A Renter's Guide to a Memorial Day Cookout When You Don't Own a Grill

Memorial Day is the unofficial opening day of summer, and if you are a renter — no backyard, no built-in grill, maybe a small balcony or a shared courtyard — you can feel like the holiday is for people who own houses.

It is not. This guide is specifically for renters who want to host an actual cookout this Memorial Day without buying a grill they have no place to store, without hauling everyone to a park with questionable communal grills, and without spending more than $150 to make it happen.

Here is what to look for, what to buy, and what to skip.

What to Look For in a Renter-Friendly Cookout Setup

Before picking any product, clarify your situation:

• Balcony or courtyard access? If yes, a small portable charcoal grill or tabletop propane grill is on the table. If no, you need an indoor option.
• How many people? Under 6 guests: a tabletop grill or indoor electric grill covers you. 6 to 12: you need a larger surface or multiple devices.
• Budget? Portable outdoor grills start around $35 (tabletop charcoal) and go to $120 (compact propane). Indoor electric grills range from $40 to $100.
• Storage? Folding, compact designs only if you live in a studio or one-bedroom.
• Building rules? Many apartments prohibit open-flame grills on balconies. Check before buying charcoal or propane anything.

Our Top Picks by Renter Scenario

Best Budget Pick — Tabletop Charcoal Grill

For renters with outdoor access and a budget under $50, the Weber Go-Anywhere is the best answer. It folds flat for storage, produces real charcoal flavor, and cooks enough food for 4 to 6 people. It also looks intentional — not like a compromise — on a balcony or in a courtyard.

The tradeoff: charcoal requires 20-30 minutes of prep time and you need to dispose of ash. Not ideal for spontaneous grilling, but for a planned Memorial Day cookout, completely manageable.

Best for No-Outdoor-Space — Indoor Smokeless Grill

If your building prohibits outdoor grilling or you genuinely have no outdoor space, an indoor electric grill gives you real grill marks without smoke alarms going off. The Cuisinart smokeless model is the gold standard — it has a drip tray that catches grease before it hits the heating element, which is what creates smoke in cheaper models.

You will not get the charcoal flavor — that is the honest tradeoff. But for burgers, chicken thighs, and grilled vegetables, it is genuinely excellent.

Best Overall — Cast Iron Grill Pan (Stovetop)

This is the most underrated option on the list. A seasoned cast iron grill pan on a gas or electric range gets extremely hot — hot enough to produce real sear marks and caramelization. It is not outdoor grilling, but for a dinner-party-scale cookout on a covered balcony or in a kitchen, it is the most versatile long-term purchase because it doubles as a regular pan year-round.

Most Underrated — The Galvanized Beverage Tub

This one is not a grill. But a well-stocked drink situation transforms a cookout more than any food does. A galvanized steel tub filled with ice and drinks — water, seltzers, beer if that is your crowd — has an immediate visual effect that signals "actual cookout" and removes the constant question of "what can I get you to drink."

Best for a Small Balcony Table Setup — Folding Portable Table

Renters hosting on a balcony or in a shared courtyard almost always need a surface they do not have. A 4-foot folding table from Cosco costs $50, folds completely flat, and stores behind a door or in a closet when not in use. Drape it with an outdoor tablecloth and it looks like a real setup.

Best for Serving — Outdoor Melamine Dinnerware

The single thing that makes an outdoor table look like a real hosted cookout versus a hurried backyard meal is having matching plates. Melamine is shatterproof, dishwasher safe, and comes in sets designed for outdoor use — solid colors or simple patterns that work for a patriotic Memorial Day table.

Best BBQ Tool Set Under $50

Whether you are using the Weber tabletop or a cast iron pan, you need actual grilling tools. The Hasteel grilling set is compact enough to store in a drawer but has everything you actually need — long tongs, a spatula, a brush.

How to Choose

Go portable charcoal if: you have outdoor access, your building allows open-flame grills, and you want real grill flavor. Best for authentic cookout experience at the lowest cost.

Go indoor electric if: you are in an apartment with no outdoor space or a building that prohibits open flame. Pays off more if you will use it year-round.

Go cast iron stovetop if: you want something that works for both everyday cooking and cookout occasions. Best long-term value per dollar.

Combine cast iron + beverage tub + folding table if: your Memorial Day is a small-scale gathering (4-6 people) on a balcony. This is the renter's sweet spot — low overhead, high atmosphere.

Memorial Day does not require a gas grill the size of a sedan. It requires good food, a reason to be outside, and drinks that are actually cold. All of that is achievable for under $150 with the right setup.

Explore more outdoor hosting ideas in the Seasonal section.