The 5 Best Grills for Camping Tested & Reviewed

Camping is not complete without food. As you prepare to go camping, you must think about what meals you are going to have with your loved ones. Therefore you will need to make food outdoors just like you would at home.

Camping is also an excellent way to unwind and relax. There is no need to have all fun then cook over a dying campfire filling your lungs with smoke. Instead, you can find the best camping grills and prepare food fast and at your convenience.

There are so many portable best camping grills in the market today. It can be confusing which one you should get. Some grills have minimal features, while others care for all your cooking needs. In this review, we look at the leading brands for camping grills and what they will each offer you.

Our List of Best Camping Grills

Buying Guide of Best Grill for Camping

Temperature Control

If you have experience cooking, then you know how temperature control is crucial in your cooking. You need to be able to regulate, observe, and cook different foods at different temperatures if you want a rich taste. Temperature controls cook your food fast, moderate, or allow it to slow burn.

For most gas grills, they have knobs that make you adjust the heat as you wish, unlike charcoal grills. However, through ingenious ways, charcoal grill regulates temperature by using dampers and ventilators.

Before you buy any particular model, check the efficiency of temperature control, and how convenient it is for you.

Cooking Surface Area

It is the deciding factor for most people. You should know how many people you want to cook for, if the number is high, then you will need one side with a large cooking area. If it is just you, then you can consider a single compact burner in place of a two or 3-burner. It will also help you save on costs.

If you plan to have people over, then you should consider a cooking area of 250 square inches and above.

The burners

You must first check the make of the stoves as durable heaters comprise of sturdy materials like stainless steel. You should also look at the number of burners available on the grill. There are usually one, two, or three burners. The Coleman RoadTrip 285 Portable Stand-Up Propane Grill has three burners, which makes it highly efficient over other grills.

Charcoal camp grills do not have burners; hence it is not applicable. But they can still regulate heat by moving the charcoal to hot spots and cold spots.

If you are using the gas grills, then you must ensure that you check the BTUs value and settle for the one side that cooks well for you. Higher BTUs will heat your food faster, making you prepare meals on the clock.

The best figure should be above 8000 BTUs for each burner; however, there are grills with far lower BTUs.

Grates

The material that makes your grates also determines the weight of your portable grill. Portable grills come with grates, and most are stainless steel so that they are good conductors of heat and will cook fast.

The best option for getting a tastier meal is using a cast iron grate as it cooks food evenly. However, it is bulky and less portable.

Ignition

Most modern models offer no matches camp grills. It means that they use a button or Instastart to get your fire going. It is an important feature to have in the wild as matches can disappoint you when they get lost or wet.

But if you are using a charcoal grill, then you must ensure that you carry your matches and keep them dry. Charcoal grills take time to light, especially in windy environments. The choice of your lighter should be wind-resistant as well.

A simple ignition will have a spark to ignite your burners once you let the gas pass through them.

Construction

The materials that make up your camping grill will determine if they are durable or not. Others will last longer than others and are also expensive than other brands.

There are lots of things to consider here. Look at the stability of the stands, the quality of the grates, and the materials for the exterior finish. Besides being strong, cast iron can keep your grill looking shiny and new for longer.

How the materials complement each other is also a factor that you must look keenly. For example, having portable grills that have a plastic handle is almost clumsy. Plastic will melt on high heat temperatures.

Transportation

The most significant feature of a portable camping grill should be the ease of movement. Here you should look at its compactness, the best overall weight, and portability. When you have many things to carry, a compact grill will be efficient.

Portability includes durable wheels, which can make you move it through all terrains without a hassle. The weight helps if you are planning to take it on a short backpacking trip. Some models are lightweight and good to go for all camping experience. The portable tabletop gas grill from Cuisinart weighs only 17 pounds and is suitable for camping trips and hiking.

Before settling for a particular model, always consider the space you have in your car.

Fuel Tanks

If you are planning to use a propane gas grill, then you must carry a propane tank. On average, one pound of propane gas will give you a cooking time of one hour. Though it depends on the amount of heat, you use.

You should ensure that you have an abundant supply of propane gas tank if you plan to spend many days camping. To avoid constant refilling, you can carry a larger propane gas tank and hook it to your camping grills.

Safety

Safety is a concern for most grill manufacturers. Each brand has a specific safety measure to ensure the camper is safe at all times. Always compare different safety features to find the one that you feel comfortable using over a long time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the difference between a camping stove and a grill?

The difference is the size of the cooking area. For a stove, the cooking surface concentrates on a single point while on a grill, it is vast. A grill offers you the ability to place more than one cooking pot or utensil.

How can I get the right grill when outside?

The process follows as you would do at home. It starts with inspecting your grill to make sure it is clean, and the heat is even to avoid burning your steak or burgers. Also, check that it is safe to ignite before getting the fire going.

Use the temperature controls to ensure that you do not give it too much heat or less heat; hence cook for a longer time.

What are the accessories that I need for my grill?

The accessories you need for your camping experience are not different from the ones you would use at home. Make sure you have the necessary utensils to cook your food and that your grill is ready to go as well.

You should hence include the fuel you will use and the meal you will prepare.

How do I keep my food fresh when outdoors?

While this is not related to a portable camping grill, we can as well think of coolers. However, salting and smoking are traditional methods of preserving food. In this instance, smoking food on your grill seems like a viable option than the salting.

Can I use my camping grills on my apartment balcony?

It depends on your area of residence and the state regulations you have on balcony barbeques. However, most portable camping grills are safe to use anywhere. You can make meals on your balcony if the smoke does not interfere with your neighbors.

Who should use camping grills?

It is ideal for people who like traveling for days and love the outdoors life. Camp grills are also suitable for a family getaway and when you call friends over for an outdoor barbeque. You can get warm food on picnics as well if you are against carrying readymade food for your short outdoor adventures.

What is the best portable propane grill?

To define the best in this instance may create bias because different models have different strengths. What works for you will not excite me. To find the best propane gas camp grill, you should consider your budget and how you intend to use your grill.

Can I use a larger propane gas tank instead of the small bottles?

You should first check with your user manual. Otherwise, I do not see a reason why not. Most models are compatible for use with larger tanks, and therefore it should be easy to switch between the different fuel sources.

Also, most propane grills have safety regulators, simply check for compatibility to know if you can use it safely on a large propane tank.

How Do I maintain and clean my grill?

Ensure that you let your grill to cool off after use before you start cleaning it. It is so that you avoid burning yourself.

You can also clean the grates after they cool down with warm and soapy water to remove grease. Most grills, however, come with an instruction manual of the best cleaning practices you should use.

Conclusion

To find a camping grill easy, that matches all user preferences should not be difficult. But you will find some exciting features in most models that make the camping experience fun and convenient for everybody.

You should also ensure that you know the proper maintenance of your grill because some models are cheap but use expensive fuel type than others. Consider the budget you have and look for the best model within that price range.

In this review, we choose the Coleman RoadTrip 285 Portable Stand-Up Propane Grill as the best portable grill. It has robust features and is the best value for your money. You will get an easy use with this model as the triple burner as well as its durability to serve you for many years.