Are you one of those who is constantly avoiding doing BBQ and grilling, just because of a small outdoor space? Or have you ever wished to do BBQ in your apartment balconies?
If yes, then that hidden genie has finally granted your wish!
The list of best small grills will help you find the best griller for your apartment or small outdoor spaces. We have listed all the features that you may look for in a small gas grill or small electric grill.
What are you waiting for?
Christmas?
no!
Let us dive in!
- It is easier to clean and carry.
- The sturdy design keeps it stable.
- It comes with a protective coating to keep the grill from getting rusted.
- Easier to use and store
- t is based on charcoal giving perfect Smokey flavor to your food
- The over design is strong and sturdy
- It is easier to use as propane tanks attach within a minute
- You can cook a decent meal for a small gathering
- You can use both large and small propane tanks
The Best Small Grills – Reviews
1. Weber Original Kettle Grill
Weber Original Kettle Grill is one of the best small charcoal grills to have in your house. It is based on the original kettle design of Weber grillers, with a long stand, eliminating the need to bend for long hours. The ashtray at the bottom makes it easier to collect ash from the charcoal grill.
It comes with a porcelain-enameled lid and the bowl Retain heat, which ensures that no rust or peel is formed on the lid. The food is Smokey and cooked to perfection due to the lid. 363 sq. inches of the cooking area gives you the power of cooking around 13 buns/patties at a single time.
- Easier to use and store
- It is based on charcoal giving a perfect smokey flavor to your food
- The over design is strong and sturdy
- The leg bins do not stand well in a garden area, but you can easily keep them on a wooden plank
Summary:
This small grill is best if you want to have a long-term solution for your grilling needs. It is one of the most preferred grills by consumers. Although the price may seem high to some people, the duration of the grill is totally worthy!
2. Char-Broil Portable Grill2Go
If you are searching for a travel-friendly best small gas grill, then Char-Broil Grill2Go is your best option. It is small, compact, and sturdy making it perfect for your grilling needs. You can store and take it anywhere you like!
The body of the grill is made of cast aluminum firebox whereas the lid is made of dual stainless steel material. You can easily connect the propane tank to the griller and get started in no time as it produces 9500 BTU of heat. There are no cold and hot units, making your grilling experience easier than ever.
- Perfect for long travels
- It can be stored anywhere, even in the kitchen cabinets
- Strong frame, with strong carry legs to stand
- It produces 9,500 BTU heat, which is perfect for cooking food evenly
- It heats way too much at some instances given the size, therefore, it is suggested to use valves
Summary:
It is the best compact gas grill for everyday use. You just need to connect a 20 lb. propane tank with no headache of heating the coals and adjusting them for the right temperature. However, the heating issue is a concern, but using a valve can reduce this issue significantly.
3. Royal Gourmet PD1300 Portable Gas Grill
Royal Gourmet PD1300 is a compact and the best small propane grill available in the market. Although its design is not as sturdy as the Charbroil one, it still has features that are the extreme competition of any other similar product.
The 3 burners each with 9000 BTU of heat, give you the power of cooking almost everything. The 316 sq. inches surface allows cooking 15 patties at a single time, making the griller even for a small family gathering. The propane tank is easier to connect. There is also an oil cup that collects all the residual oil making the cleaning easier.
- It is easier to use as propane tanks attach within a minute
- You can cook a decent meal for a small gathering
- You can use both large and small propane tanks
- Although the size is small, it is not suggested to use it inside the house
- Since there is no handle it is hard to carry
Summary:
This small gas grill is compact yet perfect for outdoor grilling. However, there is no handle which makes it hard to carry around. But if you are looking for something that gives you more power with heating options it is the best option so far.
4. Weber Q1000 Propane Grill
The next best small grill on the list is Weber Q1000 liquid propane grill, which is not only compact but also the most stylish griller on the list. With a stainless steel lid and a single burner of 8500 BTU of heat, this grill is perfect for small gatherings. By preheating the grill for 15 to 20 minutes, you can get the best streak and burgers in no time.
Weber has the range of best small propane grill however, the propane tank in this model is also sold separately. If you have one already in the house, you can use that too. However, it uses a maximum of 26 lb. propane tank. It comes with a lid, which practically can help you steam the food in smoke if you like it.
- Small and compact, easier to carry anywhere
- You can cook a wide range of items on it at the same time
- It can be used both indoors and outdoors
- There is no thermometer as the lids thermometer helps to cook food at the right temperature
- The propane tank might be difficult to attach for some people due to the different angle of the collar
Summary:
For someone searching for a compact and small, yet strong BBQ grill this best small weber grill is perfect. It is worth your investment if you have some grilling experience or at least some with attaching the propane tank.
5. Cuisinart CGG-059 Propane Gas Grill
Cuisinart is the best small camping grill available in the market. It is one of the most affordable yet has all the features of a good camping grill. The grills are dishwasher safe, making it easier to clean and use anytime you like it.
Although the grilling surface is 146 sq. inches, it is perfect for small family gatherings or a trip outside the city. It connects with a propane tank and gives you overall 8000 BTU of heat. However, it does not have a burner and you can start it with a push of a button. The 10 pounds of weight makes it easier to carry anywhere.
- Although it is foldable, the legs can further be folded for easy storage
- The drip tray collects the grease making cleaning easier
- It is also dishwasher safe
- The controllers are of not high quality
- Heat cannot be adjusted
Summary:
If you are searching for a basic grill for your grilling needs, the Cuisinart small gas grill is the perfect option to go for. With minimal price and somewhat good features, it is a good investment for a beginner level grilling experience.
6. Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill
One of the best charcoal small grills is Weber’s original kettle. Its stylish design is perfect for a small family gathering including both indoor and outdoor grilling experiences. This griller comes with a one-touch cleaning system as it consists of an ash collection tray.
Unlike other grills, it will not create an ash mess around the area. The lid is well-fitted and comes with a thermometer to check the inside temperature of the grill. It also has two small hangers on the handle to keep the spatulas or other cookware.
- The design is overall convenient and easier to use
- The model is a classic Weber grill model
- It is easier to clean as it has a separate ashtray
- It comes with a lid thermometer
- The legs of the grill are unstable
- The side of the lids cover the grill surface on the side making cooking harder
Summary:
Overall, the Weber Kettle premium grill is of the best small charcoal grills. You just need to place it on a hard surface to avoid the instability issue. Also, for the lid carefully keeping the meet solves the issue. Even heating and cleaning are one of the classic weber features making your time easier.
7. Cuisinart CGG180 CGG-180 Petit Gourmet Gas Grill
Another best small gas grill on the list is Cuisinart CGG180 with Versa Stand. This porcelain-enameled cooking grate comes with foldable legs which makes your grilling experience easier. Just set the right height to move forward.
It has a single burner with 5 ranges to set with each of 500 BTU heat. The 160 sq. inches cooking area makes it easier to cook for small gatherings. It also has a dripping tray to collect excess oil on the surface, making it convenient for cleaning and cooking purposes. The electric ignition kicks start the grill for easy use.
- It is easier to assemble and carry where you want
- The legs can be unfolded to make it stand
- It can be used anywhere, both indoors, and outdoors
- The legs are sturdy giving it strong support
- The handle is made of plastic which can melt due to strong heat
- The cooking area is small as compared to others
Summary:
It might not seem like a great grill but if your preference is convenience and easy cooking for a small family, then it is a perfect option.
8. Char- Broil Standard Portable Liquid Propane Gas Grill
Although it’s 8th in the list, it is one of my favorite small grills in the market. No other brand in the market has mastered portability like this one. It’s easier to carry, pack, and store. The 187.5 sq. inches cooking surface is perfect for a small friend gathering.
The weight is around 10 lb. making it easier to carry. The handles are although made of plastic, but are heat resistant and tested for high cooking temperature. It has only one burner with 11,000 BTU of heat. Just connect the propane tank and you are good to go.
- It is easier to clean and carry
- The sturdy design keeps it stable
- It comes with a protective coating to keep the grill from getting rusted
- It comes unassembled, making it difficult to assemble at time
Summary:
If you do not have any issues with assembling a griller then this is the best option to go for. There is even temperature in the griller which ensures the food is cooked properly.
Factors While Purchasing The Best Small Grills
If you are planning to buy a small gas grill from Walmart or from Amazon, then you must use this guide to make the right purchase. Here is the buying guide for best rated small BBQ grill:
- Check the Preheating Time Not Only BTU
It is important to check the BTU (heat) of the grill, as it helps to understand the cooking time of the grill. This helps to know how long you must wait for the grill to heat up for cooking steaks.
However, BTU is not a measure of a good griller, but it is the preheating time of the griller. Check how much time it takes to preheat the griller.
- Lid Thermometer
A lid thermometer is not necessary but if you find a grill that has a lid thermometer go for it. IT helps to know the inside temperature of the grill to cook to perfection. This also helps to know if the grill temperature has not exceeded the hazardous limit.
- More Than a Steak Grill
Make sure your grill does not only make steaks or burgers but it is also effective to grill fishes and hot dogs, and even prawns. A grill is expensive, therefore, invest in one that helps to cook a vast variety of food.
- Look for Strong, Sturdy, & Safe design
Make sure you go for a small grill that is safe and has a sturdy design. It does not shake much and sits well on the ground. If your griller has legs that can be easily used on various surfaces, go for it, if it fits the other features. Also, make sure that the burners are not lost, as they are one of the first parts to get replaced in a grill.
- Grill Size
Since you are looking at small grills, there are high chances of you searching for your apartment or giving it to someone for their new/small apartment. The size of the grill is dependent upon two factors, namely, your cooking needs, and the size of your outdoors/balconies.
For best small indoor grills, a surface of 350 to 400 sq. inches with 2 burners is enough. For a small space, the 2 burners are enough as they create heat that does not heat up the apartment and is safe to use in the presence of kids.
- Fuel
It is important to know the fuel type for small grillers. You must ensure that the heat and smoke from the griller do not disturb your guests, kids, or even yourself. Suppose you get a small griller to use it in your apartment, but the smoke of coal is unbearable.
There are three fuel types in the best rated small BBQ grill, including, charcoal, gas, & electricity.
- Gas
The gas grillers are the easiest ones to use. You can connect it with your natural gas connection or get an LPG. A gas griller does not give your food a smoky flavor you are searching for. However, it even provides a temperature that makes cooking food easier. There are some small grills that have multiple options, you can opt for those as well depending on what you need.
- Charcoal
If you prefer to have Smokey flavor in your food, then charcoal small grills are the way to go. However, they do not create even heat and are a little less convenient. You should also make sure if your neighborhood is allowed to use charcoal grillers, as they create a lot of smoke. Also, in some cases it can be a fire hazard. If you are trained with charcoal grillers, and can use them in a close environment easily, then go for it.
- Electric
The best and the cheapest grillers in the market are electric grillers. They are perfect for beginners and create no smoke at all. You can easily start them with a single temperature set and use it anywhere with an active electricity connection. With various best small electric grills available in the market, there is a wide range to choose from. Now it brings to taste, convenience, and time to cook the food. Depending on what you prefer the most, you can find the best small grill for both indoors and outdoors.
Final Thoughts
The best of all the 8 grills is:
- Char- Broil Standard Portable Liquid Propane Gas Grill
- Weber 741001 Original Kettle 22-Inch Charcoal Grill
- Royal Gourmet PD1300 Portable 3-Burner Propane Gas Grill Griddle.
- It is easier to clean and carry.
- The sturdy design keeps it stable.
- It comes with a protective coating to keep the grill from getting rusted.
- Easier to use and store
- t is based on charcoal giving perfect Smokey flavor to your food
- The over design is strong and sturdy
- It is easier to use as propane tanks attach within a minute
- You can cook a decent meal for a small gathering
- You can use both large and small propane tanks
These are the top pics and selected as the best amongst all based on their convenience for not only cooking but cleaning and travelling as well.