Finally, the summer is here!
What does it mean?
It means it is time to get ready for a barbecue season!
Did you know that you could cook delicious Paleo-friendly food using the barbecue?
I am sure you know it!
Now it is not only a barbecue season, it is also a camping season!
It is time to get your portable barbecue ready and enjoy the sun and nature!
If you are in a search of a portable barbecue, you are in the right place.
The portable barbecue could serve you greatly not only while camping but also if you do not have a lot of space to store it.
It will make your food taste amazing, adding that wonderful smoking flavor that we all love!
Here we will provide you with some buyer tips on finding your best propane portable grill.
We will also review 10 best propane portable grills in 2018 based on their quality, portability and, of course, price!
Here we go…
What Is The Propane Portable Grill?
A propane portable grill is a relatively small kitchen appliance that can be used outdoors for food preparation.
The beauty of it is in its portability that allows you to bring it with you no matter where your outdoor activity is.
As you can guess from the name the grill is portable, therefore has relatively small sizes to be able to fit in your car.
The models that come with a stand or cart tend to be bigger but still will easily fit in your car.
These types of grills use propane as a source of energy.
Some portable grills allow you to hook it up to the standard size propane tank while others – to a 1 lb propane tank with an option to be hooked up to a standard size tank through an adapter.
Like with any other grill the features of portable grills vary.
Some offer a variety of features similar to a standard size grill, while others keep it simple.
What Can It Be Used For?
The portability allows you to bring it anywhere.
The portable grill is great to be used while camping.
When folded it occupies minimum space and can be easily carried around.
Some models offer fordable side tables and fordable leg stands.
Most of the portable grills are relatively small and will perfectly suit in the back of your car.
A propane portable grill is a space saver.
If you do not have much space on your deck or balcony, this little helper will offer you a wonderful grill results occupying just a small portion of your living space!
Another common usage of a portable grill will be some outdoor events such as picnics, parties or catering.
It is an awesome option for those who love to travel or who are limited to the outdoor space.
Buyer’s Guide Best Propane Portable Grills
A portable grill is definitely one of the most popular purchase during the grilling season.
Here we summarized some key points to be looked at while shopping for your best portable grill:
1. Construction
Construction matters in any kind of kitchen appliances including a propane portable grill.
You would want to look for a solid construction where are all the pieces are held nicely together without them being possibly loose.
Look at the handles and how comfortable it is to open and close the top piece. The least you would want is to burn yourself while cooking.
Pay attention to how stable the grill is when assembled. You definitely would want it to be steady when you are cooking.
2. Size
We already know that propane portable grills are smaller than standard size grills.
But yet there is a variety of sizes and portability options within the portable grills.
Basically, there are two types of portable grill based on their size:
- Table-top – offers the most compact size and portability
- With a stand– offers a stand or cart that usually has wheels and allow you to use and move the grill around
If you are looking for a grill that will have a compact size and that will nicely fit in your car then a table-top portable grill will be your best bet.
However, if you are looking to add some mobility to your grill, a grill with a cart would be a great solution.
3. Safety
Safety is a number one priority when it comes to any grills.
Make sure that the grill you would like to buy is sturdy.
Grill stability is also very important as it can prevent tipping.
For safety reasons pay attention to the handles. Your knuckles and fingers should not be close to the hot lid.
The greater distance between the grates and burners, the better, as it will allow having fewer flare-ups.
4. Capacity
We prefer to measure the capacity by how many burger patios you would be able to cook at once.
And guess what?
Some models offer as much as 16 hamburger patios.
Portable grills for the most part use uses porcelain-enameled cast iron, porcelain-enameled steel or stainless steel cooking grates.
All these materials are great for even heat distribution and cleaning.
5. BTUs
BTU stands for British thermal units per hour and tells you how much gas a grill uses and the heat it can create.
The higher BTU, the faster it provides with the preheating and better cooking.
You might be surprised but some models offer 20,000 BTU!
6. Price
The price varies.
If you are looking for the table-top propane portable grill, then you will be looking at the price range of $70-200 on average.
The portable grill with the stand or cart will cost slightly more and the prices will vary between $100-300 on average.
10 Best Propane Portable Grills
Here we picked for you 10 best propane portable grills that will offer you the best quality for your buck!
If you are looking for a stainless steel surface where the heat will be evenly distributed, this grill is for you.
It offers 260 sq.inches cooking area and 12,000 BTU.
The surface can accommodate on average 14 hamburger patties.
The grill comes with the following features:
- stainless steel cooking surface
- 1 zone heating control
- built-in grease catcher
- electric ignition
- stainless steel burner
This grill can be hooked up a 1 lb propane tank or with the adapter hose (sold separately) to a 20-pound propane tank.
This is a great grill for its price and quality. It will suit perfectly for any outdoor events including camping and catering.
Though if you are looking for a classy-looking grilled food with appetizing grill lines, keep reading the review…
2. Blackstone Dash Portable Grill
One of the most portable propane grill that comes with the stand.
This grill offers two-sided cooking surface: even and grilled ones.
It offers 240 sq.inches cooking area and 7,000 BTU.
The surface can accommodate on average 12 hamburger patties.
It is a very basic model comes with the following features:
- stainless steel cooking surface
- push button striker
- stainless steel burner
- electric ignition
- built-in stand
- removable grease catcher
We could not identify the material the grades are made of but based on how light it is we assume it an aluminum with some sort of non-stick coating.
This grill is very light as the main construction is made of coated steel.
This grill can be hooked up a 1 lb propane tank or with the adapter hose (sold separately) to a 20-pound propane tank.
This portable grill is great for camping and other outdoor events.
Some users had concerns regarding its durability and coating. So we would recommend this model, not for a day-to-day use.
3. Weber 51010001 Q1200 Liquid Propane Grill
This is probably one of the most expensive portable grills though it offers some great features and design.
The cooking grates are made of porcelain-enameled cast-iron that provides you with an even heat distribution and easy cleaning.
It offers 189 sq.inches cooking area and 8,500 BTU.
The surface can accommodate approximately 8 hamburger patties.
The grill has the following features:
- porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grates
- removable grease catcher
- built-in thermometer
- electric ignition
- infinite control burner valve settings
- stainless still burners
- fordable side shelves
This grill itself is made of cast aluminum that provides you with durability and it is very light.
This grill can be hooked up a 14.1 or 16.4 oz. LP cylinder or with the adapter hose (sold separately) to a 20-pound propane tank.
It will serve wonderful any outdoor activities and will provide you with a pleasant grill experience.
It is also offered with the portable cart that can be purchased separately.
This model comes in a variety of colors that is a big bonus.
4. Cuisinart CGG-200B Portable Outdoor Tabletop Propane Gas Grill
This is a great size quality made table-top portable grill offered for a reasonable price.
The cooking grates are made of porcelain-enameled cast-iron that provides you with an even heat distribution and easy cleaning.
It offers 240 sq.inches cooking area and 12,000 BTU.
The surface can accommodate approximately 12 hamburger patties.
The grill has the following features:
- porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grates
- removable grease catcher
- built-in thermometer
- a twist-start ignition
- stainless still burner
- fordable side shelves
This grill can be hooked up to a 14.1 oz or a 16.4 oz propane tanks or with the adapter hose (sold separately) to a 20 lb propane tank.
The company also offers a stand that can be purchased separately.
This grill is definitely not the smallest portable grill on the market but it will serve any outdoor events just great.
It is a well-made portable grill for a great price.
5. Char-Broil Grill2Go X200 Portable TRU-Infrared Liquid Propane Gas Grill
Amazing and truly portable grill for an amazing price!
The cooking grates are made of stainless steel that provides you with an even heat distribution and easy cleaning.
It offers 200 sq.inches cooking area and 9,500 BTU.
The surface can accommodate approximately up to 10 hamburger patties.
The grill has the following features:
- stainless steel cooking grates
- ignition tucked inside right front leg to protect from damage
- hood-mounted temperature gauge
- TRU Infrared technology that eliminates flare-ups while producing very even heat (no hot or cold spots)
- stainless steel burner
- lockable lid
- removable grease catcher
This grill can be hooked up a 16.4 oz. LP cylinder or with the adapter hose (sold separately) to a 20-pound propane tank.
This is probably one of the best portable grills suitable for camping or any other active outdoor activities.
It is definitely one of the best infrared portable grills that will cost you less $100!
6. Coleman Road Trip Propane Portable Grill LXE
This is probably the most stylish propane portable grill with cart.
We loved not only the design but also all the features it offers and its price!
It is also one of the most powerful portable grills that offer a big cooking surface.
The cooking grates are made of porcelain-enameled cast-iron that provides you with an even heat distribution and easy cleaning.
It offers 285 sq.inches cooking area and 20,000 BTU.
The surface can accommodate approximately up to 16 hamburger patties!
The grill has the following features:
- porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grates
- 2 adjustable burners
- 2 temperature zones
- InstaStart matchless ignition
- sliding side tables
- removable grease catcher
This grill can be hooked up a 16.4 oz. LP cylinder or with the adapter hose (sold separately) to a 20-pound propane tank.
This grill is truly one of the best propane portable grills with cart.
The best part of this grill is that it has 2 cooking zones with separate temperature regulators for them. It is especially handy when you want to cook different foods that require different cooking temperatures.
All these features make this portable grill an awesome add-on to any outdoor event including parties, catering or camping!
it is also offered in a variety of colors.
And it is reasonably priced!
7. Nexgrill Industries Inc. 820-0033 2-Burner Portable Propane Gas Table Top Grill
Another great propane portable grill that has 2 burners.
The cooking grates are made of stainless steel that provides you with an even heat distribution and easy cleaning.
It offers 184 sq.inches cooking area and 16,000 BTU.
The surface can accommodate approximately up to 8 hamburger patties!
The grill has the following features:
- stainless steel cooking grates
- 2 adjustable burners
- 2 temperature zones
- push and turn ignition button
- removable grease catcher
- fordable legs
- locking lid
This is one of a few portable grills that is completely made of stainless steel. That means that it is very durable.
As mentioned earlier two burners will allow you to cook food at different temperatures at the same time.
The lid is lockable that is very handy during the transportation.
This grill can be hooked up to a 20-pound propane tank or with the adapter hose (sold separately) to a 1 lb propane cylinders.
Definitely one of the best table-top portable grills currently available on the market.
8. Napoleon TQ285X-BL Portable Propane Grill with Cart
This grill offers similar features to the #6 Coleman Road Trip Propane Portable Grill LXE.
The cooking grates are made of porcelain-enameled cast-iron that provides you with an even heat distribution and easy cleaning.
It offers 285 sq.inches cooking area and 12,000 BTU.
The surface can accommodate approximately up to 16 hamburger patties!
The grill has the following features:
- porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grates
- 2 adjustable burners
- 2 temperature zones
- JetFire Ignition
- stainless steel burners
- removable grease catcher
- fordable legs
- fordable side tables
- ACCU-PROBE Temperature Gauge
This is another great propane portable grill with a cart that offers 2 burners. 2 burners will allow you to cook different foods at the same time and at different temperatures.
This grill has also a temperature indicator that is definitely a great bonus.
This grill can be hooked up a 16.4 oz. LP cylinder or with the adapter hose (sold separately) to a 20-pound propane tank.
It is a great grill that will definitely be a great addition to any outdoor events.
9. Smoke Hollow 205 Stainless Steel TableTop
This is an amazing table-top grill that offers the largest cooking space!
The cooking grates are made of stainless steel that provides you with an even heat distribution and easy cleaning.
It offers in total 310 sq.inches of cooking area (where 205 sq.inches comes on the primary area and 105 sq. inches comes on chrome-plated warming rack)!
This grill has 10,000 BTU.
The surface can accommodate approximately up to 10 hamburger patties.
The grill has the following features:
- stainless steel cooking grates
- removable grease catcher
- push button ignition
- commercial grade heat indicator
- stainless still burner
- fordable legs
- lockable lid
This grill can be hooked to a 1 pound propane cylinder or with the adapter hose (sold separately) to a 20 pound tank.
This table-top propane portable grill will be a fantastic add-on at any outdoor event, offering an impressive size of the cooking area.
10. Cuisinart CGG-180T Petit Gourmet Portable Tabletop Gas Grill
This is the smallest portable grill out of all the reviewed ones.
The cooking grates are made of porcelain-enameled cast-iron that provides you with an even heat distribution and easy cleaning.
It offers 145 sq.inches cooking area and 5,500 BTU.
The surface can accommodate approximately up to 6 hamburger patties.
The grill has the following features:
- porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grates
- built-in grease catcher
- a twist-start ignition
- stainless still burner
- fordable legs
This grill is that it can be hooked up to the 14.1 and 16.4 propane tanks or with the adapter hose (sold separately) to a 20-pound tank.
Great small helper that will suit nicely for a small event like a picnic.
It could be also a great addition to camping.
amazing and I really love it. I would like to recommend this to some of my friends who love to spend their summer outdoors with their family.
Hi Esperato,
Thank you for your feedback.
Some of the camping grounds offer a barbecue rental or have a wooden pit on the ground. Though having your own, portable grill that does not require wood or coal is a great benefit to any outdoor activity.
Moreover, if you have the one that occupies a minimum place in your car or camper is another sweet bonus.
Thanks for a summary on all of these portable grills!
I have an old one with a stand and wheels and should probably get a new one soon.
The brand evades my memory at the moment, but what I don’t like about it is that it has two adjustable burners and too big of a space to cook multiple types of meat on it, so the rate of cooking differs depending on where the food is placed.
I think for my next portable grill I’d like the one that’s a decent size that can cook multiple pieces of food, but no matter where you place it, it’ll cook at the same rate as the other side of the grill.
Do you have any suggestions by chance?
Hi Jeremy,
Thank you for your comment and question.
There a lot of great options that you can choose from.
Our favourite is Coleman Road Trip Propane Portable Grill LXE.
It does have 2 burners like the one you have, but you could set both burners at the same temperature. That will allow you to cook meat at the same time and at the same temperature.
For the size, it is a very powerful grill that has a big cooking surface and high BTU (20,000!). Sliding side tables are definitely a nice add-on in this model.
Out of the table-top ones, we liked Smoke Hollow 205 Stainless Steel TableTop based on its features, construction and price. It is a very reliable little table-top grill, that is quality made, has a big cooking space and is great for transporting as it has a lockable lid.
Hi.
Cuisinart CGG-200B Portable Outdoor Tabletop Propane Gas Grill looks great. It is a good thing you can buy a stand for it as well. I like grills in any shape and forms! Thanks for sharing.
All the best,
Ivan
Hi Ivan,
Thank you for your feedback.
Cuisinart CGG-200B Portable Outdoor Tabletop Propane Gas Grill is definitely a great portable grill that can comppete with its big peers.
It looks stylish. It is powerful and can offer 12,000 BTU. And it also has a big cooking area. It has foldable side shelves and built-in thermometer.
So really, it has everything you need to enjoy your barbecuing experience on the go!
Wow!
I use propane grills when I am working on different security sites.
Your article about their various models that are out there and the healthy alternatives you can cook on them was an eye-opener.
Great read.
Hi Sam,
Thank you for your feedback.
Portable grills are definitely big helpers to cook food if you are on the go. It offers a safe environment for preparing healthy foods.
It is a great option for camping, catering, outside barbecue and any really any outdoor activities.
Jeeze did not realize there is a huge range of portable grilles ??…
You do show though that you need to get the right grill for the right price for the holiday.
Such a range.
Good article. It shows so much that you will need time to sort through all of it to find the one you want. But then people do not really have time to go through all of it?
Excellent information though.
Thank you.
Hi Gus,
Thank you for your comment.
When we started our search we were also not aware of a great variety of portable grills that the market offers.
The purpose of this review to provide options for people who are in search of a great portable grill.
We looked through a lot of portable grills and picked the best ones based on the reviews of its users, price, and durability.
We also had a goal to provide with some information on how to pick the best portable grill for potential buyers.