Best electric BBQ for balcony-safe entertaining

Live in a flat? You can still cook up a storm with these indoor and outdoor safe electric BBQs.

best electric bbq balcony

by Hannah Mellin |
Updated on

The best balcony electric BBQs are a great option for those who are not blessed with an outdoor space. Nothing says spring or summer like the smell of a freshly lit BBQ, and not having a garden or outdoor space doesn't mean you can't enjoy yummy BBQ food surrounded by your loved ones - even though your balcony is on the small side.

Electric BBQs have risen in popularity in recent years, with many opting for smaller and more compact BBQs that they can take on the move. As the weather warms up and we all look forward to the May bank holidays, sales of BBQs are up 43 per cent compared to this time last year, with balcony-safe BBQ searches up 267 per cent, as many get ready to play host to family and friends.

Best electric balcony BBQs at a glance:

• Best overall: Ninja OG701UK Woodfire Electric BBQ Grill & Smoker - Buy now on Amazon UK
• Best value: TOWER electric indoor BBQ - Buy now on TOWER
• Best luxury: Weber Lumin Electric BBQ, Black - Buy now on John Lewis

This huge increase in shoppers hunting for a BBQ for their balcony could be down to local councils and supermarkets shunning disposable BBQs as they are becoming a relic of pre-environmentally conscious times.

In this guide, we've rounded up the best electric balcony-safe BBQs on the market, from those that come with bells and whistles to the more simple and compact grills.

Best electric balcony BBQs

Best overall

Ninja OG701UK Woodfire Electric BBQ Grill & Smoker

Rrp: £399.99

Price: £235.00
Alternative retailers
Robert Dyas£249.00View offer
Currys£249.00View offer
Argos£250.00View offer
AO.com£299.00View offer

Description

With a whole load of five-star reviews and a celebrity chef endorsement from none other than Gino

Pros

  • Easy to clean
  • Cheap to run
  • You can smoke whole cuts of meat
  • Effortless

Cons

  • Needs to preheat
  • Does generate smoke when you use the smoker function

Best for a luxury feel

Description

If you're looking to invest in an outdoor BBQ that you can use on your balcony and beyond, the

Pros

  • Smoke infusion
  • Compact and easy to move around
  • Luxury finishes

Cons

  • No customer reviews yet as a new product on the market

Best for compact size

Weber Q1400 Electric Grill

Rrp: £320.00

Price: £320.00

Description

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Pros

  • Easy to put together
  • Great quality

Cons

  • Difficult to clean after use

Best value

TOWER Electric Indoor / Outdoor BBQ
Price: £42.99 (was £59.99)

www.towerhousewares.co.uk

Description

Made for use indoors and outdoors, this 2-in-1 TOWER electric indoor BBQ can be used as a

Pros

  • Removable legs so can be used as a tabletop grill
  • Fat drip tray included

Cons

  • Some reviews have commented that it's a little flimsy

Best round-shaped electric BBQ

George Foreman Indoor Outdoor BBQ Grill 22460, Black

Rrp: £119.99

Price: £94.20
Alternative retailers
Wayfair UK£104.85View offer
JD Williams£119.99View offer
Currys£120.00View offer

Description

If you're short on space, this round indoor and outdoor BBQ from George Foreman will easily fit in

Pros

  • Gets to temperature quickly
  • Easy-to-clean removable plates
  • Temperature regulating

Cons

  • Stand could be wobbly

Best tabletop electric BBQ for your balcony

 Quest 35910 2000W Indoor Electric BBQ Grill/Adjustable Temperature Gauge/
Price: £22.99

www.diy.com

Description

This easy-to-use and small Quest Indoor Electric BBQ Grill has been made specifically for indoor

Pros

  • Super easy to use and clean
  • Great value
  • Water drip tray is so useful

Cons

  • It is small

Best for healthy cooking

George Foreman Smokeless BBQ Large Health Grill 25850
Price: £70 (was £89.50)

www.argos.co.uk

Description

George Foreman grills are famous for helping you cook delicious food without all the grease, and

Pros

  • Super easy to clean
  • Heats up quickly

Cons

  • More of a smokeless griddle pan rather than a bbq

FAQs

What is the difference between an electric BBQ and a gas BBQ?

Most people are familiar with gas BBQs, charcoal and hybrid BBQs, but electric BBQs are plugged into the mains and much easier to control. There is no need to use charcoal or gas cylinders.

Can you use BBQs on balconies?

Before you start barbecuing on your balcony, first check the house rules of your landlord or your building. Even if you own your own flat or apartment, it is worth checking out the rules just to be safe. There is no law that prohibits barbecuing on a balcony, but some buildings have regulations on what is allowed and what isn't. Electric grills are a great option if you're worried about smoke billowing out.

How can I ensure a balcony BBQ is safe?

The London Fire Brigade say that you should avoid using a gas, hybrid BBQ or charcoal BBQ on a balcony. If you choose to buy an electric BBQ, you should never leave it unattended and keep it well away from children or anything that might catch fire.

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Description

Discover everything you need to know to make your outside space look fantastic quickly and easily,

Hannah Mellin is a Homes & Garden Product Writer for Modern Gardens, A Modern Kitchen, Yours and Take A Break. She has been working in the Journalism industry for over a decade and has written for an array of brands including John Lewis, Daily Mirror and Grazia. When she's not writing, researching or testing products, she's renovating her Victorian terrace and chilling in the garden with her sausage dog Waffle.

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