Best Camping Grill – Comprehensive Buying Guide

The Best Camping Grill of 2020

Camping season is right around the corner.  Now is the time to be thinking about purchasing a camping grill if you need one.  You may be thinking that you will just cook over the campfire.  But this is a very inconsistent way to cook when camping.  And you have to worry about the tripod falling over or swaying when you are trying to flip your burgers or steak.  Plus if the weather is not fair, you risk the chance of having your fire go out while raining.

Grilling out while camping is one of the best parts of the camping experience. Foods are often experiences that we remember due to the taste being so wonderful.  There are so many wonderful camping recipes and meals, from the simple beans and weiners to the more extravagant stuffed chicken breast or grilled salmon.  Side dishes such as grilled corn on the cob or asparagus can be cooked over the grill.  We even are seeing more desserts, such as S’mores dip being made over a grill.

Here we have taken the guesswork out of which camping grills are the best.  We have reviewed several grills and listed our top picks below.  We looked at a variety of factors, such as how portable they are, what the surface size is, and how many BTUs the grill has to determine if the grills were worthy of being on our best camping grill list, looking at the pros and cons of each one.

We have also compiled a comprehensive buyer’s guide to help you determine how to pick the best camping grill for you.

Top 6 Best Camping Grills

1. Coleman Roadtrip LXE Camping Grill

The Coleman Roadtrip LXE camping grill comes from a trusted brand.  With a collapsible design, it is easy to transport and will fit into most car trunks.  This grill is not only great for camping, but for fishing trips, picnics, family get-togethers at the park, and tailgating.  It also makes an excellent choice for small apartments where space is a premium.  Those who live in a dorm that has an outside commons area may also find this Coleman grill to be a choice for them.

The Coleman Roadtrip LXE delivers 20,000 BTUs of heat across 285 square inches of grilling surface.  It features Swaptop interchangeable cooktops that allow you to switch grill grates out for griddle and stove grates which are sold separately.  The grill has an instant start button that ignites the grill without the need for a match or lighter.

If you are looking for precise control, the Coleman Roadtrip LXE is a safe bet.  It has two burners that are independently adjustable.  The portable grill has a collapsible stand with wheels for easy transporting.  With a low-profile lid, you will not have any issue getting your car trunk shut. There are handy side tables on both sides of the grill that allow you to keep your utensils, seasonings, plates, and handier.  They slide out of the way when you are ready to store the grill.  There are two cast-iron grates that are very durable and a removable spill tray

Pros:

• Easy to clean
• Great price
• Lightweight
• Interchangeable cooktops

Cons:

• It is easy to damage the paint
• The ignition can be hard to light

 

2. Coleman Fold N’ Go Portable Grill

Coleman understands the need to have a portable grill for camping.  Taking our number two spot is the Coleman Fold N’ Go Portable Grill  This small grill is best for singles or a couple.  It can comfortable grill a few burgers or smaller cuts of meat.  The grill features a handle for easy transport and storage.

One main reason we love this grill is that it has easy cleanup.  The removable cooking surface and grease tray are dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning.  This Amazon choice winner delivers 6,000 BTUs of heat across the 105 square inches of grilling surface.  An adjustable horseshoe burner is added for precise temperature control and even heating.  The instaStart button ignites a grill without the need for a match or lighter.

Pros:

• High-quality grill
• From a trusted company
• Simple to use
• Smart design

Cons:

• Piping to propane tank is on the flimsy side

 

3. Cuisinart CGG-180T Petit Gourmet Portable Tabletop Gas Grill

This portable gas grill with 145-square-inch grilling area space and foldaway legs takes our number three spot.  Cuisinart is a brand that has been trusted by many for years.  This tabletop grill features a powerful 5,500 BTU stainless-steel burner and even-heating porcelain-enameled grate.

We are impressed that with as small as this grill is, it can cook 8 hamburgers at one time.  If steaks are your choice, you can cook 8 at a time!  Or the grill fits between 6 to 10 chicken breasts depending on their size.  Four pounds of fish can easily fit on the grill.

The aluminum legs and stabilizing feet set up in seconds and the integrated lid lock keeps the lid secure.  The grill is only 13.5 pounds, so carrying the grill from one spot to another is a breeze.

If camping is not your thing, this grill makes a perfect cooker for smaller spots.  It can easily be put in a boat for boating excursions, or a college student could set up this grill outside on nice days for a nice and easy lunch.

Pros:

• Easy to transport
• Stylish design
• Easy to clean
• Stable feet
• Even heating grate

Cons:

• For the size, the price is a bit high
• The BTU could be a bit higher to cook food better

 

4. Blackstone Portable Camping Grill Top

If you know of anyone that has owned a Blackstone grill before, you know Blackstone means business when it comes to grilling.  The Blackstone Portable Camping Grill Top is amazing for camping trips.  It can easily cook all of your meals from eggs, bacon, and hashbrowns for breakfast to hotdogs for lunch.  Steaks, burgers, brats, chicken, pork chops, and more turn out great on this camping grill.

A huge plus is Blackstone’s cooldown rule.  You simply let the grill cool down, then wipe off with a paper towel.  This is the easiest grill to clean we have ever seen.  With its handle, it is easy to carry.  The handle allows the weight of the unit to be evenly distributed across the entire grill.

The propane tanks that are used for this portable camping grill are one pound, which also makes them easy to carry and store.  There is a built-in grease trap, and the griddle provides 260 square inches (15.25 inches x 17 inches) of heavy-duty cooking surface for both versatility and durability.  Even heating of the grill is promoted by a stainless steel “H” burner that heats up quickly! The “H” shape offers a 12,000 BTU heat output.  The black powder-coated and stainless steel construction with cold-rolled steel cooking surface provides for an amazing grill construction.

Pros:

• Super easy to clean with just a paper towel
• Great price
• High-quality

Cons:

• Does not come with a cover
• Only has 12,000 BTUs

 

5. Camp Chef Explorer Double Burner Stove

If you will be camping where there is no electricity, the Camp Chef Explorer Double Burner Stove is a wonderful item to add to your camping collection.  No electricity is needed to run this bad boy.  It can easily run on any size of a propane tank.

This Camp Chef model features 2 Cast Aluminum Burners, a 60,000 total BTU/hr, and a 32″ cooking height.  The unit has detachable legs with a 3-Sided Windscreen.  The burners can hold two large pots or pan, which is perfect for making stews and soups on cold nights.  A griddle top can also be added to make pancakes, bacon and eggs, steaks, burgers, hot dogs, and so much more.

With your purchase, you will receive a 3-foot hose and regulator.  This double burner stove is compatible with most 14 inch Camp Chef accessories.  Cooking Dimensions are 14 inches x 32 inches with a stove cooking area of 448 square inches.   The stove height is  29 inches and the weight is 30.5 pounds.

Pros:

• Great wind protection
• Decent working height
• Decent sized cooking space
• Very sturdy

Cons:

• Heavy
• Hard to transport

 

6. SmokeHollow Stainless Steel 205 Tabletop Propane Gas Grill

The SmokeHollow Stainless Steel 205 Tabletop Propane Gas Grill rounds out our best camping grill reviews.  This grill has 205 square inches in primary stainless steel cooking area with a 105 square inch chrome-plated warming rack.    It features a 10,000 BTU stainless steel “U” burner and has foldable stainless steel legs.  It uses 16-ounce disposable cylinders.  It comes with a stainless steel drip tray and a temperature gauge.  The assembled size is 19 length x 32 width x 33.5 height in inches.

We were very impressed with the price of this camping grill.  We also loved the easy assembly.  It is easy to switch out the propane tanks when they run empty on this grill too.  The gas grill delivers food that tastes amazing.  It works perfectly for tailgating, camping trips, quick meals at home, fishing or boating trips, and more.

Pros:

• High-quality features
• Great price
• Portable with foldable legs
• Sophisticated design

Cons:

• Only has 10,000 BTUs

 

Buyers Guide for the Best Camping Grill

If you do not have the right grilling equipment when you are camping, it can turn a great trip into a horrendous one.  Here we have created a comprehensive buyer’s guide for picking the best camping grill for you.

Things to Consider

When looking for a camping grill, be sure to keep these features in mind.

Cooking Surface

How much cooking space you have will determine how much food you can cook at once.  Cooking spaces on grills are generally provided in square inches.  The larger your cooking surface, the more fuel you will need to power your grill.  If you have more than four people in your camping group, you will probably want to opt for a larger cooking surface.

Portability

When looking for a camping grill, you will want to make sure it is portable.  Wheels provide an excellent means of getting the grill from your vehicle to the place where you will be setting up the grill.  Light-weight models that are easy to carry are a great option.

Construction

You should also take into consideration the construction of the camping grill.  Many grills are made from steel which is a very durable material.  Aluminum is very cheap but makes for a lightweight grill.  This type of grill often has trouble conducting heat too well.

Warranty

If you are going to be paying a large chunk of money for a camping grill, it is in your best interest to look for a grill that has a good warranty on it.  Some come with warranties that are only good for a year, while others have warranties on them for several years.  This is at the company’s discretion on what type of warranty to provide its customers.

Temperature Gauge

Depending on what you are cooking will most likely determine if you need a temperature gauge.  If you will be cooking simple meats such as hamburgers or hot dogs, you probably can just eye the food to tell when it is done.  However, other foods, such as pork and chicken products, will probably require a temperature gauge.

Heat

Grills that are exceptional should have a high BTU (British Thermal Units).  Grills should have somewhere between 60 to 100 BTU per square inch. You will also want to take into consideration how evenly your food is heated.

Power Source

You should take into consideration what sort of power source will be powering your camping grill  If you are camping in the wild, or in a park without electricity, you will need to go with a propane tank grill or one that runs off wood.  Sometimes wood can be harder to find, so it is probably in your best interest to stick with propane tanks.

Tips For Using Your Camping Grill

By following the tips listed below, you can be sure to have a great time while using your camping grill in a safe manner.

1. When cleaning a grill, the easiest way is to turn the temperature on high, then close the lid.  Let the grill cook for 15 minutes, then use a scraper to remove the charred debris on the grates.
2. Keep your camping grill away from trees and any branches that are hanging down.  At a minimum, your grill should be 12 feet away from them.
3. Be certain that the ground you are cooking on is level in order to ensure the grill does not tip over.
4. Be sure to keep the grill clean.  Anything you cook on a grill that is clean will have more flavor.
5. If the gas grill goes out entirely, wait five minutes before lighting it.  If you light the grill right away, gas lingering in the air can cause the area around you to ignite.

FAQ

What is the right way to grill outdoors?

When grilling outdoors, be certain to inspect your grill prior to igniting it.  This will ensure that everything is safe and set up properly.

What are the best accessories for a camping grill?

There are various things that you can purchase depending on what you like to cook on your camping grill.  You should be certain to have the following:

• A pair of long BBQ grilling tongs
• A heavy-duty spatula for flipping burgers
• Heat resistant gloves
• An instant-read thermometer for harder to cook meats such as pork
• A long lighter to lit the grill if needed
• A grill cover to keep your grill away from the elements

Other items that you may find handy to have are a grill table, metal skewers, a cooling rack, an all-purpose grill light, a basting brush, a grill brush, a grill cleaner, and a grilling basket.  Another great accessory is the grill mat.  You simply place this on your grill so you do not have a grill to clean up once you are done.  These mats are designed to withstand heat up to 600 degrees.  They are also dishwasher friendly, so cleanup is that much easier.

 

Final Verdict – Best Camping Grill

We truly hope you enjoyed our best camping grill review.  After looking at various makes and models, we are certain these are the best choices on the market today.  If you are looking for an interchangeable cooktop grill that has precise control, go for the Coleman Roadtrip LXE Camping Grill.  The Coleman Fold N’ Go Portable Grill is a high-quality grill with a great design.  If you are looking for a small grill that can cook a lot at once, consider the Cuisinart CGG-180T Petit Gourmet Portable Tabletop Gas Grill.

Our buyer’s guide for the best camping grill is bound to help you determine which features you need to consider when picking a grill.  Our tips will keep you safe when not only lighting the grill but during grilling and afterward. And our frequently asked questions answered questions that are commonly asked about the best camping grills.