Grilling is a method of cooking that uses dry heat. It is used to cook meat and vegetables. The heat is applied either from below or above. To this method of cooking, you will need a grill. The good news is, there is a long list of grills in the market today. The problem is, choosing the best portable grills that you can use outdoors.
In on the old days, grilling is referred to as pit-style cooking. As time passes by, the method of grilling changed so was the instrument used in grilling. In the early 50s, gas grill was introduced in the market. Since then, different types of grills were developed such as gas grills, infrared grills, and charcoal grills.
Though grills come in many shapes and sizes, portable grills remain to be the most popular. If you are looking for a portable grill to use on your next outdoor party, here is the list of the best portable gas grill for camping that you can consider.
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Best Portable Pellet Grills Review
Here are some of the best portable grills that you can choose from based on our research.
Cuisinart CGG-180 Petit Gourmet Portable Gas Grill
Enjoy your barbecue nights with no hassle with the Cuisinart CGG-180 Petit Gourmet Portable Gas Grill. With its stainless-steel burner, you can place up to 6 pieces of meat for grilling, at once. It comes with a porcelain-enameled-grate that provides even heating, for an evenly grilled meat or vegetable.
This best portable gas BBQ grill easy to carry because of its briefcase-style design. If you need to change places, you can use the attached carrying handle to carry it around. At 17 pounds, you can easily move it on your own or ask one of your buddies to help you out.
One of the good things about this portable grill is convenience. You don’t have to spend much time and money to grill your food. It uses less than half gas as compared to a full-size grill. At the same time, it is easier to use as compared to charcoal grills where you have to manually start the fire to begin grilling.
Pros:
- Easy to move around
- Comes with a protective lid
- Comes with carrying handle
- Easy to use and operate
- Can grill up to 6 pieces of meat at once
- Comes with a drip tray
- Easy to clean
- Easy to pack, folds easily
- Can bring it anywhere anytime
- Easy to transport
- Lightweight
Cons:
- Latch on the lid is not tightly secure
- Latch easily falls off
- Lid is not sturdy and melts
- Ignition is hard to control even for simple on/off operation
- Legs are not sturdy
- Cheap but not high quality
Coleman Propane Grill | RoadTrip LXE Portable Gas Grill
Whether you are just at home, on an RV trip or you are on the beach, the Coleman Propane Grill | RoadTrip LXE Portable Gas Grill can help you prepare your grilled food much easier. With its 20,000 BTUs of heat, you can prepare a grilled dinner in just an hour, making it one of the top RV barbeque grills in the market.
This portable gas grill is easy to set up. It is foldable, making storage easier as well. If you need to use it, just pull the lift up while stepping on its plastic towing handle. It will help extend the stand until it is upright.
This Coleman propane grill is designed to hook up a 1-pound disposable propane tank. If you want to hook a larger one, like a 20-pound refillable tank, you need to attach an adapter as a safety precaution.
This is highly recommended for outdoor use and to safely store it, remove the propane tank when not in use.
Pros:
- It is easy to set up
- Features lift and lock system
- Foldable for easy storage
- Features InstaStart matchless lighting system
- Compatible with RVQ style grill
- Compatible with larger propane tank
- Has with built-in legs
Cons:
- Heavy at more than 40 pounds
- Lid and latch problem
- Grates have big spaces in between
- Hard to clean
- Hard to transport or move
- No low setting
- Prone to burning foods
- Slight wind can turn the burner off
- Easily gets rusty
- Uneven heat distribution
Anywhere CUISINART Grill Modified
What I like about portable grills is that most of them are foldable. It can be folded and packed easily. When needed, just unfold it and start grilling. This is what Anywhere CUISINART Grill Modified offers. As the name suggests, it can be used anywhere!
The design of this best portable grill for RV is overwhelming. It can be mounted outside your house like in your RV, window or patio, so you can grill outside even when the weather is cold. The brackets can be attached on your windows or patio, you can stay indoors, and do the grilling on the open window. What’s the best part? You can mount it without needing any tools because it comes with its own brackets. It is even compatible with other bracket brands like Arnall’s Grill Brackets.
With this portable grill, you can now have your favorite grilled menu even if you are on your boat for a day fishing or on your RV on a road trip.
Pros:
- Enough to grill for a group of 4
- Easy to set up
- Can be hooked up with anything
- It comes with a drip tray
- It is easy to clean
- It can be rotated
- Mount is highly durable
- Very cheap
- No tools installation
- Has temperature control
Cons:
- Installation video not available for newbies
Blackstone Dash Portable Grill/Griddle for Outdoor Cooking
What are you looking for in a portable grill? Lightweight? Easy to move around? Comes with a grease management system? Easy to clean? If you are, then the Blackstone Dash Portable Grill/Griddle for Outdoor Cooking is what you are looking for.
The Blackstone Dash Portable Grill/Griddle for Outdoor Cooking is a 2 in 1 portable grill and griddle for your outdoor needs. Powered by a single burner, you can easily prepare grilled meals for lunch or dinner or pancakes for breakfast.
This grill is easy to set up and pack. It is foldable with its two-pronged legs. Its legs are designed to stay stable even on an uneven surface. If you need to move around, it comes with handles on the side for easier transport. It just weighs 18 pounds. A regular guy can easily carry and move it around.
Want to bring your Dash portable grill on your next camping? It looks like a briefcase when folded and with its telescopic handle, you can just carry it like carrying a school book.
How much food can you cook in a single grilling session? Just about 10 hamburgers or 20 hotdogs!
Pros:
- Has grease management system
- It is easy to clean
- It is foldable
- It is easy to transport
- Its legs can stand even on uneven terrain
- 2 in 1 grill and griddle
- 100% USA made
- Can be used as a tabletop grill
Cons:
- Legs don’t feel sturdy
- It wobbles easily
- Overall quality is poor
Weber 50060001 Q1000 Liquid Propane Grill
Sleek, practical, and very portable – this is how the Weber 50060001 Q1000 Liquid Propane Grill looks like. This grill comes with porcelain-enameled cast-iron grates that when heated, the heat spreads evenly on each grate.
This Weber grill is fully assembled upon shipment. Once you receive it, you can take it out of the box and immediately start grilling. There is no assembly needed. In fact, the Weber 50060001 Q1000 Liquid Propane Grill is an improved version of the popular Weber Q100 portable grill.
Operating this gas-fueled grill is very easy. Start grilling with a push of a button. Control the heat temperature with its infinite control. This grill is compatible with 14.1 or 16.4 oz. LP cylinder, so you can have choices when buying gas.
Before ordering this grill, be reminded of a safety warning released in California about Weber grill. The warning was about the possible lead exposure that you can get if you will handle the brass material of this product.
Pros:
- Enamel plates are easy to clean
- Design is good (gas valve not getting in the way)
- Compatible with larger gas tanks
- Comes with removable pan
Cons:
- Hard to grill thicker foods like steaks
- No smoky barbecue smell
- Grate easily gets rusty
Coleman RoadTrip LXX Portable Propane Grill
The Coleman RoadTrip LXX Portable Propane Grill is a grill and a griddle in one. If you are into grill foods, you can use it as a grill. If you are looking for some pancakes or eggs in the morning, you can prepare it as well with this portable grill.
Whether you are on a road trip, boat trip, or in the wilds camping, the Coleman RoadTrip LXX Portable Propane Grill can make your meals better. When not in use, just fold it down and pull it like a travel bag making it a good travel barbecue grill. It comes with rugged wheels that work easily on cement and on the grass. When needed, just pull its legs out.
While cooking, you can use the utensil hooks around it. There are three of them. It even comes with a sliding side table that you can use for sauces and plates.
Once you are done with the grilling, you can easily clean the grates because it is removable. It can be easily removed for cleaning and when swapping it with griddles.
Pros:
- It comes with leg stand
- It comes with wheels
- Easy to move around
- It comes with a sliding table
- It comes with hooks
- It is light at 16.4 oz
- Easy to set up
- Easy to fold
Cons:
- Sliding table rattles
- Grates easily get rusty
- Low heat setting doesn’t work all the time
Weber Q2200 Gas Grill
The Weber Q2200 Gas Grill is a small, compact camping grill, but it can make a big impact on your family’s table. Instead of ordering grilled food from the nearest restaurant in your area, why not cook your own grilled meat and steak?
This grill is made from porcelain-enameled, cast-iron grates. Weber has been using this material because it evenly spreads the heat. The Q2200 is an improved version of the Q220. Among the innovations, they added on the Weber Q2200 Gas Grill are bigger handle, better control knobs, sliding table, and better rigidity when being used.
The grates of this grill are removable. It is for easier cleaning and for a replacement if you want to use your griddle. The Weber Q2200 Gas Grill is a 2in1 cooking wear that you can use to grill meat and vegetable and to cook breakfast like pancakes or eggs.
Just like any other Weber products, consumers of Weber Q2200 Gas Grill are also warned about the lead content of the brass materials used during manufacturing. Exposure to such lead can pose a risk of developing cancer or birth defect in babies.
Pros:
- Small and stylish
- Easy to control knobs
- Ergonomics handle
- Easy to moving it around
- Sturdy construction
- Has side tables
- 2in1 grate and griddle
Cons:
- Some users find burner issue
- Some users find it hard to clean
- Flimsy legs
- Side tables are not stable
Lodge Cast Iron Sportsman’s Grill
For a smoky-barbecue effect, you need a charcoal grill. if you don’t want to use a full-size grill, the Lodge Cast Iron Sportsman’s Grill will do. This grill is half the size of a regular-sized grill. Based on some portable charcoal grills reviews we found, the Lodge Cast Iron Sportsman’s Grill is one of the best RV BBQ grills.
To make grilling easier, you can control the heat and number of charcoals in it through its flip-down door. The grill size can be adjusted as well in case you want a slow-cooked steak. This grill doesn’t have any synthetic coatings, so you can be sure that your food won’t smell paint or taste like paint or chemical.
A 100% USA made, the Lodge Cast Iron Sportsman’s Grill is very durable. It is small and can be carried around during picnics or outdoor outings with family. At 32 pounds, you might not want to carry it around manually. It is small though and it can fit in any backseat of a car.
To avoid rusting on the grates, clean it with hot water after use. Do not use soap. Aside from charcoal, you can also use woods to cook on this grill.
Pros:
- Easy to clean
- Produces a ‘real barbecue’ smell
- Robust construction
- Comes with two grill height settings
- Comes with iron legs
- Has door to stoke charcoal
Cons:
- Timely preparation
- Heavy for camping use
- Rusts easily
- It is expensive
- Iron legs get too hot
- Door to stoke charcoal gets too hot
Cuisinart CGG-200 All-Foods Tabletop Gas Grill
Sit and grill your favorite meat cut, this is the idea behind the Cuisinart CGG-200 all-foods tabletop gas grill’s design. With its modular surface system, you can easily grill your food easily.
This gas grill comes with a stainless-steel burner. It is enclosed in panels that are easy to remove in case you need to clean the grates. The panels are removed as well when not in use. It makes it less bulky for storage.
To use it, just turn it on by twisting the start ignition button. The grate is made of porcelain enamel-coated cast-iron and it comes with temperature gauge and side shelves.
Pros:
- It comes with a waterproof lid
- The package comes with a grill set
- It comes with a non-stick platter
- It comes with non-stick grill wok
- It comes with propane hose
Cons:
- It is heavy at 30 pounds
- It doesn’t come with a gas tank
- Drip catcher is very small
- Temperature is hard to control
Weber 51010001 Q1200 Liquid Propane Grill
Weber is known for its grills and grill tools product. One of their best sellers so far on their grills line is the Weber 51010001 Q1200 Liquid Propane Grill. This portable grill comes with a single stainless burner.
The body and lid of this grill are made of cast aluminum. Inside its little body is a porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grate. Once you take it out of the box, you are good to go and can start grilling immediately. This gas grill can use 14.1 or 16.4 oz of LP cylinder.
What I liked about this grill is the ignition button. Your grandparents won’t have an issue turning it on and controlling the flame or heat. It comes with infinite control burner valve settings.
After using it, the aluminum body of this grill can be cleaned easily. Use wipes or wet tissue to remove the oil and sauce drips as needed. The cast aluminum body of Weber 51010001 Q1200 Liquid Propane Grill can withstand extreme heat and temperature. Having a melting lid is something that you shouldn’t have to worry about.
Pros:
- Easy to clean
- Easy to carry around or transport
- Good for a small gathering
- Mad of durable materials
- Good design
- With grease management system
- Compatible with different sizes of gas cylinder
Cons:
- It poses a risk of possible lead exposure
- No leg or a cart
- Grill too low
- Soft wind turns the burner off
- Lid and latch issues
Camp Chef Flat Top Grill
Whether your family wants chicken or steak or burger for dinner, you can prepare them all with a Camp Chef Flat Top Grill. Once you wake up in the morning, you can replace the grates with a griddle and prepare your kids’ breakfast. With Camp Chef Flat Top Grill, you can easily have pancakes or hash browns. You can even prepare bacon and eggs!
Do you want a bonus? The griddle that comes with it has a non-stick surface so yeah, cleaning won’t be an issue at all.
This compact camping grill has stainless steel burners that are ready to cook your grilled dinner. With 600 square inches surface, you can easily cook for up to 100 people. This works like a regular-sized grill but is smaller and more portable. Since it is a bit large and heavy, it comes with wheels for easier transportation and moving around.
After preparing a meal for an army, you will be surprised once you start cleaning this grill. Its grease management system makes cleaning easier. All drips go directly to its grease tray and catch bucket.
Pros:
- Large grill surface
- It comes with wheels
- Matchless ignition system
- It comes with grease tray
- It comes with a catch bucket
- Interchangeable top from grates to griddle
- Has folding shelves
- Adjustable legs
Cons:
- Too large and bulky
- For home grilling parties only
- Expensive
- You have to set it up straight from the box
Weber 51080001 Q1200 Liquid Propane Grill
It is small, short, and it can grill your meat and beef anytime, anywhere. This is the Weber 51080001 Q1200 Liquid Propane Grill, Blue. It produces even heat on its grates that are made of porcelain-enameled cast-iron.
This grill comes with an aluminum lid. You can leave it closed when grilling. When not in use, you can just leave the lid closed as well to protect the grates from dust. Because this fueled by gas, you can just turn it on to start grilling. The easy-start ignition system allows you to use it with a flip of the switch.
This small grill from Weber is a good choice if you are into hiking or overnight camping. A small tank of propane is enough to give you and your buddies some dinner to enjoy. Want burgers for tonight? It can fit up to 6!
Pros:
- Features grease management system
- Provide even heat level across all surface
- Precision control and switches
- It features a burner tube
- Comes with a catch pan
- Comes with a built-in thermometer
- Easy to used anywhere
- Compatible with large propane tanks (provide your own adapter hose)
- It heats up quickly
- It is easy to clean
- It is easy to store
Cons:
- No stand or cart
- Stand or cart ordered separately
- Doesn’t work on high altitude
- Handle was not strategically positioned
Masterbuilt 40-Inch Outdoor Vertical Propane Gas BBQ Meat Smoker Grill
The Masterbuilt 40-Inch Outdoor Vertical Propane Gas BBQ Meat Smoker Grill is portable grill that you can use in your backyard. Available in black, this grill comes with four interior racks.
To make it work, you have to attach it to a gas tank, turn the gas control valve on and you are good to go.
This meat smoker grill looks like a small refrigerator. The inside comes with multiple layers of grates where you can place your food for grilling. Because of its size, you can grill a large amount of food in a few hours. Even elderlies can use it as it turns on with just a switch of a button.
Unfortunately, before you can take advantage of the switch button, you have to work on assembling and attaching the hose to the grill and to the gas tank first.
Despite its size and design, this grill is still small with its short leg stand. If it is producing too much smoke, you can take advantage of its air damper. To check the heat temperature, you can use its built-in temperature gauge. Aside from the gas tank, you will also need a regulator and a hose to make this grill work.
Pros:
- It promises smoke-house grilling result
- Minimal smoke
- Large cooking space
- Easy set-up
- Comes with temperature gauge
- Easy to operate
Cons:
- Too bulky to carry around
- Uncontrollable temperature
- Burner easily gets rusted
- Bottom part weak
Weber 46510001 Spirit E310 Liquid Propane Gas Grill
Does your family love have to barbecue party on weekends? Or every day? If they do, you can give them a surprise by ordering the Weber 46510001 Spirit E310 Liquid Propane Gas Grill. Instead of relying on orders and deliveries of your favorite grilled food, this grill can help you prepare your own meals now, at a much lower cost.
A propane-fueled grill, the Weber 46510001 Spirit E310 Liquid Propane Gas Grill has an enamel lid that is rust resistant. Its cook box is also rust resistant and is made of heavy-duty material. On its side are hooks where you can hang your grilling tools.
One of the best things about this portable grill is its easy-to-clean grease system. Because of its style and design, grease and oil are easy to remove after grilling. If you need to change location while grilling, you can wheel it around. It comes with heavy duty caster wheels hence it is easy to move on grass or cement.
Pros:
- Comes with cast-iron cooking grates
- Even delivery of heat across the grates
- It is movable
- It comes with wheels
- It comes with the cabinet box on the lower part
- It comes with hooks on the side
- It has propane gauge
Cons:
- Grate space is too wide
- Too expensive
- Not ideal for campers and hikers
- The grates easily get rusty
- You have to assemble it straight out of the box
- Looks hard to operate
Char-Broil Signature TRU-Infrared 420 3-Burner Cabinet Liquid Propane Gas Grill
A top of the line gas grill, Char-Broil Signature TRU-Infrared 420 3-Burner Cabinet Liquid Propane Gas Grill is what you can find in small kitchens and small outdoor parties. Featuring a porcelain-coated cast and iron grates that are known for durability, you can expect this grill to keep your meat, burger, and hotdogs at its best.
This grill comes with stainless steel burners that spread the heat evenly when grilling. It comes with a Surefire Electronic Ignition. When turned on, it gives every burner equal heat even at startup. When not in use, you can put the lid down and use its flat surface as another workspace in your kitchen or wherever you are grilling.
The Char-Broil Signature TRU-Infrared 420 3-Burner Cabinet Liquid Propane Gas Grill is larger in size as compared to other portable grills. It also comes with an enclosed storage cabinet at the bottom. The cabinet can be used to store tools for grilling or sauces.
Pros:
- Comes with three burners
- It comes with temperature range
- Easy to use controls
- Cast iron grates
- It features 443 stainless steel emitters
- It comes with a stainless cabinet
- Compatible with propane and natural gas
- It comes with flat lids
- It produces infrared to mirror the charcoal effect
Cons:
- It is too big to move around
- It looks complicated to operate
- It looks bulky
- Grates easily get rusty
- You have to assemble it
- It is hard to clean
- It is expensive
- Heavy to transport
How to Choose Good Portable Pellet Grill
Before picking a grill, consider the things that you want to see in a grill first. Portable means small but how small would you want your grill to be? How many people can it serve at once?
Here are some of the things and features of a portable grill that you might want to consider before picking one online or from your local store.
Type
You can either have a propane grill or a charcoal grill. If you are looking for that authentic smoky barbecue smell, a charcoal-fueled portable grill is your best bet. For easier set-up, clean up, and faster grilling experience, a propane type is highly recommended.
Everyone has their own preference. For outdoor grilling, we recommend getting those charcoal-fueled grills. If you love backpacking or camping, make your life easier with propane-fueled grill. A small tank of propane is enough to give you a night to remember in the mountaintops.
There are two types of portable grills – those that are fueled by propane gas and those that are powered by charcoal. Want to know the difference between the two? Here are some of the things that you should know about these types of portable grills, so you can pick the best portable grill for your home’s need.
Propane or Gas
If you are looking for an easy grilling set-up, a portable grill fueled by propane is what you need. Just turn it on and you are good to go. Depending on what you are grilling, you can set the temperature high or low and ensure slow and complete cooking of your food. With a propane-fueled grill, you can prevent eating charred or overcooked meat or vegetable.
Portable grills that run with propane or gas doesn’t produce smoke hence you can use it indoors as well. Once you are done with the grilling, you can wipe the excess oil and food residues and your portable grill is clean. It means no ashes to worry about.
Advantages
- Easy to use
- Comes with electronic ignition or switch
- It features controlled temperature
Disadvantages
- Doesn’t produce that smoky flavor
- Doesn’t go as hot as a real charcoal
- Propane is more expensive than charcoal
Charcoal
When asked why I am craving for grilled pork, all I say is that I miss its smoky taste. This is something that you can’t have if you grill your food with a propane-fueled portable grill. A charcoal-fueled grill is easier to find in the market as well as compared to propane-fueled ones.
If you are craving for that traditional smell and taste of grilled pork, a charcoal portable grill is your best bet.
Advantages
- Produces that flavorful grilled aroma
- Meat gets tastier when charcoal-grilled
- It is cheaper
Disadvantages
- Hard to prevent excessive charring
- Burned barbecue is inevitable
- Can’t be used indoors because of the smoke
- It is messier to use
- Starting a fire to make the charcoal burning can be difficult
- Make sure to extinguish the fire after use
- You have to clean it after use
What to type of portable grill to choose? It depends on your need and preferences. If you want the traditional taste and smoke of grilled food, go for a charcoal-fueled portable grill. If you are after convenience and ease of use, the propane-fueled portable grill is for you.
Ease of use
Ease of use refers to how fast you can start grilling, how to set it up, and how to use it. A charcoal grill can take some time to burn the coal. It means waiting for a few minutes before you can start grilling. With a gas portable grill, you just have to turn it on, choose the heat level and start grilling.
Both types of grills run out of fuel. If you are running low on charcoal, add some manually. If your propane tank is empty, just replace it. They are both easy to refuel. The only issue here is the price. What will cost more? Charcoal or propane tank?
Lastly, do you find it easy to operate? Can your grandfather use it if he is on an rv trip? The problem with gas type grills is the number of switches and buttons that a user needs to understand. How to lower the heat? How to turn it on? How to replace the gas tank? Some people are into technology. However, some prefer to use a traditional charcoal grill where they can just remove some charcoal if it is getting too hot and add some if the fire is getting low.
Quality and Durability
For a grill, the materials matter. Think of it as an investment. You can just have it in your backyard for years, ready and waiting for another barbecue night.
Besides, getting a low-quality grill can cause possible damages. Imagine a material that melts while you are grilling. Consider the grill itself and what it is made of. A cast aluminum grate works best because it is rust resistant. When grilling, it evenly absorbs and distributes the heat as well. It makes the grilling a better experience and the grilled food tastes better.
Some cheaper portable grill comes with a stainless grill. However, if you are a grilled lover, you will find the difference in taste between these two type grills.
Safety, Air vent, and Lid
For a safer grilling, you need to ensure that your portable grill has an air vent and a lid.
For a charcoal grill, the vent is important because it will help you in controlling the heat. The air vent will help the fire of your grill to circulate well. Even for gas-fueled grills, the air vent is important to prevent possible damages. Ventilation can be found on the side, top or bottom of a grill.
The lid won’t just protect your grill from potential damages when not in use. Putting the lid down is also a way to keep the fire from charcoals to continue burning. Putting the lid down is an effective way to keep the fire off.
Cost-effectiveness
If you have a small grill at home that you can use to grill some steak, then you are in luck. Imagine how much a serving of a steak costs at a steakhouse? How much will it cost you to grill a few hundred grams of steak for the entire family to enjoy? The price difference can be huge especially if you are a steak lover.
However, on barbecue nights? Hotdog night? Burger night? On these nights, you no longer have to order from your favorite restaurant and pay a hefty sum because you can do it at home with your portable grill. Lastly, you can use grilling time as bonding time with your kids or friends.
Price
When compared to a large-sized grill, the price is the biggest factor why you should stick with a portable grill. They do the same thing less the physical weight and weight on your pocket. With a long list of the best portable grills online and in local stores, you can easily pick the best portable grill that you can use at home. A portable grill’s price ranges from $60 to $500. Depending on your budget, where you will use it and how often you will use it, you should consider your budget.
Remember the old saying, you get what you pay for.
Grilling Size
Lastly, you have to consider the grill size. How many people are often coming together for a grill night? Do you need a grill that can serve 2-4 or 4-6 people? Most portable grill makers provide information as to how many people their grills can serve so you can check it first.
Conclusion
Portable grills cost around $100 to $500. If you are into grilled foods, having a portable grill is a good investment. With the list of the best portable grills we have above, you can now easily find the best grill to take home.
Another point to remember when choosing a portable grill is customer reviews. If you don’t have a friend to ask about their experience with a particular brand of a portable grill, you can check online for customer or user reviews. There are plenty of reliable websites that can offer you such.
With a portable grill at home, you can now easily plan your barbecue nights even especially outdoors.