Today’s electric BBQs are built for Aussie life and they’re ideal for small-space living - compact, powerful, and completely strata-friendly. You can grill juicy steaks on your balcony, crisp up veggies on your kitchen bench, or host a feast in your courtyard without setting off the smoke alarm or breaking any rules.
In this guide, we’ll break down exactly why electric BBQs are the smartest choice for apartment and small-space living, and we’ll show you the top Ninja grills for every kind of space - from indoor countertop heroes to outdoor-ready game-changers.
Ready to bring the barbie home? Let’s go.
👉 Shop the Ninja Range of Grills & BBQs
Why Electric is the Perfect Match for Apartment Living
Strata-Friendly & Safe
If you’ve ever read your building’s by-laws and spotted the “no BBQs on balconies” clause, you’re not alone. In fact, most strata rules across Australia ban open-flame charcoal or gas barbecues due to fire risks and insurance concerns. Electric BBQs, on the other hand, are generally approved, making them a stress-free option for apartment and unit living. No open flames, no leaking gas bottles, and no calls from concerned neighbours or the body corporate. Just press a button and cook with confidence.
Low Smoke, High Flavour
Modern electric grills are designed to keep the smoke to a minimum, using smart technology and enclosed heating elements to reduce flare-ups. This means no setting off the smoke alarm, and no sending a cloud of steak-scented haze drifting into someone else’s laundry. Some models (like Ninja’s Sizzle Indoor Grill), are so low-smoke, you can use them right in your kitchen! And with the right tech (like Ninja’s Woodfire system), you still get that crave-worthy, chargrilled flavour, without the smoke show.
Unbeatable Convenience
Electric BBQs are also the ultimate set-and-sizzle solution. No lugging around gas bottles. No messy charcoal or firelighters. Just plug it in, preheat, and you’re good to go. They heat up fast, cook evenly, and thanks to non-stick plates and dishwasher-safe parts, clean-up is a breeze.
Ready to embrace electric?
👉 Bring outdoor cooking to your apartment or small space
Our Top Electric BBQ Picks for Every Small Space
We get the Aussie need for BBQs. That’s why we offer different models to suit all. Each electric BBQ pick is designed to deliver big flavour, without the big footprint or mess, so rest assured, you can’t go wrong, whichever you choose. That said, here’s our recommendations…
The Ultimate Indoor Solution: Ninja Sizzle Indoor Grill & Flat Plate
Best for: Apartment dwellers with no balcony or anyone after a quick, all-weather grill fix.
The Ninja Sizzle brings high-heat grilling to your kitchen benchtop. You can switch between the grill or flat plate for cooked-to-perfection steak one night, and then be making pancakes the next morning. The flat plate provides an even, consistent heat across the entire surface, so your pancakes cook perfectly. You even get the benefit of a grill-like sear, which gives your pancakes those delicious crispy edges, while keeping the middle soft and fluffy.
Key features of the Ninja Sizzle Indoor Grill & Flat Plate:
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Interchangeable non-stick Grill & Flat Plate
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High heat up to 260°C across the entire surface
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Low-smoke design - indoor-friendly
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Compact and easy to clean
👉 Check out the Ninja Sizzle Indoor Grill & Flat Plate
The Versatile Balcony All-Rounder: Ninja Woodfire Electric BBQ Grill & Smoker
Best for: Small balconies, patios, or anyone who wants multiple appliances in one.
This little powerhouse fits comfortably on most apartment balconies but punches way above its weight in versatility. Grill, smoke, air fry, roast - you can even dehydrate food all in one sleek unit. Plus, it adds real woodfire flavour with Ninja’s Woodfire Technology, which uses 100% real hardwood pellets in a dedicated smoke box built into the unit.
A small electric heating element gently smoulders the pellets, producing clean, controlled smoke that infuses your food with that unmistakable BBQ aroma.
Key features of the Ninja Woodfire Electric BBQ Grill & Smoker:
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7-in-1 functions: Grill, Smoke, Air Fry, Bake, Roast, Reheat, Dehydrate
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Woodfire Technology for authentic smoky flavour
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Compact, weather-resistant design
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Replaces multiple kitchen appliances
👉 Explore the Ninja Woodfire Electric BBQ Grill & Smoker
The Entertainer’s Choice: Ninja Woodfire Pro XL Outdoor Electric BBQ Grill & Smoker
Best for: Larger balconies or courtyards, and those who love to host.
Need to feed a crowd but don’t have the space or patience for a traditional BBQ? The Pro XL is your secret weapon. It gives you serious grilling power without the usual headaches: no gas bottles to swap, no flames to manage, and no mess that takes longer to clean than the food took to cook. Just plug it in, fire it up, and serve up a feast with way less effort. It’s outdoor entertaining made easy.
Key features of the Ninja Woodfire Pro XL Outdoor Electric BBQ Grill & Smoker:
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XL capacity: 30% more space than the original
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Integrated thermometer probe for precision cooking
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4-in-1 functionality: Grill, Smoke, Air Fry, Roast
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Woodfire Technology with low-smoke output
👉 Meet the Ninja Woodfire Pro XL Outdoor Electric BBQ Grill & Smoker
What if Your Rooftop Balcony Allows for Gas?
Every now and then, you strike gold - a rooftop balcony, a big courtyard, or a generous terrace that not only gives you space to breathe, but also permission to use gas. If that’s you, you're in a unique spot to take your outdoor cooking to the next level.
Enter the Ninja™ FlexFlame™ Propane Grill & Outdoor Cooking System, a serious piece of gear for those who want more than a standard BBQ setup. This isn’t just a grill, it’s a fully-loaded outdoor cooking system that blends the best of gas, electric, and woodfire cooking into one sleek, powerhouse unit.
If you’re the kind of cook who loves variety - steak one night, slow-smoked brisket the next, followed by wood-fired pizza on the weekend, then the FlexFlame was made for you. It doesn’t make you choose between flavour, speed, or precision - it gives you all three.
Key features of the FlexFlame Propane Grill & Outdoor Cooking System:
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Hybrid cooking system: Gas, electric, and wood pellet technology work together to give you total control. Grill with gas for fast heat, smoke with pellets for deep flavour, or do both for next-level results.
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Pellet smoke system: Two scoops of wood pellets in the built-in smoke box are all you need. Shut the lid, let the grill ignite and regulate automatically - no firelighters, no fiddling.
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Digital display: A smart screen shows you temps, time, and modes in real-time, so you’re never guessing whether the brisket’s cooking low and slow or getting too hot.
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Built to last, easy to move: Sturdy enough to withstand whatever the Aussie weather throws at it, yet light and nimble enough to roll around your patio or rooftop whenever you want to change things up.
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Instant heat, real flavour: The propane burners ignite fast for quick midweek meals, while the electric element manages the smoker so you get slow-cooked wood-smoked flavour without babysitting the fire.
Want to learn more about the FlexFlame Propane Grill & Outdoor Cooking System?
👉 Check out this hands-on FlexFlame review with recipes and tips
Gas, Electric or Charcoal? Here's How to Choose
When it comes to BBQ fuel types, it’s not just about what's allowed, it’s about how you like to cook. Gas gives you speed and convenience. Electric offers versatility and strata-approved peace of mind. Charcoal delivers that raw, smoky flavour, but with more effort and mess.
Choosing the right setup depends on your space, lifestyle, and what kind of BBQ experience you’re chasing.
Your Perfect Small-Space BBQ Awaits
Living in an apartment, townhouse, or cosy home with a tiny balcony no longer means missing out on the joy of a proper Aussie BBQ. Today’s electric BBQs make it easier than ever to enjoy smoky, delicious meals, without the fuss, smoke, or fire restrictions that once held you back.
Whether you want the convenience and year-round versatility of the Ninja Sizzle Indoor Grill or the rich, authentic flavour delivered by the Ninja Woodfire range, there’s a perfect grill ready to fit your lifestyle and space. Remember: great BBQs don’t need big backyards. They just need the right tools and the confidence to fire up, cook well, and enjoy every bite.
So go ahead, choose your ideal grill, check out these 9 Grilling Recipes for Every Occasion, and get ready to take your apartment entertaining (or solo dinners) to the next level.
Don’t Let a Small Space Stop Your Sizzle
