Best Wood Fired Grills for Small Spaces (2026)
Tested for weight, footprint, and heat output. Picks that actually fit your balcony or patio.
Not everyone has a sprawling backyard. I get that. Half the people who ask me about pellet grills live in apartments, condos, or townhomes with a small balcony or a shared patio. Their question is always the same: "Can I actually do this?"
Yes. But you need the right grill. Weight matters because you might carry it up stairs or move it into storage. Footprint matters because a 48 inch grill on a 4 foot balcony leaves you zero room to work. Heat output matters because you are probably grilling near a wall, a railing, or your neighbor's door. And smoke output matters because nobody wants a complaint from 4B.
I tested these three grills specifically for tight spaces. I measured footprints, weighed them on a bathroom scale, tracked exterior temperatures at various distances, and cooked on two different apartment balconies. These are the grills that fit the space and still deliver real results.
Small Space Picks at a Glance
GMG Daniel Boone Prime Plus
Lightweight WiFi grill that punches way above its price point
Our Testing Notes
I set the Daniel Boone up on my buddy's apartment balcony for a weekend of testing. At 68 lbs, I carried it up two flights of stairs by myself. Try that with a Pit Boss. The grill fit comfortably on a 4x8 foot balcony with room to spare for a small table and a chair. More importantly, the heat output stayed manageable. I held a thermometer six inches from the back and sides during a 275F cook. The exterior never got hot enough to worry about nearby walls. The peaked lid design pushes airflow upward rather than outward, which means less radiant heat hitting the wall behind the grill.
Who Should Buy This
Anyone cooking in a tight space where weight and footprint matter. Apartment balconies, small patios, condos with limited outdoor space, and tailgaters who need to load and unload frequently. The 68 lb weight means you can move it into storage when you are not using it, which some apartments require.
Standout Features
The weight. 68 lbs changes everything about where and how you can grill. WiFi connectivity through the GMG app lets you monitor temps from inside your apartment without opening the balcony door repeatedly. The peaked lid improves convection airflow, which means more even cooking despite the smaller cooking chamber. And the 458 sq in main grate still handles a full rack of ribs or a small brisket flat.
Where It Falls Short
The 2 year warranty is the shortest on this list. The 458 sq in main grate is tight if you are cooking for more than four people. And at 68 lbs, you feel the lighter construction. This is not a tank like a RecTeq or Grilla. Wind can affect temp stability more than heavier grills, so position it in a sheltered corner if possible.
Camp Chef SmokePro DLX 24
Camp Chef build quality at a budget price, minus the WiFi
Our Testing Notes
The SmokePro DLX 24 hits a sweet spot for small spaces. At 119 lbs, it is heavier than the Daniel Boone but still light enough for two people to move. The "24" in the name refers to the grill width, and that compact frame takes up noticeably less patio real estate than a 36 inch model. I measured the full footprint with side shelf folded: just under 40 inches wide. That fits on any patio I have ever seen. What really stands out is the Ash Kickin cleanout system. In a small space, the last thing you want is ash and grease cleanup turning into a messy project. Pull the lever, dump the ash cup, done.
Who Should Buy This
Small patio owners who want Camp Chef quality without the Woodwind price tag or size. The 570 sq in handles a family of four comfortably. If you have a dedicated patio spot and do not need to move the grill in and out of storage, this is a better build than the Daniel Boone at a similar price. No WiFi, but you are probably 10 feet from the grill anyway.
Standout Features
Camp Chef build quality at a budget price. The Ash Kickin cleanout is a genuine quality of life feature in tight spaces where messy cleanup is a problem. PID controller holds steady temps. 570 sq in is small enough to heat efficiently but big enough for real cooks. The included meat probe saves you from buying a separate thermometer.
Where It Falls Short
No WiFi. That is the big tradeoff for the price. At 119 lbs, it is manageable but not something you want to carry up stairs regularly. The 18 lb hopper is smaller than full size models, so plan on refilling during cooks longer than 8 hours at 225F. And no searing capability means you still need another option for steaks and burgers.
Z Grills 700E
The best pellet grill under $500, period
Our Testing Notes
The 700E is the grill I recommend when someone says "I want to try pellet grilling but I do not have much space or budget." At 106 lbs, it sits between the ultralight Daniel Boone and heavier full size grills. The footprint is reasonable for small patios. I have seen it work on balconies, though it is a tighter fit than the Daniel Boone. Where the 700E shines for small space owners is the included cover. Leaving a grill exposed on a balcony or small patio accelerates rust and wear. The fact that Z Grills throws in a fitted cover saves you $40 and one more thing to measure and order.
Who Should Buy This
Budget conscious buyers with a small patio or covered porch. If your space can handle a grill around 100 lbs and you want the lowest entry cost without sacrificing cooking performance, this is the one. The 694 sq in gives you more cooking area than the other two picks on this list, which matters if you host friends occasionally.
Standout Features
Included cover is a standout for outdoor small space use. The 694 sq in is the largest cooking area on this list, giving you flexibility for bigger cooks. PID controller holds temps reliably. Simple controls mean less to go wrong. And at under $500, the financial risk is minimal if your building changes its grill policy or you move to a place without outdoor space.
Where It Falls Short
No WiFi, so you need to step outside to check temps. At 106 lbs, it is manageable but not fun to move frequently. The 450F max temperature means no searing. And the build quality, while perfectly fine for the price, is not as refined as Camp Chef. For a small balcony specifically, the Daniel Boone is a better fit. But for a small patio with a permanent spot, the 700E gives you more grill for less money.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use a pellet grill on an apartment balcony?
It depends on your building and local fire codes. Many apartment complexes prohibit open flame grills (charcoal and gas) but allow electric cooking devices. Pellet grills fall into a gray area because they use electricity to ignite and feed pellets, but they do produce open flame inside the fire pot. Check your lease first, then check local fire codes. Some cities ban any combustion device within 10 feet of a structure. I always recommend talking to your building manager before buying.
How much space does a pellet grill need around it?
Keep at least 24 inches of clearance behind the grill and 12 inches on each side. The back clearance matters most because that is where the exhaust exits and heat radiates. You also want at least 36 inches in front for working space and safety. Measure your balcony or patio before you buy. The GMG Daniel Boone is about 48 inches wide with the side tables folded down, which fits on most standard apartment balconies.
Do pellet grills produce a lot of smoke that bothers neighbors?
During normal cooking at 225F to 350F, pellet grills produce thin blue smoke that dissipates quickly. It is far less smoke than a charcoal grill or offset smoker. The heaviest smoke comes during startup (the first 5 to 10 minutes) and when cooking below 200F. If you have close neighbors, start your grill with the lid open until the initial smoke clears, then close the lid. Most neighbors will smell something cooking but will not see visible smoke clouds.
What is the lightest pellet grill worth buying?
The GMG Daniel Boone Prime Plus at 68 lbs is the lightest full featured pellet grill I have tested. That matters if you need to move it in and out of storage, carry it up stairs, or fit it through a doorway. Most pellet grills weigh 100 to 175 lbs, which makes the Daniel Boone feel like a different category entirely. Two people can carry it easily. One strong person can manage it alone.
Are there fire risks with using a pellet grill in a small space?
Pellet grills are safer than gas or charcoal in tight spaces because the fire is contained inside the fire pot and the exterior stays cooler than a charcoal grill. That said, there are real risks. Keep the grill away from siding, railings, and overhangs. Clean the fire pot regularly to prevent grease fires. Never leave a pellet grill unattended during startup. And always have an extinguisher nearby. The biggest risk in small spaces is not the grill itself, it is grease buildup from skipping maintenance.