The Best Small Grills: Killer Flavor in a Small Package
You don’t need a massive grill to enjoy delicious grilled food. We’ve found the best small grills for apartment living, travel, and occasional use. These grills deliver excellent performance and quality without taking a lot of space.
Not everyone wants a huge, sprawling grill, and not everyone has the room to accommodate one.
Luckily, just because you’re buying a small grill, that doesn’t mean you need to compromise performance or build quality.
Small grills may not have all the bells and whistles of larger ones, but they can still cook a fantastic meal.
If you’re unsure what to consider when you’re comparing grills in this class, we’ve got you covered.
- Fuel source: You can find small grills in a variety of types. Some people prefer charcoal grills or pellet grills for that smoky flavor.
- Nothing rivals that smokiness imparted by cooking with charcoal, although it’s messy and not suitable for use indoors. If you’re after convenience plain and simple, and you have access to a power outlet, consider a small electric grill. No right or wrong choice of grill exists, only the right grill for you.
- Cooking surface area: The total cooking surface area of grills is expressed in square inches. Glance at the features tab of each small grill we review today to compare them easily like-for-like. All you need here is enough grilling surface, don’t obsess after cooking space you won’t use. Note: the small grills on this list do not have side burners.
- Portability: All the small grills we review are reasonably portable, but some make better travel options than others
- Materials and build quality: Look for small grills made from cast aluminum, ceramic, stainless steel, or powdered steel. Manufacturers often make cooking grates from cast iron coated with porcelain enamel. You also find many stainless steel cooking grates, another good option, if not quite as effective as cast iron
- Ease of cleaning: Look for small grills that make your life easier with removable components that are easy to clean. Invest in a quality grill brush to keep your grates clean. Charcoal grills require the most work, while propane and electric grills are much easier to use.
Keep these tips in mind to find the perfect small grill for your needs. Now explore our Top Picks below:
The 11 Best Small Grills
1. Our #1 Pick: Kamado Joe Jr Charcoal Grill
Features
- Fuel type: Charcoal
- Cooking area: 285 square inches
- Dimensions: 30.25 x 19.19 x 16.13 inches
Our overall favorite in today’s showcase of the best small grills comes from industry heavyweight Kamado Joe. Get the famous Kamado Joe quality at a lower price with the Joe Jr.
This grill is sturdy and great for your backyard, but it’s a bit too heavy for travel.
The double-walled ceramic design keeps the heat in and distribute it evenly. The shell locks in all the heat, so your food cooks consistently and evenly.
Throw your food onto the stainless steel cooking grate for that unbeatable smokiness you can only achieve with a charcoal grill. The Kamado Joe Jr. has a surprisingly large cooking area at almost 300 square inches.
Use the built-in temperature gauge to keep an eye on how your food is cooking. You might also want a grill with a built-in thermometer for perfect cooking.
The vibrant red Joe Jr. will look great in your outdoor space. This is a fantastic small grill with plenty of cooking space.
Things We Like
- Highly insulated body
- Stainless steel cooking grate
- Sits on cast iron stand
Things We Dislike
- Some quality control issues flagged
2. Weber LP Grill
Features
- Fuel type: Liquid propane
- Cooking area: 189 square inches
- Dimensions: 20.5 x 40.9 x 24.6 inches
If you prefer gas grilling, this small Weber propane grill is perfect for small spaces.
As you would expect from a truly compact grill, you’ll need to take a hit when speaking of capacity. At just 189 square inches, this Weber works best for singles, couples, or small families.
Made from lightweight aluminum, this grill is easy to transport.
The grill has cast iron cooking grates made with porcelain enamel. The non-stick grates are easy to clean and distribute heat evenly.
Tweaking the temperature couldn’t be easier thanks to the infinite control burner grilling valves at your fingertips.
Firing the grill up is a first-time, every time deal because of the seamless electronic ignition system. Kiss goodbye to scrabbling around for matches or a lighter when you’re camping and get right down to grilling instead. You can easily attach the propane tank, making this an efficient and compact grill.
A pair of folding shelves come to the fore when you’re prepping or serving food, and you can push them back out the way when you need more space.
This is a portable and efficient grill, but it has a smaller cooking area. And with customer service renowned for being helpful, you can grill with peace of mind.
Things We Like
- 8500 BTU rating
- Push-button ignition
- Infinite control burners
- Side tables for added convenience
Things We Dislike
- Small cooking surface area
3. George Foreman Indoor/Outdoor Grill
Features
- Fuel type: Electric
- Cooking area: 240 square inches
- Dimensions: 22.2 x 20.5 x 13 inches
What makes George Foreman grills so popular?
Firstly, you get a double-duty appliance here that’s equally at home in the kitchen or out in the yard. This is a corded electric grill, so you’ll enjoy all the convenience associated with this grilling method.
Use this grill outdoors with the stand or indoors as a tabletop grill.
A proprietary non-stick coating covers the cooking grates. This coating receives rave reviews from many satisfied customers.
The built-in temperature probe with 5 settings makes grilling easy. You’ll have confidence your food will be safely and thoroughly grilled cooked all the way through.
The only real complaints in a sea of positive user testimony concerns the supposed difficulty of cleaning this grill. This set aside, you’re getting one of the best small liquid propane grills you can find, and it comes from a brand you can trust.
Things We Like
- Use in the yard or in the kitchen
- Efficient non-stick surface
- Apartment-approved
Things We Dislike
- Quite tricky to clean
4. Weber Electric Grill
Features
- Fuel type: Electric
- Cooking area: 189 square inches
- Dimensions: 23.5 x 27 x 20.5 inches
Weber makes a deep bench of grills in all types and many sizes. For anyone sold on the convenience of electric grills, this dinky 20-inch grill makes a smart bet.
If you hate the idea of tasky assembly, this grill comes good to go right out the box.
Weighing less than 30 pounds and occupying a rather small footprint, this grill makes a superb choice for tailgating, camping, fishing, or RV trips. All you’ll need is a power outlet and you’ll be cooking with push-complete convenience.
The grill has a lightweight but durable cast aluminum body and lid with cast iron cooking grates. This material does a great job at keeping heat in and spreading it evenly. A porcelain enamel coating on the grill grates keeps food splatter down.
Controlling the temperature couldn’t be easier thanks to the infinite control burner. The robust 1560-watt heating element means there’s ample firepower in reserve.
The only blowback we encountered in a shower of positive user reviews concerns the difficulty of cleaning this grill. Do you due diligence here and consider whether this is a deal-breaker or no biggie.
Things We Like
- Porcelain-enameled cooking grate
- Completely assembled right out the box
- Infinite control burners
Things We Dislike
- Need to clean grill regularly
5. Char-Broil Performance Series Cabinet Grill
Features
- Fuel type: Liquid propane
- Cooking area: 400 square inches
- Dimensions: 24.5 x 42.9 x 44 inches
Char-Broil makes excellent grills at reasonable prices.
This grill is spacious yet still compact and lightweight. The wheeled cart arrangement also makes it super-simple to shift this grill around the yard.
With two burners and high heat output, this grill offers great cooking flexibility.
You get a fantastic 400 square-inch cooking area. The grill has primary and secondary cooking areas, giving you more flexibility.
Shelves on either side of the grill are ideal for serving or prepping your grilled snacks.
This grill gets rave reviews for its performance and ease of use.
Things We Like
- Twin burner rated at 24,000 BTU
- Stainless steel lid
- Accessory storage cabinet
Things We Dislike
- Terrible instructions
6. Weber Jumbo Joe Charcoal Grill
Features
- Fuel type: Charcoal
- Cooking area: 240 square inches
- Dimensions: 19.75 x 20.5 x 19.75 inches
Next up in our quest for the best small grills comes the Weber Jumbo Joe. Despite the name, this is a compact and lightweight grill that makes a seamless fit for grilling in the yard or out on the road.
This is a superlight alloy steel grill you’ll find a cinch to slip in the trunk of your car. The lid is lockable to prevent any unwanted spillages in transit.
Despite the space-saving dimensions of this grill, the 240-square inch cooking surface translates to enough room for up to 8 burgers. This might leave you wanting for a large cookout, but you’ll have enough capacity to feed a small family.
Nothing beats charcoal for that authentic BBQ taste.
Things We Like
- Enough space for 6 to 8 burgers
- Easy to adjust temperature
- Impeccable brand image
Things We Dislike
- Hard to turn top vent
7. NOMADIQ Portable Gas Grill
Features
- Fuel type: Liquid propane
- Cooking area: 226 square inches
- Dimensions: 25.6 x 16 x 7.5 inches
The NOMADIQ propane grill is safe to use both indoors and outdoors.
This grill is easy to set up and use. Just add propane and grill on.
The electronic ignition ensures quick and easy starts.
The cooking surface area of 226 square inches gives you enough latitude for a small family.
Create twin cooking zones thanks to the twin burners onboard. Each burner provides 5000 BTU, giving you plenty of cooking power.
This powerful small grill is currently on sale, so don’t miss out and check on it soon!
While most people like this grill, some have reported issues with it reaching high temperatures. If you need a grill that gets extra hot, consider other options.
Things We Like
- Ideal for use indoors or outdoors
- Assemble in less than a minute
- Powder-coated steel
Things We Dislike
- Struggles to achieve high temperatures
8. Cuisinart Portable Grill
Features
- Fuel type: Liquid propane
- Cooking area: 145 square inches
- Dimensions: 18 x 7.5 x 12 inches
This portable grill from Cuisinart is a great value.
This is one of the smallest grills we review, and this means two things. Firstly, if you need a travel grill, you’ll find few better options. The small footprint and lightweight nature of the grill makes it a first-rate portable option.
Secondly, this grill has a smaller cooking area to make it more compact.
The alloy steel build is rugged enough to withstand plenty of rough and tumble on the campsite and in the trunk of the care.
Porcelain-enameled cast iron cooking grates provide outstanding grilling performance.
The grill mounts on an easy-to-assemble stand.
Things We Like
- Compact and superlight
- Easy to set up and break down
- Rugged foldable legs
Things We Dislike
- Issues with build quality
9. Char-Broil TRU-Infrared Kettleman
Features
- Fuel type: Charcoal
- Cooking area: 360 square inches
- Dimensions: 29.9 x 27.4 x 14.8 inches
This Char-Broil infrared grill produces fewer flare-ups. This classic kettle-shaped charcoal grill helps you cook amazing food.
This grill boasts a large cooking area. The porcelain-coated grate prevents sticking and is easy to clean.
Control the airflow and temperature easily with the air damper.
The ash tray slides out, removing the other barrier of entry and eliminating messy cleanup.
This is a great small grill for larger families who need more cooking space.
Things We Like
- Fewer flareups with infrared
- Generous cooking surface area
- Easy to keep clean
Things We Dislike
- Quite tough to access coals
10. Weber Original Kettle Grill
Features
- Fuel type: Charcoal
- Cooking area: 285 square inches
- Dimensions: 30.25 x 19.19 x 16.13 inches
This classic Weber kettle grill demonstrates why the brand is so popular.
This 18-inch grill makes a neat fit for small yards, patios, and decks. Not only is the grill compact and lightweight, but the wheeled cart streamlines transportation further.
The porcelain enamel construction does a great job of holding heat and spreading it evenly.
Enjoy the smoky flavor that only a charcoal grill can provide!
Things We Like
- Unbeatable brand heritage
- Retains heat efficiently
- Plated steel cooking grate
Things We Dislike
- Fire grate tends to rust out
11. GoBQ Portable Grill
Features
- Fuel type: Charcoal
- Cooking area: 196 square inches
- Dimensions: 14 x 6 x 8 inches
Last but by no means least in our curated collection of the best small grills comes from a lesser-known brand, GoBQ. If you’re prepared to take a chance on an unknown, what do you get for your money?
Well, the key selling point here is the way this grill folds down compactly for easy transport. They don’t come much more portable than this!
Made from a fire-resistant fiberglass treated with a silicone coating, your food won’t end up smeared all over the grate.
The cooking grate rolls out and into place, then you simply load on your charcoal and get grilling. Setting this grill up and disassembling it is the work of minutes, with no special DIY skills called for.
The grill cools down quickly, which is perfect for people on the go.
This grill weighs less than 10 pounds, yet it can cook for your family or a small group of friends. This is one of the best small grills and it’s quite portable!
Things We Like
- Folds down to one-fifth of size
- Enough food for a handful of people
- Roll-up grate
Things We Dislike
- Cannot control heat effectively
FAQs
1) What regulations govern grilling outdoors?
Rules about grills are different depending on where you live. Some localities prohibit the use of barbecues on wooden decks. Some places have rules about how close your grill can be to your house or other buildings.
To use New York City as an example, electric grills are good to go anywhere at all. You cannot use charcoal grills on rooftops or balconies. You may not store 20-pound tanks of liquid propane on the roof or balcony of a multi-family residence, either.
Beyond this, you’ll need to consider the landlord or condo owner if you are renting. You should also, of course, adhere to safe grilling practice.
2) What are the benefit and drawbacks of a propane grill?
On the plus side, you can get a propane grill going near-instantly. Most of the best grills of this type come with push-button electronic ignition. Temperature control is seamless. By controlling the gas flow, you can reduce flare-ups and prevent burning your food.
LP burns cleanly without producing too much smoke, so it’s safe to grill indoors with a gas grill. These grills also cool down quickly and don’t leave you facing messy cleanup duties. On the downside, propane doesn’t get as hot as charcoal and won’t produce the same smoky flavor. Initial costs are also higher with a propane grill.
3) What are the benefit and drawbacks of a charcoal grill?
The primary draw of cooking with charcoal is that authentic BBQ taste no other cooking method can replicate. Charcoal is also widely available and cheaper than buying liquid propane. The amount of smoke generated with as charcoal grill makes them entirely unsuitable for indoor use. Charcoal grilling can create a mess.
4) What is direct grilling?
Direct grilling involves placing your food on the grill grates directly above the full force of the source of heat. This can be gas, charcoal, or hardwood, or it could be the heating element in an electric grill. You can grill almost all types of food directly over fire, from meats and veggies to hot dogs, fish, and seafood.
Grilling over high heat sears your food, creating a flavorful crust. If you try steaming or boiling foods, you simply can’t achieve the same effects as when you cook directly. The same applies to stir-frying or microwaving.
Only a few cooking methods can create a seared crust and smoky flavor like grilling. These methods include broiling, roasting, deep-frying, and sautéing.
5) What is indirect grilling?
Indirect grilling involves keeping your food away from the source of heat. You grill these foods slowly and off to one side of the grill, typically positioned over a drip pan with the grill covered. By grilling indirectly, you reap a number of benefits.
Firstly, indirect grilling slows the cooking process down. This avoids the horror of chicken with charred skin while remaining disturbingly pink in the center. Since the food never touches the heat source, grilling in a covered grill is comparable to oven roasting your food.
By using indirect grilling, you’ll get two temperatures in one grill. Use the direct side of the grill for searing and the indirect side for cooking your food slow and low.
As a final kicker, indirect grilling also minimizes the likelihood of flareups. The drip pan catches fat, preventing flare-ups and fire hazards.
Conclusion
Now you should have a good understanding of how to choose the best small grill for your needs. Keep visiting Hempen Hill for continual and tasty grill tips, content, and more!
Take a moment to bookmark our blog before you head off today and pop back soon for more great grilling content daily.