Best Portable Propane Grill for Camping
Gas grills have always been an all-time favorite compared to their charcoal counterparts for several good reasons. For starters, they are easy to fire up, heat up quickly, and maintain a steady temperature. Lighting a charcoal grill will often take several attempts, but can be done with the switch of a dial with propane grills.
Propane grills are also highly portable, and can be ordered in compact footprints, making it easy to take with you on the go. One of the downsides however is that you will also have to haul around a propane tank to power your propane grill.
But on a brighter note, propane grills are cheaper to run than charcoal grills, given that it takes roughly $15 to fill-up a 20-pound propane tank, compared to $10 for a 20-pound bag of charcoal. And a 20-pound propane tank will last roughly 20 cookouts, compared to three with 20 pounds of charcoal.
Buying the best portable propane grill however can be a bit daunting. But I’ve checked out several lightweight and feature rich models in this segment, and rounded off on 5 great models that are a joy to carry around on your camping adventures.
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#1. Best Overall
Coleman RoadTrip 285 Portable Stand-Up Propane Grill
Coleman, founded 100 years ago, is one of the biggest names in the recreational products space, and the RoadTrip 285 is one the bestselling portable grills in the company’s product portfolio.
It can be ordered in a choice of five exciting colors including blue, red, orange, and offers an impressive 20,000 BTU’s of cooking power, thanks to its improved burner technology. The RoadTrip 285 grill by Coleman weighs a little over 40 lbs, folds easily, and can be hauled around with its two onboard wheels.
It features a 285 square inch grilling area, and three independent temperature zones, which can be adjusted to your desired grilling temperature. The lid of the Coleman RoadTrip 285 propane grill is appointed with a thermometer, so you can accurately gauge the temperature inside without opening the lid.
Starting the grill is easy with its integrated push button ignition system, so you can get grilling in no time. The Coleman RoadTrip 285 is fitted with two sliding side tables to keep your grilling tools and sauces. It comes with industry leading cast iron grill grates, which offer superior heat retention compared to stainless steel cooking grates.
The included grates can also be swapped with a cast iron griddle or Swaptop stove grate to meet your cooking needs. The Coleman RoadTrip 285 portable propane gas grill uses a 1-pound propane tank, and can be folded and stored upright to fit into tight spaces.
It is compatible with a wide range of Coleman RoadTrip Grills and Swaptop accessories, and is backed by a 3-year limited warranty against any manufacturer defects.
Pros
- 20,000 BTU’s of cooking power
- 285 square inches grilling area
- 2 sliding side tables and push button ignition
- Foldable design with wheels and thermometer
- Cast iron cooking grates, and 3-year warranty
Cons
- Propane tank not included
#2. 2nd Best Overall
Cuisinart CGG-306 Chef's Style Stainless Tabletop Grill
Slotting in at the #2 position on this list of best portable propane grills for camping is none other than a model from the Cuisinart hangar – America’s trusted and esteemed home appliance brand. The CGG-306 Chef’s Style grill boasts a sturdy design complete with a stainless steel finish, and is tucked away neatly within a lightweight 22-pound frame.
It is powered by a robust two-burner system that provides 20,000 BTUs of unmatched flame power. It is designed to cook foods evenly, making it an ideal choice for cooking a large number of items simultaneously.
The lid of the CGG-306 Chef’s Style grill is fitted with a thermometer that indicates the temperature inside, and a sturdy handle, which along with the side latches can be used to carry the grill around. At the front of the grill there are two large burner knobs, which give you optimal control over your cooking temperatures.
It starts up easily with its onboard twist-start automatic ignition system, so you don’t have to deal with any pesky matches ever! The CGG-306 Chef’s Style lightweight gas grill heats up quickly in roughly 10 minutes, and runs on a 1-pound propane canister. It offers a generous 276.75” of cooking real estate, and comes with high quality stainless steel cooking grates.
When its time to cook, simply fold open the legs of the grill and fire it up with the twist of a knob. In the box, you get the grill, foldable legs, knobs, cooking grid, flame tamer, thermometer, gas line and grease tray to prevent any messes.
Pros
- Lightweight at 22 lbs
- 2 burners = 20,000 BTUs
- Stainless steel construction and finish
- Thermometer and stainless steel cooking grate
- 75” cooking space
Cons
- 1-pound propane canister not included
#3. Best Value
Cuisinart CGG-180TB Petit Gourmet Portable Tabletop Gas Grill
The Cuisinart CGG-180TB Petit Gourmet just as the name would suggest is a highly compact and portable grill at just 18 x 17.5 x 11.5 inches and 17 lbs. Even with its small footprint, it offers an impressive 145 square inches of cooking area, which is just enough to cook over 4 lbs of fish or eight burgers.
This portable propane grill from Cuisinart is available in three great color variants – black, red and stainless steel, and is equipped with a class leading 5,500 BTU burner. But that’s not all, the CGG-180TB Petit Gourmet grill can be started easily with its integrated twist to start ignition system, and there’s even a temperature gauge for optimal temperature control.
It features foldable legs that provide excellent stability when in use, and can be folded away for storage. The CGG-180TB Petit Gourmet grill is made from premium quality steel, and comes with a cooking grate, and drip tray. It is backed by a 3-year warranty against any manufacturer defects, so you can rest assured it will serve you well for years to come.
Pros
- 18 x 17.5 x 11.5 inches and weighs 17 lbs
- 145 square inches cooking area
- 5500 BTU burner
- Twist to start ignition system
- Temperature gauge and foldable legs
Cons
- Protective cover not included
#4. Best Premium
Weber Q2200
The Weber Q2200 portable propane grill measures 15.5″H x 51.4″W x 19.5″D with the lid closed and table opened, and provides you with 280 square inches of cooking area to cook on. Under the hood lies a powerful stainless steel burner that emits 12,000 BTUs, resulting in great performance.
It showcases a sleek design, and is fitted with a large grip handle, control knobs, front and rear cradles, and ergonomic side handles. Adding to this, the Weber Q2200 portable grill comes with large size fold-out side tables to store sauces and grilling accessories, and split grates, so you can choose between grate and griddle cooking (sold separately) functionality.
It features a built-in thermometer that allows you to keep tabs on the temperatures inside the grill, and is topped by a rugged and lightweight cast aluminum lid. The Weber Q2200 grill rests well on glass reinforced nylon frame, and is equipped with an infinite control burner valve, which allows you to set any temperature that you may need.
In the box, you get cast iron cooking grates that provide even heat distribution, allowing you to sear delicious steaks and meats. The Q2200 portable grill by Weber comes with a maximum 5-year warranty against any defects on the cook box, and 2-years on other remaining parts.
Pros
- Stainless steel burner = 12,000 BTUs
- 280 square inches cooking area
- Large fold out side tables
- Glass reinforced nylon frame
- 5-year warranty
Cons
- Limited to 1 color option
#5. Best Budget
Coleman Fold N Go +
If you’re looking for a grill that offers great performance and durability, but at a downright cheap price, you really can’t go wrong with the Coleman Fold N Go + propane grill. It offers 105 square inches of spacious cooking area, and comes with a 6,000 BTU high quality burner.
This adjustable burner can be easily and quickly fired up with the Instastart push-button ignition system, and provides even, and consistent cooking. It comes with a tray to collect the grease, so you can cook without the mess.
The cooking surface of the Coleman Fold N Go + portable grill is dishwasher safe, and can be removed for easy cleaning. Its lid is fitted with a handle to conveniently carry it around wherever you go. It features Coleman’s PerfectFlow technology, which is designed to maintain the heat even in extreme conditions.
Pros
- 6000 BTU high quality burner
- 105 square inches cooking area
- Washable and removable grease tray and cooking surface
- PerfectFlow technology for even heat
- Instastart push-button ignition system
Cons
- Carry bag and griddle available but sold separately
Portable Propane Grill for Camping Buying Guide
When looking for the best propane portable grill for camping, you might be overwhelmed with the myriad of options available. But here are some important factors to consider to ease your buying decision.
Size and weight
The size and weight of a respective grill will dictate how easy it is to carry around.
Cooking area
Measured in square inches, the smaller the cooking area, the less food you will be able to cook at one time. If you’re going to be grilling for a large crowd, buy a portable propane grill that offers a large size cooking area.
Construction materials
Propane grills can be made from several different materials, but most built-to-last models are crafted from cast aluminum, stainless steel, or ceramic.
Cooking surface
Also referred to as grates, these can be made from a wide range of materials, most commonly cast iron or porcelain coated steel.
Tanks
Propane grills typically use a standard 20-pound tank, which lasts around 9 hours of cooking time.
BTUs
acronym for British Thermal Units, BTUs is the amount of energy needed to heat 1 lbs water by 1-degree Fahrenheit. To avoid any confusion, buy a propane grill that offers roughly 100 BTUs per square inches of cooking space, so 40,000 BTUs on 400 square inches cooking area is an ideal choice.
