Oh, Spring is finally in the air. The flowers are blooming, sweaters are coming off and the smell of brats is in the air. Whether it’s charred hunks of meat or delicately grilled vegetables, even renters want to enjoy a little BBQ at home. Patio or deck or not, here’s our guide to apartment grilling.
Before you undertake a juicy rib-eye, you should probably know whether or not you are allowed to use a grill of any sorts. Many apartments and cities have restrictions against their use (what, don’t the property managers enjoy a good burger on the grill?). We’re sure that these rules are there for a reason. (After all, in the words of Smokey Bear, only you can prevent forest fires.) That said, come on already! Who are they to keep you from your charcoal? (Safely, of course.)
So, now to the important things: assessing apartment-sized grill options. We won’t get into the whole charcoal v. gas debate (we know, we know). We are simply here to present the options.
Of course, there is the classic renter’s friend. Yes, the Weber Lil’ Smokey Joe. What else can we say - it’s inexpensive (under $30) and does the trick. It can be messy, though. If you are looking for something a little more upscale, Weber also makes a great table grill that is easy to transport and clean. And, since it’s gas, no more lugging charcoal.
For those master grillers (or posers), you’ll need the granddaddy of all portable grills - the Solaire Anywhere. This baby means business, with 14,000 BTUs of infrared power, it heats up fast (and cools down fast). This is definitely the Cadillac of portable grills.
We know that not everyone has access to a patio, deck, common area or fire escape. So, what’s a finger-licking renter to do? Yes, there is the George Foreman option. We’re not knocking the big GF, but it doesn’t exactly satiate our authentic grilling desires. The Minden Range-Top Indoor Grill, though, does. Where has this been all of our lives? Not only does it look like a good old-fashioned barbecue, it acts like one. You set it on top of your gas or electric burner, and it will do the rest. Soon, you will hear the fat dripping off your burger. Ahh…
