Finding the best small gas grills is crucial for folks who love grilling but have limited space. Maybe you’re working with a small patio, balcony, or even just a tight camping spot. Regardless of the situation, you still crave those delicious grill marks and smoky flavors. That’s why picking the best small grills for your needs is essential for outdoor cooking. Don’t fret because portable grills exist that are packed with features and are designed for portability and efficiency, allowing you to savor the grilling experience without sacrificing quality or taste.

The good news is, even with limited space, the best small grills are out there. From propane to charcoal, electric options, and more, a world of fantastic small grills awaits.

Other Types of Small Grills

You’ll encounter a few different types of small grills as you explore your options. Each has its advantages and appeals to different grilling styles and preferences.

Propane Gas Grills

A lot of folks gravitate to propane gas grills for their ease and convenience. Simply turn a knob, hit the igniter, and boom, you’re ready to cook.

You’ll appreciate their fast heat-up times. This makes propane gas grills perfect for those impromptu weeknight burger nights. One example of this kind of grill is the Weber Spirit II E-210 Freestanding Propane Gas Grill, known for its reliability and performance. These types of grills are often best for those wanting a combination of convenience and great performance.

Charcoal Grills

Now, if you’re all about that classic smoky flavor, charcoal grills reign supreme. They deliver a distinct charcoal-infused taste that gas grills can only try to imitate.

One highly praised example is the Weber Performer Deluxe 22-Inch Charcoal Grill. The charcoal provides excellent heat, offering great control for cooking up some juicy pork chops or mouthwatering BBQ chicken. This makes charcoal grills great for those times when you crave those traditional BBQ flavors.

A chimney starter will come in handy to help make lighting a breeze. I would also recommend investing in a good hinged grill grate so that you can easily add charcoal during longer cooking sessions, such as when smoking a whole brisket.

Portable Grills

Designed with adventurers in mind, portable grills are compact and lightweight. This makes them the ideal choice for taking on camping trips or to tailgate parties. The Napoleon Freestyle 425 Freestanding 4-Burner Propane Gas Grill offers a balance of portability with the cooking power of a full-sized grill.

Another strong choice is the Weber Traveler, which I find exceptional in its ability to retain and distribute heat evenly. It may not boast extra features, but it definitely excels at grilling, barbecuing, and smoking – offering a diverse cooking experience for folks on the go.

Its larger size makes it ideal for feeding more people, but also necessitates the need for ample space within a car trunk or truck bed.

Pellet Grills

Pellet grills bring an exciting twist to the grilling scene. They’re essentially a set-it-and-forget-it type of cooking experience. These grills use wood pellets to infuse a rich, smoky flavor into your meals.

The Napoleon Phantom Rogue SE 425 RSIB Propane Gas Grill with Infrared Rear & Side Burner offers an automatic feed that ensures precise temperature control for an effortless grilling session. The hopper can typically hold about 15 hours’ worth of smoking fuel, perfect for longer smokes.

The catch is that it doesn’t typically get hot enough to get those restaurant-quality seared grill marks. So for folks who are picky about that, be sure to use the cast iron grates on your stovetop if a sear is what you’re looking to achieve.

Electric Grills

When it comes to limited space and restrictions against open flames, electric grills come to the rescue. If you are living the apartment life, or if you’re just after an easy cleanup, these are definitely worth looking at. Electric grills can achieve high temperatures for searing but may require a little practice to master grilling with.

Small Grill Considerations

Let’s break down what you should think about when picking out one of the best small grills for you. Making the best choice depends on your personal needs, the types of food you like to grill, and your cooking style. Keep your eyes on these crucial features.

Cooking Area

One of the most important considerations when picking out small grills is the cooking space you need. Take a good look at how many people you plan to typically grill for and factor that into your decision-making process.

You want to choose a size that comfortably fits the meals you plan on grilling most. There is, of course, no hard and fast rule for cooking space and food, but I’d suggest 72 square inches of cooking space per serving. For example, for folks who want a small grill for just themselves and a partner, one of the smaller best small grills with a 150 to 200 square inch cooking area might suffice.

You may want to consider a 250 to 400 square inch cooking area if you have larger groups of four or more people to accommodate, otherwise, multiple grilling rounds will be a necessity.

Heat Distribution and Retention

Look at the construction materials. Sturdier and thicker construction materials, particularly in the grill body and lid, typically do a much better job at retaining and evenly distributing heat. Cast iron, for instance, is exceptional at heat retention.

Take this same focus when evaluating cooking grates, as they directly impact your grill marks and the overall cooking experience. Heavier and thicker cast iron cooking grates will get searing hot for those fantastic char-grilled patterns on your steaks and burgers.

It will take a bit more time for thinner, less dense steel grates to reach higher cooking temperatures, and often those higher temperatures come with greater inconsistency in their performance.

Portability

Pay close attention to the weight and the way that it’s designed. You may, for example, need a grill that fits into a backpack. In this scenario, something with legs that double as lid locks and a compact design is critical to make transportation as simple as possible.

Other considerations include the carrying handles and storage bag or whether the grill has wheels for convenient transportation.

Budget

Set a clear budget before exploring the wide world of small grills, considering the additional accessories you might need such as grill brushes, grilling tools, charcoal chimneys, and more. This will give you the opportunity to explore brands, features, and model options.

And as you refine your search, you’ll get a much better understanding of the value proposition offered by various brands like Weber, Napoleon, Fuego, and Broil King. It’s worth noting, you don’t need to always reach for the most expensive model, as affordable and great small grills are available across the price spectrum.

Our Recommended Picks for the Best Small Gas Grills

While we’ve gone over various options available for folks looking to explore small gas grills, finding the perfect choice can be challenging. Which is why I wanted to share my personal picks based on years of using these brands, understanding the common feedback customers have provided, and seeing which consistently land on best of lists.

Napoleon Phantom Rogue SE 425 RSIB Propane Gas Grill with Infrared Rear & Side Burner 

A combination of size, performance, and convenience makes this an outstanding choice for those seeking the best small grills. I would rank this as my top choice, as its feature set checks all the boxes – including side shelves for extra preparation space.

Fuego Grills Element 21-Inch 2-Burner Propane Freestanding Gas Grill – Carbon Steel

I’ve always found Fuego Grills to punch above their weight. Its two burners deliver plenty of power, with heat control, consistent temperature cooking, minimal flare-ups, and a compact footprint. All at a price point that often leaves customers impressed, and their cast iron grates get up to sear temperatures to achieve beautiful grill marks.

Napoleon Freestyle 425 Freestanding 4-Burner Propane Gas Grill

It has four burners in a package not much larger than those with two. This makes it great if you regularly cook for bigger crowds.

Coyote C-Series 28-Inch 2-Burner Freestanding Propane Gas Grill

A solid build quality with thoughtful features make this a strong contender for anyone wanting something durable. It offers solid temperature control and a more straightforward design.

Broil King Baron 320 Pro 3-Burner Freestanding Propane Gas Grill

A dependable model with porcelain-coated cast iron cooking grates makes it ideal for searing and indirect grilling. Its three burners provide versatile grilling options without needing a lot of extra space.

Weber Grills Spirit II E-210 Freestanding Propane Gas Grill

One of the top gas grills, it’s perfect for everyday grilling and backyard BBQ fun. I find these consistently impress users with their reliability, straightforward design, ease of use, and quality.

Accessories For Your Small Grill

While all of the best small grills can get the job done out of the box, some accessories can come in quite handy when taking your grilling game to the next level.

Charcoal Chimney Starter

I’ve been preaching it for years and continue to stand by it – charcoal chimney starters are indispensable if charcoal grilling is what you enjoy most. Just pile in your charcoal briquettes, light the newspaper underneath, and watch them turn to embers in under 20 minutes – eliminating the need for those harsh, flavor-distorting lighter fluids.

This also helps your small charcoal grill maintain a more constant, consistent cooking temperature due to a consistent ash base forming.

Grill Covers

This may not seem essential, but they come in clutch when preserving the longevity of your investment. Whether battling harsh sunlight or torrential downpours, quality grill covers protect your grills and can extend the lifespan, minimizing the potential damage that Mother Nature throws your way.

Grill Mats

If you are in an apartment, or on a wood balcony, this will save the space from char and embers. Plus, they make cleaning easier.

Digital Thermometers

For the truly devoted grillers who appreciate those juicy steaks or roasts, investing in a quality digital thermometer with probes is crucial for dialing in your grilling precision. Just insert the probe and get those read-outs on internal meat temperatures for ensuring you’re achieving the perfect doneness levels, and never overcooked burgers or dry steaks again.

Plus, many models allow for connecting with your smartphone via Bluetooth which will even allow you to move about while tending to other things.

Cast Iron Skillet

While a small charcoal grill excels at its craft, using a well-seasoned cast iron skillet unlocks an even more versatile cooking dimension. Just toss it directly on those red hot coals for some serious sizzling magic. Perfect for preparing a vast spectrum of food, like fajitas, smashburgers, sauteed mushrooms, or skillet-baked cornbread. My personal favorite use for this cast iron magic is for sizzling bacon right next to your favorite BBQ meat as a side.

The skillet also helps make your best small grills an even better all-in-one tool when camping, minimizing the cooking equipment you have to carry.

Conclusion

From space-saving balconies to thrilling camping expeditions, there are best small grills perfectly tailored to your situation. Remember, finding those perfect small grills for your needs will transform those small cooking spaces into havens of culinary artistry.

As we’ve discovered, you don’t need an expansive backyard to enjoy that satisfying outdoor cooking experience. All you need is the right knowledge and tools, the craving for those iconic smoky aromas, and of course – some delectable meals to whip up for family and friends. So don’t delay any longer, get out there, choose the perfect grill, and unleash your inner grilling maestro.