4 Favorable Portable Grills for Camping

Love a grilled steak while camping out in the woods with family or friends? You only need several ingredients and a portable grill to spice up your weekend getaway. A portable grill is undoubtedly a handy and versatile addition to your cooking arsenal, but you’ll need a model that’s easy to clean and gets the job done fast. From Weber to Coleman, we reviewed portable grills that will give you a memorable outdoor experience.

Before we dive into reviewing the best portable grills for camping, here’s our little friendly advice on how to go about your grill shopping.

How To Select the Best Portable Grill for Camping

If you’re a first-time grill shopper, you’ll come across all sorts of features – some of which you know nothing about. So, here are features to look out for to make your shopping simpler and quicker.

Weight

It goes without saying – a portable grill shouldn’t be bulky. In addition to its weight, you’ll want to consider if it folds up into a compact unit and the easiness of assembling when you get to the campsite.

Food Choice

What’s your camping cookout idea? If it consists of sandwiches, steaks, or brats, then a low-cover portable grill will suffice. Otherwise, larger meals would require a grill with a tall lid to allow ample room for a proper roast.

Construction

Before you purchase a portable grill, check how solidly it sits on its stand, table, or ground and ascertain its stability. Also, check the material that makes up the grill, as this could determine warm-up time and ease of cleaning.

Fuel

Most portable grills are powered by charcoal or gas. Gas-powered grills work with small propane tanks that provide fuel to prepare one or two meals. When buying a portable grill, consider the additional weight of a gas tank or a charcoal bag you’ll need to take with you or source while camping.

Best Portable Grills for Camping

Our picks for the best portable grills for camping were guided by convenience, price, and capacity.

Best Overall: Weber Q1200 Liquid Propane Grill

As is their reputation, Weber rolled performance and reliability into the Weber Q1200. Its 8500 BTU-per-hour is enough to provide ideal searing temperatures and effectively heat the 189 sq. inches of cooking area.

The porcelain-enameled cast iron grilling surface comfortably retains the heat distributed by the curved stainless-steel burner. With its cooking grates and cast aluminum body and lid, this model guarantees more precise and predictable grilling than most other models.

The Weber Q1200 is powered by a one-pound propane cylinder, enough to grill for a couple of hours. If you want to smoke pork butts or a turkey breast, you can connect the grill to a larger tank via an adapter hose. This 31-pound grill is considered wind-resistant and poses little risk of tipping over.

Pros

• Excellent heat distribution and retention

• Convenient folding side tables

• Compact design makes the grill fit into any trunk

• A built-in lid thermometer for temperature monitoring

Cons

• Relatively heavy for a camping grill

• Difficult to control heat for low-and-slow cooking

Best Value: Cuisinart CGG-059A Grillster

The Cuisinart CGG-059A Grillster’s light weight (about 10 pounds) and small footprint make it an ideal companion to bring with you on a camping trip. Its extendable legs complement the compact design, making it easy to use on any surface.

It features a push-to-ignite button and an 8000-BTU burner served by a one-pound propane canister. With 146 sq. inches of enameled steel grates, the grill provides a spacious cooking surface. A hinged lid laches down for better heat retention and cooking in less-than-ideal weather.

The Grillster requires no assembly and sports a handle that makes it easy to pack and use on the go. This grill is the best bang for your buck for its size and compactness.

Pros

• Easy to pack and carry around

• Excellent heat output and distribution

• Gas-efficient

• Lightweight but relatively wind-resistant

Cons

• Relatively difficult to control temperature range

Best Gas: Nexgrill 1-Burner Portable Propane Gas Table Top Grill

If you’re looking for a gas grill that is lightweight, compact-sized, low-priced, and easy to clean, then the Nexgrill 1-Burner Portable Propane Gas Table Top Grill is the perfect one for you! Despite its compact size, this grill’s steel wire grate is large enough to hold over 10 burgers, making it ideal for entertaining a large group on a camping trip.

It’s powered by a one-pound propane tank and boasts excellent heat output and distribution – your food will get done fast and evenly without continuous flipping. Its foldable legs and lockable lid make it easier to carry and pack alongside other camping necessities.

Pros

• The design provides ample cooking space for a lot of food

• Has a temperature gage to monitor temperature

• Sturdy enough to withstand wind

Cons

• Challenging to regulate temperatures

Best Charcoal: Weber Smokey Joe Premium 14-Inch Portable Grill

If you own a Weber kettle, you already know what this grill looks like. The Smokey Joe Premium Portable Grill can hold about half a dozen burgers. Its compact, lightweight design makes it ideal for grilling on the go.

Its porcelain-enameled bowl and lid ensure heat retention and durability. The grill has superb heat control ability, and its lid remains cool, so you don’t need mitts while grilling. The stainless-steel grate heats quickly and is also easy to clean.

Pros

• Dampers ensure easier temperature control

• Excellent heat retention

• Tuck-and-carry lid lock that doubles as a lid holder

Cons

• Ash management may be challenging

Bottom Line

If we had to choose the most favorable portable grill for camping, we’d have to pick the Weber Q1200 Liquid Propane Grill due to its price-to-value ratio. It’s everything you want in a portable camping grill: excellent heat output, portability, convenience, and provides a large cooking area. Of course, you won’t go wrong with any of these portable grills as long as you prioritize your needs and consider their features.