Grilling always refers to the outdoors where there’s excellent ventilation, and no one will worry about smoke. But, what if you don’t have that kind of space? What if you’re only living in an apartment? Should you just forget about grilling?
Of course not!
With the advancement of technology, there are now grills designed for apartment use. What you only need to make sure of is if your landlord would allow you to have one as there are still hazards.
So, if you got the go-signal, below are the top ten best balcony grills that you can check out:
Comparison Table
1. Cuisinart CGG-240
2. George Foreman GGR50B
3. Char-Griller E1515
4. Char-Broil 20602109
5. Fuego Element F21C-H
6. Cuisinart CGG-306
7. Cuisinart CGG-180TS
8. Weber Q-2400
9. Hamilton Beach 25361
Cuisinart CGG-240
- Type: Liquid Propane Grill
- Primary cooking area: 240 square-inch
- BTUs: 15,000 BTU
- Dimensions: 42.8 x 21 x 36 inches
- Weight: 42 Pounds
More features: two fold-in side tables; porcelain enamel coated cast-iron; twist start electronic ignition; can be converted for full-sized tanks; built-in thermometer; loop burner
Next, we have the Cuisinart CGG-240 All Foods Roll-Away Gas Grill. As the name implies, can be rolled-away anywhere for easy transport. It can be folded to a 44 x 23 x 21 inches dimension, making it so easy to store away after use. However, it remains compact even when opened, which makes it perfect for those with limited spaces.
This grill features a 240 square-inch cooking space made of porcelain-enamel cast-iron for faster heating and cleaning. A 15,000 BTU burner then heats this griller surface. The pan used distributes heat evenly for a better cooking experience, too.
Other lovable features that come with the product are the twist-start electronic ignition and the two side tables. These offer reliable starting every time and larger cooking space. There’s also a grease tray that collects grease to keep it clean.
As there are some holes on the side of this grill, it’s not very ideal for windy weather. You can cover those holes, though, with a foil, but it can still be a hassle. But considering the benefits, this is a minor flaw.
Pros
- Comes in a collapsible and portable design
- Generous cooking area but doesn’t occupy a large space
- Two fold-in side tables
- Easy to set-up and store
Cons
- There are concerns about durability
- May be prone to flare-ups
- Not ideal for windy weather
George Foreman GGR50B
- Type: Electric Grill
- Primary cooking area: 240 square-inch
- Power Consumption: 1600 Watts
- Dimensions: 22 x 20.5 x 13 inches
- Weight: 21 Pounds
More features: non-stick grilling surface; removable stand; adjustable temperature control; metal grease tray
The second apartment balcony grill on our list is the George Foreman GGR50B Indoor/Outdoor Electric Grill. This is one of the best types of grill you can use in apartments that your landlord won’t have any complaints about because you operate it with electricity instead of charcoal or gas.
The grill features 240 square-inch of circular cooking space that is said to be enough for you to serve many people. On top of that, the grilling surface is covered with George Tough non-stick coating so that it’s durable, easy to clean, and removes the need to use butter and oil as you cook. It’s also removable, so it’s easier for you to clean.
The grill comes with a removable stand that you can quickly assemble and disassemble. In case you’d want a BBQ, but it’s raining outside, you can place the grill on a countertop and cook a hearty meal. Like any other grill, this grill comes with a domed lid for faster cooking and will avoid splatter on your countertop.
The best part of using an electric grill is that you don’t have to wait for a few minutes for the grill to heat up. At the same time, you get consistent heat to adjust as you please in five heat settings with the control.
Pros
- Space-saving but still provides enough cooking space
- Heats up quickly but safe to use
- Designed to be used for indoors and outdoors
- Easy to assemble
- Affordable
Cons
- Doesn’t give you that tasty, smoky flavor
- Although lightweight, it’s not very stable
Char-Griller E1515 Patio Pro
- Type: Charcoal Grill
- Primary cooking area: 250 square-inch
- Dimensions: 18.5 x 17 x 16 inches
- Weight: 40 pounds
More features: cast-iron cooking grates; side drawer; stay cool wood handle; side shelf; double steel bottom; side air vent; wheels
The Char-Griller E1515 Patio Pro is another grill perfect for grilling sessions on your apartment balcony. With dimensions of 31 x 22 x 44 inches, the grill won’t occupy a large space in your small apartment. It also comes with wheels for easy portability if you’d need to transfer it to different areas of your home.
The grill features a 250 square-inches cooking area that is enough for you to prepare a meal for a couple of people. And since this is a charcoal grill, you get that tasty and smoky flavor of delicious meat.
The whole grill is made of durable heavy-duty steel and powder-coated so that it can last for years. This makes it a really great buy. The grill is then made of cast-iron to give your food a beautiful sear and make it easier for you to clean after use. And speaking of cleaning, the grill comes with a dump ash pan for quick and easy ash disposal.
Just below the grill, you’ll see a large space there where you can put your extra stuff like an extra bag of charcoal. There’s also a built-in side table that will provide you extra space while you cook. The handle on the lid is made of wood to help protect you from getting accidentally burnt.
Pros
- Compact with ample cooking space
- Lightweight and portable
- Large space at the bottom for extra storage
- Side-table, wooden lid handle, and double-steel bottom
Cons
- Has one vent, which makes it difficult to control the temperature
- No built-in thermometer
Char-Broil 20602109
- Type: Tru-Infrared Electric Grill
- Primary cooking area: 240 square-inches
- Power Consumption: 1750 Watts
- Dimensions: 26 x 24.2 x 38.5 inches
- Weight: 40 pounds
More features: Durable porcelain-coated grate; 80 square-inch removable warming rack; precision dial; wheels;
The Char-Broil Patio Bistro TRU-Infrared Electric Grill is designed for those who don’t like the hassle of burning charcoal or the need to buy gas every time. It comes with TRU-Infrared technology, which serves as a barrier between food and flames to avoid flare-ups. On top of that, it provides even heat distribution for even cooking.
The grill comes with a primary cooking space of 240 square-inches, enough to prepare meals for many people. It also features an 80 square-inch removable warming rack, providing you a total of 320 square-inch of cooking space, wider than most compact-sized grillers can offer.
The best part about having a warming rack is that you can place cooked meat there so it doesn’t get cold. Or you can use it to grill your vegetables that don’t require too much heat to cook.
The grates that come with the griller are all porcelain-coated for easy cleaning. There’s also a grease tray, so you don’t have to worry about the mess from oils every after cooking. The body of the grill is powder-coated, so you don’t need to worry much about rust and other elements damaging it.
Other features you’ll love about this product are the integrated heat control and the temperature gauge. These provide consistent temperature and cook all the time, and make you aware of what’s going on inside when the lid is closed.
Pros
- Compact design to fit well in your balcony
- 320 square-inches total cooking space
- Tru-Infrared Technology for added safety
- Easy to Clean and Portable
Cons
- Hard to Assemble
- Doesn’t come with a tool rack
- Short Cord
Fuego Element F21C-H
- Type: Propane Gas Grill
- Primary cooking area: 346 square-inches
- BTUs: 22,000 BTU
- Dimensions: 21 x 21 x 46 inches
- Weight: 72.2 pounds
More features: Porcelain-enamel lid; residue removal system; cast-iron grilling grate; hinged door below the grill for propane tank storage
The Fuego Element F21C-H Hinged Propane Gas Grill is another grill you’d love in your apartment with its small-footprint of 21 x 21 x 46 inches.
Despite the compact design, this griller provides 346 square inches of cooking area, large enough if you plan on having a simple gathering for a couple of people. This large cooking area is heated up by a 22,000 BTU dual zone burner system, which offers you great versatility in your cooking.
The grates are made of cast-iron, which heats up quickly and evenly. It also gives your meat a beautiful sear even if you’re not a grill master. The residue removal system is also very impressive as it offers you quick and easy cleaning after every use.
Other features you’d enjoy are the built-in thermometer, the hinged door just below to hide a propane tank, a twist start ignition, and a fitted lid.
When it comes to aesthetics, this grill is not the best-looking out there. The design does look modernized, but some users did point out that it looks like a trash can with its shape.
Pros
- Small footprint
- Wide cooking space
- High-quality materials
- Easy to clean
- Can Hide Propane Tank
Cons
- Not the most aesthetically-pleasing
- Has a learning curve when it comes to zonal cooking
Cuisinart CGG-306
- Type: Propane Gas Grill
- Primary cooking area: 240 square-inches
- BTUs: 20,000 BTU
- Dimensions: 21.5 x 19 x 15 inches
- Weight: 22.04 pounds
More features: Two-burner system; twist-start electronic ignition; stainless-steel grill; integrated thermometer; adjustable burner knobs; drip tray
The Cuisinart CGG-306 Chef’s Style Propane Grill is a tabletop grill perfect for a little grilling session on your apartment’s balcony. Just place it on any flat surfaces, particularly a table, and begin cooking your meat.
This grill only comes with a dimension of 21.5 x 19 x 15 inches, which saves up space. But even with this small space, it still offers a cooking area of 240 square-inches, similar to other portable gas grills. The best part, however, is that this grill comes with two burners.
Each burner has 10,000 BTU output, a total of 20,000 if you open up both at the same time. This is enough to heat a large cooking space fast. You have separate adjustable knobs for each burner, too, which gives you a lot of versatility in cooking.
The grill also features a built-in thermometer on top of the lid, so you know how much heat the grill produces, and you can adjust that accordingly. The cover also securely locks so you can keep the heat inside.
Lastly, this grill is made compatible with a 20-pound propane tank, so you can enjoy cooking without worrying that the gas you have won’t be enough.
Pros
- Compact design with ample cooking space
- Made compatible with a 20-pound propane tank
- Two burners with separate adjustable knob
- Lightweight and portable
Cons
- The lid dome is shallow
- Grates are sticky
Cuisinart CGG-180TS
- Type: Propane Gas Grill
- Primary cooking area: 145 square-inches
- BTUs: 5,500 BTU
- Dimensions: 18.5 x 16 x 11.5 inches
- Weight: 13 pounds
More features: Porcelain-enameled grates; twist to start electronic ignition; temperature gauge; foldable legs
The Cuisinart CGG-180TS is another tabletop grill you can use to satisfy your barbeque cravings. The product dimension is 18.5 x 16 x 11.5 inches, which doesn’t occupy much space in your home.
As the cooking area for this grill is only 145 square inches, it’s best suitable for everyday use. The 5,500 BTU burner provides enough heat for this cooking surface, and it even heats up quickly. Turn on the burner with the twist to start ignition, and the temperature gauge will be able to give you great control of your cooking.
The porcelain-enameled cooking grates will give your meat a beautiful sear and even cook throughout. At the same time, cleaning the product after will surely be easy.
Overall, this is a very simple product with few complicated features, but it does the job. It’s also very light, which makes it easy to transfer from one place to another. So, whether you’d want to grill up some meat in the garden, during camping, or on your balcony, you can take this grill anywhere.
Pros
- Compact, lightweight, and portable
- Easy to Clean
- Foldable Legs that provides great stability
- No need to assemble
Cons
- Small Cooking Space
- Can Get Really Hot
Weber Q-2400
- Type: Electric Grill
- Primary cooking area: 280 square-inches
- Power Consumption: 1560 watts
- Dimensions: 25.1 x 31.5 x 26 inches
- Weight: 42 pounds
More features: Porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grates; cast-aluminum lid and body; 6-foot grounded cord; catch tray
The Weber Q-2400 Electric Grill is another great product produced by Weber that caters more to saving space. The product has dimensions of 25.1 x 31.5 x 26 inches, making it suitable to be placed on tabletops on an apartment balcony. But despite this compact size, it still offers a generous cooking space of 280 square-inches.
This grill is delivered to your home fully-assembled, so that’s certainly one thing on your worry-list. The materials used for this product are said to be made to last for years, which makes it a great investment.
The product features porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grates that heat up quickly and giving the meat an even cook. The lid and body are then made of cast-aluminum to provide better heat retention.
This grill comes with an infinite control burner valve so you can adjust the temperature as you please. If only there was a built-in thermometer, this product would have been perfect.
The grill’s overall functionality is very simple, but it does exactly what it promises, like any other Weber product.
Pros
- Compact design with generous cooking area
- No assembly required
- High-quality materials made to last for years
- Drip Pan
Cons
- No built-in thermometer and short power cord
- Not suitable for indoor grilling as it will produce a lot of smoke
- Expensive
Hamilton Beach 25361
- Type: Electric Grill
- Primary cooking area: 118 square-inches
- Power Consumption: 1200 Watts
- Dimensions: 12.4 x 16.73 x 6.81 inches
- Weight: 8.14 pounds
More features: Temperature control; extra-large drip tray; power and preheat lights; adjustable temperature dial
The last grill on our list is the Hamilton Beach 25361 Searing Electric Grill. This grill is made for apartment use with its compact design measuring 12.4 x 16.73 x 6.81 inches. And since it operates through electricity, it’s ideal for indoor use.
The grill’s temperature can be adjusted using a dial, giving you full control on how hot you wish the grill to be. There are also power and preheat lights to give you an idea if the grill plate has reached a specific heat setting, taking the guesswork out of the game.
It’s kind of disappointing that the product didn’t come with a built-in thermometer. However, what’s nice about this grill is that it comes with a viewing window. You no longer have to keep on opening the lid to know what’s going on with your meat.
The grilling surface is covered with a non-stick coating, so you don’t have to drizzle the pan with oil or butter before cooking. This makes it easier to clean after use. And since there’s an extra-large dip tray, it minimizes the chance of getting messy.
Pros
- Compact and lightweight design
- Lid Window for easy monitoring
- Temperature knob adjustment with preheat lights
- Affordable
Cons
- No built-in thermometer
- No stand so that you won’t have to put the grill directly on a table’s surface
Can You Grill on Your Apartment Balcony and Is It Safe?
When it’s grilling season, you know you can’t just miss out on that excitement because you live in an apartment. But, can you really grill on your apartment balcony?
The answer is, it depends.
Legally, it’s okay. However, this still depends on whether your landlord allows it or not. They might let it but with some restrictions, too.
The safety of using a grill on your apartment depends on various factors such as what the balcony is made of, the type of grill you’re using, or if you’re used to grilling.
In other words, if you really want to grill in your apartment, and it’s allowed, then go for it! But, I do recommend thinking about what grill to get first.
What Makes the Perfect Apartment Grill?
There are three things you need to consider if you’re looking for the perfect apartment grill:
- What type you’re buying
- How Portable the Grill Is
- How Wide Is The Cooking Space Provided
Let’s go through each of these one by one:

When we say grill type, we mainly refer to the fuel source of the grill. There are three types you can choose from – charcoal, gas, and electricity.
- Gas-Powered Grills: This type of grill is the most popular nowadays. You just attach a propane canister or tank, start ignition, turn the knob, and let the grill do the magic. If you need to adjust the temperature, just turn the knob down, and you’re good.
The only main concern about getting this type of grill is that you’ll never know when you’ll run out of gas. So, you should always have an extra tank or canister in case of emergencies.
- Charcoal Grill: When it comes to flavor, nothing beats a charcoal grill. It gives the meat a tasty and smoky flavor that you just always crave for. However, this is also the grill that is not highly recommended to use in an apartment balcony, especially if you’re not skilled.
One main concern of getting a charcoal grill is that it takes a lot of work – putting charcoal, putting it on fire, waiting for the charcoal to burn, etc. It’s a tedious process and can be tiring.
- Electric Grills: This type of grill is the best grill to get for an apartment. Since it doesn’t make use of fire, there’s a very low chance you’ll end up burning your apartment building. It’s generally easier to use, especially when controlling the heat. The only concern with electric grills, however, is if there are power outages.

Next, you need to consider portability. Portable grills usually come in compact designs, lightweight, and easy to store. It’s very suitable for an apartment as it doesn’t eat too much space.
Take a look at your balcony and try to measure how much space you can leave for a grill. This is where it would depend on what grill you’ll buy.
Cooking area
Despite being compact, a lot of apartment grills nowadays still offer a large cooking area. This means that you don’t have to sacrifice the amount of cooking you can make with your chosen grill size. If you’re grilling for more people, I recommend choosing a grill with at least 200 square inches of grilling surface so you can cook for a larger number of people.
Commonly Asked Questions

The type of grate you’ll buy will usually depend on what you need. If you’re looking for the most durable that can last for years, a heavy cast-iron grate is highly recommended. However, if you want something with low-maintenance, choose a high-quality porcelain-coated cast-iron. It also has excellent heat characteristics and is rust-resistant.

The safest fuel source for a grill that you can use is electricity. There are very few risks as there’s no open fire that you need to worry about.

BTU is an abbreviation for British Thermal Unit. In grills, it refers to the amount of heat a grill can produce when a burner is at its maximum. So, if you compare a grill that has a 10,000 BTU burner from another with a 5,500 BTU burner, the former would be hotter.
Our Verdict
The search for the best balcony grill was not easy, and the ten grills mentioned here make a great apartment grill. However, I can say that Cuisinart CGG-240 beats them all with its large-cooking space, compact design, high-quality materials, and other features.
It’s a simple-looking grill that does what it says. Yes, it may be a bit pricey. But, considering the excellent quality, it’s worth the investment.