Sunday, October 24, 2010

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During football season, nothing goes with a game like bbq and beer. So, it's Saturday afternoon, you're in your apartment and it's time to make this happen. Your beer's sitting pretty all cold in the fridge, but let's not defile your poor meat by turning it out on a George Foreman and trying to call it BBQ.

Now, you could always haul your charcoal and ingredients down to your apartment complex's grilling area. But, I'm not really sure how quality of a football game you're going to have on your portable TV with no friends. Might as well go tailgate. (Click here for the best tailgate grill. EVER.)

So, obviously there's one advantage of homeownership; and that is barbecuing. But, who's to say you don't have a "backyard?" Ditch the Foreman and the communal fire pit and check out these awesome smaller grills fit for your porch. Yeah, your "backyard" may be tiny, but here's an instance when size really doesn't matter. These state-of-the-art miniature grills were designed to fit in smaller places, but are powerful enough to hold up to 50 lbs of food in some cases! Just be sure you check first with your management, or review your lease agreement, regarding grilling on your porch. So do yourself a flavor and pick below from one of our favorite grills, so you can get barbecuing before the season's over!

TOP 5 APARTMENT GRILLS
1. WEBER 426001 Q 300 PROPANE GAS BBQ
This is ideal for those who want the ultimate porch grill. It provides that authentic grilling feel, but is perfectly sized for easy storage and doesn't take up a lot of space. At 83 pounds, don't plan on any picnics. Price is about $325.54.

Features: This full-size model maintains and often expands upon the tabletop original's conveniences, while benefiting from more permanent patio installation. The liquid propane grill employs two 13,850 BTU burners to heat its 393-square inch cooking area, providing space for several dozen hot dogs or even a medium-sized turkey. Weber crafted the grill's tall lid and body in tough cast aluminum, framed by a heat- and moisture- resistant nylon frame with glass reinforcement. A simple push-button ignition fires up the stainless-steel burners. Users adjust the burners' output with a control knob and monitor the heat on a built-in thermometer in the lid. Meat cooks evenly on top of the two cooking grates. Constructed in sturdy cast-iron and porcelain enameling, the grates resist warping and rusting while cleaning with relative ease. Drip ducts help direct and collect greasy drippings. Two polyethylene side tables attach to create extra preparation space. Spatulas and tongs can be hung from the tool holders on the grill's frame. The provided regulator hose connects the grill to a separately purchased 20-pound propane tank, which stows unobtrusively on a lower shelf. Weber offers a limited five-year warranty for this item. With the lid closed, the grill measures 44 by 36-1/2 by 22 inches.

2.Weber 386002 Q 100 Portable Propane Gas Grill

If the 300 model is too big, too expensive, or just too heavy, the smaller 100 version is the perfect portable gas grill ideal for both your porch and to transport. It's easy to use and clean, while also rugged in construction. Priced at only about $139.00, this topnotch small gas grill is a good choice for apartment living and your wallet.

Features: Weber crafted the grill's lid and body in tough cast aluminum with a sturdy glass-reinforced nylon frame. The grill ignites at the push of a button for reliable lighting, and an infinitely adjustable burner valve with a high-quality regulator makes it easy to control the heat. Meat sizzles on the porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grates, while drippings follow the drip ducts to reduce potential flare-ups and enable quicker cleaning. Other highlights include a flavorizer system integrated into the cooking grate, a removable catch pan, and a large weather-resistant lid handle. The grill operates on a standard 14.1- or 16.4-ounce propane cylinder. Propane does not come included, but Weber does enclose a Weber Q cookbook of recipes and inspiration. The grill measures 16 by 27 by 23-1/2 inches with the lid open and carries a five-year limited warranty.

3. Outdoor Great Room Cook Number Series Electric Grills
For those people who's apartment complexes have banned gas or charcoal grills, there are a few other options that will still give you that authentic grilling experience. Outdoor Great Room has successfully managed to create an electric portable grill that can be used both indoors and out to successfully sear a steak and grill any other meat or vegetable. If you're confined to plug-ins, and you have the money, then this is the one for you at about $319.20.

Features: The appliance delivers the same power as a full-size grill, but it runs on ordinary household current--simply plug it in for grilling, roasting, convection baking, and more. In minutes, it can reach temperatures up to 500 degrees F for searing meat or fillets. The unit features a built-in food probe and an exclusive Cook Number System with 10 precise settings that indicate when food has been cooked to perfection. Its Cook Number technology and thermodynamic design provide cleaner, greener grilling that leaves virtually no carbon footprint. In addition, the high-efficiency electric grill conserves energy and costs only 10 to 15 cents per hour to use. Compare that to as much as $1.50 an hour for ordinary 30,000-BTU gas grills or up to $3 an hour for 60,000-BTU grills. Other highlights include 250 square inches of cooking space, a searing temperature control knob, and a slide-out grease drawer and aluminum tray for easy cleanup. Optional grill carts can be purchased separately. The electric grill measures 19 by 21 by 9 inches and carries a one-year limited warranty.

4.Brinkmann 810-5301-6 Smoke'N Grill

Starting at only $69.88, this is an awesome priced charcoal smoker and grill. Enjoy slow-cooked BBQ and authentic smokehouse flavor. It's perfect for large gatherings (PARTY) as it comes equipped with two chrome-plated steel cooking grills that can hold up to 50 pounds of food!

Features: Cook a ham on one level and a chicken on the other. Both the top and bottom grill levels cook at about the same temperature, so when cooking different types or cuts of meat at the same time, place the meat that cooks the fastest on the top grill for convenient removal. The unit's domed lid supplies a heat indicator for checking the temperature at a glance, while its front-hinged chrome door allows for adding charcoal or water during the smoking process. This is an easy-to-clean lightweight design at just 24 pounds. The charcoal smoker and grill measures 17 by 17 by 32 inches and carries a one-year limited warranty.

5. Outdoor Chef - City Grill with Cradle

If you want to simmer some juicy steaks, or get that nice authentic grilled feel to your meat, the City Grill will help and it's priced at only around $172.27. Yes, it may look like just any ordinary basic grill, but it's unique features make it anything but as it's considered one of the most versatile outdoor cooking systems ever created.

Features:The Flip Funnel design is the key to its over reaching success. Not only does this feature stop annoying flare ups from burning the exterior of your food, but it also prevents clouds of smoke from blinding you during the cooking process or simply aggravating your next door neighbor. You leave all these memories behind with the City Grill. The Flip Funnel is also important in cooking the way you want. If you need to bake a whole turkey, the City Grill will cook just like a convention oven. You will not have to turn your foods at any time during this cooking option. But by adjusting the Flip Funnel into the upright form, simply by turning the device upside down, you completely change the cooking dynamic of the City Grill.

If you're feeling crafty (i.e. you're broke), you could always try to make your own homemade "flower box" balcony grill. Seriously! This is inspired by a real product called Balcony Grill Bruce. It's not on the market yet, but you could easily try to construct the concept yourself. How challenging could it really be to convert a metal flower box into a basic charcoal grill? Be sure it's hung securely on the balustrade, otherwise there goes your meat and your only grill... If you can get it to stay put, a real plus is the fact that it's position on the railing won't smoke out your apartment as the flow will move on up and out. So, just be sure to invite the neighbors--and even if they pass you up on your offer, they may let it slide after seeing your creation. As for management, they on the other hand may not be as impressed with your handyman skills, so be sure to get their approval first.

Worse case scenario: Your apartment's management says no to everything. Who cares? Hit up a homeowning friend. I mean what are friends for if they can't provide you with a little TV time on their couch, free beer, and cook you up some homemade BBQ out back? See, you too can enjoy the benefits of homeownership!

Article by RentalsGoneWild.com



1 comment:

  1. I've always wanted to barbeque on our balcony but it's not allowed in the apartment rules.

    ReplyDelete