If you are like us, you just can’t live without your BBQ at least once a week. But there are always obstacles in the path of a perfect barbeque weekend. Either the weather acts up, the park is being used for some other purpose, or you get stuck at home for one reason or another. It can be any number of reasons, the results are always the same – no barbeque! And that’s just sad. Don’t worry, though. There is a quick fix that’ll get you outside grilling no matter what the rest of the world has to say about it.

What is it, you ask? Balcony barbeque, of course! Here are some of our favourite compact grills that give you the best possible grilling experience (and flavour) that you could ask for from a balcony grill, or barbecue da balcone as they say in Italy.

Before giving you our list, let’s get into what qualities every balcony barbeque should have. There are some challenges that come from grilling on your balcony with smoke being one the first on most people’s list. If you are one of the millions who would benefit from a grill that produces virtually no smoke while still providing a classic BBQ flavour, check out the first option on our list. Other considerations are size, shape, and functionality. There are balcony barbeques made to hang on the balcony fencing which are great for those with the right sized fencing. There are also balcony grills that sit comfortably on a tabletop or stand.

Of course, there is also the question as to how your balcony grill gets its heat. For many, electric is the simplest option for balcony grilling, but it doesn’t usually provide the most authentic experience. Gas is another popular option with those who have enough space for the fuel tanks needed to operate them. Most of the fan-favourites are the traditional charcoal-powered barbeque grills, but these are also the smokiest making them difficult for many people as well.

LotusGrill – The LotusGrill is one of the only smokeless charcoal grills on the market that is also compact enough to sit fit on a balcony table. There are quite a few different sizes that you can choose from, and the colours on offer help set this grill apart from the pack.

George Foreman Electric Grill – Everyone knows about the George Foreman clam-style sandwich grills, but this electric grill looks a lot more like a traditional grill, only smaller. It has a tight-fitting lid which helps give you a tidy cooking experience and you’ll get almost no smoke which is always good for balcony cooking.

Coleman RoadTrip LXE Portable Propane Grill – This grill is a propane-powered grill that shares a similar design to the classic backyard grill. What makes this compact grill great for your balcony is the fact that it can be folded for storage when not in use.

No matter what style of grill you find to be most suitable for your needs, make sure that you consider how much space the grill will take up, how many people you are going to cook for, and what the best heat source is for your particular situation and needs. The list of options is certainly long, but it shouldn’t be difficult to narrow down your choices when you have a clear idea about what you want from your grill.