7 Best Grills for Apartment Balcony at Tasty Prices

But if you still think it’s not feasible to have a slice of one of the biggest American traditions just because of a space crunch, we’re here to prove you wrong!

And with the summers approaching, what’s more, American than setting the stage for a house party with some glowing embers, searing meat, and laughter? And how about all of this on your very own warm balcony?

We've got a list of some of the best grills for apartment balconies, which will mesmerize you with their outstanding performances.

Hop in, read on, and find what you’re looking for because we have something for everyone!

Best Grills for Apartment Balcony

Here's the list of the 7 best grills for apartment balcony, carefully curated to help you find the perfect grilling companion for your outdoor space.

1. Kamado Joe KJ13RH Joe Jr Charcoal Grill - Best for Small Spaces

Kamado is one of the most renowned brands in the grill industry whose specialty lies in catering to a variety of cooking needs. If you’re familiar with the brand, you must have heard about their monster grills, which may have made you scroll further down. But not to worry as the Joe Jr is one fantastic grill that fits any balcony or patio, while also dishing out great recipes in the traditional Kamado style.

Why did we like it?

There are 3 different sizes of the Kamado Joe series, the Classic, the Big Joe, and the Joe Junior. The central difference among the models is mainly with capacity, and if you’re apprehensive about the quality of the cooking, rest assured that Kamado never falters with that.

Coming to its features, the grill is compact, and its cooking space is 150 square inches, that’s enough space to cook a wholesome dinner for a family of four. And if you’re looking for the amount of food you can cook at once, it’s more than 2 steaks or over 4 burgers put together. Also, most companies won’t vouch for it, but Joe Jr can grill an entire 12-pound turkey inside its cooking space, making it one of the best balcony grills to achieve this feat.

On top of that, with an in-built thermometer, durable stainless steel construction, and a convenient ash collector, this grill will give you a lasting blend of taste and durability to complement your balcony.

What could have been better?

While we couldn’t find any fault in the grill, the only minor inconvenience that we faced was there were no added accessories such as a warming or an extra cooking rack. Also, some users commented that the grill stand arrived bent, so it seems Kamado needs to take good care of the packaging.

2. Weber Original Kettle 22-inch - Best for Classic Grilling

It’s hard to ignore Weber when you have dipped your toes in the world of grilling. Especially after introducing flavorizer bars in some of their grills, Weber seems to have hit a new high in its sale. And as the company has something for everyone, that classic, nice old charcoal grill which they call the ‘Kettle’ still remains one of our favorites.

Why did we like it?

Weber hasn’t changed its classic Kettle model over the years, which is why it has gained a good amount of following among those who are on the lookout for small grills. Three words describe this little bird: Compact, simple, and effective. And we believe this is something that you’ve been looking for all this while.

Well, its cooking area is 363 square inches, while the grill measures around 22 inches in length. Okay, we understand it may exceed the size you’re looking for, but Weber has you covered with its even smaller 18-inch version. The ample cooking space can comfortably accommodate over 13 burgers, and its porcelain-enameled lid and cooking bowl are masters of retaining heat.

One of the best aspects of this grill is convenience. Sure, when you’re looking at a small-sized grill you’re definitely looking at something hassle-free in every sense of the word. And Kettle does that with perfect ease because its one-touch cleaning system gives you a fast and thorough washing of the grill after every cook.

Moreover, there are dampers inside with which you can control the internal temperature, leaving you with the best recipes in the least span of time. And the grill plates are also made of durable steel with an easy-cleaning and heat-retaining facility, which means no more waiting in queues for the plates to heat up!

What could have been better?

We didn’t like that they missed out on the internal thermometer in this model. Sure, it’s a low-priced model, but would a thermometer really increase the production cost way too much? Another point is the lack of working space, which seems like a consistent problem with smaller grills.

3. Charbroil Classic 280 2-Burner Liquid Propane Gas Grill - Best for Compact Design

If the E-210 model was a bit over the top with many extra features and a huge size, the Charbroil Classic 280 is the perfect minimalistic design that fits any space and suits you with all its convenient features. Trust us, other than the Kamado Joe Jr., we found the 280 to be the most compact gas grill among them all.

Why did we like it?

Frankly, we were fascinated by Char-Broil’s effective use of space in this design. While most small grills fail to combine convenience and quality, Char-Broil does it with ease. On the one hand, it comes with a decent 280 square inches of cooking space, as well as two metal side shelves that you fold in at your convenience.

And what’s more, the grill also comes with 2 standard stainless steel burners, which means you can stretch your cooking options by setting up different temperature zones for them. And the porcelain-coated steel lid and firebox always manage to grasp most of the heat, helping you to have a decent cook in the least amount of time.

Finally, there are two other aspects of this grill that we liked. One, the push ignition button never fails to hit up a flame with a single push. And two, its oversized handle on the lid keeps your hands away from the heat, adhering to the safety standards of Char-Broil.

What could have been better?

This is a pretty basic grill, and it’s really not suited for experiments, as the lack of an internal thermometer and a proper lid depth doesn’t give much room for trying out different things. Yet, coming at a mere weight of 43 pounds, it will serve all your house party needs with ease.

4. MASTER COOK 3 Burner BBQ Propane Gas Grill

Very few miniature gas grills are as compact as this 3-burner model from Master Cook. The brand doesn’t need any introduction, as it’s quite a well-known company in the grilling industry specializing in space-saving designs. Master Cook has really mastered the art of packing too many features into a space as compact as possible.

Why did we like it?

Let’s start with the compactness and the shape of the grill as we found them to be quite impressive. Its elongated rectangular structure with a lid of decent depth hides ample cooking space inside it with absolute style. The cooking space it comes with is a massive 339 square inches, and its warming racks measure 138 square inches in total. This easy setup allows you to grill over 15 burgers at a time, or 3 steak bars all at once.

The impressive feature that had us ‘grillin n chillin’ is its set of 3 burners and an integrated piezoelectric ignition system. While the 3 burners will give out a total of 30000 BTU of heat, the instant ignition system lights up the grill with a single hit. More than convenience, it saves you a whole lot of cooking time, and one thing that got us wondering was, how did they manage to pack 3 burners in this small size!

And what adds to convenience are the porcelain-enameled cooking grates, which are masters of retaining heat. And Master Cook pays equal attention to durability as this model comes with stainless steel burners and a chromium-plated control knob, dedicated to preventing rusting.

What could have been better?

To be honest, we strove really hard to find any particular issue that many users may have faced. But we failed to find any such recurring issue with this grill. It’s a compact, 3-burner grill with which you can experiment a whole lot, while it stands on its sturdy wheels either in your balcony or backyard.

5. Coleman Propane Grill

Perhaps, the origin of Coleman lies in making people’s lives easy. We propose this because it’s a company whose products range from tents to grills, and from furniture to airbeds. The bottom line of all of them is the same: convenience. This is why we thought of trying out this propane grill from Coleman. Let’s see what it has to offer.

Why did we like it?

We presume when you are choosing a grill for your balcony, you may also like to take it to your backyard, or your terrace at times. For that, you need something that’s not just lightweight but also easily portable. This is where Coleman beats every other grill with its flexible collapsible design. Coming at a weight of a mere 46.67 pounds, toting it around your house is really a very smooth task.

Coming to its features, the dual burners that Coleman fits inside the grill are very durable and of high quality, with excellent heat control. This allows faster cooking, making it one of the ideal grills for tailgating, camping, or barbecuing. The 3 separate temperature zones, 20000 BTUs of heat, and 285 square inches of cooking space give you a complete package for dishing out all your secret recipes for a hearty meal of four or five.

And coupled with a great space-saving design, the instant ignition technology only adds to the convenience quotient of the grill.

What could have been better?

Well, you gotta be very careful with this grill. You shouldn’t ignite it when the lid is closed; otherwise, it could cause an explosion. And as the lever and the wheels are made of plastic, the entire arrangement seems a bit flimsy, although we haven’t found any user review pointing it out.

6. Lodge Cast Iron Sportsman Grill

The Lodge family started manufacturing cast iron in 1896. And since then, it has tried its hands at a whole lot of improvisations, and one of them is the grill industry. For them, it wasn’t that difficult because they were already a master of making perfect cast-iron rods, and they just fused that skill with the art of grilling. Check out this charcoal grill that’s one of the smallest in the market.

Why did we like it?

While researching so many small grills, we thought, why shouldn’t the charcoal grillers have a tabletop roasting of meat at searing temperatures? And the answer was this cast iron tabletop grill from Lodge. Weighing a mere 25 pounds, it’s one of the most portable grills out there that give you the traditional smoky flavor you’ve missed all this while.

Coming to its features, one of the sole reasons to go for this model is Lodge’s seasoned cookware. For those who aren’t aware, seasoning refers to treating the surface of a utensil with fat to improve its corrosion-resistant ability. Now Lodge does this with pure vegetable oils without any added synthetic chemicals. And with each use, the seasoning will get better, adding to the overall taste of any food you cook inside the grill.

What further adds to the taste is the combination of durable cast iron grates and a 158-square-inch cooking area, where the heat penetrates to the core of the meat. With minimal maintenance, this rugged-designed charcoal grill is one of our best choices for a compact and clean housewarming dinner for four.

What could have been better?

Well, we understand Lodge was primarily a cast-iron cookware manufacturing company, and this is where it gets murky. Many users have commented that the grates didn’t last after 2 years, and this is the only aspect that bothered us a bit. Otherwise, it’s a great model to look forward to.

7. Pop-Up Fire Pit - Portable Outdoor Fire Pit and BBQ Grill

Take our word for it, this product is simply a blast from Campfire Defender. Once you get the hang of it, it will be difficult not taking this grill on any occasion that has a bit of cooking involved. Perfect for tailgating, picnics, or just to dish out some of your best recipes for the party while you sip from your favorite wine sitting on the balcony, you name it.

Why did we like it?

Our question is, ‘Why shouldn’t we like it!’ It’s not even a question, and we’re quite confident that anyone would love this pop-up fire pit cum grill and all that it comes with. It’s a trailblazing model that packs a medium-sized grill into 2 separate bags, while the weight of the entire unfolded setup is 16 pounds.  

And once the cooking’s done, you can easily remove the grill grates and throw in some logs to make it a warm fireplace. So, you’re sorted for the coming winters! Coming to the quality of the food, the 4mm Food Grade Stainless Steel uniformly spreads the heat throughout the 505 square inch cooking space. As it’s an open design, cooking becomes more comfortable, and the protective heat shield prevents any harm to the surfaces on which you set up the entire grill.

And the company’s patented Fire Mesh technology ensures faster cooking with a consistent flow of hot air. What’s more, the Mesh comes with a warranty of 1 year, and don’t worry about its customer service because verified users mentioned their experiences to be great!

What could have been better?

Although the protective shield is supposed to save all surfaces from damage, the shield itself isn’t that durable. This is why after a year of heavy usage, burnt coal begins to drop through the guard onto the ground, making the surface dirty and prone to fire. But trust us, it’s not a dealbreaker considering the authentic smoky flavor and an added fire pit that you get.

Best Grills For Apartment Balcony Comparison Table

Buying Guide For The Best Grill For Apartment Balcony

Well, we are quite confident that out of all these products, some of them will definitely suit your style, needs, and cooking aspirations. And as the balcony sizes vary, we have some oversized grills for spacious homes, as well as some for average-sized apartment setups. But if our choices didn’t suit your needs, here’s a buyer’s guide to help you out. Read on and jot down the essentials to hit upon the best grill for your balcony.

It’s important to note the features you need to look for in a small grill are similar to that of the monster grills. The only extra factor coming into the equation is that of space. So, here are some basic pointers to pay heed to:

Think about your balcony first

Following this tip works great for selecting the right small grill of your choice. That’s because your balcony occupies the least amount of space out of all the separate areas such as the backyard, patio, garage, etc. And if you find a grill that easily fits there, you can stop worrying about fitting it in any other part of your house. So, that’s settled.

Small grills should be portable.

Yeah! No debate on that. The specialty of smaller grills lies in their portability, and apart from looking for standard grill features, always look for models that have durable wheels.

Always go for 2 or more burners in case of gas grills

After all, you’re digging the new smaller models for mini-parties, right? Going for a single burner is a problem as they take a whole lot of time to dish out yummy steaks. So, to take out time from this equation, choose the 2 or 3-burner models, or those with highly-efficient cooking grates that can retain heat. Anything that does the cooking faster.

Going for the details

Well, most don’t pay heed to the smaller details of the smaller grills. You gotta remember, balcony grills aren’t just miniature versions of their monster counterparts, and that they've got a specific set of characters of their own.

The most troubling aspect of handling a balcony grill is space management. Many grills come with superb features considering their size but lack side shelves. These shelves, along with warming racks, go a long way in neatly managing your cooking space. So, unless you want something specific out of a model, such as Kamado-style cooking (well, these grills don’t have the option to include racks), always go for the models with shelves and racks.

Grills for Apartment Balcony FAQs

What should I consider when selecting a small grill for my apartment balcony?

When selecting a small grill for your apartment balcony, it is important to consider the size of your balcony and ensure that the grill fits within the available space. Additionally, look for portable grills with durable wheels for easy movement.

Should I choose a gas grill with one or multiple burners for my apartment balcony?

It is recommended to choose a gas grill with two or more burners for apartment balcony grilling. Single-burner grills may take longer to cook food, while grills with multiple burners or efficient cooking grates can provide faster and more efficient cooking.

Are there any other factors to consider when selecting a grill for my apartment balcony?

Apart from the specific features mentioned earlier, it’s essential to consider factors such as the grill’s fuel type (charcoal, gas, electric), ease of cleaning, temperature control options, and overall build quality when selecting a grill for your apartment balcony. Additionally, it’s always a good idea to read customer reviews and compare different models to find the one that suits your needs best.

Conclusion

It seems we’ve arrived at the most critical juncture of this piece, and that’s our verdict. It’s difficult because making choices for others isn’t easy at all, but we gotta do it anyway. So, here it is:

The Kamado Joe KJ13RH Joe Jr Charcoal Grill is an ideal option for small spaces, offering a compact cooking area of 150 square inches and the ability to grill an entire 12-pound turkey.

For classic grilling, the Weber Original Kettle 22-inch is a good option with its ample 363 square inches of cooking space and excellent heat retention.

Lastly, the Charbroil Classic 280 2-Burner Liquid Propane Gas Grill is the right choice for those seeking a compact design, featuring a cooking space of 280 square inches, convenient foldable metal side shelves, and a reliable push ignition system.

These top three grills excel in their respective categories, catering to various needs and preferences for apartment balcony grilling.

So, we sincerely hope you come to the correct choices soon enough, keeping in mind all that we mentioned. Stay tuned for more informative reviews. Good luck and great grillin’!

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