get clogged easily
  • Flimsy legs
Check Reviews On Amazon

Fuego Element F21C Carbon Steel Gas Grill LP

The Fuego Element F21C Carbon Steel Gas Grill is such a unique unit that deserves a spot on this list. Basically, it is as compact as you can get when looking for a full-service grill.

Cooking surface and features

The 21” diameter cooking surface (346 sq. inches) is essentially quite large, so it is perfect if you are hosting a small party in your apartment. 

This grill is able to heat up to 500°F in just 5 minutes but it can heat up to 650°F max with the help of 21,000 BTU of power. Its 15lb porcelain-enamel cast-iron grates provide those great-looking sear marks. It weighs 73 pounds.

Cooking experience

This premium grill features a push-button electronic ignition, hinged tank storage access door, easy roll mobility, built-in lid thermometer, fold-out side table, and easy clean residue tray. You will be able to prepare 12 burgers at once.

Dual-zone capabilities allow indirect low and slow cooking and direct fast and hot cooking.

An integrated inside the hood heat-reflection shield helps provide convection-like cooking for slow and tender dishes. You will be able to put the lid on the hook while turning your foods.

Pros
  • Compact and lightweight
  • Heavy cast iron grate
  • Easy to clean
  • Versatile cooking system
  • The award-winning design by Robert Brunner
Cons
  • Unprotected cast iron requires extra care
  • The fold-out side table is very small
Check Reviews On Amazon

Cuisinart CGG-059 Portable Propane Gas Grill

This Cuisinart model is a perfect little streamlined, lightweight grill for two people enjoying their meals on the balcony.

The unit measures 19 x 11. 5 x 10 inches and weighs only 10 lbs. so you will be transporting it wherever you wish with ease.

Main features

It has an enameled steel grates that measure 146-square-inches and are washable in a dishwasher, great isn’t it? You can use a 1 lb. propane tank to start cooking.

It has a three-wall design and can produce up to 8,000 BTU of power. The grill has a push to start ignition button and can reach up to 600°F.

Assembly and other features

If you don’t like to assemble your unit and hassle with the tools this is the grillster to choose. It doesn’t need any assembly as you can start grilling in 5 minutes without using tools or matches.

The device has a drip tray, a gas regulator to monitor the gas flow, a locking lid, a large carrying metal handle, and folding legs. You will be able to prepare 4 big kebabs or 8 small burgers at once.

Pros
  • Compact design and very lightweight
  • Enameled steel grate
  • No assembly
  • Locking lid
  • Dishwasher safe
Cons
  • The handle gets hot
  • The vents are razor sharp (be careful)
Check Reviews On Amazon

What to consider when buying an apartment balcony grill?

There are a few factors that you should consider to make your purchase worthwhile.

When buying a balcony grill you should get a device that will fit on the balcony, and won’t get in your way.

If you have enough space think of a unit that will be large enough to prepare food for your guests quickly.

Do you need a model for you and your partner or do you need a bigger one to host a small party?

Also, think about the fuel type. Do you have permission to use a charcoal model on the balcony?

You should know if you can grill on the balcony and if so which fuel type you can use and what regulations you must consider when cooking.

Size

The size of the device is important. For apartments, choosing a compact one would be the ideal option, of course.

Make sure to measure your space first in order to make sure that your device will fit where you are planning to cook.

But if you are lucky enough to have a big balcony, then you should know how many people you will be cooking for on a regular basis. 

When you know the number, you will have a clearer idea of what sized-grill would be ideal for you to buy.

Features

Today grills come with different features that improve their overall versatility and make cooking easier than ever. 

Here are some features you may want to look into when shopping for the best grills for the apartment balcony.

British thermal unit (BTU)

When you’re buying one it’s important to know the different terms. One of the most important terms would be BTU. 

The BTU or British thermal unit is a unit of measurement that’s used to define the unit’s cooking ability. You don’t need a high-BTU grill if you will be preparing meals for you and your partner, for example.

Cooking surface

The cooking surface is another thing you must consider. There are grills that are flat, while there are also ribbed ones. 

If you want one that is easy to clean, then the best possible option is probably the nonstick one. 

You can also find ones with different surfaces that are interchangeable depending on what type of dish you want to prepare.

Type

As you probably know by now, there different types of grills you can use to prepare your dishes. Here are your options.

Best Grills For Apartment Balcony

Charcoal

Charcoal is not an appropriate option for apartment balconies. 

Due to the hot coals, long heating process, and smoke, charcoal grills are more likely to be banned by landlords compared to other types, although they are known to be safer compared to other types.

Propane

If you are looking for ones with less apartment-grilling rules, propane units would be a great option, which you are likely to use on your balcony. Propane heats quickly and can easily be controlled.

Electric

The best option for a balcony grilling is the electric device. This type of grill is usually lightweight, small, and pretty safe. 

Most apartments are allowed to use this device and are likely to fit in any space you have. 

You have to remember, however, that your food might cook a little differently compared to a traditional one as they have different elements of heating.

Can you grill on your apartment balcony?

This depends on the apartment grill rules that differ from the country and the city you are living in.

So, it is best for you to get to know about the grilling rules in your location.

If you live in an apartment building, you should have rules about building usage and safety where you can find the answer also.

Make sure you have permission to use a specific type of grill before even thinking of buying one for a balcony grilling.

No limits to grilling

As you can see, finding one of the best grills for an apartment balcony isn’t hard as I gave you the list of top picks. 

Hopefully, this article has given you enough information for you to find the right one. 

Use the tips provided above and consider your grilling options in the apartment before spending money on any of them in order to make sure you find the one that suits your needs and preference and is safe to use where you live.

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