Best Grill for Apartment To Use In Balcony or Small Area

Many people grill food and it can often be a great social occasion to invite people round for a BBQ. Those are delights that people living in an apartment can often miss out on but with the best grill for apartment, it doesn’t have to be that way.

There are many brilliant electric grills out there that will give you the same results as gas or charcoal but without all of the mess or safety concerns.

Choosing the best one, however, can be difficult as you have to think about space, power and all the other features they have.

That’s where we step in! We’ve done the hours of research so that you don’t have to. We’ve found 10 grills that are perfect for apartment living. Once you’ve read through these reviews you’re going to know exactly which grill is the perfect one for you.

Table of Contents

Best Grill for Apartment – Comparison

PictureNameMaterialColourPrice
Cuisinart 5-in-1 GriddlerCuisinart 5-in-1 GriddlerStainless SteelSilver with Silver/Black Dials
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Hamilton Beach 4-in-1 IndoorHamilton Beach 4-in-1 IndoorPlastic Black & Silver
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Maxi-Matic EMG-980B IndoorMaxi-Matic EMG-980B IndoorAluminum14″ Round
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T-fal GC70 OptiGrillT-fal GC70 OptiGrillStainless SteelSilver
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Delonghi BG24 PerfectoDelonghi BG24 PerfectoAluminumBlack
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Power Smokeless GrillPower Smokeless GrillPlasticBlack
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MegaChef Dual SurfaceMegaChef Dual SurfaceAluminiumBlack
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Hot Shot Indoor ElectricHot Shot Indoor ElectricDie-Cast Aluminum
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Aroma Housewares 3-in-1Aroma Housewares 3-in-1Aluminum Black
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The 10 Best Grills For Apartment

Here are our reviews of the 10 best grills for apartment that are going to allow you to have that great tasting food safely in your apartment.

1. Cuisinart 5-in-1 Griddler

Cuisinart 5-in-1 Griddler

In terms of functionality, this electric grill is hard to beat. As well as being a brilliant grill it can also work as a griddle and be able to cook a wide range of different foods. It makes it perfect for apartments and other tight spaces.

The brushed stainless steel finish not only looks great but it will give it a great level of durability too. The flexible hinges of the grill enable the lid to float on the top of the food and that makes it great for food of various thicknesses.

While the ability for the grill to fully fold out is a brilliant feature, it can be a little hard to get it in a position to be fully flat. This can be even more difficult after the grill has been turned on. Also, the grill has plastic clips to hold the plates in place which are liable to melting.

Those removable plates are, however, a great feature and allow it to be easily cleaned. That ease of cleaning is helped by the grill coming with a scraping tool. It means that you won’t have the cleaning frustrations you often get with other grills.

The wide handle makes this grill very easy to use and helps to make it very safe. The temperature controls give you precise cooking times and allow you to cook a wide range of foods. It’s a great grill and one that has brilliant versatility.

What We Liked:

  • Great versatility
  • Brushed stainless-steel
  • Floating cover
  • Removable plates
  • Adjustable temperature controls
  • Scraping tool included
  • Wide handle
  • Folds fully out

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Hard to lie flat
  • Plastic clips

2. Hamilton Beach 4-in-1 Indoor Grill

Hamilton Beach 4-in-1 Indoor Grill

Hamilton is another company that has been able to make a brilliant grill for apartment that has many functions for a dynamic range of cooking. That includes the ability to lay it flat and turn the grill into a griddle.

The grill can reach a temperature of up to 400 degrees and that will give you a terrific level of heating power. With the temperature controls it has, that means you’d be able to sear food if you wanted or simply heat it up.

There are occasions where the grill will produce a significant amount of smoke and therefore you want to make sure there is some ventilation. Also, the non-stick coating isn’t the most durable and can chip away over time.

The plates are removable and there are 3 different types that you can change out depending on what you’re cooking. That feature also makes the grill very easy to clean as you will be able to wash them by their selves and even place them in the dishwasher.

The kickstand is a useful feature and will be able to direct the fat and grease away from your cooking and into the drip tray. It’s part of the overall usability of the grill which makes it very easy to use and you’ll be happy to cook with it time and time again.

What We Liked:

  • Can lie flat
  • Up to 400 degrees
  • Removable plates
  • Non-stick surface
  • Dishwasher safe
  • Easy to use kickstand
  • Easy to adjust the temperature
  • 3 plates included

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Can produce a lot of smoke
  • The coating can chip away

3. Maxi-Matic EMG-980B Indoor Electric Nonstick Grill

Maxi-Matic EMG-980B Indoor Electric Nonstick Grill

If you’re looking for something a little bit different, this is an excellent option for you. Its round surface gives you a great cooking area where you’ll be able to cook a wide range of food. That’s helped by the non-stick coating that will make it even easier.

That glass lid that is featured here will be able to trap in any heat while also giving you the ability to check on it through the glass to see if it’s ready. The only problem with the lid is that it can be a little bit shallow for thicker foods.

This is another grill that has a non-stick coating but another one where that coating isn’t the most durable and therefore you need to be careful when you are cleaning it. Apart from that, this grill is a brilliant option for you.

One problem that is faced by electric grills is that they don’t evenly heat food throughout the whole of the grilling surface. You won’t find any of those problems here as it will brilliantly cook your food without worrying about any cold spots.

To get that perfectly cooked food, 5 different temperature settings are going to work to give you precise control. It’s a perfect grill if you’re looking for something a little different than the closed lid version.

What We Liked:

  • Detachable surface
  • Non-stick coating
  • 5 temperature settings
  • Glass lid
  • Removable drip pan
  • Safe cooking surface
  • Evenly heated surface
  • Good build quality

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Shallow design
  • Can scratch easily

4. T-fal GC70 OptiGrill Electric Grill

T-fal GC70 OptiGrill Electric Grill

If you’re looking for a wide range of functionality from your grill then it’s going to be hard for you to find a better option than this one. It’s able to precisely cook many different types of food and even has automated settings.

That includes automatically adjusting the cooking times depending on the thickness of the food inside it. You can choose how well your meat is cooked or even use it to simply defrost meat. That will help you get great cooking results.

For some people, however, it could all be a little too much. If you prefer to just throw your burgers on the grill and wait until they look done, this isn’t for you. The grill can also produce a little bit of smoke, therefore you’d need a well-ventilated apartment.

The angled design that it has means that the fat and grease will be able to easily run off the grill and collect in the large drip tray it has. That makes for very healthy cooking but if you’re not careful, it can leave your meat a little dry.

The housing of the grill is made from durable aluminum, making this a grill that should last for a good number of years. The plates are also removable to make it very easy to clean. This is a more complex grill but another that can produce great results.

What We Liked:

  • A wide range of settings
  • Automated programs
  • Indicator lights
  • Angled design
  • Large drip tray
  • Wide handle
  • Removable plates
  • High-quality aluminum

What We Didn’t Like:

  • A little complicated
  • Can smoke up

5. Delonghi BG24 Perfecto Indoor Grill

Delonghi BG24 Perfecto Indoor Grill

Delonghi is another company that has been able to make a high-quality grill with a glass lid. It helps to give the whole look of the grill a high level of style. It makes it a great option for anyone who’s looking at getting something that will permanently feature in their apartment.

The plate and the lid combine to give you excellent heat distribution. The end result is that anything you place into it will be thoroughly cooked all the way through. It helps to give you brilliant results time and time again.

This grill is going to be able to deliver an excellent level of power and cook meat quickly but the temperature doesn’t quite get high enough for you to be able to sear the meat. The grill is also more difficult to clean than other models that we have looked at.

What this grill is brilliant at is being able to give you a lot of moisture in your food. Other types of the grill can leave your food feeling very dry. Delonghi has instead made a grill that will lock in that great flavor while still making healthy meals.

The wide handle helps to make this grill very safe to use and there are also various temperatures that you can use, depending on what you’re cooking. If you want an electric grill while still having great taste, this is a great option.

What We Liked:

  • Stylish design
  • Even heat distribution
  • 1500W power input
  • Keeps food juicy
  • Large cooking surface
  • Removable drip tray
  • Wide handle
  • Various temperature settings

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Doesn’t sear
  • Difficult to clean

6. Power Smokeless Grill

Power Smokeless Grill

When you’re living in an apartment, often ventilation isn’t the best and any smoke can linger around. Being near an open window or having an extractor fan can help to solve the issue but not everyone will have that option.

This grill aims to solve that issue by having a built-in extractor fan that is going to be able to take that smoke away and allow you to enjoy some clean cooking. While this is great, some users have reported some quality issues with the fan.

Even though the parts on this are removable, which is a great feature, they can be a little too hard to clean at times. If you have the patience to clean them, this is going to be a grill that you’ll enjoy using for a long time.

A very attractive feature of this grill is its LED control settings. They are very clear but aside from being stylish, they are also highly practical. It makes using the grill very easy and you’ll get to enjoy the precise cooking time and heats you want.

The build quality of the grill also helps it to stand out from its rivals. It has a tempered lid which gives you easy viewing of your food and also the base is made from heavy-duty aluminum. It’s a brilliant grill and perfect for apartments.

What We Liked:

  • Tempered glass lid
  • Non-stick ceramic surface
  • Easy to clean
  • LED control settings
  • Smoke extraction
  • Large drip tray
  • Removable parts
  • Heavy-duty aluminum

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Hard to clean
  • Quality issues with the fan

7. MegaChef Dual Surface Reversible Indoor Grill

MegaChef Dual Surface Reversible Indoor Grill

MegaChef has made this grill that would look great in any apartment. It is compact but still has a large grilling area. Once you’ve finished using it, you’ll be able to easily place it a cupboard or leave it out on your countertop.

The lid can be seen as both a positive and a negative here. It is versatile as you can either have it closed, locked open or you can even take it off. The negative, however, is that it doesn’t feel like the most durable lid and you’ll be worried about breaking it.

The cleaning of the grill is also an area that can be seen as both good and bad. While the cleaning of the parts doesn’t take a lot of effort, it can take quite some time. This is as there are quite a few detachable parts you need to worry about.

It also might take a while because you’re going to be able to clean both sides of the grill plate. That is a major advantage, however, as you have the one side with the traditional grill markings and the other which acts as a griddle.

The portability of this grill is also excellent as it’s both lightweight and portable. That makes it ideal for shared apartments or times when you want to cook out in the sunshine. It’s a high-quality model that will add great flavor without adding much smoke.

What We Liked:

  • Reversible surface
  • Easy to wipe down
  • Versatile lid hinge
  • Large cooking surface
  • Easy to clean
  • Lightweight and portable
  • Minimal smoke
  • Compact design

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Low durability lid
  • Takes a while to clean

8. Hot Shot Indoor Electric Smokeless Grill

Hot Shot Indoor Electric Smokeless Grill

As we mentioned before, smoke is a big issue in apartments with many grills tricking the smoke alarm into thinking that there is a fire. With this smokeless cooking, you’re going to be able to use your grill in confidence, knowing you won’t have any of those issues.

While it’s a brilliant indoor grill, it can also be used outdoors due to the high level of durability it has. It is also highly portable which is ideal for apartment living. There have been a few quality control issues reported but they are rare issues.

One more common issue is that the grill can take a while to get going. Once it heats up then you’ll be able to enjoy its even heat distribution. The cooking results are very impressive and you’ll enjoy the results that you get here.

Like with many of the high-quality grills that we have looked at, there are two sides of this grill that can be used. That adds brilliant versatility and ensures that you’ll keep using the grill time and time again instead of leaving it in the cupboard for months on end.

The clear glass lid is going to be able to trap in the heat and the removable parts will make cleaning easy. If you care about style in your apartment then this is a great option as it looks very good while having stylish and effective controls.

What We Liked:

  • Smokeless cooking
  • Can be used outdoors
  • Good portability
  • Two cooking surfaces
  • Even heat distribution
  • Removable parts
  • Clear glass lid
  • Stylish design and controls

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Quality control issues
  • Takes a while to cook

9. Aroma Housewares 3-in-1 Grillet Indoor Grill

Aroma Housewares 3-in-1 Grillet Indoor Grill

Not often you’ll get different color options to choose from but there are three different options that you have here, which offer you a great choice. Added to that, there are also 3 different sizes available too. This will ensure that you get exactly what you want.

This model is quite a bit different from the other options that we’ve looked at here. While some have the functionality of being both a griddle and a grill, Aroma Housewares has made a cooker that can also be used as a hot pot and for slow cooking.

If you’re looking for an out and out grill then this might not be the right option for you. In an apartment, however, space can often be at a premium and it means a 3-in-1 model makes a lot of sense as you won’t have to buy a slow cooker.

Despite being a good grill, it does let itself down in a few areas when it comes to durability. The bottom basic is made from plastic and also the coating can chip away over time. That’s a shame as the rest of the grill is of high quality.

The settings are simple to allow you to easily get to grips with how the grill works. Another part that makes it very easy to use is the fact that the pot is removable and easily cleaned. Aside from the minor durability issues, this is an impressive and versatile solution.

What We Liked:

  • Three color options
  • Various size options
  • Works as a slow cooker and hot pot
  • Simple settings
  • Cool-touch exterior
  • Durable glass lid
  • Dishwasher safe
  • Removable pot

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Plastic parts
  • Low durability coating

10. George Foreman 4-Serving Grill

George Foreman 4-Serving Grill

For a long time now George Foreman has produced high-quality grills that have proved to be extremely popular. This is another great example and one that has a good level of performance and will be able to give you great results in no time at all.

There are two color options to choose from here and both of them look great. The grill remains quite compact and it’s easy to put away once you’ve finished using it. The 60 square inches of grill space still gives you a large area to comfortably cook for four people.

One problem that some users have reported is initial smoking and smell that comes when you first switch on the grill. This should go away after a short amount of time but it’s a good idea to initially switch it on in a well-ventilated area.

The plates on this grill are removable which makes cleaning extremely easy. That is helped by the non-stick coating that is a lot more durable than you find with other models. It allows for quick cooking with a minimum of mess.

As well as those features, there is also that famous aspect of George Foreman grills where the fat will be able to run off and into the drip tray to make your food as healthy as possible. It’s the best grill for apartment with the functionality and compact size it has.

What We Liked:

  • Two-color options
  • 60 square inches
  • Removable plates
  • Heats up quickly
  • Durable non-stick coating
  • Removes the fat
  • LED light
  • Drip tray

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Some initial smoking issues
  • No switch

Wrap up

When cooking in an apartment, you need to consider the fire risks, ventilation, who else you live with and the space you have. All the grills that we have looked at here are compact, versatile and won’t produce an excessive amount of smoke.

Even though all of these 10 grills tick those boxes, they are all very different. The best one for you will depend on your situation and needs. All that’s left to do is pick the best grill for apartment that suits you and enjoy fast, efficient, and safe grilling.

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