Are you looking for a camping grill to take on your next trip? Whether you want a few quick burgers or a more elaborate meal, a good camping grill lets you easily make hot food at the end of a long day. With a tent full of hungry campers, you’ll realize just how vital your grill is, and we’ve picked five of the best camping grills to ensure they won’t be disappointed.
You’ll want a camping grill that’s reliable, that can withstand being packed up and carried around a lot, and that will suit your needs. Our camping expert evaluated some of the best camping grills out there and then chose the top five, based on criteria such as their key features, how durable they are, and how many people they can feed. Their top pick is the Weber Q1200 Liquid Propane Grill, a sturdy, compact stove that heats up quickly and cooks your food evenly.
Taking your own camping grill with you can really enhance your camping experience. A small and portable grill could even be a great addition to a primitive camping trip, but whether you’re on a solo camping expedition or a big family trip, there’s sure to be a grill here to suit you.
Our Expert’s Top 5 Camping Grills
Here are the top picks from our expert. Compare the ratings and features of different models.
| Expert’s Picks | Model | Rating | Propane? | Easily Portable? | Feeds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | Weber Q1200 Liquid Propane Grill | 1 – 4 | |||
| Best Budget | Cuisinart Portable Charcoal Grill | 1 – 4 | |||
| Best for Campfires | Adventure Seeka Heavy Duty Campfire Grill | 4 – 8 | |||
| Best for Large Groups | Camp Chef Tahoe Deluxe 3 Burner Grill | 4 – 8 | |||
| Best Grill & Stove Combo | Coleman Camp Propane Grill/Stove | 1 – 4 |
*Ratings are on a scale of 1 to 5 and based on reviews, feedback, and opinions of actual customers
In This Article
Who Should Buy a Camping Grill?
- New campers – If you’re camping for the first time, a camping grill will make your experience so much easier and more enjoyable.
- Campers upgrading their equipment – Have you been using the same camping grill for years (or decades)? Splurge on a new one: you may find that it really improves your camping experience.
- Campers with kids – Maybe you used to live on snacks and takeout (plus beers) while camping, back when you were young and child-free. But if you’re now taking your kids camping, you’ll want them to have good hot meals – and a camping grill is a cheap and easy way to provide those.
Who Should Not Buy a Camping Grill?
- Non-cooks – Frankly, if you hate cooking, a camping grill probably isn’t going to make you change your mind! If you’d rather go to a restaurant or get takeout while camping, then don’t bother buying a camping grill.
- Backpackers – Even a smaller camping grill is a no-go for backpacking. Go with a JetBoil or MSR single-burner camping stove, not a full-blown grill.
Research Tips
When you’re looking for the best camping grill, you’ll want to keep some key considerations in mind. It’s definitely worth doing your research, as you don’t want to end up with a grill that doesn’t cook well – or one that doesn’t suit your needs. If you’ve got friends or family members who camp, or if you belong to any camping groups, you may want to ask around for personal recommendations, too.
- Figure out what type of camping grill you want – For example, a propane grill will cook your food fast and easily, but you may not want to carry around a gas canister with you. Charcoal grills are cheaper, arguably more eco-friendly, and you can buy charcoal at many camping locations – but keep in mind that they need cleaning after use.
- Think about where you’ll be camping – If you’ll be in a location where you can light a campfire, for instance, you may want to choose a grill that can simply stand over your fire.
- Consider how many people you’ll typically be cooking for – Some compact grills are perfect for a small family but aren’t going to suit a big gathering of friends. Make sure you’re getting a grill that’s the right size for your group.
- Check the weight of the grill – If you’ll be carrying your grill any distance, then you’ll definitely want to choose something that’s reasonably light.
- Look at what extras are included – most grills come with drip pans, for instance, but sometimes you’ll need to buy extras separately. For example, you might want to purchase a separate griddle pan or plate for your grill. The cost of extras can add up, so make sure you think about these before choosing which grill to buy.
How Much Do They Cost?
Between $40 and $220.
You can normally expect to spend anywhere between $40 and $220 for a camping grill, though some high-end camping grills are pricier … and some budget options may be cheaper. The lower end of the range includes small grills, as well as grills designed to go over a campfire; the higher end includes smart branded grills from Weber and larger grills to feed groups of family and friends.
Our Methodology: Why Trust Adventure Daily
We took a detailed look at a wide range of camping grills to choose our top five. We considered factors like reliability, durability, value, and the features included. You want a camping grill that will work well year after year – and you want it to be easy to use. We’ve kept that in mind when making our recommendations.
The Best Camping Grills: Full Reviews
The Weber Q1200 Liquid Propane Grill looks great and works well too. It’ll cook your food evenly and has precision controls so you can get the heat level just right. It heats up fast, has a small build (ideal if you don’t have much space), and sports non-stick grates that are easy to clean.
The grill is sturdy and solid, like a full-size Weber but on a smaller scale. It’ll fit four steaks, so it’s perfect if you’re feeding a family of four. You can hook it up to 1lb propane bottles, or you can buy an adapter to use it with larger bottles or tanks. Plus, it comes in a range of colors and is sure to look great outside your RV or tent.
- Includes built-in lid thermometer and folding side tables
- Good-sized cooking surface
- Heats up very quickly
- Has an angled grease tray and catch pan
- Side panels can get in the way
- Burner holes can clog easily
- Grills may be tricky to clean
The Cuisinart Portable Charcoal Grill is a great budget option if you plan to cook on charcoal rather than gas. It has a good-sized cooking area, it’s small and easy to transport, and it only weighs 2lbs.
It’s easy to assemble and perfect for individuals, couples, or small families and doesn’t use much charcoal. The handle and legs won’t get hot, though the manufacturer recommends you avoid moving it while it’s in use.
- Lid locks tightly to the bowl for easy transportation
- Large enough to grill 4 – 6 burgers
- Cleans quickly and easily
- Legs don’t collapse, making it less portable
- Grate may tip if food is not evenly distributed
Adventure Seeka’s Folding Campfire Grill is designed for cooking over hot coals, a small open flame fire, or a fire pit. It’s lightweight and compact but unfolds to offer a large cooking surface. The griddle plus grill plate combo gives you lots of flexibility: you could easily use this for bacon, eggs, or pancakes, as well as for burgers and steak.
The manufacturer recommends seasoning it with cooking oil before use, like you would with a cast iron pan. You can do this by heating it over your fire/coals and spraying it with cooking oil, then wiping it down. (The manufacturer provides instructions by email after purchase)
- Strong and sturdy grill
- Folds fully in half and fits into storage bag for easy transportation
- Large enough to cater for a big family
- Weighs over 10lbs, so not a good option for hiking
- Legs may not stay in position perfectly
The Camp Chef Tahoe Deluxe 3 Burner Grill is perfect for larger groups. It has three separate burners (30K BTU each for 90K BTU total) and a 608 sq. inch cooking area. There’s an auto ignite feature so you don’t need matches or a separate lighter.
The grill’s legs are detachable for easy transportation, though keep in mind the grill is quite large so it’s not as portable as our other top picks. The three-sided windscreen around the grill helps block breezes, though this is also detachable so that two people can cook from opposite sides of the grill if desired.
- Easy to fine-tune heat levels
- Auto-ignites so no need for matches
- Enough space to grill for big family groups
- Sometimes burners can be finicky
- Heavy and large, so not very portable
The Coleman Camp Propane Grill/Stove is a fantastic combo product if you want to grill while also cooking on a stove. It’s easy to assemble and packs away easily too. For a small unit it has a lot of power and can boil water fast.
You can connect this to 1lb propane bottles, or you can buy an adaptor to connect it to a 20lb propane tank. It doesn’t come with a griddle, so you’ll need to purchase one separately if you want one.
- Heats up and cooks quickly
- Good size with the versatility offered by the stove plus grill options
- Includes wind guards to prevent flames from blowing out
- Stove burner is quite small and will only take smaller pots and pans
- Some customers report the grill grate is prone to melting in newer models
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you grill on a camp stove?
Can you use a camping grill indoors?
You can use a propane camping grill indoors, but you should ensure you’re cooking in a well-ventilated area and that you’re monitoring the grill carefully.
How can I use my camping grill safely?
Of course, you should always make sure you read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions on using your camping grill. If you’ll only be using it occasionally, it’s particularly important to make sure you clean and store it safely, and that you check it over when you next use it.
How do I control temperature on a camping grill?
Article Sources
Adventure Daily uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
- United States Consumer Product Safety Commission. Charcoal. Cpsc.gov. Accessed October 2, 2021.
- Industrial Safety & Hygiene News. Carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms, causes & treatment. Published November 4, 2018. Accessed October 2, 2021.
- National Fire Protection Association. Outdoor cooking with portable grills. Nfpa.org. Accessed October 2, 2021.
