Apartment Balcony Electric Grill Shopping Guide

If you live in an apartment without a garden, you know the struggle: grilling season arrives, but using a charcoal or gas grill on the balcony is often prohibited or simply impractical due to the smoke. An electric grill offers a convenient and safe alternative, allowing you to grill year-round, regardless of the weather.

This article serves as your guide. We'll introduce the key features of different types of electric grills and present a selection of models to help you choose the right appliance for your needs.

What to Look for When Choosing an Electric Grill

Selecting the right device depends on your individual needs. Three key criteria can help you narrow down the options.

Power and Temperature Control

Power, measured in watts, is a crucial factor for grilling results. Models with a power output of 2000 watts or more heat up quickly and maintain a stable temperature, even when cold food is placed on the grill. This is essential for creating a beautiful crust and those classic grill marks. An adjustable thermostat allows you to precisely tailor the heat to whatever you're cooking—from vegetables to thick steaks.

Grilling Surface and Design: Contact Grill vs. Tabletop Grill

Two main types have become popular in the market:

• Tabletop Grill: This appliance resembles a classic open grate. It features a large, open grilling surface and is well-suited for social grilling right at the table. An electric tabletop grill is often designed for use on a balcony.
• Contact Grill: With this type, food is placed between two hot plates and cooked from both sides simultaneously. This significantly reduces grilling time and is ideal for preparing sandwiches, paninis, or cuts of meat with even browning. Many models can also be opened up flat to be used as a tabletop grill.

For a simple kitchen alternative, a grill pan used on the stovetop can also deliver great results without needing another electric appliance.

Cleaning and Handling

For hassle-free use, cleaning is an important consideration. An electric grill with removable plates has a clear advantage here. If the plates are also dishwasher-safe, cleanup is reduced to a minimum. To use the grill as an indoor grill for your apartment, low smoke emission is critical. Models where grease drains into a separate drip tray are considered especially smokeless, as the fat doesn't drip onto the hot heating elements and burn.

Our Top Electric Grill Picks

Based on the criteria mentioned, we have compiled a selection of different models suitable for various applications.

Tefal SuperGrill GC450B32 Contact Grill

Why It Stands Out The Tefal SuperGrill is a versatile contact grill that distinguishes itself with its two cooking positions. It can be used as a classic contact grill or opened completely flat as a tabletop grill with a 180° plancha function. The solid cast-iron plates ensure excellent heat retention and distribution.

Pros

• Power: 2000 watts for rapid heating and high-heat searing.
• Temperature Control: Adjustable 4-position thermostat for precise results.
• Functionality: Two cooking positions (Grill & 180° Plancha) for maximum flexibility.
• Cleaning: The non-stick grill plates are removable and dishwasher-safe.
• Grease Drainage: The plates are tilted at a 3° angle, allowing excess grease to drain directly into the large drip tray.

Who Is It For? This model is ideal for users looking for a multifunctional appliance for quick and even cooking of meat, fish, vegetables, and sandwiches. Thanks to its compact design and easy cleaning, it's a great fit for small to medium-sized households that want a powerful indoor grill for their apartment.

View Details for the Tefal SuperGrill

Severin Electric Grill PG 8556

Why It Stands Out The Severin PG 8556 is a classic tabletop grill that impresses with its high power output of 2300 watts and a generous grilling surface. It is designed for both indoor and outdoor (balcony) use. A special feature is the water-fillable grill tray, which, according to the manufacturer, minimises smoke and odour.

Pros

• High Power: 2300 watts ensure a short heat-up time and high grilling temperatures.
• Low-Smoke: The water-filled drip tray prevents dripping grease from burning.
• Large Grilling Surface: The die-cast aluminium plate measures 37 x 29 cm and offers space for food for several people.
• Simple Operation: The temperature is easily adjusted via a rotary dial with an LED control ring.
• Easy Cleaning: The grill plate and grease tray are removable for easy cleaning.

Who Is It For? This grill is a great choice for anyone who prefers the classic, open-grill experience of a tabletop grill. It is perfectly suited for use on the balcony or for social gatherings at the dinner table where low-smoke cooking is a priority.

View Details for the Severin Electric Grill

Aluminium Grill Pan 260x41mm

Why It Stands Out This aluminium grill pan is a simple and space-saving alternative to an electric appliance. It allows you to grill directly on your home stovetop and creates the characteristic grill marks thanks to its ridged surface, while allowing excess fat to drain away.

Pros

• Space-Saving: Requires no extra storage space for another electric appliance.
• Efficient Heat Distribution: The aluminium material ensures fast and even heating.
• Healthier Cooking: The ridges on the pan's surface allow fat to drain away.
• Versatile: Suitable for steaks, vegetables, chicken, and much more.
• Easy to Handle: Lightweight and straightforward to use and clean.

Who Is It For? The grill pan is perfect for people in very small apartments who only grill occasionally and don't want to buy a separate appliance. It is a cost-effective and practical solution for creating grilled flavours in your own kitchen.

View Details for the Grill Pan

Looking for Specific Grilling Accessories?

If you already own a grill and are looking for replacement parts or special cookware, our selection of accessories might be of interest. From durable plates to other cookware, you may find suitable additions for your setup here.

Discover Our Selection of Aluminium Plates and Accessories

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How smokeless is an electric grill really?

An electric grill is inherently very low-smoke because no charcoal is burned. The minimal smoke that can occur comes from fat dripping onto the hot heating elements. Models with a good grease management system, such as tilted plates or a water-filled drip tray, effectively minimise this. This is why they are known as a smokeless electric grill and are ideal as an indoor grill for your apartment.

Does an electric grill get as hot as a charcoal grill?

Powerful electric grills with 2000 watts or more can reach temperatures over 230°C (450°F). This is sufficient to sear meat and create an appealing crust. While you won't get the typical smoky flavour of a charcoal grill, the grilling results in terms of browning and texture are comparable with high-quality appliances.

What's the easiest way to clean an electric grill?

The easiest cleaning is offered by models with removable plates that are also dishwasher-safe. After cooling, the plates and the grease tray can be easily removed and cleaned in the dishwasher or by hand. For grills with fixed plates, it's best to wipe them down with a damp cloth and a little dish soap after they have cooled.