There are three top options for grills for balconies. The George Foreman Grill is the best electric model, the Weber Original Kettle is the top charcoal model, and the Cuisinart CGG 180-T Petite Gourmet is the best gas grill.
One of my friends recently moved to an apartment and had to give up their full sized grill. So, they asked me to help them choose a grill that was apartment friendly but also had the performance of a more traditional grill. I was up for the challenge!
In this post, I will introduce you to the best grill for apartment balcony for each category and provide you with some additional options too. Plus, I have included a buyers guide!
Here are the top grills for apartment balconies:
Best Electric Grill for Apartment Balcony
You can’t find a grill that is more perfect for an apartment balcony than this one! Not only is this George Foreman grill an electric grill, it is also designed for indoor use. This means that you can easily use it without smoke impacting your neighbors or getting you in trouble with your building administrators.
The other great thing about this electric grill is that it is really compact, making it the ultimate balcony grill. Even if you have limited space, this grill isn’t going to take up much space at all. In fact, you can use the grill with the stand or without the stand, depending on the setup on your balcony. So, this grill can easily accommodate almost any balcony design.
The other thing that I was really impressed about with this grill was the cooking performance. I really like the temperature range and management. The grill was really responsive to any alterations I made to the temperature, ensuring that the good was grilling at just the right point throughout.
The grates are also great for adding grill marks and flavor to the food. I was pleasantly surprised at how good the food could taste on an electric grill.
The cool thing about this setup is that the grill can be removed from its electrical components. This makes it a lot easier to clean and you don.t have to worry about zapping yourself in the process.
Now, that being said, you should be careful when cleaning the grates because after a year or so, I found that the coating had a tendency to peel off in places.
Best Charcoal Grill for Apartment Balcony
This is a more compact grill but at the same time, it still boasts a great cooking area. With almost 400 square inches of cooking surface area, this grill works well for a small family. Or, if you like, you can cook larger batches of food at the same time. In any case, it is a great option if you don’t have to wait for a long time for an entire meal to be grilled.
One of the things that I really appreciate with this charcoal grill is how easy it is to adjust the temperature. All you have to ado is adjust the vents on the top of the grill and you are able to get the perfect grilling temperature each and every time. I have found that the results are on par with temperature gauges on electric and gas grills.
There are a lots of little features with this grill that make it a pleasure to use. First off, the grill is designed in such a way that you can keep the lid propped open on the side, preventing you from needing to put it on the ground.
I also like the fact that one part of the grates can be opened during the cook to add in more charcoal as needed. Also, there are tool hooks to help you store your utensils and have easy access to them.
The only real complaint that I have with this grill is that it can be tricky to assemble.
This grill is also a breeze to clean. This is thanks to the One Touch ash catcher. Since all the ash and debris ends up here, you simply need to empty this out after the cook and you are good to go.
Best Gas Grill for Apartment Balcony
This is an incredibly compact design. Due to this, it will not be taking up much grill space in your balcony at all. In fact, when it is not in use it can easily be stored inside your home. This allows you to use your balcony in another capacity at other times.
The small size and weight plus the fact that the lid can be closed and locked makes this a great gas grill for you to carry around with you as well.
I have to say that I was surprised by just how much heat this small gas grill could give out! Despite its size, you will have no trouble cooking larger or thicker cuts of meat on it. This makes it a versatile grill for you to own and ensures that you can cook a wider variety of food without any issue at all.
The other thing that I really like about this grill is that the porcelain coated grates are really high quality. As a result, the heat distribution on this grill is excellent across all 145 square inches of cooking space. I noted that it was the same from one end of the grill to another. So, cooking your food at a steady and even rate is easily achievable here.
Another great thing about this gas grill is that it is fairly easy to use. It is just a matter of attaching the propane tank and using the twist ignition to get the grill going. So, even if you are new to using a grill, you will still be able to figure it out fairly quickly.
The only thing that I don’t really like with this propane grill is that it isn’t the most durable option. It may start falling apart after a couple of years.
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One of the things that I like about this gas grill is that it is compact enough to be used as a balcony grill. At the same time, it has a few additional features that you don’t typically find on such a small gas grill. This includes a side table that can be used for prep work or simply be used for food that needs go into or come off of the grill.
I also like that it can be made even more compact, making it quite easy for you to transport this grill from one place to another if necessary.
With less than 300 square inches of cooking space, I was quite surprised to see that this grill actually has three burners! The great thing about this is that each section of the burner is thoroughly heated. In turn, this makes for a better and even heat distribution. So, your food will cook evenly and at a similar rate too.
The grease management system on this grill is a bit unique. This is because there is a water tray directly underneath the grate. Now, the good thing about this is that all the grease and food debris falls in the water. This way, you don’t have to waste time cleaning out the various components of the grill.
However, getting rid of the water in this water tray isn’t easy. On more than one occasion, I did end up splashing greasy water all over myself.
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This is one of the smallest grills on this list. So, if you have a small balcony and don’t want your grill to take up any more space than necessary, this is the grill to go with. Not only is this grill on the smaller side but it is also incredibly lightweight. This allows you to move around the grill by yourself without any hassle.
Considering the low weight of the grill, it shouldn’t be too surprising that the frame isn’t made from the strongest stuff. Due to this, you do have to be a bit careful with how you handle it.
Considering the size of this grill, I was surprised by how good the temperature control was. If this is your first time with a charcoal grill, then it can take you a minute to figure out how to work the vents. Once you have got this part, though, you will discover just how well you can manage the temperature.
If you are looking for minimal cleanup, then this is the grill for you. For one thing, the pan beneath the cooking chamber catches ash and debris from the grill. So, you only really have to clean this component out. Also, the grill is so small and easy to disassemble, allowing you to clean out practically every part of it thoroughly.
If you live in an apartment complex that has a lot of rules, then you are gonging to really like this grill. This is because it works exactly as an indoor grill, ensuring that you will be able to use this machine practically anywhere, without any issues.
The other reason that this grill works so well in apartments is because how compact it is. Not only does it barely take up any space on your balcony, but it is also really easy to store when not in use as well. So, even if you live in a fairly small apartment, this is a grill that will work out for you.
I was really impressed with the temperature range of this grill. It works equally as well for cooking burgers as it does steaks. So, the range is versatile enough to allow you to cook lots of different foods.
That being said you should be aware that you can’t really run this grill for too long. So, you do have to grill your foods rather quickly as a result.
There is no denying that this is one of the most portable gas grills on the market. In fact, this gas grill can easily double as a camping grill. Not only does this table up a minimal amount of space on the balcony, but this compact gas grill can also be packed up and transported to another location without any problem at all.
Despite being such a small gas grill, this model allows for easy temperature management. This is because it is equipped with an easy to use dial. Simply set the temperature to your desired point and the grill responds readily.
The only complaint with this grill is that you have to manually light the grill. This can be a bit intimidating if you are new to grilling.
The heat distribution on this grill is also pretty good. Even after several rounds of cooks, I didn’t notice any hot or cold spots. As a result, it is a lot easier for you to cook your food at an even rate.
Here are the top tips to follow when choosing your balcony grill:
Having a grill on your balcony is a tricky business. This is because there are so many laws to consider – the National Fire Association, state laws, city laws, and the laws of your apartment building.
So, before you do anything else, make sure that you figure out what you are and aren’t allowed to use on your balcony.
For instance, in many states, charcoal grills aren’t allowed on balconies but gas grills and electric grills are. If you are permitted to have a classic charcoal grill, there may be certain guidelines that you need to follow.
Even with electric grills and gas grills, there are restrictions and limitations. Make sure that you are aware of these before you make your decision.
So, what if you live somewhere with very few restrictions – what kind of grill should you get then?
Well, this does depend on what you are looking for from a grill.
If you are all about flavor, then charcoal grills are the way to go. This is because they provide you with that gorgeous smoky flavor. What’s more, you can also set up two zones for direct and indirect grilling more easily. This will allow you to cook foods at different temperatures. This setup is also great for smoking.
That being said, these grills can be a bit messy to setup. Also, they produce a bit more smoke and this can bother your neighbors.
If you want a grill that is easier to use, then go with a natural gas or propane grill. These produce quite a bit of flavor but they are also easier to set up. Keep in mind that a majority of fires are actually started due to gas grills so it is important to follow the safety procedures carefully.
Then you have the electric grill. These are easy to use and and produce practically no smoke at all. They also tend to be rather compact so storing them on your balcony is a breeze. The only downside here is that the smokey flavor isn’t quite as noticeable here.
Now, before you buy your grill, make sure to measure the dimensions of your balcony. Then, consider your desired layout for this area. For instance, do you want to have seating in addition to the grill?
In this case, you may want a small grill or even a tabletop grill. This will ensure that there is more room for your seating arrangement.
Now, when choosing a portable grill, consider the height. Many of these are fairly low to the ground. While this means that these grills take up less space, it also means that they are a bit more uncomfortable to cook on.
After all, it is difficult to grill hunched over or even sitting on the floor. So, make sure that you have a platform for such grills or choose one that comes with its own stand.
On the other hand, if you have a larger family or want to cook larger amounts of grill, then the grill will need to be bigger.
Just remember that based on local laws that you may need to position the grill in a certain way as well. So, make sure that your desired size of grill allows you to do so.
As with any purchase, it is important to consider the quality of the grill. Keep in mind that with many of these portable grills, the quality isn’t always up to par. Due to this, they may not last as long as traditional style grills.
That being said, there are a few things to pay attention to here.
Make sure that you get a stainless steel burner or burners. This tends to be the standard for most grills but it is good to check on anyway.
The other thing to consider is the grate material. If you are looking for a more budget friendly option, then porcelain enameled grates are the way to go. Cast iron grates are a good option too.
If you are looking for durability and don’t mind splurging a little, then you should consider stainless steel grates.
When going with a smaller grill, you do run the risk of getting a grill that isn’t powerful enough. Of course, if you want to grill foods at higher temperatures, then this will not work.
Due to this, start by checking the temperature range of the grill to make sure that it goes as high as you need it to. When it comes to a gas grill, you should check the number of burners and the heat output for each burner.
It is also a good idea to read reviews to guarantee that this grill is capable of doing what it says.
Now, this is another thing that you can’t really check out for yourself until you have the grill in hand. Due to this, you will need to read reviews ahead of time to make sure that the heat is evenly distributed from one end of the grill to the other.
When it comes to electric grills, make sure that the heating element runs throughout the grill surface. And for a gas grill, make sure that the ratio of burners to cooking surface area is good.
These designs reduce the risk of any cold spots or hot spots on the grill. It also works to ensure that all your food is cooking at a steady and similar rate as well.
This is feature is particularly important when cooking larger cuts of meat.
If you have only recently moved to an apartment or if you are only now considering getting a grill, it is only natural to wonder:
Is it OK to barbecue on a balcony?
Well, unfortunately, there is no straightforward answer here. This is because there are so many different regulations to consider here. First, there is the National Fire Association guidelines to think of. Then, you have to consider the state regulations. For instance, if you have thought about:
Can you grill on an apartment balcony in Florida?
The answer is no. This is completely forbidden. In places like New York and Philadelphia, though, there are far fewer restrictions.
You should also keep in mind that specific cities have their own rules as well. Also, the building that you live in may have rules regarding barbecues on the balcony.
Due to this, you will need to research all these guidelines to determine whether or not you can keep or use a grill where you live.
There is no one best grill for your balcony. Instead, the George Foreman Indoor/Outdoor grill is the best electric option, the Weber Kettle Original is the top charcoal model, and the Cuisinart CGG 180-T Petite Gourmet is the best gas grill.
If you want to find the very best grill for you, I would suggest checking out each make and model on this list. They each have their own set of features as well as advantages. So, it is only by considering each option that you can determine whether a particular grill is the right fit for you!
