Buying Guides, Camp Kitchen, Camping Grills

Best Camping Grills [Buying Guide and Reviews]

Camping amidst the spectacles of nature comes with its difficulties and benefits. Cooking basic food items, heating pots, and pans, and boiling water can be done easily in a portable gas grill or camp grill. However, if you go camping in groups, organize lawn parties, or go with your family by the lake at night to camp and fish, then you will need the best portable gas grill or the best camping grill. This is because grilling different kinds of meat in larger quantities for multiple family members requires more than just a portable propane grill. Heating large amounts of water, preparing hamburgers, hotdogs, and sandwiches require a tabletop gas grill with foldable tables on ends, large cooking areas, and high burning power of up to 25,000 BTUs.

However, while looking for the best grills, best portable grill, or best propane grills, a person must ensure to consider the following points to avoid difficulties and regrets in the future.

British Thermal Units (BTUs) – BTU determines how much heat is a grill capable of generating. Grills with a higher BTU capacity function even in cold climates and would not take half as long to preheat compared to the portable grills.

Charcoal or Gas – If you are looking for a camping grill, then gas running grills are ideal to purchase and not charcoal grills. It is because charcoal takes longer to heat, and the much-admired smoky taste can be attained by using a “flavorizer” bar attached to the gas burner.

Size of Grill and Cooking Surface – No point in buying a grill that would require two rounds of heating and replacing meat. Rather pick up the best outdoor grill having a bigger cooking area and allows grilling all the food at once. Make sure not to pick up a heavyweight grill in fulfilling the surface area criteria.

To help you purchase the best grills in 2023, we have curated a list of portable gas grills and the best grill brands.

Cuisinart CGG-180T Petit Gourmet Portable Tabletop Propane Gas Grill, Red 17.6 x 18.6 x 11.8-Inch

Cuisinart’s Portable Tabletop Gas Grill is a decent option to carry with you on your camping adventures. The regulated size makes it a good fit to carry for fishing, camping, and hiking. Using propane gas, it cooks meat, veggies, and bread as good as a camping grill. The legs are designed to sit on a table comfortably, whether uneven or not, and it is available in red, black, and silver colors.

Key Features

Twist to start electric ignition system
Aluminum legs help set up the grill in seconds
Manufactured using stainless steel
Porcelain cooking grate sized at 145 square inches
In-built lid lock keeps the lid tight throughout the cooking process

$123.58

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Pros

The compact size makes it ideal from small setups
Large grilling surface can cook 8 steaks or 8 burger patties at the same time
Heat stacked near the cooking surface due to size, making it energy efficient

Cons

Low heating capacity of 5,500 BTUs
Burner elements for this brand are discontinued, so if it wears or tears, you require purchasing a new grill
Grill will melt if left unattended even for a short period

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Weber’s 121020 Charcoal grill is proof of the elegant standards this company maintains. It’s thin, yet durable steel legs are foldable and designed to stay erect on even rocky surfaces. A perfect companion for camping parties and lawn get-togethers, the triple nickel coated steel grate makes it extremely easy to clean even after hours of usage. This is an only charcoal model and is the best small gas grill to infuse the smoky burnt taste in your meals.

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Key Features

Steel-plated cooking grate and grill legs
Porcelain coating to protect from chemical attacks and physical damage
Cooking area of 160 square inches
Bag-like handles for convenient carrying around
Tuck and Carry Lid design

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Pros

10-year warranty in the USA
Seamless portability makes it the ideal portable grill
The built-in lid can be hung to avoid the flow of wind

Cons

A few clients have complained of the table melting
Cannot be used for tailgating
Inside coating, around the lighter chips off in time

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One of the camping grills generating a high amount of heat, rating up to 20,000 BTUs, is Coleman RoadTrip 285 Propane Grill. Along with exceptional heating, grilling, and holding functionality, the grill is aesthetically pleasing as it has a trolley bag feel and can be dragged on wheels, whatever the surface it may be. Three temperature zones, swappable cooktops, and advanced temperature control help it stand out in the market.

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Key Features

Advanced burner technology gives better control over its power of 20,000 BTUs
3 knobs for allocating individual temperature ranges
Ignites via the push of a button
Long legs permit using the grill while standing and without a table
Massive grilling area of 285 square inches

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Pros

2 attached sliding tables provide space for utensils and edibles
Comes with a 3-year warranty
Interchangeable cooktops let us switch between stove and griddle grates

Cons

Shallow water tray requires a perfectly leveled surface to avoid spilling
A 16.4 oz. propane cylinder will have to be bought separately

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Weber’s Liquid Propane grill is an ideal example of an innovative and efficiently designed camping grill that has a large cooking area and yet has a small overall size. The heating rods under the grill are horizontally thick and help in uniform distribution of heat. The grill runs on disposable LPG cylinders with LPG adaptor hoses, making it a stress-free carry along with an option. This grill can also be attached to Weber’s Portable Cart Model #6557 and Q Cart Model 6525.

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Key Features

Built-in lid thermometer
Electric Ignition
Burner capacity is 12,000 BTUs per hour
Large cooking area of 280 square inches
2 foldable tables for keeping the items

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Pros

Detachable catch pan
Cast aluminum lid and body
Easy-to-change 16 oz cans can be carried instead of heavy gas tanks

Cons

In spite of cleaning the burner holes, it often lights up only halfway
Harder to initially assemble as compared to the regular camping grills
Weber does not work hard enough on Quality control

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As the term suggests, “Camp Chef” Big Gas Grill is your perfect outdoor kitchen, boasting a massive cooking grate of 608 inches with a slidable board to keep all your ingredients. Depending on your application of what you cook or heat, the deluxe BBQ grill container can be replaced with any Camp Chef 16-inch accessory, which enables higher versatility for a range of additional activities.

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Key Features

Single-button press ignition
3 aluminum cast burners generating up to 90,000 BTU/r
Grill legs are removable and can be used on lower surfaces
Intelligently engineered heat diffuser plates convert flame to infrared heat and vaporize grease drippings
608 square inches cooking area can grill 15-16 patties simultaneously

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Pros

Easy to transport and set up
Versatile functionality, stir fry, boil, steam, griddle, and deep fry
Smoke and heat are well-controlled by the lid damper valve, thus sealing the flavor

Cons

Lack of stainless steel causes the grill to rust quickly
Very heavy camping grill and not recommended for taking to hikes
Barbeque unit adds unnecessary weight as the grate gets the job done

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Whether you are a beginner or an expert in overnight camping sessions, Texsport Heavy Duty Grill has a flat learning curve. Do you need it for a group of 2, 4, or 10 people? Texsport has all sizes available, and its rustic-rugged look lives up to its name and goals. With 40 years of expertise in camping gear, the heavy-duty foldable steel ensures top-notch portability, hassle-free pacing, and deliciously cooked meals straight out of the grill. The tagline by Texsport states, “Authentic Adventure Gear.”

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Key Features

Sturdy built
Design to function in the harshest of climates
Foldable legs provide compact storage
Welded steel made of top quality
Structurally designed to handle heavy cast iron utensils

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Pros

Available in 3 sizes - Medium, Large, and Extra Large
Made for long-lasting durability and can survive for easy 10 years
Ideal grill for forests camping and weekend getaways due to its portability

Cons

Putting food directly on the grill causes heat to rust the metal
Aesthetically dull and bland

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This Blackstone tabletop grill is probably the only grill in the market that comes with a built-in grease catcher. The griddle design enables efficient storage due to its curvy top edges smoothly fitting on the griddle base. A combination of an H-shaped burner and an output of 12,000 BTUs make it suitable for the majority of grilling operations and can prove to be a great buy. People who live to create items for those who prefer to spend time in the open intelligently design Blackstone products in the USA.

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Key Features

Cold rolled steel cooking surface and stainless steel construction
H-shape burners offer even distribution of heat
Top-notch design for attaching propane tanks
Single knob ignitor enables matchless lighting
Blackstone material permits hassle-free cleaning

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Pros

Available in 17 (with BBQ accessories), 19 and 22 inches
250 square inches of the cooking area allows multiple items to be cooked at once
One push ignition switch

Cons

Complicating to modify into a hose adaptor assembly system
Burner stops working, and a grill lighter will have to be used at some point
Poor and unresponsive customer service

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Blackstone Adventure Ready 17″ Tabletop Outdoor Griddle along with 4 open burners, adjustable legs, and minimal assembly design makes it a no-brainer when looking for a sustainable grill to carry for a long-term camping trip. As mentioned earlier, Blackstone wants to make products that can last a lifetime with minimal wear and tear. The cast iron grill grates and cold rolled steel griddle ensure these standards are maintained.

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Key Features

Outdoor endurance makes it suitable for hunting, fishing, expeditions, etc.
4 independently controlled burners
Portable legs make it a perfect tailgater

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Pros

Return the product at any time if not satisfied
Engrave the desired grill marks at over 500 degrees of heat
Versatile, Convenient and stands on uneven surfaces

Cons

Assembly can be a daunting task
Very expensive. The best propane grill can be purchased around the same price
Customer service probably is a hoax

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The Masterbuilt Smoke Hollow propane grill consists of a distinct U-shaped burner under the grill, which is visible and helps the cook strategically position the meat over the gas. No need to carry big cylinders and hunt for rare, unique propane tanks as the 1lb propane cylinder needed is a nationwide requirement as a common camping item. If you want to master outdoor cooking, you need a well-crafted product to do so.

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Key Features

Tight locking lid doesn’t let any heat seep out
U-shaped burner for distributing heating spots evenly throughout the cooking grate
The stainless steel drip tray
Chrome-plated warming rack
Grill functions on small disposable propane cylinders rather than 5 pounds cans

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Pros

The simple push-button ignition process
2 levels of cooking, collectively 305 square inches
Foldable legs make it a compact design

Cons

Hose and Carry bag has to be purchased separately
If not cleaned regularly, the food can stick
The flame is lower compared to its counterparts

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A multi-purpose, charcoal run Char-Griller Box Grill can convert from a regular small gas grill to a side firebox for warmth purposes. The handle is made of a material that stays cool in spite of being close to the grilling department. A variety of accessories can be attached, such as obtaining Texas-style horizontal smoking can be done by mounting a 2137 Outlaw or 5050 Duo Grill. The easy dump ash pan also makes cleaning the grill an under-a-minute task.

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Key Features

Pan is removable for cleaning ash by simply shaking it off
Compatible with all models of Char-Griller barrel grills
Sliding openings on either side help access the coal and ash department
Adjustable dampers
Constructed using the cast iron grill

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Pros

Can be converted to a heat producer or mini heater
Using a little flaxseed oil before lighting the grill makes it ready for quick cooking
Highly-portable barbecue grill

Cons

Wooden handles once damaged, makes it hard to use the product
Often has been delivered with missing hardware
Very less cooking area as compared to the rest

FAQs for Camping Grills

How much should I pay at the most?

Grills are ranging from $70 – $400. The best cheap camping grills may not provide you with automated temperature control, single switch ignition, and adjustable legs. Thus, depending on your needs and area of usage, you must not pay more than $100 for a camping grill for individual use. A camping grill for small backyard parties must not cost you more than $250, and in case of a large event, expect to shell out a good $400.

Coleman or Blackstone, which brand is more reliable?

Coleman focuses more on elegance combined with user convenience. It gives an upper hand compared to Blackstone, which has failed to provide user convenience. Coleman also provides the interchangeable grill-griddle feature, multiple burners, and slide-out tables, whereas, Blackstone grills focus on high BTUs and provide pre-attached separate cooking platforms. On a personal note, though Blackstone grills are cheaper, I would vouch for Coleman due to the extra benefits it provides.

Is it necessary to carry a camping grill?

The honest answer to this question is – it depends. Are you going solo and can do with basic rice and soup with a couple of chopped veggies? Or do you plan to up your game and hunt for a duck, chicken, or fish to grill and eat with a combination of sauces and various ingredient mixtures? Depending on each person, it may be necessary to carry a camping grill or not.