So, you’re in the market for a new camping grill, but don’t know where to start.
Don’t worry. We are here to help and can get you cooking at the campsite in no time. A camping grill will allow you to enhance your experience by making some incredible meals at the campsite.
But like a lot of camping gear, there are many options on the market, making the buying experience difficult and overwhelming.
Read More : 5 Things to Know Before Buying Camping Grills
Here are some things to keep in mind before buying :
- Heat source. Propane, butane, wood, or electric? Understand the advantages of each heat source.
- Cooking surface. If you’re cooking for two, you won’t need a ton of surface space. It’s a different story if you’re with a group of campers.
- Portability. You don’t want to pack up a 120lbs. grill with you. Make sure you understand the portability of these grills.
Our top portable grills for camping picks
Grill Model | Grill Area | Heat Source | Weight |
---|---|---|---|
Coleman RoadTrip 285 | 285in² | Propane | 52.5lbs / 23.8kg |
Snow Peak Double BBQ Box | 292in² | Charcoal | 21.3lbs / 9.6kg |
BioLite Portable Grill | 55in² | Wood | 1.8lbs / 0.8kg |
Eureka Gonzo Grill | 150in² | Propane | 14.1lbs / 6.3kg |
Eureka SPRK Camp Grill | 191in² | Butane | 8.5lbs /3.8kg |
Kovea Magic III | 342in² | Wood / Charcoal | 10.4lbs / 4.7kg |
Snow Peak Takibi Fire & Grill | 315in² | Wood / Charcoal | 23.5lbs / 10.6kg |
Weber Q 1000 Grill | 445in² | Propane | 23.6lbs / 10.7kg |
Cuisinart Petit Gourmet Grill | 145in² | Propane | 18.5lbs / 8.3kg |
Coleman RoadTrip 285 Stand-Up Grill
- Grill Area : 285in²
- Heat Source : Propane
- Weight : 52.5lbs / 23.8kg
The Coleman RoadTrip 285 Stand-Up Grill is a convenient camping grill that can have you cooking burgers in no time.
The power it packs is its most impressive feature. Fueled by propane, it features 20,000 BTUs, which is more than enough to handle several big meals.
One downside of that power is that you can go through propane pretty fast. Coleman offers an accessory for you to hook the grill up to a larger propane tank, which is handy for longer camping trips.
The portability of this Coleman grill is also solid, with a design that allows you to pull the grill like a rolling suitcase.
What we like
- Plenty of power. This camping grill packs 20,000 BTUs of power across three burners.
- Lightweight. For this level of cooking power, it’s a great weight and size.
- Multiple colors. Pick from black, blue, green, orange, or red.
What we don't like
- Difficult to clean. It requires a few practice cleanings to get good at it.
Snow Peak Double Unit BBQ Box
- Grill Area : 292in²
- Heat Source : Charcoal
- Weight : 21.3lbs / 9.6kg
Manufactured in Japan, the Snow Peak Double Unit BBQ Box is one of our favorite grills.
It is a charcoal grill with a handful of temperature adjustment features to give you the perfect amount of heat precision. The lid on the grate can hold in heat for those denser meats, and then a height adjustment can crank up or dial down the temperature when needed.
One downside is the weight. For the size, it’s heavy, but that does help with its stability and durability.
If you’re in love with this Japanese brand, this grill pairs with the company’s Iron grill table. If not, it’s still a solid standalone table-top grill.
What we like
- Large grill area. Describe
- Easy temperature control. An easy-to-use height adjustment tool allows you to better control cooking heat.
- Very durable. Constructed with high-quality stainless steel
What we don't like
- Tricky to transport. There are no side handles, which would make carrying it easier.
BioLite CampStove Portable Grill
- Grill Area : 55in²
- Heat Source : Wood
- Weight : 1.8lbs / 0.8kg
If you’re a minimalist camper who wants a camping grill, you’ll want to check out the BioLite Energy brand. Their CampStove Portable Grill uses sticks you can find around the campsite. as fuel.
This tiny camping grill can handle about two hamburger patties at once, or four to six hotdogs. This makes it a perfect grill for couples who like to camp.
While it’s small, it can heat up quickly thanks to its fuel intake lid. When opened, the heat goes down. When closed, it concentrates across the entire cooking area.
As a bonus, this BioLite grill includes USB ports to charge the smartphones, which are also powered by sticks found on your campsite.
What we like
- Extremely portable. By far, this is the most portable camping grill on our list.
- Easy refueling. Simply collect small sticks around your campsite to power this grill.
- Smartphone charging. The burner can also charge your smartphone.
What we don't like
- Small cooking area. The big tradeoff with portability is the cooking surface. You can only really make two average-sized burgers at once.
Eureka Gonzo Grill Camp Stove
- Grill Area : 150in²
- Heat Source : Propane
- Weight : 14.1lbs / 6.3kg
The Gonzo Grill Portable 3-in-1 Grill from Eureka Camping is an all-in-one model that lets you cook everything from burgers to pancakes
The secret lies in its reversible cast-iron cooking surface. It flips between a griddle top for pancakes and a grill surface for burgers and chicken. You’ll want to make sure you pack enough gas with you for the entire camping trip because this grill uses propane.
Despite how versatile this Eureka Camping grill is, it’s priced very competitively.
What we like
- Great versatility. This all-in-one camping grill is a grill, griddle or a stove.
- Quick heat. This versatile grill can heat up extremely quickly, letting you get to work on dinner right away.
- Compact. All pieces pack up into a compact circular grill.
What we don't like
- No carrying case. That will cost you extra.
- Difficult to clean. While common across many grills, all the different pieces do take to clean properly.
Eureka SPRK Camp Grill
- Grill Area : 191in²
- Heat Source : Butane
- Weight : 8.5lbs /3.8kg
The SPRK Camp Grill is another of our favorites from Eureka Camping. It is a favorite among campers and backpackers for its compact size.
It features a decent amount of cooking space that can accommodate six hamburger patties and as many as eight to 10 hotdogs.
After purchasing a bottle of butane to fuel this grill, the setup is super easy. It also includes adjustable legs in case your camping table is set up on the uneven ground.
While we love the hip design of this Eureka SPRK Camp Grill, you’ll love how it packs up in a chic, steel briefcase.
What we like
- Compact, but roomy. This table-top camping grill takes up minimal space in your car, but still offers ample cooking space.
- Easy cleanup. It’s even easier if you cook with foil.
- Fun design. While minor, this orange-colored grill looks pretty great at the campsite.
What we don't like
- Fuel not included. You’ll have to buy your butane tank separately.
Kovea Magic III Stainless BBQ Pit
- Grill Area : 342in²
- Heat Source : Wood / Charcoal
- Weight : 10.4lbs / 4.7kg
There’s a lot to like about the Kovea Magic III Stainless BBQ Pit, from its portability to its price tag. And it’s a beautiful-looking grill.
It’s not for everyone, though. This BBQ pit is for those who want to take the time with charcoal or wood found around the campsite. It is also for those who enjoy that smoky taste in their different meats. So, if you’re an experienced griller and have some patience, this is a great value.
The only thing downside of this Kovea BBQ pit is the lack of height adjustments for your coals. That means you can only keep your cooking area at one temperature.
What we like
- Extremely durable. This grill is made of food-grade stainless steel, so no worries about it warping over time.
- Very portable. It folds flat into a nylon bag for easy packing.
- Affordable. You can’t beat this grill for the price.
What we don't like
- No temperature regulation. You’re stuck at one temperature with no height adjustment for the wood or charcoal.
Snow Peak Takibi Fire & Grill
- Grill Area : 315in²
- Heat Source : Wood / Charcoal
- Weight : 23.5lbs / 10.6kg
Snow Peak’s Takibi Fire & Grill serves two purposes, one of which isn’t marketed. It’s a grill, but also a campfire. And that comes in handy when you hit a campfire with no campfire ring installed.
We’re here to tell you about its cooking functions, though.
First, this is much easier to cook on than your standard campfire. The stainless steel construction and the baseplate make it a good choice for stable cooking.
While you can use wood to cook on this Snow Peak grill, charcoal is much easier and effective. That’s because it features three height positions for your fuel, which lets you crank up the heat or keep it low to keep food warm.
What we like
- Easy heat adjustment. Features three different height positions for various temperatures.
- Stable. The baseplate adds for extra stability to prevent anything from tipping over.
- High-quality construction. Another camping grill that uses very high-grade stainless steel for years of use.
What we don't like
- Tough to clean. The grill net is especially tough to clean.
Weber Q 1000 Gas Grill
- Grill Area : 445in²
- Heat Source : Propane
- Weight : 23.6lbs / 10.7kg
The Weber Q 1000 gas grill produces a more-than-adequate 8,500 BTUs across 445in² of cooking space for a single burner. That’s enough space for roughly a dozen hamburger patties.
Many campers call it the best portable grill on the market. At 23lbs., it’s light enough to carry a little bit to a campsite that’s not right by your car.
The one downside is that the ignition and the regulator, where the propane hooks up, are fragile. If you’re a casual camper, make sure to treat the grill delicately.
If you’re more of a hard-core camper and need extreme durability, the Weber Q1000 grill may not be the grill for you.
What we like
- Quick ignition. Push button ignition switch can get your grill up and running quickly.
- Compact design. A perfect grill for table-top cooking that doesn’t compromise on cooking space.
- Trusted brand. When it comes to grills, you can’t go wrong with Weber.
What we don't like
- Flawed design. It’s pretty difficult to install the propane tank to the regulator.
Cuisinart Petit Gourmet Tabletop Grill
- Grill Area : 145in²
- Heat Source : Propane
- Weight : 18.5lbs / 8.3kg
If you love your big grill at home, you’re going to love the Cuisinart Petit Gourmet Tabletop Grill at the campsite.
The grill is compact when in use, making it perfect for tabletop cooking. While it only has 145in² of cooking space, that’s still enough for eight hamburger patties plus three hotdogs.
You will need to bring propane with you, but that’s not the end of the world. The burners are evenly distributed, giving you even heat across the entire grill.
As a bonus, this Cuisinart grill is available in black, red, and stainless steel.
What we like
- High quality. The Cuisinart brand is known for its durability in the kitchen and at the campsite.
- Efficient. For a portable camping grill, there’s a surprising amount of cooking space.
- Easy setup. No problem connecting any size propane tank to this camping grill.
What we don't like
- Not the most portable. It’s small, but doesn’t collapse for optimal storage.
Camping Grills Buying Guide
You should understand the basics to help make a better-informed decision. Use this guide to learn about heat sources, cooking surfaces, and more.
Heat source
Camping grills use many different fuel sources. Here’s what you need to know about each one :
- Propane. This is the most common fuel source for camping grills, like the Eureka Gonzo Grill Camp Stove. It performs great in the summer, but not as well in the colder months. On average, propane costs between $2 and $2.75 per gallon.
- Butane, which fuels the Eureka SPRK Camp Grill, is like propane but is better in colder temperatures. Butane has a higher boiling point than propane.
- Electric. This is rare for a camping grill. If you do come across one, know that you’ll need a solid battery or power source to keep the grill hot.
- Wood/Coal. It’s going to take longer, but if you like that smokey taste in your hamburgers or chicken, you can’t go wrong with wood or coal. Wood is cheaper because you can find it around your campsite, which is what the BioLite Portable Grill uses.
Read More : Butane vs Isobutane vs Propane – Which is Better?
Grilling surface
Determining how much cooking surface you need depends on how many people you camp with and cook for.
- If it’s you and a friend or a partner, something like the Cuisinart Petit Gourmet Tabletop Grill, which has 145in² of cooking space are ideal.
- If you camp with larger groups or families, consider something bigger. One example is the Weber Q 1000 Grill. It can handle more than a dozen hamburger patties at once and just as many serving portions of chicken.
- If the number of people you camp with fluctuates, you could buy two of the same grill. Something like the Kovea Magic III Stainless BBQ Pit is affordable. You can then bring two grills for those bigger trips with more people.
Construction quality
You want to make sure your camping grill is going to withstand the elements not just of cooking, but camping in general.
Generally, you want a grill made of either,
- Cast iron. It’s easy to clean and it gets better with each use. The Eureka Gonzo Grill Camp Stove features a reversible cast-iron grill and skillet.
- Stainless steel. Most grills feature food-grade stainless steel, which prevents it from warping. It’s trickier to clean than cast iron, but you don’t have to worry about it falling apart. Wood- and charcoal-fueled grills, like the Snow Peak Takibi Fire & Grill, tend to use stainless steel.
Make sure to also inspect other parts of the grill, like the feet. Sometimes, they’re made with cheap plastic that can impact the stability of the grill.
Ease of use
You want a grill you can unload from your car, set up on a table, and get cooking quick.
Ignition
Many gas-powered grills, like the Weber Q 1000 Grill, feature battery-powered quick-start ignitions that light up the burners immediately. If that’s important to you, you’ll want to pursue gas-powered grills.
Temperature adjustment
Wood and coal-fueled grills are easy to use, but they do need patience. That’s because wood and coal take longer to burn and get hot.
Adjusting the temperature is also important. It’s easy with gas grills to crank the heat up and down. It’s trickier with wood and coal.
The Snow Peak Takibi Fire & Grill can raise and lower to three different height positions, making temperature control easy.
Cleaning up
A big complaint across many camping grills is cleaning.
It’s difficult because juices from meats and other foods can leak into parts of the grill that aren’t easily accessible.
If you’re big into keeping things clean, pursue a wood- or charcoal-fueled grill, like the Kovea Magic III Stainless BBQ Pit, which can easily come apart for easier cleaning.
Easy portability
Your camping stove isn’t the only thing you’re packing in the car ahead of your big camping trip. That’s why it’s important to buy something that won’t take up too much space.
Most of the grills on this list are a great size for table-top cooking at the campsite. Your big concern is when it’s packed in the car.
The Cuisinart Petit Gourmet Tabletop Grill doesn’t take up a ton of space on a table, but it can’t collapse when not in use. The Eureka SPRK Camp Grill has a similarly-sized cooking surface but packs away in a compact steel briefcase.
If you have a large SUV and space isn’t at a premium, don’t worry too much about portability. You will unload your car at the campsite.
If you need to travel light, then size, weight, and portability should be a top consideration before purchasing a camping grill.
FAQ
What’s the difference between camping grills and camping stoves?
A camping grill is a portable BBQ with heat spread across the entire cooking surface. A camping stove provides a direct, targeted heat that comes from one specific burner.
For boiling water, camping stoves work best.
For food that can spread out on a cooking surface, the camping grill is most ideal.
Can I use a griddle on the grill top?
Yes. Evenly distribute the heat so you can ensure each pancake (or bacon, sausage, etc.) is being cooked at the desired heat. While they are heavy, we recommend cast iron griddles for their durability and because they offer the best cooking experience.
Andrew Dodson
Andrew Dodson is an avid camper who enjoys the great outdoors with his wife and two-year-old son. He resides in Colorado, where you can often find him enjoying hikes with a toddler strapped to his back and mini goldendoodle Percy nearby.