If you are looking for a new grill, but you don’t have where to put it, we recommend looking into the best small gas grills. They are affordable, and above all – they require very little room so that you can install the grill virtually anywhere.
Cooking dinner on a full-sized gas grill can be great for a big backyard BBQ, but it’s not practical for every situation. A small gas grill might be the answer if you are low on space. However, there’s more to this than just the sheer size of the grill.
We went all in to discover the ins and outs of small gas grills and prepare a buyer’s guide and a list of the best small gas grills models out there. Let’s dig in!
Best-Rated Small Gas Grills
- Compact size and portability
- Options for swappable cooktops
- 3-year warranty
- A total of 450 square inches of cooking space
- Durable steel construction and a 10-year warranty
- Reliable ignition system and a built-in lid thermometer
- Budget-friendly price
- Stainless steel in-line burners
- Sturdy design
Table of Contents
- Best-Rated Small Gas Grills
- The Best Small Gas Grills – Reviews
- Best Small Gas Grills – Buyer’s Guide
- Best Small Gas Grills – The Verdict
Other Recommendations:
- Best with Cast Iron Grates: Char-Broil Performance Series Liquid Propane Gas Grill
- Entry-level Choice: MASTER COOK Propane Gas Grill
- Best Compact: Cuisinart CGG-306 Propane Tabletop Grill
- Best Tabletop: Pit Boss 75275 Stainless Steel Tabletop Grill
- Folding Small Gas Grill: Weber Q1200 Liquid Propane Grill
- Built for Extra-tight Spaces: Fuego F21C-H Hinged Propane Gas Grill
There are plenty of options out there when it comes to outdoor cooking. If you’re looking for something other than a small grill to level up your cooking, consider these instead:
The Best Small Gas Grills – Reviews
Coleman is a brand we usually associate with camping supplies. However, their Road Trip 225 standing gas grill works well for those looking for a reliable grill for small spaces.
You get two adjustable burners that provide a precise level of temperature control and a surprisingly large grilling area of 225 square inches. The push-button ignition fires up the grill reliably, so you don’t have to worry about using a lighter or matches.
Given that this grill was designed for portability, it is a great solution for those that want to keep their limited outdoor space clear. It can be conveniently packed up and stored between uses, or you can leave it set up if you plan on using it regularly. You also have the option to pack up your grill and take it with you on camping trips.
The swappable cooktops are another great touch. Choose between the high-end cast iron grill grates or quickly switch to a griddle or stove grate. These other cooktops are sold separately, but it’s nice to have the option to expand the use of your grill. Who wouldn’t like cooking up their breakfast outside on a warm summer morning?
Overall, there is plenty to love about this unique gas grill, and it thoroughly deserves its spot as our second favorite small gas grill option!
What we liked:
- The compact size and ease of portability
- Options for swappable cooktops
- 3-year warranty
What we didn’t like:
- The wheels are not as durable as we expected
Specifications:
- Total Burners: 1
- Weight: 35.12 lbs
- Dimensions: 28.78” x 18.31” x 14.17”
Our premium pick for the best small gas grill is the Weber Spirit E-210. Weber is one of the most well-known and highly respected grill manufacturers and this particular model certainly has a lot to offer.
Weber specifically designed this grill for those who want an excellent grilling experience in a tight space. Despite its relatively small size, the Spirit E-210 packs 26,000 BTUs of cooking heat, which is more than enough to grill full meals. It also features convenient fold-down stainless steel side tables that provide plenty of extra prep space. If your patio or balcony lacks space for the side tables, you can leave them in the folded position.
What we liked most about this grill was the overall build quality. The durable aluminum and stainless steel construction are built to last, but lightweight enough that the grill remains portable and easy to handle. It is treated to withstand corrosion, so you can feel confident leaving your grill outdoors.
The porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grates provide a perfect sear and help with heat distribution. As a bonus, the grill features a warming rack and interior hooks for grilling utensils. The low maintenance and easy-to-clean grease management system allow you to keep your grill looking and working great for years to come.
Overall, this is an excellent grill that finds the perfect balance between size, portability, durability, and performance.
What we liked:
- A total of 450 square inches of cooking space
- Durable steel construction and a 10-year warranty
- Reliable ignition system and a built-in lid thermometer
What we didn’t like:
- The initial setup can be a bit time consuming
Specifications:
- Total Burners: 2
- Weight: 114lbs
- Dimensions: 32” x 50” x 63”
Given that this is our top pick for a budget-friendly small gas grill, it is surprising how well made this unit is. For starters, you get a classic two-burner design capable of producing an impressive 20,000 BTUs of heat across a fairly large cooking surface.
We found the built-in ignition system worked well for a grill at this price point. It also features a porcelain-coated steel lid and firebox, which helps make the grill fairly durable. The stainless steel inline burners are also a nice touch, especially given the low price.
While this grill does not feature too many frills, you get a decent grill that will allow you to do all the cooking you want in a tight space.
What we liked:
- Budget-friendly price
- Stainless steel in-line burners
- Sturdy design
What we didn’t like:
- Side tables are not collapsable
Specifications:
- Total Burners: 2
- Weight: 43 pounds
- Dimensions: 17” x 26” x 17”
This is one of the higher-end grills on our list. You get a stunning stainless steel grill in a compact package. It features all of the luxuries you would expect on a full-size grill but is still small enough to be a practical choice for those with limited space.
We liked the 300 square inch cooking surface and swing-away warming rack. The lid-mounted temperature gauge, electronic ignition system, and cabinet-style propane storage are all nice touches. Foldable side tables and cast iron cooking grates also give this grill the look and performance you would expect from a high-quality grill.
The only downside is the cost. Expect to pay more than some of the other grills on our list, but you do get solid performance and durability for that added cost.
What we liked:
- Comparatively large cooking surface
- Beautiful stainless steel design
- Cast iron cooking grates
What we didn’t like:
- Comes at a heftier price
Specifications:
- Total Burners: 2
- Weight: 82 lbs
- Dimensions: 24.5” x 43” x 44”
The MASTER COOK features stainless steel burners that have an output of 30,000 BTUs of heat, which is impressive for a smaller grill. The integrated igniter and straightforward control knob system make it easy to operate the grill.
You get foldable prep tables and heavy-duty wheels for easy storage. It is a fairly basic grill, but it is built to a high standard. You get a reliable small gas grill that will be sure to last for years to come. If you are just looking for something simple that will get the job done right, you cannot go wrong with this grill!
The assembly might put some people off, but as long as you follow the instruction manual it is fairly simple.
What we liked:
- Impressive 30,000 BTUs of heat
- Easy to operate
- Foldable prep tables and wheels for easy storage
What we didn’t like:
- Assembly can be a bit challenging, so make sure to follow the instructions
Specifications:
- Total Burners: 3
- Weight: 48.9 pounds
- Dimensions: 21” x 45” x 41”
This tabletop grill is perfect for those that want a high-quality grill in a small package. It requires no assembly, so you can be grilling in as little as 10 minutes, without the use of any tools.
The stainless steel design looks great and gives the grill an impressive level of durability. It features precise temperature control and uses dual stainless steel burners. Despite its compact size, the grilling surface is fairly large.
We liked the complete stainless steel design and the fact it's pretty much ready to go out of the box. The only thing to keep in mind is this is a tabletop grill, so you will need some sort of surface to put it on.
What we liked:
- Tabletop design is exceptionally compact
- No assembly required
- Durable stainless steel design
What we didn’t like:
- You will need an outdoor tabletop to place it on
Specifications:
- Total Burners: 2
- Weight: 22 pounds
- Dimensions: 21” x 13” x 17”
The Pit Boss is also a tabletop grill that features a stainless steel design. Despite the small size, it also packs an impressive cooking surface and 20,000 BTUs of heat.
The built-in push-start ignition and lid thermometer complete the package. It is the perfect grill for those that want to grill in a small space, and it is portable enough to take with you on camping trips and tailgating parties.
What we liked:
- Compact tabletop design
- Easy to use
- Portable enough for camping trips
What we didn’t like:
- Cleaning is a little difficult
Specifications:
- Total Burners: 2
- Weight: 27 pounds
- Dimensions: 23” x 19” x 16”
These iconic tabletop grills feature a unique shape and design. They are also available in a wide variety of interesting colors. While they may stand out for their unique shape, their popularity is due to their high-quality construction and impressive grilling performance.
This compact grill features a built-in thermometer, folding side tables, and cast iron cooking grates. The cast aluminum lid and body are extremely durable and its dome design makes the grill even stronger.
Weber sells some interesting accessories for this grill, including a foldable stand.
What we liked:
- Built-in thermometer
- Durable cast aluminum build
- Convenient folding side tables
What we didn’t like:
- Takes a while to reach maximum heat
Specifications:
- Total Burners: 1
- Weight: 26 pounds
- Dimensions: 15” x 30” x 16”
This is the perfect standing grill for a tight space. The unique cylindrical design gives you plenty of cooking space, but it can still fit into the corner of a tight apartment balcony.
The grill conveniently hides the propane tank and the unique circular burners help distribute heat evenly across the cooking surface. The grill is surprisingly easy to clean and it's the perfect minimalistic solution for those with extremely limited space.
The only thing we didn’t like was the lack of prep tables; however, given that the goal of this grill is to be compact, that probably should not be seen as a strike against it.
What we liked:
- Unique space-saving design
- Even heat distribution
- Easy to clean
What we didn’t like:
- No prep space
Specifications:
- Total Burners: 1
- Weight: 72 pounds
- Dimensions: 21” x 21” x 46”
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Best Small Gas Grills – Buyer’s Guide
While looking through all the small gas grills, remember that price and brand name are not the only factors you should consider. You want your grill to last more than a single season, and you want to make sure it produces even heat for even cooking. Also, if you decide to upgrade your outdoor kitchen one day, we recommend you start your search with the best built-in grills we reviewed.
Here are some of the factors we considered when compiling our list of the nine best small gas grills out there.
Durability
As mentioned, you should make sure any grill you purchase is made from durable materials that can last multiple grilling seasons. Materials are essential, yes, but the assembly and the build are crucial.
Usually, a lengthy warranty is a good indicator that the manufacturer stands by the grill quality. Brand reputation is also worth considering. Grill brands earn their reputations based mainly on build quality.
Materials are not as straightforward as you might expect. Most grills are made from steel, yet steel quality differs significantly. Look for corrosion and peel-resistant coatings to help extend the lifespan of your grill.
Corrosion-resistant coatings are critical if you do not have storage space for your grill, which may be the case if you’re planning to use your grill on an apartment or condo balcony. Many people store their grill in a shed or garage during the cold, wet months, but if this is not an option for you, find something that can stand up to harsh weather conditions. Stainless steel grills are great for this, and you will find quite a few on our top nine list.
Overall Size and Cooking Area of Small Gas Grills
Since we’re counting down the best small gas grills, size is an essential factor. The first step is making sure that the grill is small enough for your space, but it is also vital to consider the cooking area.
Find a grill that fits your space and gives you the maximum cooking surface possible. While you can cook up some impressive meals on a small grilling surface, make sure it is large enough to properly sear the foods you are planning to cook on it.
Many of the grills on our list feature foldable side shelves, which allow you to fit the grill into a tighter space. We avoided grills that wasted space with large side handles and fixed shelves because we want to ensure that the area your small grill takes up is helpful.
The truth is that some grills look large on the outside, but the cooking surface is surprisingly tiny. We avoided these types of grills and instead prioritized practicality and efficiency.
Portability
While you may plan on permanently positioning your grill on a balcony or patio, many people want the option to relocate the grill when necessary. If you only have access to a small outdoor space, you might enjoy the option to move it to a less prominent area when not in use. That’s why some of the grills on our list feature foldable designs that are so portable you can even take them camping!
Heat Distribution
Heat distribution is an important factor when assessing overall quality, no matter what size grill you are looking at. The last thing you want is to grill food and find it cooked unevenly once you start it.
A high-quality grill also has better insulation to deal with heat loss when the lid is closed. Blocking wind and cold air from getting into your grill helps reduce heat fluctuations and makes cooking that much easier.
A grill with good heat distribution makes sure that heat is spread evenly across the entire grilling surface. A grill with a few hot and cold spots is much easier to cook on!
The Overall Cost of Small Gas Grills
If you are in the market for a new grill, you probably have some idea of your budget. Small grills are available at a wide range of price points. We tried to strike a balance between cost and quality to help you get the most bang for your buck!
Consider your budget and how often you will use your new small gas grill. If you intend to cook on it regularly, it might be worth investing more money in a higher-quality grill. We made sure to point out which grills are the best option for those on a tighter budget!
Accessories and Extra Features
Although build quality and heat distribution are key, there is something to be said for a grill that comes with all the bells and whistles. Even with smaller grills, you can find those that include some impressive features and extra accessories.
For example, if you want a grill with a built-in thermometer, plenty of smaller grills have this feature. We were sure to point out the features each of our top nine small grills came with, and we made a note when the manufacturer sold upgrades and additional accessories to customize the grill.
Best Small Gas Grills – The Verdict
Picking up the best small gas grill is no easy task due to all the factors that come into play besides its size. Hopefully, our guide and small grill reviews will help you make an informed decision and finally treat yourself to some tasty, tasty grilled food.
At The Home Dweller, we do the research and compile it into these bite-sized articles to help people out. If you find the info helpful, we invite you to share it on social media and save someone the trouble of going through days of research.
