The Best Small Grills (Review and Buying Guide) in 2023 | Autance

The simple, smoker-like Char-Griller Patio Pro Charcoal Grill is a great option when it comes to flavor and style. This charcoal grill was designed to pack lots of cooking into a small space. With a 250 square-inch cooking surface, this grill is very space efficient, and its simple design makes this a user-friendly option. The stainless steel barrel firebox features both a double steel bottom and a durable powder-coated exterior. The cast-iron grates make the perfect grilling surface, and the dual airflow vents allow for simple temperature management. This grill’s sliding drawers allow for easy access to wood chips, coals, and ashes, making for easy flame management and cleanup. The Char-Griller Patio Pro Charcoal Grill comes with plenty of extras for comfort and ease of use.

The only hiccups with this grill are the lack of a thermometer and occasional fit and finish issues. While assembly is required, it’s pretty straightforward.

If you’re looking for a grill that is simple, portable, and affordable then take a good, hard look at the Cuisinart CCG190 Portable Charcoal Grill. This basic little grill has virtually everything a budding grillmaster on the go would need. The chrome-plated grate provides 150 square inches of grilling space, and the dual airflow vents allow for simple temperature control. The enamel-coated firebox and included ash catcher help simplify cleaning and maintenance, so when the time comes, this lightweight little grill is easy to clean. Weighing only two pounds, this compact charcoal grill is extremely portable, and with its three locking lid latches, users will never need to worry about making a mess. The affordable Cuisinart CCG190 Portable Charcoal Grill also boasts an easy assembly process.

The biggest knocks against this grill are its undersized, poorly-fitted grate, cheap construction materials, and somewhat common fit and finish issues.

Most grills are designed with the casual summer griller in mind, but the Kamado Joe Classic II bit off more than most grills can chew. This stationary charcoal grill boasts 205 square inches of cooking surface and a two-tiered grate designed to allow users to simultaneously cook different dishes at different temperatures. The sealed, ceramic-lined firebox creates consistent, controllable temperatures anywhere between 225 and 700-degrees Fahrenheit, and the top airflow vent allows for simple temperature management. The Air Lift Hinges allows users to easily lift the hefty lid, and the grill’s modular design allows grillmasters to venture into the world of rotisserie meats, pizza, and more. The Kamado Joe Classic II can also double as a smoker and includes plenty of helpful accessories.

This particular grill is easily the heaviest and the most expensive on this list. Some users have noted durability issues with the ceramic inserts.

When it comes to small gas grills, few can compete seriously with the Weber Q 1200 Gas Grill. This propane grill boasts a 189-square-inch grilling surface consisting of porcelain-enameled cast-iron grates that create a highly conductive, non-stick surface. The 8500-BTU single burner heats things quickly, and the control knob allows for a virtually infinite temperature setting. This grill is compatible with disposable propane cylinders, making it a portable option, and the electric ignition system lights things up in a hurry. The grill’s cast aluminum body and lid rest on a glass-reinforced nylon frame, and the entire unit requires minimal assembly upon arrival. The Weber Q 1200 Gas Grill comes in multiple colors, is easy to clean, and includes plenty of helpful extra features.

Despite its price tag, this relatively heavy grill requires a separate adapter for use with full-size propane tanks. Also, it lacks a locking lid.

When it’s time to take the grilling game up a notch (and into the kitchen), don’t go it alone. Grab a Ninja Foodi Smart XL. This six-in-one, 1760-watt electric grill has plenty of tricks up its sleeve, starting with its 108-square-inch grilling surface. The Cyclonic Grilling Technology allows users to generate 500-degree air and surface temperatures to a consistent sear, and this “smart” grill can create the perfect sear and doneness with its Smart Cook System. The dual-sensor, leave-in Foodi smart thermometer, and auto-shutoff feature allow users to “set it and forget it” using one of four protein settings with nine custom doneness settings. The easy-to-use, easy-to-clean Ninja Foodi Smart XL has plenty of space and features, allowing it to broil, roast, bake, dehydrate, and air fry as well.

This six-in-one grill tends to be somewhat expensive, and the Smoke Control System has occasionally proven disappointing on a few units.

Home cooks looking for the perfect grill to deliver a knockout steak will appreciate the George Foreman Indoor/Outdoor Electric Grill. This electric grill features 240 square inches of grilling surface complete with a convenient non-stick surface to make both cooking and cleaning a breeze. The included, non-integrated grill stand allows users to create an outdoor grilling station while allowing users to grab the grill and go, easily transitioning inside should the weather unexpectedly become unpleasant. With five separate temperature settings, grillers can adjust the heat to match their tastes, and the temperature probe that comes with the grill allows for simple temperature monitoring. The George Foreman Indoor/Outdoor Electric Grill’s non-stick grilling surface can be easily removed for easy cleaning, making it perfect for any home cook.

Unfortunately, the non-stick surface does not like metal grilling utensils, and the non-attached lid can be awkward to set down while cooking.

Whether for camping, RVing, or simply experiencing pioneer-style cooking, the Stromberg Carlson Stake and Grill is perfect for cooks looking for a little slice of American culinary tradition. This charcoal and wood grill consists of a 36-inch, solid steel stake with a sturdy grilling surface made of durable chrome-plated steel. This simple design is extremely portable, yet it was engineered by experienced campfire cooks. This unit boasts an impressive 330 square inches of grilling space with rolled-up edges to prevent food from flying into the fire. The locking handle keeps things secure yet can be adjusted for height to achieve the proper application of heat. This grill is easy to use and clean, and despite its minimal weight, the Stromberg Carlson Stake and Grill can successfully support cast iron cookware.

The only real knocks against this grill are the poor quality storage bag and its open fire-only cooking design (maybe).

Want a solid combination of grilling convenience and performance? Then the Char-Broil Performance 300 is worth a closer look. This 24,000-BTU propane grill does just about everything a home griller could need without hogging half the back deck. This unit features two burners with 300 square inches of grilling space and a 100-square-inch warming rack to accommodate plenty of orders during backyard cookouts. For a small, stationary grill, this particular unit is affordable and packs a decent number of desirable features, including an electric ignition system, a porcelain-lined grease pan, and porcelain-coated cooking grates. The non-stick grates and slick grease pan are ideal for reducing cleaning time. The easy-to-assemble Char-Broil Performance 300 also boasts a stainless steel lid with an integrated thermometer and a few other convenient features.

For its overall size, this grill has a relatively small cooking surface. A few people may find the quality somewhat lackluster.

Grilling in the woods can be a ton of fun, but without something like the UCO Flatpack Grill and Fire Pit, bringing the heat can be a tiring, awkward endeavor. Unlike most portable grills, this charcoal-fueled unit is incredibly compact and lightweight, measuring only 13.5 by 10 by 1.5 inches when folded and weighing in at just over three pounds. UCO engineers designed this grill with the backcountry in mind with its quick setup time (30 seconds at most) and its integrated windbreaks created to keep fires going even in howling conditions. This unit features a rust-resistant, corrosion-resistant stainless steel construction and a 130-square-inch grilling surface. The easy-to-clean UCO Flatpack Grill and Fire Pit includes a stable integrated base, a storage bag, and a one-year warranty.

Under extreme heat, this grill can warp, making fire pit usage less than ideal. Fit and finish can be hit or miss.

Some kitchens need something that can do anything. The Hamilton Beach Searing Grill can sear a steak or press a panini with equal ease, making it a culinary jack-of-all-trades. This electric grill features a semi-portable design, thanks to its relatively light weight of just over 8 pounds. The 118-square-inch non-stick grilling plates can hit temperatures up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit while also dropping as low as just 200, an excellent range for most cooks, and the adjustment knob makes for easy temperature adjustments. The power and heat indicator lights make this grill easy to use, and the viewing window allows cooks to monitor foods without losing heat via a lifted lid. The Hamilton Beach Searing Grill is easy to clean with its extra-large drip tray and removable, dishwasher-safe components.

Metal utensils are unkind to this grill’s non-stick cooking surface. The short cord and occasional heating issue can be annoying.