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Small grills offer a ton of advantages to users. From costing only a few bucks to offering you tasty grilled meals on the go, the list is simply endless. If you’re in the market looking for a small grill, you’ve come to the right place.
In this article, you’ll find our top picks for the best small grills. Additionally, we included a quick checklist of items things that you should consider when shopping for a small grill. Not all small grills are worth spending a dime on!
Here’s our favorite small grill…
#1. Best Small Grill – Weber 121020 Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill
The Weber 121020 Charcoal Grill is all you need in a small grill.
It’s compact-sized, portable, lightweight, good cooking space, strong build quality, and darn affordable. What else can you ask for in a small grill?
It offers about 160 sq. inches of cooking space and is made with a combination of materials like steel, porcelain, and the rubber on the handles. The Overall build quality is top-notch and the dampers work fine to increase airflow in and out of the grill.
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Getting a Small Grill? Here’s What We Considered!
There’s no gainsaying that there are a lot of small grills on the market – we all know that – but what many don’t know is that every small grill is targeted at a particular group of people. So for us, getting the perfect small grill is tied to answering a few questions.
Where Are You Using It?
Generally, one of the main purposes for buying a small grill is that it can fit into any space and can serve a handful of people at a time. However, considering the fact that there are different types, shapes, and sizes, it’s important to note the place you’re taking the grill to.
For instance, if you’re going hiking, it wouldn’t be convenient to carry a kettle shaped small grill. In this case, a foldable small grill is advisable since it will possibly fit into backpacks.
If you’re going to use the grill in an apartment (your balcony), then it should be one that is compact sized and its colors blend seamlessly with the colors of the décor of your home.
Shape & Size
As we mentioned earlier, there are thousands of small grills on the market ranging from charcoal to gas-powered models and, of course, electric models.
Again, these grills come in different shapes including barrel, kettle, and vertically shaped grills.
The shape of a small grill greatly affects the size of the cooking space it has. You should expect cooking spaces of less than 200 sq. inches on most of the small grills.
Weight
If a small grill is heavy, then it shouldn’t be on your list of small grills to consider. The more a grill weighs, the lesser the chances of carrying it about which defeats its purpose for being small. Any small grill that weighs more than 30lbs isn’t lightweight. However, it can still be considered if it comes with wheels.
Type
Would you like charcoal, electric or a gas-powered grill? Bear in mind that each of the grill types has its own advantages and disadvantages. For instance, charcoal grills require charcoal briquettes whilst gas grills require a propane tank to go with it.
Electric grills, on the other hand, will make an impression on your energy bills – depending on how often you use it. Choose the one that suits your needs.
Build Quality
What materials were used for building your grill? This greatly determines how long your grill will last and how it will be able to withstand the heat generated when you’re cooking. Porcelain, stainless steel, and aluminum are the most popular materials used for making grills.
Take note of the quality of the lid and legs on the grill you’re about to buy – especially the hinges on the lid.
Cooking Space
Earlier, we mentioned that the size of a small grill can limit the size of the cooking space. This fact still stands. Therefore, if you’re looking for a grill with more cooking space, you should get any of these charcoal or gas grills that offer more cooking space.
Again, if you’re tending to a larger number of persons, you can check out these offset smokers that offer more cooking space.
Small Grill Reviews
We reviewed a cross-section of grills including a kamado grill, a charcoal grill, an electric grill, and a gas grill. Take a look!
#1. Best Small Grill – Weber 121020 Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill
Type: Charcoal
Cooking Space: 160 sq. inches
Features: compact size, 160 sq. inches of cooking space, lightweight, steel-plated cooking grates, porcelain-enameled lids, lid lock, adjustable dampers.
The Weber 121020 Charcoal Grill is certainly not the smallest grill there is, but it’s one of the few small grills that offer a ton of benefits to anyone that owns it. It costs barely a little and has a strong build quality – one that makes it stand out.
With respect to weight and portability, it is lightweight and portable at the same time, thanks to its unique design that allows its folding legs to fold back and work the lid locker when the grill isn’t in use.
The Weber 121020 Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill features a cooking space of about 160 sq. inches. It also comes with stainless steel cooking grates. To control your fire, there are two adjustable dampers on the lid that allow you to do that.
Unfortunately, there’s no detachable ashtray, and so cleaning can only be done when you’re through with cooking.
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#2. Best Small Kamado Grill – Char-Griller E06614 AKORN Jr, Kamado Grill
Type: Charcoal Kamado Grill
Cooking Space: 153 sq. inches
Features: cast iron cooking grates, convenient handles, adjustable airflow dampers, lightweight, ashtray, good heat retention, sturdy legs, temperature gauge.
If you love kamado grills, then, this Char-Griller E06614 AKORN Jr, Kamado Grill should be top on the list of small grills you’re considering. It’s made from a combination of high-quality materials with good finishing.
The AKORN Jr. Kamado Grill offers 153 sq. inches of cooking space – a tad less than what we saw on the Weber 121020 Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill. Considering its design, it suffices to say that the cooking space is large enough to some extent.
Aside from the cooking space, the Char-Griller also makes grilling much easier. It comes with an integrated thermometer to help you keep in check the temperature of your food.
Furthermore, it features an easy to remove ashtray that takes the hassles out of cleaning the grill after cooking. And of course, there are dual airflow dampers for air control, triple body layer insulation, and a hinged locking lid.
In all, the Char-Griller E06614 AKORN Jr, Kamado Grill is an inexpensive Kamado grill for Kamado grill enthusiasts.
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#3. Best Small Grill( – Weber 51040001 Q1200 Liquid Propane Grill
Type: Gas (liquid propane)
Cooking Space: 189 sq. inches
Features: 8500 BTU burner, porcelain-enameled cast-iron grates, easy ignition button, unique design, integrated thermometer, folding side table, removable grease pan, burner control knob.
The Weber 51040001 Gas Grill undeniably looks very different. But with that difference comes a compact-sized liquid propane grill that has an 8500 BTU burner – powerful enough to support the 189 sq. inches of cooking space the grill provides.
We like the strong build quality of the grill – on close observation, you’ll find out that it is made from a combination of materials including porcelain and cast iron. For instance, the cooking grate is made from cast iron and porcelain whilst the body and lid are made from cast aluminum.
The Weber 51040001 Q1200 Liquid Propane Grill sports a folding side table, a removable catch pan for trapping grease when cooking, as well as an integrated thermometer and a quick start function.
With respect to weight, the grill is lightweight, thanks to the nylon frame and aluminum materials used in making it.
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#4. Char-Griller E1515 Patio Pro Charcoal Grill
Type: Charcoal
Cooking Space: 250 sq. inches
Features: storage space, wheels for easy movement, side table, 250 sq. inches of cooking space, cast-iron cooking grates, wooden handle, side air vent, hanging hook, and double steel bottom.
If you’re looking for a larger small grill – no better word to describe this grill – then you’ve found the perfect one. The Char-Griller E1515 Patio Pro Charcoal Grill offers about 250 sq. inches of cooking space.
It comes with a ton of features that make cooking a lot easier. First, there’s ample cooking space – as we already mentioned – and then, there’s ample storage space too underneath the grill. In addition, the grill comes with strong wheels for easy movement.
Furthermore, it offers cast iron cooking grates, a wooden handle, side air vents for improved airflow in and out of the grill, and of course hanging hooks for hanging some of your cooking utensils.
Let’s not also fail to mention that there’s a side table that extends to the side. It comes in handy especially if you don’t have a grill prep table. The overall build quality of the Char-Griller E1515 Patio Pro Charcoal Grill is top-notch and that’s why it gets a yes from us.
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#5. Best Small Grill (Electric) – George Foreman 15-Serving Electric Grill
Type: Electric
Cooking Space: 240 sq. inches
Features: electric-powered, 240 sq. inches of cooking space, non-stick coating, temperature indicator with the temperature control knob, removable stand, five heat settings to choose from, can be used indoors.
If you stay in an apartment and you want a small grill that can offer you quick servings without having to buy charcoal or refill your propane tank, the George Foreman 15-Serving Electric Grill is all of this and more. It’s not the only small electric grill that caught our attention!
Other electric grills that we loved include this Weber 52020001 Q1400 Electric Grill and this George Foreman GFO240S Electric Grill which is a variant of our review model.
That aside, this George Foreman Electric Grill offers about 240 sq. inches of cooking space. It comes with a stand that allows you to use it without placing it on a grill table. However, the stand is also detachable.
The grill comes features nonstick grates as well as temperature control knobs and even a temperature indicator light. Furthermore, you get to choose from five heat settings when cooking. Simply put, it’s the perfect small grill for grilling enthusiasts living in apartments.
With respect to weight, it’s lightweight; it is also slender, compact sized and has a height of about 38 inches including the stand.
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Conclusion
If you’re in love with grilling and you want a grill that will fit into the smallest space in your car trunk, in your apartment, and just anywhere without inconveniencing you or anyone else, a small grill is the answer. Luckily, our review pointed out several top picks from several categories, so have fun grilling with your choice.
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