7 Best Small Grills for Apartments, Balconies, Small Patios and Rooftops

The Spirit II E-210 is one of the the smallest models from Weber, but it has a lot in common with the larger grills. You get great features in a reasonably compact package, including porcelain-enameled cast iron grates, side tables with hooks, a warming rack, and even a fuel gauge.

Just like a full-size barbecue, the lid on this compact gas grill is hinged. This is a plus, but it also means you need enough clearance from the nearest barrier to open it up. The unit’s main body is cast aluminum, and the handle, control panel, and work areas are stainless steel, so rust should not be an issue.

The stand sits on two large robust wheels, so moving the unit around should be a breeze. The left side table folds down, freeing up valuable space when in storage.

There’s 360 square inches of main cooking space under the hood, plus a 90 square inch warming rack that tucks out of the way when not in use. The twin stainless steel gas burners put out 26,500 BTUs, and above them are the ‘Flavorizer Bars,’ wedges of metal that turn drippings into smoky flavor.

If you dig tech gadgets, you’ll be glad to know the Spirit II E-210 is, “iGrill 3-ready.” What’s that? It’s a digital thermometer you can attach to the ‘cue (sold separately) that sends data to a proprietary app you install on your smartphone. Necessary? No. Very cool? Hell, yes!

So, it’s a well-built, high-quality small gas grill, but will it fit in a small space? It stands 45” tall; it’s 48” wide, and 27” deep (add 2” with the lid open). Total weight is 103 pounds. Well, it’s not likely to fit on your balcony, but it would be suitable for small yards and terraces.

This is an excellent product for just about any barbecuer, but particularly for someone with spatial restrictions. What you don’t want are budgetary restrictions, however, because it’s not inexpensive. Still, you should expect this BBQ to last for a very long time and provide a quality grilling experience throughout.

Overall dimensions in inches (W × D × H): 48 x 27 x 44.5.

For all the specs, features, build quality and brand reputation, this easily wins 1st place for best small gas grill.

Sometimes, the only requirement we have of a product is for it be good enough to do the job. We don’t need bells and whistles, fancy features, or even superior workmanship. If that’s how you feel about barbecuing, the Classic 280 is a good choice for a small backyard grill.

No doubt about it, this is a stripped-down, basic, budget-friendly product. It has two burners (20,000 BTU total), which means you can set up separate temperature zones and expand your grilling options.

Push-button ignition makes firing up the grill easy, and I love the over-sized lid handle that keeps your fingers away from the heat.

The lid and firebox are porcelain-coated steel, and the burners are stainless steel. Above the burners you’ll find porcelain-coated wire grates, providing a total cooking space of 280 square inches of cooking space. That’s plenty for a small family or group; expect to be able to cook a dozen small burgers at once, or several steaks.

There’s even a shelf on either side of the cooking area for you to prep food and rest your spices and utensils. As an option, you can order this barbecue with a side-burner in place of the left shelf.

What you don’t get is a thermometer, which is an unfortunate omission. There’s also no warming rack. The stand, which does have wheels, seems rather flimsy, and I can readily imagine it flexing and twisting as you roll. Still, the whole thing weighs less than 43 pounds, so perhaps it’s all that’s required.

As I indicated at the beginning, this is a no-frills grill and isn’t meant for a serious griller. The lack of lid depth and absence of a thermometer will keep you from doing anything but fairly basic grilling.

If that’s ok with you –maybe you just want to do dogs and chops and wings and stuff— then this may not be a bad investment. It’s a budget-friendly barbecue on an open flame from a brand name you know.

Overall dimensions in inches (W × D × H): 26 × 16.9 × 17.7

Maybe not the best looking grill, but it’s compact, works well, and is a bargain at the price it sells for.

If your space is truly compact, but you’re not willing to forgo either real flames or a grill large enough to cook for a family of four, the Fuego Element F21C may be the best small gas grill for you. If you value having a really cool looking grill, this is definitely the one for you!

I’m awarding huge style points to this futuristic looking grill from Fuego. A former Chief Designer for Apple designed this LPG-burning grill. That helps explain why it looks so different from standard propane barbecues. With its cylindrical design, the Element looks like it might blast off into space at any moment.

The cylinder cleverly hides the LPG tank and connection in the most space-friendly way possible. The whole thing, including the wheels, is no wider than the cooking surface itself; the whole thing is just 21” × 21”. So, you get a decent size grill (346 square inches) with a compact footprint.

Thanks to the circular burners, and the design of the lid, this little ‘cue can get to 500 °F in just 5 minutes. Remarkably, you can establish two temperature zones, enabling you to sear and then finish on lower heat just like on the big boys. The heavy-duty grate (15 pounds of cast iron) maintains even heat, and will hold up to frequent usage.

Since it’s on wheels, it should be easy to move around. This is ideal if you don’t have room to leave a barbecue in one spot all the time — just roll it out for grilling, then slide it back out of the way when you’re done. With the tank neatly stowed underneath, you’re not tethered to a natural gas line or electrical outlet, meaning you can grill wherever you have room.

Helpful features include a residue tray for catching grease run-off and a thermometer built-into the lid. The lid is not hinged, but it will sit neatly in or hang from either handle. It would have been nice to see a work surface attached, but I recognize that would detract from the design aesthetics plus add size.

Honestly, this Fuego looks so great, I’d say it’s worth having even if you don’t have a small outdoor living space. If oversized outdoor kitchens or smokers with trailer hookups aren’t your thing, a Fuego could be the best small gas grill for a style-conscious, casual barbecuer.

Overall dimensions in inches (W × D × H): 21 × 21 × 46

If you’re not familiar with the kamado style of grill, I suggest popping over and reading our feature on the best kamado grills.

If you are familiar with them but know you haven’t got room for one of the monsters, you could consider one of the smaller options available.

One of the leaders in the kamado grills segment is Kamado Joe.

There are three different sizes of Kamado Joe: The junior, the classic and the Big Joe. The Joe Junior is compact enough to fit on a patio or balcony, but can still cook a dinner for a couple or small family.

Grill space is limited to 148.5 square inches of cooking space (it’s 13.5” in diameter), but that’s still enough to cook four burgers, or 2 steaks at once.

You can even slow cook — because that’s what a kamado grill is best at — A 12-pound turkey, or any chicken you can get your hands on.

While you might be tempted to step up to a medium-sized classic, think carefully about your space, and about moving it around. While the extra 108 square inches of cooking space would be great, it’s also 188 pounds — that’s 120 pounds heavier than the Junior.

Having a Kamado Joe Junior at your disposal really opens up your barbecue options. Not only can you quickly cook up direct heat staples like the aforementioned burgers and steaks, but you can also go low ‘n’ slow to smoke a rack of ribs or maybe a small brisket. And how many balcony-size grills can do a whole chicken or turkey at once?

For such a small cooker, a Joe Junior can set you back a fair penny — over $500 MSRP, but with a built-in temperature gauge, 304 stainless steel cooking grates, ceramic heat deflector, grill gripper and ash tools, you do get some extras.

It’s also exceptionally well-made and will provide a lifetime of enjoyment, as well as being a truly portable grill suitable for camping or a tailgate party with its dual carrying side handles. Just be sure it suits your needs; if you’re not into low ‘n’ slow, this maybe isn’t the outdoor cooker for you.

Overall dimensions in inches (W × D × H): 16” × 22” × 20.75” (without stand)

Learn more in my dedicated review of the Kamado Joe Jr., written after weeks of ownership and use.

I have to tell you, the Weber website isn’t the easiest to navigate. You’re welcome for us doing the research for you.

Sometimes, there’s nothing quite like getting back to the roots of a thing. For barbecuing, that means glowing embers of wood. Well, since you can’t build a fire pit on a deck or terrace, charcoal is your best option. For many, the charcoal barbecue is the epitome of the backyard cookout.

The Weber Original Kettle is a classic charcoal grill, the kind many of us remember from our childhoods, and which plenty of grillers still love today. The design has changed little over the years, and with good reason — you don’t fix it if it ain’t broke! It still appears high in my list of great charcoal grills!

Weber makes all kinds of charcoal grills, but the Original Kettle is simple, effective, and compact. It’s everything you’re looking for in a small-space grill.

This model is a 22” unit with 363 square inch cooking surface. That’s pretty hefty for a ‘cue that takes up fairly little space! If you need a smaller kettle, there’s an 18” version, but we think sticking to the 22” maximizes versatility.

There are plenty of features to love on this grill, including the ash catcher in the stand and the easy-to-open bottom chute. The triangular stand should offer good stability — that’s something Weber prides itself on — and you can hang the lid on a side handle when you don’t need it. There’s even a heat shield below the lid handle to keep your hand safe.

All exterior parts are rust-resistant, but I always suggest buying a cover if you’re going to store it in an exposed location.

By the way, as a writer, I do love the copy on the info doc provided on the site, especially the “durable, all-weather wheels.” That’s ad-speak for, “plastic.”

Of course, there are some things to not like about this grill. For instance, there’s no thermometer. I know this is a lower-cost unit, but would it detract that much from the profit margin to add a simple gauge like that?

There’s no workspace, either, save for a small shelf down at the bottom of the stand. Though I think that’s more for structural rigidity than for stashing your accessories.

All in all, this is an excellent option for those who want a basic charcoal grilling experience, and don’t want to drop a lot of coin on a ‘cue.

Overall dimensions in inches (W × D × H): 25 × 22.5 × 39.5

Though the infomercials may have been laughable (I think that’s the point of infomercials), I can tell you from personal experience that the George Foreman grill is actually a pretty good product!

I’ve “grilled” all kinds of small cuts of meat, burgers, wieners, and sausages on this little device, and I’ve always been pleased with the results. Part of the trick is to manage your expectations — this isn’t a competition-grade smoker! But, when true grilling hasn’t been an option, I still prefer the Foreman to a frying pan.

If your local regulations prevent you from using charcoal or gas, you can still enjoy a simulation of the barbecue experience by cooking outside with the GFO3320.

Really, this is just a standard George Foreman grill on a stand to make it an outdoor small grill. Conveniently, it readily detaches from the stand, so you can use it indoors, too, or take it on the road to use as a tabletop grill. Because it is essentially a ridged frying pan, it comes with those benefits, too; it has a non-stick ceramic coating, it heats evenly, and you can take the cooking surface off to clean it.

For such a low-profile piece of equipment, the cooking surface is fairly large at 240 square inches. You have very precise control over how hot it gets, and the built-in thermometer lets you know if you’re at the right temperature.

Of course, everyone knows the George Foreman Grill diverts grease and drippings away from the meat, and this model is no exception. The grease flows to holes in the center of the grate and down to a drip tray. You don’t get smoky flavoring from the drippings, but you’re not frying in your own grease, either.

Is it really barbecuing? No, I won’t pretend that it is. Is it better than no barbecue at all? I think so — at least you can cook outdoors and enjoy the weather and the social aspects of using a balcony grill. If you don’t absolutely have to have an electric grill, don’t get one. But the option is there if there’s no other choice.

Overall dimensions in inches (W × D × H): 20 × 19.5 × 11 (without stand)

If your outdoor space has you limited to buying an electric, but you really are a griller at heart, we have you covered. Here’s an electric grill that looks like a “real” barbecue and provides surprising versatility.

Char-Broil is a well-established manufacturer in the gas and charcoal grill business. You may not realize that they also produce two electric grills. This one is the top-of-the-line.

There are some really nice features on this small outdoor grill, including a hinged lid, thermometer, and a top rack for indirect cooking and warming. There’s also a convenient wire rack integrated into the stand, plus a storage shelf between the legs and wheels for standing some items.

The porcelain-coated, cast iron grate gives 240 square inches of cook surface, not counting the upper rack. Char-Broil guesses that’s enough room for up to a dozen burgers, 8 chicken breasts, or 6 steaks. Maybe small ones, but still, not bad for a compact grill.

There’s a single infrared heating element under the grate that should get to temperature rapidly and evenly. Underneath that, there’s a large drip pan to catch your grease run-off. The single control knob is infinitely adjustable, and allows you to change cooking temperature easily.

Oh, and if you don’t like the red one, you can go for black or graphite, instead.

I’m trying to find something to not like about this product, but I’m struggling. It has the look of a traditional ‘cue and seems like a pretty decent substitute. Geez, it even has a cord wrap at the back.

This is a well-thought-out product. It’s pricier than the George Foreman, but as long as you have no need to grill indoors, and have a higher budget, this seems to be the better choice in the electric category.

Overall dimensions in inches (W × D × H): 25.2 x 24.4 x 38.2.