Many people miss authentic barbecue taste just because they live in small apartments and restrictive environments. However, many advanced grills offer space-saving designs and the best safety measures for fire protection.
Along with that, some grills are approved for apartment use and strict fire control areas. Many electric and propane grills feature compact designs and advanced safety features, making them best for apartment balconies.
Table could not be displayed.This article reviews the seven best grills for apartment balcony, small backyard, and indoor use. We have covered all the safety and quality aspects that make a grill best for an apartment balcony. Plus, there is a buying guide, in the end, to make your way easier while buying a new grill.
Table of Contents
Grills For Apartment Balcony Top Picks
1. Ninja Foodi AG301 5-in-1 Indoor Electric Countertop Grill
Ninja Foodi AG301 electric countertop grill with low-smoke technology and compact size is the best option for people living in compact spaces and restrictive environments. It is a compactly sized grill with a flat lid that can be placed in any small corner of the kitchen, on the table on the balcony, or anywhere inside the apartment. Since the grill is designed for restrictive indoor environments, it uses low-smoke technology.
It uses a splatter shield and cool air zones that lower the amount of smoke produced, making it perfect for restrictive environments. It is a 5-in-1 versatile cooker that lets you sear, bake, dehydrate, grill, and roast the food with almost the same power output as an outdoor grill. The grill can reach a maximum temperature of around 500F. This feature makes the grill best for fast cooking, like searing the meat, making it the favorite of traditional BBQ lovers.
We also found this grill pretty easy to operate. With an intuitive touch-screen digital control panel, you can adjust the temperature and cooking mode. We also really loved the sturdy build that can handle the continuous use, impact, and extreme temperatures.
The grill features stainless steel exterior coupled with a non-stick ceramic coated cooking pot, grilling grates, and crisp basket. High-quality ceramic grates, crisp baskets, and cooking pots can withstand extreme temperatures promising long-term performance. Also, the non-stick cooking surfaces are fairly easy to clean and maintain.
- Intuitive digital control panel
- High power output
- Ceramic enamel non-stick cooking surfaces
- Produces low smoke
- A bit overpriced
Ninja Foodi AG301 is a versatile electric grill that lets you cook various foods with comparatively less fat content than traditional deep frying. Its low smoke technology and compact size make it one of the best grills for an apartment, balcony, and indoor use.
2. Hamilton Beach Electric Indoor Searing Grill
Hamilton Beach electric indoor grill is one of the best indoor grills that offer almost the same power output as outdoor grills. It is a compactly designed grill with a tabletop design that is approved for apartment use. The grill comes with a 118 sq. inches cooking surface that is spacious enough to entertain a normal household.
The feature that sets this grill apart from its counterparts is its ability to attain maximum temperature up to 450F. You can sear the meat at this high temperature, as the grill locks the flavor and juices inside the meat while leaving the traditional grilling marks outside. Plus, you can achieve various temperature levels at the grill with an adjustment knob. This feature lets you cook a variety of foods.
Plus, the grill comes with a lid that is a real plus while barbecuing in the backyard or apartment balconies. The lid locks the smoke and heat inside, not letting the wind ruin your meal. Plus, there is a window in the lid through which you can continuously monitor the food for a perfect experience.
The grill features a stainless steel construction that is rugged enough to withstand the impact and high temperatures. Plus, it’s non-stick steel cooking and drip tray that collects the grease and fat content. All the parts are removable and dishwasher safe, offering a hassle-free post grilling cleanup.
- Stainless steel construction
- High searing temperature-450F
- Effortless cleaning
- No temperature gauge included
Hamilton Beach Electric grill can reach the high searing temperature and infuses the traditional BBQ flavors in meals. Plus, a unique lid design and 118 sq. inch cooking surface make it one of the best grills for apartment balconies.
3. George Foreman 15-Serving Indoor/Outdoor Electric Grill (GGR50B)
Here is another top-rated grill, approved for an apartment and indoor use, with full electric controls and versatile cooking options. Also, this girl can extract the significant fat content from the meat, making it a favorite for health-conscious people. Despite the compact size and smaller footprint, the grill offers high temperature with a 1600 watt of power output.
The grill features an efficient temperature control knob that lets you get the various temperature levels to cook a variety of perfectly grilled items. What we found most impressive about this cooking grill is its portable design making it equally suitable for indoors and outdoors. Despite the smaller footprint, it offers a 240 sq. inch cooking surface. It is spacious enough to hold up to 15 patties at a time.
It means this grill is ideal for a normal household and can also entertain 3 to 4 guests. Plus, it comes with a stand with a smaller footprint allowing you to adjust the grill in small apartment balconies and patios. Also, it is a countertop grill, and you can place the grill anywhere inside the apartment.
We found this grill pretty easy to maintain and clean-thanks to George Tough Non-stick Coating. The non-stick enameled grilling grates are durable to withstand high temperatures and offer an effortless cleaning. The only flaw we noticed is its short electric cord. You may need an extension wire while using it in the balcony or backyard, which is a bit risky, especially if you have kids.
- 240-inch cooking area
- Non-stick enameled cooking grates
- Temperature control knob
- Short electric cord
George Foreman GGR50B is a compact yet surprisingly spacious grill that can entertain a normal household and small crowds. With a small footprint stand and full electric controls, this grill is equally useful indoors and outdoors.
4. Weber 54060001 Q2200 Liquid Propane Grill
Weber Q2200 Liquid propane grill is one of the most compactly designed gas grills we ever tried. This grill with 280 sq. inch cooking and a relatively smaller footprint offer an easy setup in an apartment balcony or small backyard. What impressed us most is the cooking area of the grill. I can easily entertain a crowd of 6 to 10 people, making your meals more fun.
Plus, it has foldable side tables that let you organize the grilling stuff and tools. Also, these tables fold down to save space if you have a small balcony or backyard. The grill features a cast aluminum construction coupled with cast iron grilling grates.
Grates are porcelain-enameled, making them non-stick and highly resistant to extreme temperatures. The grill offers straightforward post grilling cleanup and gives you a long-term performance. The grill has a maximum power output of 12000 BTU, which is good for its small size.
It can reach maximum temperature up to 300F and is therefore not a good choice if you love searing meat at high temperatures. Also, there is a temperature gauge on the lid that displays the exact temperature of the grill to minimize the guesswork and bring cooking efficiency. The grill uses disposable propane tanks and uses leakage-free technology.
- Large cooking space
- Porcelain enameled grates
- Temperature gauge
- Small footprint
- Cannot reach high temperatures
Weber Q2200 grill with 280 sq. inch grilling area is ideal for people who often entertain friends and family. With quality construction, porcelain-enameled cooking grates, temperature gauge, and portable design, this is one of the best grills for apartment balconies.
5. BELLA Indoor Smokeless Grill
Bella Indoor smokeless grill is a real deal-barker for people having a limited budget. It is a compact-sized electric grill under $50, which is the best option for small apartments, small backyards, and restrictive environments. This is a versatile grill on which you can fry, steam, and roast the meat. It is a lightweight tabletop grill with a smaller footprint.
It comes with non-heating plastic handles for easy maneuverability and can be placed easily in the balcony backyard or anywhere on the kitchen countertop. The grill is designed to provide a surreal grilling experience without producing noticeable amounts of smoke. The grill uses a copper-coated grilling surface. For an electric grill, copper coating aids in quick heating, giving you a quick and handy start.
Plus, the tough plastic body and non-stick metal cooking grates offer exceptional durability and effortless pot-grilling cleanup. What we loved most about this grill is its large cooking surface. The cooking area is around 192 sq. inches, a real treat for such a compact size indoor grill. The grill is spacious enough to entertain a normal household.
Furthermore, the Bella Indoor grill is loved by health-conscious foodies. The copper-coated cooking grates provide a safe grilling surface. Plus, it can extract a considerable amount of meat fat, making your meal healthier. The dripping fat is collected in a drip tray to avoid messy situations around the grill. The grill doesn’t come with a lid, which can cause the food to cook slowly in windy situations on the apartment balcony.
- Lightweight and compact
- No smoke production
- Copper-coated non-stick grates
- Low-fat content
- No heat customization
- No lid
Bella Indoor Smokeless grill with various cooking options and affordable price is one of the best-valued products we ever tried. Its spacious cooking surface with an overall smaller footprint and top-notch construction helps it stand out as one of the best grills for apartment balconies.
6. George Foreman GFO3320GM Electric Grill
If you are looking for an electric grill with a large cooking surface, consider George Foreman GFO3320GM. The grill offers a circular cooking surface of around 1240 sq. inches which is large enough for 15 servings and can entertain a big crowd. The grill comes with a unique lid and stand design, making it perfect for the apartment patios. The lid locks the heat and smoke inside, giving you a quick and flavorful BBQ experience.
Plus, a detachable stand with a smaller footprint makes the placement easy in small apartment balconies. You can remove the stand to make a countertop grill for kitchen use. What we found best on this grill is the temperature control feature. It comes with a heat adjustment knob, through which you can get the five temperature settings to cook different foods like burgers, veggies, grilled meat, wieners, and many more.
Plus, there is a temperature gauge on the lid, giving you the exact temperature reading to eliminate the guesswork. The grill features metal construction for durability and ceramic-coated non-stick cooking grates. The ceramic coating ensures equal heat distribution, provides protection against high temperatures, and acts as a healthy cooking surface.
The non-stick grilling grates are stain-resistant, and we found them pretty easy to clean and maintain. The grill also extracts a considerable amount of grease and fat content, giving you healthy meals. The grease flows down into the drip tray for a less messy cleanup.
- Unique lid design
- Large cooking surface
- Ceramic coated non-stick grates
- Built-in temperature gauge
- Cannot reach high searing temperature
If your local regulations restrict you from large propane and charcoal grills, consider this George Foreman GM03320GM with 240 sq. inch cooking space. Plus, the grill features stainless steel construction coupled with ceramic-coated grates, making it a durable and sturdy grill.
7. Char-Broil Classic 280 2-Burner Liquid Propane Gas Grill
If you are allowed to use propane grills inside the apartment, here is the best option you can buy. Char-Broil propane gas grill with 280 sq. ich grilling space gives you the best barbecuing experience on the apartment balcony or in your small backyard. The grill comes equipped with many unique features making it the best grill for small apartment patios.
The grill comes fixed on a stand with a smaller footprint and sturdy caster wheels. Wheels on the stand make the maneuverability safe and easy around the home. Also, it has shelves on both sides that let you organize the grilling tools and other stuff. The grill uses two burners, each offering individual controls. Therefore you can get two different temperature zones to cook different foods. Also, you can use one temperature zone as a warming rack.
We really love the sturdy build of the grill that is highly resistant to impact and extreme temperatures. It has a porcelain-coated metallic lid and grates that offer long-term performance and durability. Also, the porcelain-coated grill grates offer equal heat distribution, giving you perfectly cooked foods every time.
Furthermore, the grill comes with a quick ignition system for a quick and handy start. We also noticed some issues like the absence of temperature gauges and complex assembly. Omission of temperature gauge increases the guesswork making the grilling difficult for inexperienced people. Additionally, it requires complex assembly, which is a tiring and time taking process.
- Large cooking space
- Easy to maneuver
- Durable construction
- Porcelain-coated grates
- No temperature gauge
- Complex assembly
Char-Broil Classic 2-burner grill is the best propane grill for apartment balcony, small backyard, and indoor use. The grill features a leakage-free sturdy construction and delivers a high power output of around 20,00 BTU for the best possible indoor grilling experience.
Buyer’s Guide
Buying a grill for an apartment balcony could be a bit challenging as you need to consider some important factors other than those you consider when buying regular grills. From safety to portability and design to cooking efficiency, you need to consider every factor for a safe and pleasurable experience. This guide explains that factor that makes a grill suitable or non-suitable for apartment and indoor use.
Type Of Grill/ Safety
Mainly we can divide grills into three types depending upon the type of fuel they use: Gas Grill, Charcoal Grills, and Electric Grills. While choosing the grill for the apartment balcony, safety should be your top concern.
Gas Grills
Many people love gas grills because of their economic prices and compact sizes. Also, these grills offer ease of cooking with five fuel and temperature controls. You can achieve the exact required temperature levels just by turning a knob. This convenience makes grilling with friends and family great fun.
However, propane grills have major risks associated with them, i.e., gas leakage. Gas leakage can lead to apartment fires leading to huge loss and damage. If you will buy a gas grill for an apartment balcony, make sure it is tested against gas leakage and approved for indoor and apartment use.
Charcoal Grills
Despite the advanced controls offered by electric and propane grills, charcoal grills are equally famous among the traditional barbecue levers. Since these grills infuse the traditional smokey taste, they are still preferred by barbecue lovers. However, charcoal grills are not safe for indoor use like small apartments.
Charcoal grills tend to reach high temperatures and retain the heat for a long time. Also, they produce flares and embers that can trigger a fire. Generally, charcoal grills are not permitted to be used in small apartments and indoor environments. Therefore we do not recommend a charcoal grill for apartment balconies.
Electric Grill
The electric grill is the safest and most convenient option for an apartment. Electric grills are highly safe for indoor use. Also, they offer quick startup, more customizable options, and impressive cooking efficiency.
These grills come in portable tabletop designs and are therefore the best option for small backyards and apartment balconies. Electric grills are considerably more expensive than propane and charcoal grills but offer an effortless grilling experience.
Construction Quality
Construction quality is another important feature you must consider. You should go with the grills featuring sturdy metallic construction. For cooking surfaces and grilling grates, you should prefer heat-resistant materials. Grilling grates coated with ceramic, porcelain, and copper are highly resistant to heat and corrosion and offer long-term performance.
Portability
The portability of the grills is another critical feature for both indoor and outdoor use. Grills featuring portable designs, convertible designs, and caster wheels are best as you can easily position them according to the space available.
Cooking Area
The cooking area depends upon your needs and the space available. Electric grills designed for indoor use usually come with smaller cooking areas and can entertain a small crowd. However, if you have a large family and can accommodate the large size grill at your apartment, you can buy many propane grills offering the cooking space up to 300 sq. inches.
Temperature Function
The power output or the maximum temperature of a grill decides its ability to cook different foods. The grills offering different temperature levels are versatile and let you cook a variety of foods. These grills use temperature adjustment knobs.
If you love searing meat at high temperatures, you should go for the grill offering a maximum temperature of up to 450F. Also, the grills with temperature gauges display the exact temperature on the grill and eliminate the guesswork.
FAQs
What grill is safe for a balcony?
Electric grills and some propane grills are safe for apartment balconies and indoor use. Electric grills have no leakage issues and pose minimum fire risks. Therefore these grills are considered safe and are approved for apartment use.
What type of grill is best for an apartment?
An electric grill is the best option for an apartment. These grills offer a quick start, quick heating, customizable temperature options, and impressive cooking efficiency. Also, these grills have no leakage and fire risk associated with them and are safe to be used in apartments and indoor environments.
Wrapping Up
We can safely conclude that electric grills are the safest and most convenient option for apartment balconies and restrictive environments. All the products on our list are safe for indoor and apartment use; we have picked our top three favorites
Hamilton Beach Electric Indoor Searing Grill for high searing temperature, stainless steel construction, and unique lid design
George Foreman 15-Serving Indoor/Outdoor Electric Grill (GGR50B) for large cooking area, non-stick grilling grates with portable design, and competitive price.
Char-Broil Classic 280 2-Burner Liquid Propane Gas Grill with 280 sq. inch grilling area, 2 temperature zones, porcelain-coated grates, and caster wheels for easy maneuverability
Before buying a grill for apartment use, it is critical to ensure that whether this particular type of grill is allowed to be used in your area, also you should go with the grills offering maximum safety features.
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