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Everyone loves grilling meats or veggies as the weather gets nicer, but sadly, not everyone has the outdoor space for a full-size grill. That’s where the best mini grills come in.
The best mini grills are small enough to fit on tiny apartment balconies and patios, making them a go-to for any city-dweller. Because they’re so small, these little BBQs are also portable enough to take to the roof of your building or on a picnic in the park. Break them out for a BBQ with friends on the Fourth of July, upgrade your tailgate, or elevate your personal home-cooked meals (and have a little more fun cooking). Plus, as heat waves begin descending on cities, taking your cooking outside will keep temperatures down in your apartment.
Another great use for tiny grills is camping and road trips. They won’t take up too much space in your car and eliminate the need to find a dirty campsite grill.
These handy little cookers use charcoal to grill without propane, and many have features to avoid soiling your apartment, balcony or local park with ash and smoke. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so it does take a bit of shopping around to find the right one.
What to Know Before Buying a Mini Grill
There are many factors to think about when choosing the best portable grill for you; below are the most important ones, which we considered while we were researching this list.
Cooking Features: Not all grills have the same talent for, well, grilling. As any seasoned griller knows, adjustable heat and a lid are both very helpful when cooking the perfect burger or steak. However, not all mini grills come with these features, so be sure to double-check before buying.
Portability: Being able to transport your mini grill around town is a huge plus. This means cookouts in the park, at the beach or anywhere else you can think of. Mini grills are designed with portability in mind, but some are lighter and easier to transport. But if you just want something to plonk down on your small apartment balcony then this doesn’t matter.
Size: If you’re especially tight on room, be sure to measure the space you have for a grill and compare it to the grill’s dimensions. The smallest grills on our list are around 14 inches, but it’s best to get the largest grill possible for maximum cooking space.
Cleanliness: Some mini grills have added features to keep your balcony or local park looking its best, as well as features to minimize smoke for indoor cooking. We’ve noted these kinds of features for each of our picks.
