Best Camping Grill – Expert Review

Updated: February 12, 2024
best-camping-grill

You can quickly turn your next camping experience into a glamping experience with a new state of the art camping grill. In terms of speed, efficiency and all round greatness, I'd recommend the Weber Q1200.

Space and weight are often key factors when going away. Check out the Cuisinart Petit Gourmet Grill for a small, lightweight grill.

Occasionally you want the best of both worlds. Get yourself a Giantex Hibachi Grill for a charcoal grill option.

Here are a few more of the best camping grills available for you below.

Best Camping Grill (Top Picks)

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Top Grills For Camping (Detailed Reviews)

We reviewed over 19 camping grills for this article. Below are the best camping grills that made our short list.

  1. Weber Q1200 Liquid Propane Grill - Best Overall
  2. Coleman Road Trip Propane Portable Grill LXE
  3. Cuisinart Petit Gourmet Portable Tabletop Gas Grill - Best Lightweight
  4. Weber Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill
  5. Lodge L410 Pre-Seasoned Sportsman's Charcoal Grill - Best Charcoal Fueled
  6. Blackstone Table Top Grill - Best Value

Read our complete buyers guide for camping grills.

Best Overall Camping Grill

1. Weber Q1200 Liquid Propane Grill

Weber Q1200 Liquid Propane Grill, Titanium

5/5 Overall Rating

The Weber Q1200 Liquid Propane Grill is portable yet sturdy. The unit can either be placed on a portable cart (purchased separately) or placed on the ground as it comes.

The components of the grill are made of high quality material; the cooking grates are made of porcelain-enameled cast-iron, and the burner tubes are made of stainless steel.

This grill contains a built-in thermometer, a burner valve with infinite settings, and a grease management system for easier cleaning.

The Weber Q1200 can be hooked up to a disposable 14.1 or 16.4 oz liquid propane cylinder, which must be bought separately.

Main Features
  • 189 square inch cooking area
  • Porcelain-enameled cast-iron grates
  • Cast-aluminum lid and body
  • Electronic ignition
  • Infinite control burner valve
  • Glass-reinforced nylon frame
  • Removable grease tray
  • Portable
What we like
  • Compact
  • Great for travel
  • Stylish - comes in multiple colors
  • Durable
  • Reliable
  • Powerful
  • Solid and stable construction
  • Easy to assemble
What we dislike
  • Temperature regulator can be faulty
  • Lid doesn’t latch

2. Coleman Road Trip 225

Coleman RoadTrip 225 Portable Stand-Up Propane Grill, Gas Grill with Push-Button Starter, Folding Legs & Wheels, Side Table, & 11,000 BTUs of Power for Camping, Tailgating, Grilling & More

4.5/5 Overall Rating

The Coleman Road Trip 225 comprises a cooker on a portable cart, which folds into itself to become an easy-to-tow, compact unit.

The unit also has slide-out tray surfaces to hold all your dishes and food. The grill uses a disposable 1 lb propane cylinder (sold separately), but can be adjusted for use with a larger propane tank with an adapter (also sold separately).

Its two grilling grates are made of porcelain-coated cast-iron, and these can be swapped out for a griddle and/or stove grates – although these are not included in the set.

Main Features
  • 285 square inches of cooking space
  • Interchangeable cooktops
  • Instant start – no need for a lighter
  • Collapsible
  • Dual burners
  • Sliding side tables
  • Removable drip tray
  • Cast-iron grill grates
  • Portable
What we like
  • Easy to assemble
  • Ample grilling area
  • Doesn’t take up too much space
  • Reliable
  • Easy to clean
  • Starter works well
What we dislike
  • Heating is a bit uneven
  • Flame isn’t very wind resistant

3. Cuisinart Petit Gourmet Portable Tabletop Gas Grill

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

4.5/5 Overall Rating

Don’t let the size and weight of this grill fool you – it’s able to cook a fair amount of food on its 5500 BTU burner and 145 square inch grill.

The Cuisinart Petit Gourmet Portable Tabletop Gas Grill folds up like a briefcase, making it super easy to transport.

It has two foldaway aluminium legs that are used to stand the grill up on a table or wherever your chosen grill spot is. The unit fits a 20 lb propane tank.

Main Features
  • 145 square inch grill area
  • Foldable aluminum legs
  • Stainless steel burner
  • Porcelain-enameled grate
  • Integrated lid lock
  • Folds up like a briefcase
  • Portable
What we like
  • Light and easy to carry
  • Easy to store away
  • Enough cooking space for 8 hamburgers
  • Good quality material and fittings
  • Heats up and cools down fast
  • Built-in thermometer is accurate
  • Can wash the cooktop, burner covers and drip tray in the dishwasher
What we dislike
  • Handle can melt off
  • Stainless steel is a bit thin
  • Dome is shallow

4. Weber Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill

Weber Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill, Black

4.5/5 Overall Rating

The Weber Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill is light, compact, and super easy to clean.

It has three handles; one on each side and one on the top of the lid, for easy movement. It also has plated steel legs that fold up to join the unit.

The grilling area is fairly generous, and you can cook up to 6 hamburgers at a time.

This grill uses charcoal, which is great if you’re looking for a more traditional style of grilling and a woody, smoky taste.

Main Features
  • 160 square inch cooking area
  • Porcelain-enameled lid and base
  • Rust-resistant
  • Portable
  • Lid lock
  • Dampers for temperature control
What we like
  • Compact and lightweight
  • Simple and easy to set up
  • Functional
  • Convenient
  • Lasts long
  • Easy to transport and store
What we dislike
  • Body of grill is too shallow
  • Will melt an un-insulated table

5. Giantex Charcoal Hibachi Grill

Giantex Charcoal Grill Hibachi Grill, Portable Cast Iron Grill with Double-sided Grill Grate, Air Regulating Door, Fire Gate, Grill Grate Lifter, BBQ Grill for Outdoor Picnic Camping Backyard Cooking

4.5/5 Overall Rating

This hibachi-style grill is great for getting that authentic, charcoal-cooked flavour in your food. The Giantex Charcoal Hibachi Grill is small, but hefty and robust.

It’s made of cast-iron, which has been pre-seasoned with 100% vegetable oil. This means it will last you a lifetime if you take proper care of it.

The grill has a door through which you can put the coals, and it has two height settings for your preference.

Main Features
  • Draft door for heat regulation
  • Seasoned with 100% vegetable oil
  • Cast iron
  • Portable
  • Sliding mechanism for enhanced air flow
  • Two height adjustments
What we like
  • Great quality
  • Easy to clean
  • Heats up easily
  • Good value for money
  • Perfect for quick cooking
What we dislike
  • No lid
  • Needs lots of oiling
  • Prone to cracking

6. Blackstone Table Top Grill

Blackstone 1650 Tabletop Grill Without Hood Propane Fuelled Portable Stovetop Gas Rear Grease Trap for Kitchen, Outdoor, Camping, Tailgating or Picnicking, 17 Inch Griddle, Black

5/5 Overall Rating

The Blackstone Table Top Grill comes in three sizes: 17”, 19” and 22”.

The grill doesn’t have grates, but rather a flat, black, powder-covered stainless steel griddle, which sits on top of a stainless steel H-shaped burner.

Its cooking surface is large, but the grill doesn’t take up too much space and can be stored conveniently.

The unit can be connected to a 1 lb propane tank. It should also be noted that the grill must be seasoned before use.

Main Features
  • Portable
  • Electric ignition
  • Built-in grease catcher
  • Easy storage
  • 260 square inch cooking area
  • H-shaped stainless steel burner
  • Black powder-coated stainless steel grill
What we like
  • Easy to clean
  • Lightweight
  • Ideal for camping
  • Can be used to cook many items
  • Spacious
  • Non-stick (after seasoning)
  • Good design
What we dislike
  • Griddle warps
  • Burner can be faulty
  • Grill sits a bit far from the flame

Best Camping Grill - Buyer's Guide

What makes a good camping grill?

Portability

In camping, portability is key. No one wants to lug a hefty grill across a campground. Some grills are pretty compact and collapse into a portable unit, while others have the option of purchasing a portable cart with wheels. There are other portable camping grills that are more table top style grills and will need to be carried to your chosen grilling spot. 

Size and Weight

The weight and size of your grill also affects how portable it is. If you are camping with a large group of people who can help you move the grill from the car to your campsite, then it doesn’t matter so much, but it’s always something to consider. 

Durability

A camping grill is quite an investment, so it’s always best to get something that lasts long. The durability of a grill depends on the materials it’s made with, as well as the quality of the burner. 

Can you grill on a camping stove?

Camping stoves aren’t optimal for grilling because they have circular burners. Of course, you could try ‘grill’ on a camping stove by using a griddle on top of the camping stove, but it’s not quite the same. 

Materials of Construction

Camping grills can be made from a number of materials, like stainless steel, coated stainless steel, or cast-iron. The best grills are made of coated cast-iron, but this makes the unit much heavier.

It’s also important to consider the materials used for the burner and other elements of the grill, like handles, the lid, or the joints. Poorly chosen materials will melt when the grill gets too hot.

Fuel Type

The type of fuel that your grill uses can impact the taste of your food and the cooking time. Grill purists who enjoy the nostalgic, manual element of grilling will prefer to use charcoal.

Cooking with charcoal gives food a smokier, more traditional taste. On the other hand, it takes a long time for a charcoal grill to heat up to the right temperature.

In addition to heating up faster, propane gas grills are easier to control (as they often have temperature controls), easier to clean, and can be safer to use.  

Power

Propane grills have different BTU power ratings. The higher the number of BTUs, the more kick your grill has. If you know you’ll be using the grill a lot, and cooking large amounts of food, then it’s best to go for a more powerful product. Remember that this will affect the cost and fuel use of your unit. 

Ignition and Temperature Control

Propane grills can either have an electric ignition source, or must be lit using a lighter or match. Propane grills also often have the option of temperature control, although some have a wider range of control than others.

Naturally, the option of electric ignition and a high level of temperature control make for easier, more customizable grilling, but this also increases the complexity of the product, and therefore the cost of it. 

Accessories

If you’re aiming to be a grill master, then accessories are important and can add real value to your grilling experience. Charcoal grills are often quite simple and don’t have many add-ons, but propane grills do.

Most propane grills, although not all, come with a drip tray. This is essential in grilling as it makes cleaning up much more manageable.

Propane grills can also come with other functional accessories, like side tables to keep dishes on, built-in lights or a thermometer. 

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About the author 

Adie Marais

Adie is a nature and wildlife lover living in Cape Town, South Africa. Growing up, she had many opportunities to explore the outdoors by hiking, going on safaris and venturing into the karoo with her family. This led to her love of animals, the environment and discovering new places to explore.

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