If you rent a place with a small patio, or own a house with a postage-stamp yard, you have probably stood in front of a wall of grills at a big-box store and felt the pull of the $900 stainless steel monument. I have been there. I have also cooked more good meals on a $40 kettle grill than on some expensive rigs I have borrowed. This article is about choosing a grill that fits your space, your budget, and the way you actually cook. It is not about buying the biggest thing you can afford. It is about buying the right thing and learning to use it well.

Manual competence is the thread that runs through this site. A grill is a tool, not a trophy. The goal is to understand fire, heat, and meat well enough that you can cook a decent meal on almost anything. That starts with picking a grill that does not fight you.

Start with the fuel, not the features

The first decision is fuel: charcoal, gas, or electric. Each has tradeoffs, and the right answer depends on your living situation and your patience level.

Charcoal: the most flavor, the most work

Charcoal grills are simple, cheap, and produce the best flavor for most foods. A basic kettle grill costs between $40 and $150 new, and used ones are often free or nearly free on local classifieds. The tradeoff is time. You need 20 to 30 minutes for the coals to get ready, and you need to manage the fire while you cook. For a lot of people, that is part of the appeal. It is a small ritual that forces you to slow down.

If you are in an apartment or condo, check your lease or building rules before buying charcoal. Many places ban open-flame grills on balconies, and for good reason. A charcoal fire can throw sparks, and the ash is a mess. If you have a small yard or a ground-floor patio, charcoal is usually fine.

Gas: fast and predictable

Gas grills are the default choice for people who want to cook on a weeknight without thinking too hard. You turn a knob, wait five minutes, and cook. The flavor is not as deep as charcoal, but it is consistent. A basic two-burner gas grill costs $150 to $300 new. Used ones are cheaper, but check the burners and hoses carefully. A gas grill that has been left outside for five years can be a rust bucket with a leaky regulator.

Gas is also a good choice if you have a small balcony and your building allows it. Many apartments allow gas grills but not charcoal. Check the rules first.

Electric: the last resort, but not a bad one

Electric grills are the only option for some renters. They are allowed in most apartments because there is no open flame. They do not produce the same flavor as charcoal or gas, but they can still cook a decent burger or a piece of chicken. A basic electric grill costs $50 to $150. The main downside is that they are slow to recover heat when you open the lid, and they do not get as hot as a charcoal fire. If you are stuck with electric, buy a cast-iron griddle or a cast-iron skillet to use on top of it. That will give you a better sear than the grill grates alone.

Size and shape: buy for your real life, not your fantasy life

The most common mistake I see is buying a grill that is too big. People imagine hosting a backyard party for 20 people, so they buy a six-burner gas grill with a side burner and a rotisserie. Then they cook for two people three nights a week, and the grill takes up half the patio and burns through propane.

A 22-inch kettle grill will cook enough food for four to six people. A two-burner gas grill will do the same. If you regularly cook for more than six, you can still make it work with a little planning. You do not need a bigger grill; you need to learn to cook in batches.

For small spaces, look for a grill with a small footprint. A 14-inch portable charcoal grill or a tabletop gas grill can fit on a balcony rail or a tiny patio. The Weber Smokey Joe is a classic example, but there are plenty of cheaper knockoffs that work fine. The key is to measure your space before you buy. A grill that does not fit is a grill you will not use.

What to look for in a used grill

I am a big fan of buying used grills. People buy grills, use them three times, and then let them sit on the patio for two years before selling them for a fraction of the original price. You can find a $300 gas grill for $50 if you are patient.

When you look at a used grill, check these things:

• Rust: Surface rust on the outside is cosmetic. Rust on the burners, the firebox, or the legs is structural. If the legs are wobbly or the firebox has holes, walk away.
• Burners: On a gas grill, remove the grates and look at the burners. They should be solid, with small, even holes. If they are rusted through or the holes are clogged, you will need to replace them. Replacement burners cost $20 to $50, which can still make a used grill a good deal.
• Grates: Cast-iron grates can be cleaned and re-seasoned. Porcelain-coated grates are fine if they are not chipped. Stainless steel grates are the most durable but also the most expensive to replace.
• Hoses and regulators: On a gas grill, check the hose for cracks and the regulator for damage. A leaky hose is a fire hazard. Replacement hoses and regulators cost $20 to $40.
• Lid and vents: The lid should close tightly. The vents should open and close smoothly. If the vents are stuck, the grill will be hard to control.

If you are buying a used charcoal grill, the main things to check are the legs, the ash catcher, and the grate. A kettle grill with a rusted-out ash catcher is still usable, but you will be sweeping ash off your patio every time you cook.

New grills: where to spend and where to save

If you prefer to buy new, you can still get a good grill without spending a fortune. Here is where I would spend and where I would save.

Spend on the firebox and burners

The firebox is the heart of the grill. On a charcoal grill, a thicker steel or cast-aluminum firebox will hold heat better and last longer. On a gas grill, the burners are the part that fails first. A grill with stainless steel burners will cost more up front but will last longer than one with cheap steel burners.

Save on the extras

Side burners, rotisserie kits, built-in thermometers, and fancy tool hooks are all nice, but they do not make the food taste better. A $200 grill with a good firebox and decent burners will cook better than a $400 grill with a side burner and a cheap firebox. If you want a side burner, buy a $20 portable butane burner and set it on a table next to the grill.

Skip the smart grills

There are now grills with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and apps that tell you when your steak is done. I have used a few of these, and I do not think they are worth the money. A $10 instant-read thermometer will tell you more about your food than a $500 smart grill. The technology is also one more thing to break. A grill should be simple enough to fix with a screwdriver and a trip to the hardware store.

Accessories that actually matter

You do not need a lot of accessories to cook well on a grill. Here are the ones I use most often:

• Chimney starter: If you cook with charcoal, a chimney starter is the best $20 you will spend. It lights coals faster than lighter fluid and does not leave a chemical taste on your food.
• Instant-read thermometer: This is the single most important tool for grilling. It tells you when the food is done, not when you think it is done. A basic model costs $10 to $30.
• Long-handled tongs and spatula: You need something to move food around without burning your hands. A $15 set will last for years.
• Wire brush or grill stone: You need to clean the grates before and after cooking. A wire brush is cheap and effective. A grill stone is a good alternative if you are worried about wire bristles breaking off.
• Cast-iron skillet: A cast-iron skillet on a grill is one of the most versatile cooking setups there is. You can sear steaks, cook vegetables, bake cornbread, and even make pizza. A 10-inch skillet costs $20 to $40 and will outlive you.

Maintenance: the cheap way to make a grill last

A grill is a simple machine, but it needs basic care. The most important thing is to clean the grates after every cook. Heat the grill for a few minutes, scrape the grates with a wire brush, and then oil them lightly. This prevents food from sticking and keeps rust away.

For a charcoal grill, empty the ash catcher after every few cooks. Ash holds moisture, and moisture causes rust. For a gas grill, check the burners and hoses once a season. If the flames are yellow instead of blue, the burners need cleaning or the air shutter needs adjustment.

Cover the grill when you are not using it. A $20 cover will add years to the life of a grill, especially if you live in a wet climate. If you do not have a cover, at least move the grill under an eave or a tarp.

What I would buy right now

If I were starting over with a small budget and a small space, here is what I would do:

• If I had a yard or ground-floor patio: Buy a used 22-inch kettle grill for $30 to $50. Spend $20 on a chimney starter and $15 on a thermometer. Total: $65 to $85. That setup will cook anything from burgers to brisket.
• If I had a balcony and gas was allowed: Buy a used two-burner gas grill for $50 to $100. Check the burners and hoses. Spend $15 on a thermometer. Total: $65 to $115.
• If I had a balcony and only electric was allowed: Buy a basic electric grill for $50 to $100. Add a cast-iron skillet for $25. Total: $75 to $125.

None of these setups will impress your neighbors. They will, however, cook a good meal, and they will teach you how to manage fire and heat. That knowledge is worth more than any grill.

Common questions

Is a cheap grill worth buying?

Yes, if you choose carefully. A cheap charcoal kettle grill is one of the best values in outdoor cooking. A cheap gas grill is more of a gamble. Look for a solid firebox and decent burners, and avoid grills with lots of plastic parts. A $150 gas grill with a good firebox will cook better than a $300 gas grill with a side burner and a cheap firebox.

Can I use a charcoal grill on an apartment balcony?

Usually not. Most apartment buildings and many condo associations ban charcoal grills on balconies because of the fire risk. Check your lease or building rules before you buy. If charcoal is banned, a gas grill may be allowed, or you may be limited to electric. When in doubt, ask the property manager.

How long should a grill last?

A well-maintained charcoal kettle grill can last 10 to 20 years. A gas grill will typically last 5 to 10 years, depending on the quality of the burners and how well you protect it from the weather. A cheap gas grill that is left uncovered in the rain may only last 2 to 3 years. A good cover and basic maintenance are the cheapest ways to extend the life of any grill.

Do I need a smoker to cook barbecue?

No. You can smoke food on a basic kettle grill using a two-zone fire and a handful of wood chips. It takes a little practice, but it works. A dedicated smoker is a nice tool, but it is not necessary for most backyard cooking. Learn to control the fire on a kettle grill first, and you will be able to cook almost anything.

Next steps

Once you have a grill, the next step is learning to control the fire. That is a bigger topic than this article, and it is one I will cover in a future post. For now, the best thing you can do is cook something simple: a burger, a chicken thigh, a piece of corn. Pay attention to where the hot spots are, how the food reacts, and what happens when you move it around. The grill will teach you if you let it.

If you have a question about a specific grill or a used grill you are thinking about buying, leave a comment below. I read every one, and I will do my best to help you sort it out.