Best Portable Gas Grills For Camping (2022): Top Picks From Weber, Coleman & More

When it comes to camping or road trips, grills are a staple. After all, there’s nothing quite like cooking your favorite meals as opposed to just heating packets of non-perishable food. Beyond that, grilling in the great outdoors is always a cathartic experience. Thankfully, these tried-and-tested appliances come in compact and easily transportable options.

Portable gas grills, in particular, are the model of choice for many outdoor enthusiasts. Not only are they easier to clean up, but they’re usually cheaper compared to charcoal grills. Campers can easily control the flame of gas grills as well, an important safety feature, especially if you’re cooking in forested areas.

So if you’re in the market for one, read on. We’ve narrowed down the best portable gas grills for camping — from favorites like Weber to space-saving options from Coleman.

Best Portable Gas Grills For Camping Comparison Chart

Best Overall Portable Gas Grill for Camping

The Weber Q1000 Gas Grill is an excellent combination of design, features, and performance.

Weber is a name synonymous with grills, so it’s no surprise our top pick comes from the brand. Despite its extensive catalog, however, the Weber Q1000 is the clear standout. The Q1000 comes pre-assembled, so you can take it out of the box and straight to your next camping trip. Constructed from a glass-reinforced nylon frame, the Q1000 is also designed to handle the toughest off-roading driving.

At almost 28 pounds, it’s not the easiest grill to carry, even with the large side handles. But the overall footprint of the grill is manageable enough for stowing away. Now, the Weber Q1000 runs on either 14.1 or 16.1 liquid propane cylinders. For a single burner grill, you get an 8500 BTU heat output. That’s enough to quickly heat the 189 square inch cooking area. Plus, it’s compatible with several accessories, including griddles, frying pans, and pizza stones.

Campers will also appreciate how easy it is to clean and maintain the Weber Q1000. The portable grill’s enameled grates are non-stick and can be taken out for thorough cleaning. The cast aluminum lid and body are corrosion-resistant, too, perfect to face outdoor elements.

Dimensions: 20.5 x 27 x 23.5 in. | Weight: 27.5 lbs | Cook Space: 189 sq. in. | Output: 8500 BTU

Best Tabletop Gas Grill

Cuisinart’s Petit Gourmet portable gas grill is the best tabletop model for most people.

Whether it’s by the beach, on a boat, or at a campsite, it’s hard to argue with the convenience of a tabletop grill. Here, plenty of reviewers vouch for the Cuisinart Petit Gourmet Portable Tabletop Gas Grill. Made from stainless steel, the compact grill belies the ample cooking space you get from it. Cuisinart shares that the Petit Grill’s 145 square inch grill space is big enough to prep large family meals. In food terms, that’s room for 8 steaks or burgers, over 4 pounds of fish, and up to 10 chicken breasts.

Just like the Weber Q1000, the Cuisinart Petit features enameled grates for fast and even grilling. They’re removable and dishwasher-safe, too. On the base, you get folding legs that keep the grill stable in use and which fold back when it’s time to store the Petit. Cuisinart has also incorporated a briefcase-style carrying handle on the lid and a latch to secure it during transport.

Dimensions: 18.5 x 16 x 11.5 in. | Weight: 17 lbs | Cook Space: 145 sq. in. | Output: 5500 BTU

Most Portable Gas Grill

The Coleman Fold N Go Propane Grill lives up to its name as a highly compact grill you can fold and take anywhere on the go.

If we’re talking about portability, there’s a grill that’s just about the size of a suitcase when it’s folded. It’s also our pick for the most portable. Coleman’s Fold N Go Propane Grill is a lightweight and compact model designed to be taken anywhere. When folded, the grill is only 6.5 inches thick, making it easy to slip into the tightest compartments of your car. There’s also a built-in handle for easier carrying, although you can opt for a carry bag that’s sold separately.

Despite its size, the Coleman Fold N Go offers plenty of features for campers and outdoor enthusiasts. For instance, the grill comes with push-button ignition, so you don’t have to bring matches around. Its horseshoe burner, on the other hand, allows for even and consistent grilling. Users can adjust the heat, too, thanks to intuitive temperature control.

Coleman shares that the Fold N Go runs on 16.4 oz propane cylinders, which last up to 3.5 hours. You also get a dishwasher-safe, 105 square inch cooking surface, along with a grease tray for easy cleaning.

Dimensions: 6.5 x 13.6 x 15.2 in. | Weight: 14 lbs | Cook Space: 105 sq. in. | Output: 6000 BTU

Best Budget Gas Grill

Royal Gourmet’s three-burner tabletop grill offers a spacious cooking area perfect for larger groups of campers and outdoor enthusiasts.

For large groups or tailgate parties, you want a grill where you can cook more. With the Royal Gourmet Portable Tabletop Grill, you get all the cooking space you need but for much less. Despite having the largest cooking surface on this list, the 3-burner gas grill is also the most affordable. At just a little under $100, Royal Gourmet’s tabletop grill delivers a combined 25,500 BTU of cooking power for its spacious, 306 square inch grill surface. It also features a push-button ignition system, so prepping the appliance is a breeze.

While a 3-burner model sounds intimidating, this gas grill is still pretty compact and portable. It’s only about 20 pounds heavy, although there are no special handles to help you carry it. Fortunately, Royal Gourmet makes up with the grill’s sturdy construction. The grill’s burners are made from stainless steel, while the griddle is crafted from porcelain enamel. Royal Gourmet also includes a waterproof cover to keep your cooktop safe from the elements.

Dimensions: 25 x 16.3 x 7.9 in. | Weight: 20 lbs | Cook Space: 316 sq. in. | Output: 8500 BTU (per burner)

Most Stylish Gas Grill

With its high-end stainless steel construction, the Cuisinart Chef’s Style Propane Tabletop grill is arguably the most stylish for camping.

If you like fancier occasions like glamping, then you might be into an equally fancy portable grill. Cuisinart’s Chef’s Style Propane Tabletop Grill is a stylish option, replete with high-end stainless steel construction and finishes. But the industrial look of the Cuisinart Chef’s Style isn’t limited to appearances alone. The compact grill delivers full-sized performance, thanks to two independently-controlled burners that boast a 10,000 BTU heat output.

When combined, these burners cook fast, even, and consistently across the grill’s spacious 275 square inch cooking surface. Unlike the other models in this list, the Cuisinart Chef’s Style gas grill also comes with a built-in temperature gauge. This means less guesswork when cooking. The grill also features an easy-twist ignition system with infinitely adjustable knobs for precision temperature control.

Despite the all-steel build, Cuisinart’s tabletop grill is quite portable. Although the appliance weighs about 28 pounds, you can get the grill cover with handles that doubles as a tote bag.

Dimensions: 21.5 x 19 x 15 in. | Weight: 28.66 lbs | Cook Space: 275 sq. in | Output: 10,000 BTU (per burner)

Verdict

The Weber Q1000 and Cuisinart Petit Gourmet are the standout models in this list of the best portable gas grills for camping.

If you want to upgrade your camping experience, getting a portable gas grill is one of the easiest ways to do so. These compact cooking appliances offer strong feature sets that make prepping meals in the wild or the midst of nature possible. Among the five grills reviewed, however, the Weber Q1000 is our top pick. It’s arguably the grill that has the best combination of features, performance, and price.

Cuisinart’s Petit Gourmet comes a close second. While not as stylish as the Cuisinart Chef’s Style Tabletop Grill, the Petit Gourmet is a strong choice for campers. And with its folding legs, it’s a great option for tailgating, backyard BBQs, or beachside rendezvous. Again, here’s a quick look once more at the best portable gas grills for camping:

• Best Overall: Weber Q1000
• Best Tabletop Gas Grill: Cuisinart Petit Gourmet Portable Tabletop Grill
• Most Portable Gas Grill: Coleman Fold N Go Grill
• Best Budget Gas Grill: Royal Gourmet 3-Burner Tabletop Gas Grill
• Most Stylish Gas Grill: Cuisinart Chef’s Style Propane Tabletop Grill

FAQs