The Best Portable Grills

Napoleon Travelq 285 Portable Gas Bbq Grill

Portable Grills make it easy to enjoy all the benefits of BBQs, even when you’re away from home. Whether you’re tailgating at a sporting event or spending a weekend camping, portable grills give you the flexibility to BBQ anywhere.

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Best Portable Gas Grills

BBQ grills have come a long way from the massive, stationary units that were once a staple of backyard gatherings. Today, there are BBQ grills of all shapes and sizes, including portable models that are perfect for camping trips and picnics.

Portable Gas Grills offer the same great cooking performance as their larger counterparts, but with the added benefit of portability. Whether you’re grilling at the park or in your own backyard, a portable gas grill is a great way to enjoy delicious BBQ.

While there are different kinds of portable grills, this article will be focusing on gas grills. If you prefer the smoky BBQ flavour a portable charcoal grill offers, check out our post on The Best Small Charcoal Grills. There are also electric grills, which are easy to operate and maintain but because of their need to plug in, it makes camping and BBQ on the go a dealbreaker.

Keep reading for our recommendations on the best portable gas grills that reach high temperatures quite quickly, are super easy to maintain, and most importantly, don’t require any power outlet to start. Plus, most are very compact and able to fit in your car with ease. Let’s dig in!

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Our Picks: The Best Portable Grills


Editor's Pick for Best Portable Grill

PIT BOSS 2-Burner Portable Gas Grill with Collapsible Cart

Pit Boss Portable Grill

The PIT BOSS 2-Burner Portable Gas Grill with Collapsible Cart is designed for convenience, portability, and flavor. It boasts 290 square inches of cooking space, perfect for about 12 burgers at a time.

With an easy push-button ignition and two control knobs, managing your grilling experience becomes a breeze. The 2 stainless-steel burners deliver a hefty 13,500 BTU and are fueled by propane.

Additional key features include a collapsible cart with two in-line style wheels and foldable cast aluminum legs for easy transportation and storage, as well as two sturdy side shelves to give you extra space for the preparation or storage of tools and accessories.

Its standout features and robust construction deliver excellent value, making it a reliable choice for those seeking an exceptional grilling experience wherever they go. Keep in mind its weight and fuel requirements, but overall, we highly recommend this grill for all your outdoor cooking adventures.

What We Liked
  • Versatile and portable design, great for both backyard barbecues and outdoor adventures.
  • Large cooking space allowing for plenty of food to be grilled at once.
  • Easy-to-use push-button ignition and control knobs make managing your cooking straightforward.
  • Convenient features such as sturdy side shelves and an easily removable grease tray make grilling and clean-up easier.
What We Didn’t Like
  • The grill’s weight of 41.9 lb., while not excessive, might still be a little heavy for some people to transport easily.
  • As the grill is propane-fueled, you’ll need to ensure you have enough fuel supply, especially when grilling for extended periods or in remote locations.
Best Overall Portable Grill

Coleman RoadTrip Stand-Up Propane Grill

Coleman Roadtrip Stand-Up Propane Grill

The Coleman RoadTrip Stand-Up Propane Grill offers ultimate portability with its collapsable legs and rugged wheels, looking almost like a suitcase in tow. There is 285 square inches of cooking space with interchangeable cooktops. Choose between porcelain enamelled cast iron cooking grates, a griddle top, or a stove top depending on the meal you’re cooking.

This cart-style gas grill has a grilling power of 20,000 BTUs with three independently adjustable burners. These burners are designed to offer even heat distribution and great temperature control.

Bonus features make this grill one to rave about, like the two slide-out side tables, perfect for holding your grilling tools and prep. This unit also comes with a three-year limited warranty which will give you peace of mind.

What we liked
  • Powerful grill with a spacious cooking area
  • Cart-style with durable wheels and foldable legs
  • Three independent cooking zones
  • Lid thermometer
  • Three-year limited warranty
What we didn’t like
  • Difficult to find replacements parts
  • Interchangeable cooktops sold separately
  • Heavy unit

Runner Up Best Portable Grill

Weber Traveler Portable Gas Grill

Weber Traveler Portable Gas Grill

Our next recommendation is the Weber Traveler Portable Gas Grill. This easy-to-transport grill offers a large cooking area of 329 square inches, enough space to grill 15 burgers simultaneously.

The low-to-high temperature range makes grilling burgers, steaks, and even chicken a total walk in the park. Plus, it’s designed for optimal gas usage so you’ll get the most out of each liquid propane canister.

Though this grill is a heavier unit, weighing about 50 lbs, the setup and transport are almost effortless. The “one-handed setup and fold” design will save you time and because it’s attached to a rolling cart, you don’t have to worry about walking long distances, the durable wheels can handle almost any terrain. Plus, when folded, this unit is small and compact so that you can store it in the trunk of your car or in your home without taking up much space.

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What we liked
  • Large cooking area
  • Easy to set up and transport
  • Compact when folded
  • Optimizes gas usage
What we didn’t like
  • Single burner
  • Not easily connected to a large propane tank

Best Budget-Friendly Portable Grill

Char-Broil Grill2Go

Char-Broil Grill2Go

In terms of portable gas grills, the Char-Broil Grill2Go is the best bang for your buck. Made of heavy-duty cast aluminum with a high-impact frame and a 5-year warranty, you know this grill will last a long time.

Weighing only 24 lbs, this grill can come along on your tailgating or camping adventures with no issues. Grilling on the go couldn’t be any easier, with a push-to-start ignition and a BTU output of 9500 on 200-square-inches of cooking space, you’ll be well on your way to grilling exceptional BBQ on a budget.

Complete with a lockable lid, temperature gauge, and stainless steel grates and a stainless steel burner, this is the perfect grill for the hands-on griller. It is an outstanding piece of equipment and has a reputation for producing amazing results.

What we liked
  • Great cooking capacity
  • Push-button ignition
  • Durable material
What we didn’t like
  • May be difficult to clean

Best Luxury Portable Grill

Char-Broil TRU-Infrared Patio Bistro Gas Grill

Char-Broil Tru-Infrared Patio Bistro Gas Grill

The Char-Broil TRU-Infrared Patio Bistro Gas Grill is small in size but mighty on features. Its sleek design will impress your friends and the TRU-Infrared cooking system consumes less fuel than any other cooking system. TRU-Infrared technology heats food directly, promising fewer flare-ups without hot or cold spots.

With a primary cooking surface of 240 square inches and a secondary cooking area of 80 square inches, you’ll have more than enough cooking space to cook your favourite meals. Furthermore, the unique infrared technology evenly distributes the heat source and is able to reach a wide range of temperatures.

Made of stainless steel with durable wheels to move from place to place. This is an attractive grill with extra features like a towel bar to hold tools and accessories. You’ll have everything you need to impress your friends and grill to perfection every single time.

What we liked
  • Lightweight grill with a large cooking area
  • Even heat distribution
  • Reduces flare-ups
  • TRU-Infrared technology consumes less fuel
What we didn’t like
  • Takes time to assemble

Best Portable Grill for Beginners

Weber Q-1200 Portable Gas Grill

Weber Q-1200 Portable Gas Grill

The Weber Q-1200 Portable Gas Grill is a classic, made by a reputable company, and perfect for beginners. Expect premium quality and features at a fair price. It’s easy to assemble and small enough to carry along on your adventures while offering a generous cooking space.

This liquid propane grill has an aluminum lid and a porcelain enamelled cast iron grill grate. It functions with electronic ignition and has valve settings to adjust the heat according to your preference.

The single stainless steel burner produces 8500 BTU per hour on a cooking space of 189 square inches. We also love its removable catch pan on this tabletop grill that perfectly handles any juicy and greasy foods. Even if you create a mess while grilling on this unit, you don’t have to worry about spending hours cleaning because of these two features.

What we liked
  • Lightweight grill
  • Made with solid and durable aluminum
  • Available in different colours
  • Angled grease tray ideal for greasy food
  • Built-in thermometer
What we didn’t like
  • Pricey

Our Results for the Best Portable Grills

  1. Editor’s Pick: PIT BOSS 2-Burner Portable Gas Grill with Collapsible Cart
    “include a collapsible cart with two in-line style wheels and foldable cast aluminum legs for easy transportation”
  2. Best Overall: Coleman RoadTrip Stand-Up Propane Grill
    “ultimate portability with its collapsable legs and rugged wheels”
  3. Runner Up: Weber Traveler Portable Gas Grill
    “designed for optimal gas usage so you’ll get the most out of each liquid propane canister”
  4. Best Small Budget: Char-Broil Grill2Go Portable Gas Grill
    “made of heavy-duty cast aluminum with a high-impact frame and a 5-year warranty”
  5. Best Luxury: Char-Broil TRU-Infrared gas grill
    “infrared technology evenly distributes the heat source and is able to reach a wide range of temperatures”
  6. Best for Beginners: Weber Q-1200 Portable Gas Grill
    “small enough to carry along on your adventures while offering a generous cooking space”

Things to consider when buying a portable gas grill

A handy portable grill is a dream of every grilling enthusiast who loves to travel. However, since there are many different options available, here are a few factors that you should consider before investing in a versatile gas grill.

BTUs

BTU is an abbreviation for British Thermal Units. These units measure any gas grill’s firepower or thermal output. According to grilling experts, a gas grill should produce 75 to 100 BTU for every square inch of cooking surface. So, if your grill has a cooking area of 100 square inches, it should ideally have a BTU of at least 7500.

However, a lower heat output doesn’t always mean poor performance. Some units have excellent heat retention that makes up for low BTU.

Assembling

A portable grill is meant to be easy to transport, assemble, and use. While most portable grills are pre-assembled, some do require a lengthy setup. Choose a unit that you feel confident setting up quickly and that can easily connect with your chosen gas source.

Extra Features

Extra features are always a nice bonus. Look for grills that will make your grilling experience easy and convenient. Our favourite extra features are foldable side tables that work as workstations and hooks to hang cooking tools and utensils. These additional features help reduce clutter around the grill.

Some units also come with built-in thermometers that help you control and maintain the grill temperatures with ease.

Brand and Price

Before you consider a gas grill, make sure you do some homework. This involves collecting information on the brand’s reputation, various customer experiences, and any analysis from experts. Of course, it is wise to invest in a reputable brand; however, if a new company offers great products, don’t be scared to give them a chance.

BBQ Hero Tip: Bring an extra propane canister on your camping trips. There’s nothing worse than running out of fuel mid-weekend when most of your meals require your new portable grill!


Features to consider when choosing portable grills

Construction Materials

Whether it’s a charcoal grill or a gas grill, the material of the body and grill grates play a great role in its performance. A portable grill should be made of durable and long-lasting material because it will be coming along on your adventures in different elements and situations. Usually, stainless steel grills with an aluminum lid and porcelain-enamelled grates get the job done right.

Dimensions

As you can already see from the recommendations, a portable gas grill is available in different sizes and weights. Some are heavier than others, while others are more lightweight and therefore easier to travel with.

Moreover, some grills have a large grilling surface area while others have comparatively small. Such factors help you determine the right grill for your individual needs. If you’re in need of a little more space on your portable grill because you’re used to feeding larger groups, look for one that has a warming rack to offer more space.

Portability

As stated earlier, portable grills can be either heavy or lightweight. If you want to go for the former, choose a unit with durable transport wheels. These wheels should also have a locking mechanism, so your grill is safe and secure while you’re cooking.

You can also look for features such as foldable legs and stands to support your gas grills in a better way. Such features help make a compact grill convenient for most travel enthusiasts.

Warranty

When you make a big purchase like this one, it’s important to consider what kind of warranty you’re protected by. Sometimes things go wrong and you have no control over the outcome. There may be faulty parts, or maybe you’re just not happy with your decision. This is where a warranty comes in handy. Also, when a company offers a free lifetime warranty you know it’s a good product that the company trusts will do its job.


Safety Tips for Portable Gas Grills

Grills of any kind should be handled with care and caution, especially small grills that you can move around. Here are some safety tips to keep in mind when handling your new portable grill.

Outside Use Only

While a portable grill may be small enough to grill indoors, it is not recommended to do so. A liquid propane grill requires excellent ventilation which is just not possible in many indoor spaces. Keep access to your tabletop grill outdoor only to protect yourself and those around you.

Allow Time To Cool

Ensure your portable grill has completely cooled before packing it up. If your grill is still warm when you pack up to leave, you’re at risk of burning or melting items that are packed along with it.

Flat Level Surface

Always set your portable grill or tabletop grill on a flat and level surface. These grills tend to be lighter than regular-sized grills so there’s a greater risk of them tipping over if you’re not careful.

BBQ Hero Tip: If you’re a grill master who likes to cook different meats or vegetables at the same time, it might be worthwhile to invest in a tabletop grill with two burners and two independent cooking zones. Having more control over different temperatures will allow you to grill everything to perfection at the same time.


Portable Gas Grill FAQs

Why Should I Buy A Portable Gas Grill?

A small and portable grill is an excellent addition to your BBQ collection because it allows you to have delicious BBQ food while out and about. You can easily pack a portable gas grill with you on a camping trip, beach day, or afternoon at the park.

What’s The Difference Between A Charcoal Grill And A Gas Grill?

Charcoal grills allow you to cook your food over hot coals on a rack above them. Gas grills are more complex in that they have many different parts like burners, hoses, tanks, and valves involved in the cooking process. Many enjoy the smoky flavour you get by booking over charcoal briquettes that you wouldn’t get on a traditional gas grill. Though you can’t beat the effortless task of grilling on a gas grill.

Can I Bring A Portable Grill On A Camping Trip?

Yes, bringing a portable grill on a camping trip is highly recommended! You’ll be able to cook grilled food like roasted vegetables and meat while camping, instead of relying on fire meals. Furthermore, most grills in this category are easy to transport and pack up nice and small for long walks to the campsite.

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