The 7 Best Outdoor Camping Grills of 2023

Cuisinart CGG-180T Petit Gourmet Portable Tabletop Propane Gas Grill

Pros:

• It's small, light, and simple to store.

Cons:

• It has a tiny drip tray that may easily fill up, and the plastic sections near the heat might cause issues.

To determine the winner, we had to discriminate between charcoal and gas grills. Three of the four chefs we surveyed favor gas grills for varied reasons. Their priorities include fire safety, dependability, and simplicity of use. The propane-powered Petit Gourmet won our Best for Camping category in our Best Portable Grills collection, and it still holds its own here.

Its tiny size makes it simple to store in a trunk or storage compartment, and its relatively modest cooking surface is covered by 5,500 BTUs of heating output. So don't be fooled by its 145-square-inch grilling area. The Petit Gourmet can hold up to four pounds of food at one time, which is enough to serve four to six people.

All of this is supported by robust, retractable legs that give a stable foundation for cooking. It also has porcelain enamel-coated grates that help with heat retention and grill lifespan, as well as preventing food from sticking. The Petit Gourmet is the greatest overall because of its tiny size, heat retention, inexpensive cost, and excellent capacity-to-cook surface ratio.

Weber Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill

Pros:

• The Go-Anywhere provides great heat control, and its tiny size makes it simple to store in a number of locations.

Cons:

• The single-grate placement may restrict this to high heat and quick-cooking things, limiting your fire building ingenuity. Also, the handles might grow rather heated.

Rob Nelson, executive chef and proprietor of Tusk and Trotter in Bentonville, Arkansas, believes in live-fire cooking and is a dissident voice in the charcoal vs. gas argument. Locating an entry-level or low-cost camping barbecue that gives value for money may be difficult.

Megan Walker, head chef at Made By Meg Catering and La Venta Hotel in Palos Verdes, California, stresses the importance of quality, regardless of budget. "When you go camping, you're taking a risk. You must be able to depend on your grill, or else you will be eating twigs. Cold, uncooked twigs "she claims. Most grills, especially in this category, differ greatly in terms of construction, size, and heat control, and the Go-Anywhere excels in all three areas.

The oblong shape helps you to generate a nice bed of coals, but with enough imagination, this may also be used for offset cooking. Dampers on the sides and top of the grill give great heat-regulating capabilities as well as a convection effect that boosts the fire's efficacy on food. The porcelain enamel lid and body also improve heat retention while extending the life of the grill.

Another remarkable characteristic is that its coated steel grates are simple to clean and retain heat well. The lid secures for portability, and the foldable legs provide a stable platform on tabletops or unpaved surfaces. The 160-square-inch cooking space comfortably accommodates meals for four to six persons.

Pellethead Green Mountain Trek Wi-Fi Controlled Portable Wood Pellet Tailgating Grill

Pros:

• This grill is simple to assemble and use. The app connection and cooking profile eliminate most of the guesswork in the kitchen.

Cons:

• It's bulky, uses proprietary pellets, and relies on Wi-Fi or a Wi-Fi hotspot for app access.

If you want to pamper yourself while still roughing it, this is the grill for you. The Trek (formerly known as the Davy Crocket) is a smaller version of the brand's pellet-fed smoker-grill combos that can easily pack away in a trunk or storage compartment, with all of the set-it-and-forget-it capabilities of the bigger Green Mountain versions. In our Best Portable Grills compilation, we called this model the best tailgating grill, and it also works well as a camping grill.

Its computerized controls keep track of the cooking time, temperature, and interior temperature of the meal. It has Wi-Fi connection and a server mode for remotely monitoring the grill, so you don't have to keep an eye on it during the cooking process. With the click of a few buttons, you can even build and digitally save culinary profiles for simple recall. The bad news is that electricity is required to operate all of the Trek's electronics and firing control.

A 12-volt connection for your automobile, alligator clamps to connect directly to a car battery, and a 110 wall are your three alternatives. Apart from the bells and whistles, the grill has 219 square inches of cooking space, which is big enough to cook two slabs of ribs, a couple steaks, or a boatload of burgers and hot dogs.

UCO Flatpack Mini Portable Stainless Steel Grill and Fire Pit

Pros:

• This is ideal for rainy, stormy, or snowy situations because to the robust base and windbreak sides. It collapses for simple storage and takes less than a minute to put up.

Cons:

• Some people may find the kitchen space to be too tiny for their purposes. The grate can only be used in one location.

To choose the best grill for travelers, we had to make certain assumptions. To begin, it must be a full grill, including a firebox and a cooking grate, rather than just a grate to lay over a fire. The device is then intended for grilling.

Although a grill may be used as a camp stove, this is not always the case. Next we evaluated the backpacking requirements: it must be lightweight and fold or collapse for convenient packing. Many choices were eliminated as a result of these factors, leaving the UCO as the top candidate.

The sides and ends of the grill act as windbreaks, making it an excellent option for cooking in windy circumstances. Moreover, the raised base offers a stable platform for cooking and keeps the grill off damp ground or snow. The UCO isn't a large-group grill, but it does provide a cooking surface for three people.

After the cooking is over, the grill may be used as a fire pit. It's a touch hefty for camping equipment, weighing just at two pounds, but it folds flat for convenient travel and takes less than a minute to set up. Some people may find it too small for their needs, however there are two bigger sizes available.

Weber 18-Inch Jumbo Joe Charcoal Grill

Pros:

• The heat retention is excellent, and the dampers make temperature adjustment and convection cooking a breeze.

Cons:

• The nylon handle on the lid may become fairly hot, and bigger kettle versions lack ash management.

The Jumbo Joe combines the majority of the capabilities of Weber's bigger kettle models in a small and portable package. It has the same porcelain enamel steel body structure as many Weber models, providing exceptional heat retention and durability.

The stainless steel grates are simple to clean and heat up fast. The hinged lid, which not only secures the cover in place for storage or transport but also spares you from having to locate a safe spot for the lid while you're tending to food over the fire, is one of the characteristics absent in bigger versions that we enjoy. We wish this hinge was standard on all kettle models.

Nelson seeks for a charcoal barbecue with a reverse flow or convection design. The top and bottom dampers on this grill tick that box. The Jumbo Joe is distinguished from bigger kettles by its shorter legs and the lack of an ash management mechanism.

Nonetheless, an easy-to-clean ash tray at the bottom meets that need. The 18-inch grate offers 240 square inches of cooking surface, and the grill is big enough to accommodate both direct and indirect heat.

Weber Q1200 Liquid Propane Grill

Pros:

• The Q 1200 offers rapid and uniform heat in a compact package that is easy to store and travel.

Cons:

• The handle, like most Weber barbecues, may become pretty hot. Moreover, the grease collecting technique necessitates the use of specific pans.

The Q 1200 is difficult to beat in a tabletop barbecue for rapid, consistent heat and solid construction. It has 189 square inches of cooking area and porcelain enamel-coated cast-iron grates that retain heat, prevent sticking, and are simple to clean. It has two side tables that fold to save storage or transit room for tools, sauces, or ingredients.

It has 8,500 BTUs for a small grill and a circular burner design that enables equal heating throughout the grates. It's strong enough to cook steaks and burgers yet sensitive enough to cook fish without drying out, sticking, or shredding. The domed cover also allows for bigger foods, such as ribs or chicken, for more variety in your cooking.

MAGMA Products, Double Burner Firebox, Crossover Series

Pros:

• Several possible settings enable you to cook numerous foods in different ways at the same time. The stainless steel frame and grates are simple to clean.

Cons:

• This grill is hefty, and it performs poorly in windy circumstances.

The firebox of the Magma Crossover begins with two 15,000 BTU burners. The firebox's stainless steel design is simple to clean and uses one-pound propane tanks that may be converted to 20-pound tanks. The basic unit is just a stove, but the add-on components are what distinguishes it and turns it into a build-your-own adventure proposition.

This grill's versatility is due to the various modular toppers. Each top takes up one firebox burner, enabling you to use one as a stove and the other as a grill, griddle, pizza oven, or any combination thereof. The rear of the unit has a sophisticated grease collecting system that uses disposable metal pans for quick cleaning, and the firebox has fold-out shelves for storing equipment or ingredients. It also has tabletop legs and the ability to upgrade to a tripod or trailer hitch stand.

Type of Fuel

Gas and charcoal are the two most common fuels for camping barbecues, and each has advantages and disadvantages. Gas is a simple and safe fuel that reduces starting time and the risk of unintentional accidents. At the same time, it lacks the searing flavor of charcoal, and you are fully reliant on not running out of fuel when camping. Gasoline canisters are very large and take up a lot of storage space.

Charcoal may also be hefty. It also increases the risk of accidental fires caused by errant embers or popping coals. On the plus side, the terpenes in the charcoal contribute to the overall taste profile of the meal. If you run out of charcoal, you may scavenge for wood to start a fire.

Capacity for Cooking

Before selecting a grill, consider how much food it can hold and how long it will take to cook. Consider how many people you'll be cooking for realistically, and then choose a grill that meets that demand. Extra fuel required to heat a grill that is too large for your needs can be as inconvenient as cooking on a grill that is too small.

Portability

The concept of mobility is dependent on how you camp. If you're RVing or glamping, the Magma Crossover might be a good option. Something that fits in your trunk or truck bed is preferable for car camping. A lightweight, foldable grill is ideal for backpacking.

Versatility

Consider your grilling technique. If you often cook burgers or veggies, a grill with concentrated, high heat will suffice. However, if you plan to grill foods that require longer, slower cooking times, you'll want something with temperature control or the ability to build a fire for offset cooking. If you want to bake or make pizzas, you'll need temperature control and a lid that can hold heat like an oven.

How do I barbecue securely while camping?

Our experts focused on two distinct aspects of safe grilling: physical safety and food safety. Dolan and Walker both mentioned the importance of being aware of your surroundings when it comes to physical safety. They reside in drought-stricken California and emphasize the need of keeping flames away from branches, leaves, grass, tents, tarps, and anything else combustible on the campground. As a result, Dolan exclusively grills using gas. He doesn't want to worry about bursting coals or wind-blown embers from a wood or charcoal barbecue.

Nelson also emphasized the need of staying safe from the fire. Personal protection equipment for grilling might include heat-resistant gloves, kitchen towels, aprons, and longer implements like tongs and spatulas to insulate and keep oneself away from the heat. To prevent fire and harm, always position your grill on a firm, non-combustible surface.

Food safety is also critical. Without refrigeration, keeping your food at acceptable temperatures might be difficult. It's advisable to pack more ice than you think you'll need in your cooler and organize your meals so that the most perishable items are cooked first. Handwashing is necessary to avoid cross-contamination, but it may be difficult to do when camping.

Even if you have ready access to running water and soap, exam-style gloves may help to reduce cross-contamination. Additionally, whether the veggies are in a container or not, do not let them to sit in the same melting colder water as raw proteins. Foodborne sickness is never fun, and it's considerably worse when you're miles away from medical help.

How should a camping barbecue be cleaned?

When it comes to grill cleaning, our experts are divided. These are both right. One side prefers to clean the grill while it is still hot, leaving any stuck-on food to burn on the grates, where it can be easily scrubbed off with a grill brush and oil or water. The opposite side prefers to chill the grill before cleaning it with soap and water. Both parties agree that gently oiling your grill after cleaning preserves it and seasons the grate metal for future usage. Walker also highlights the need of cleaning the grill thoroughly after going home to prevent unpleasant surprises while storing it for future usage.

What should I cook on the grill while camping?

As previously said, there are several methods to camp. There are numerous styles of camp cooking as well. Our chefs all had different ideas about what to cook. Nelson, who lives in the Ozark Mountains, enjoys camping and fishing and anticipates frying trout at some time. Yet, he always packs back-up dinners, such as burgers, hotdogs, or steaks, in case the fish don't bite.

Cabezas specializes on Spanish-style grilling, which involves charring tiny pieces of food over high heat and finishing them with a variety of oils and spices. Dolan is a minimalist who believes that being chained to the grill detracts from the camping experience. "Pre-cooked charred sausages, nice mustard, and a bread. Done, "he claims.

Everyone's approach has one overriding theme: cook to your ability. Maybe this is not the time to try out that new dish. Perform as much prep work at home as possible to avoid cutting and chopping potentially dangerous items in an unhygienic way. Lastly, keep your food cool and secure, and start with the most perishable products.

Skewer food is usually a wonderful choice due of the quick cooking times and ease of assembling at home. Unless you have enough refrigeration, seafood is not a good idea. Burger patties may also be made ahead of time. Longer cooking items, such as fresh sausages, ribs, or chicken, might be excellent if your grill is capable of offset or lower-temperature cooking.

With so many different sizes and types of camping grills to choose from, it all comes down to your camping and cooking preferences. The Cuisinart Petit Gourmet, which runs on propane, provides consistent heat in a small package. Simultaneously, the Magma Crossover offers the flexibility of grilling, griddling, and baking in a much bigger scale.

There are so many alternatives out there that it can be tough to choose one, but BestForHomes (bestforhomes.org) hopes that our evaluations have helped you narrow down your options and discover the best outdoor camping grills for your requirements!