A small balcony doesn’t mean you have to forfeit grilling on the weekends. Fortunately, there are many small grills that will fit perfectly on a balcony.
The best grill for a balcony will be small and preferably portable, so you can easily move it around as needed. Many cities have grill restrictions, so the grill you choose will need to comply with local laws. Electric grills are usually allowed on balconies, and they can also be used indoors.
Let’s take a look at the best electric grills for small balconies.
George Foreman 15-Serving Indoor/Outdoor Electric Grill
| Grill Space | 240 sq. in. (609 cm.) |
| Indoor/Outdoor | Both |
| Materials | Metal |
| Best Feature | Removable stand |
This petite George Foreman 15-Serving Indoor/ Outdoor Electric Grill is a great option for small balconies. It promises to fit 15 servings of food on it at a time, which is great for cook-outs. The stand on this is removable, so you can bring it inside and use it on the kitchen counter if you’re unable to use your balcony.
A big con for this grill, however, is that a few users say it stops working after a few months of using it.
Cuisinart CEG-980 Outdoor Electric Grill with VersaStand
| Grill Space | 145 sq. in. (368.3 cm) |
| Indoor/Outdoor | Both |
| Materials | Porcelain, stainless steel |
| Best Feature | Telescoping stand |
This Cuisinart CEG-980 Outdoor Electric Grill with VersaStand can be used on your balcony or in your kitchen. It has plenty of space to cook for multiple people at once. The legs of the grill can be adjusted, so you can make it standing or sitting height. It can also be brought inside and used indoors.
Some users say that it doesn’t get hot enough to sear meat, but other than this complaint, it cooks evenly.
Americana Electric Cart Grill
| Grill Space | 200 sq. in. (508 cm.) |
| Indoor/Outdoor | Outdoor |
| Materials | Stainless steel, wood |
| Best Feature | Folding side tables |
This Americana Electric Cart Grill is on wheels so you can easily transport it to and from your balcony. It’s compact but has plenty of space for multiple burgers or steaks. It has folding side tables so you can have plenty of room for plates and spices, so you don’t have to keep walking back and forth for what you need. It also has a wire shelf to store utensils so you can keep everything in one place. Because of its size, it isn’t recommended to use it indoors like you can with other electric grills.
The biggest complaint is that it is sometimes delivered broken or missing pieces, which is only a manufacturer problem.
Techwood Electric BBQ Grill
| Grill Space | 240 sq. in. (609 cm.) |
| Indoor/Outdoor | Both |
| Materials | Cast iron |
| Best Feature | Temperature control |
This compact tabletop Techwood Electric Portable BBQ Grill can be used both indoors and outdoors, making it a great option for a small balcony. It heats up quickly and can hold up to 15 servings of food. What makes this grill so great is the ability to control the temperature with the vent on the lid. If it’s too hot inside, you can open the vent to cool it down.
One complaint about this grill is how difficult it is to clean because of small pieces. It has an upper rack that’s held together with pieces you’ll need to remove to clean it.
Char-Broil Patio Bistro TRU-Infrared Electric Grill
| Grill Space | 320 sq. in. (812 cm.) |
| Indoor/Outdoor | Outdoor |
| Materials | Porcelain-coated |
| Best Feature | Warming rack |
Love to grill and need a lot of grilling space but don’t have space for a full grill? This Char-Broil Patio Bistro TRU-Infrared Electric Grill is for you. The grill has a large upper rack that can be used for cooking or warming. The lower rack is 240 sq. in. and the upper rack is 120 sq. in., giving you plenty of room to cook on. The grill is on wheels and has a storage rack, so you can easily move it and your grilling accessories around.
Users say that it can get smoky much like a gas grill, so it’s best to only use this outdoors or on a balcony and not inside.
Techwood Smokeless 1500W Power Electric Grill
| Grill Space | 214 sq. in. (543 cm.) |
| Indoor/Outdoor | Indoor |
| Materials | Cast iron |
| Best Feature | Dishwasher safe |
This Techwood Raclette Party Grill is perfect for small spaces. While it’s recommended for indoor use, you can use it on a balcony if you have a table to put the grill on. It can fit enough food to cook for multiple people at once. The best part is that the grilling rack and drip tray are dishwasher safe, so you can easily clean it up. If you need to use it indoors, it’s smoke-free so you won’t have a smoky kitchen afterward.
Some users say it doesn’t get hot enough to sear burgers and steaks but is otherwise a great grill to use.
Weber Q 2400 Electric Grill
| Grill Space | 280 sq. in. (203 cm.) |
| Indoor/Outdoor | Both |
| Materials | Cast iron, porcelain |
| Best Feature | 6 ft. (182 cm.) cord |
This Weber Q 2400 Electric Grill comes ready to use right out of the box. It has a long cord so you can easily use it out on your balcony, even if you aren’t able to plug it in outside. You can buy a stand for it separately to use with it or you can put it on a table. You can also use it inside if you want to, and it won’t get too smoky while cooking.
Some users report that it won’t work after a couple of years of consistently using it. Others say that it’s a bit difficult to clean.
Tips for Grilling on a Balcony
When shopping for a grill to use on your small balcony, consider the following factors:
- Durability
- Grill space
- Price
- Restrictions
- Size
Using a grill on a balcony poses some challenges. For starters, you might have some restrictions when it comes to what kind of grill you can use. Depending on where you live and what rules your landlord has in place, you might not be able to use a grill. Restrictions are typically for apartment complexes, but other rules may apply in your city. Propane and charcoal grills are typically not allowed in cities with restrictions.
Electric grills are allowed on most balconies that have restrictions against other grills. They’re great to use because you can use them in your kitchen if the weather doesn’t permit you to be out on the balcony with them. The recommendations in this article are all portable, so you can easily move them to a different location, which is great if you have to move balcony furniture around to accommodate guests.
Be sure to measure your space and pay attention to the sizes of grills when you’re shopping. You should also consider the grill space. The larger it is, the more food you can put on it. If you don’t plan on cooking for large groups, you might not have to worry about this too much.
Conclusion
It’s possible to find a grill that will work for your balcony, no matter how small it is. Remember to consider what type of grill you’re allowed to have as well as the price and size. If you have any uncertainty about what kind of grill you’re allowed to use, an electric one is the best option. They’re safe and can be used on the balcony or in your kitchen. Most electric grills are stainless steel or have non-stick grill trays, so they’re easy to clean or put in the dishwasher.
