Ultimate Review Of Best Portable Gas Grills In 2023

Beach barbecue on gas grill

Grilling is an incredible way of bonding with your family and friends.

In most cases, you can always enjoy light moments with your family and friends while grilling the backyard.

But have you thought of taking your grill on the road?

Can you still enjoy your smoky favorites while on a weekend camping, RVing, or tailgating parties?

Absolutely; the best portable gas grill will serve the purpose.

Unlike the traditional charcoal grills, portable grills are lightweight and compact, meaning you can easily carry them whenever you go.

More importantly, the gas grill will save you from the hassle of messy and smoky grilling experience.

However, not all gas grills are created equal, and some may befit your grilling needs more than others.

It’s for this reason we’ve created this review guide to help you select the best gas grill for your needs.

Quick Comparison Table & Our Pick!

This as you would expect from us is an EPIC post so grab a coffee before you start  and see how we cut through every product and review it with precision. IF YOU ARE SHORT ON TIME and just need to know the results of our reviews , CHECK THE RESULTS TABLE BELOW!

PRODUCT NAME

Material

Dimensions (Inches)

BUY NOW

Cast Iron grill grates coated in porcelain

30.2 x 19.2 x 16.1 

Stainless Steel

16 x 16.5 x 13

Titanium

20.5 x 40.9 x 24.6 

Other Great Recommendations

430 Stainless Steel

22 x 18 x 15 

Porcelain Coateed Grate

28 x 12.9 x 19.4

Primary Material: Steel; Grate Material: Cast iron

24 x 24 x 47

The Best 6 Portable Gas Grills On The Market For The Money

Empty portable gas grill

Coleman RoadTrip 285

Topping on our list of the best portable generators is the Coleman RoadTrip 285.

The Coleman comes with plenty of desirable features and has a lot to offer to the grilling enthusiast.

Coleman RoadTrip

Sturdy Construction

First things first, Coleman is designed to last. The built from the ground up feels sturdy and premium.

Unlike the flimsily plastic grills, Coleman is constructed from cast iron, and this means this grill is not liable to break when it takes a few knocks.

The durability of this unit means it should serve you well like a griddle for a long time to come.

Big Surface for Cooking

Often, portable generators are compact and usually come with a small surface for cooking.

Surprisingly, for a portable grill, Coleman 285 has a generous cooking space of 285 square inches.

The cooking space on this grill means that you’ll have more than enough space, even to cook for your family and friends.

Performance

Coleman 285 has an incredible heat output ranging from 3,250 up to 20,000 BTUs.

The heat generated by Coleman is sufficient to cook a variety of meals, including burgers, seafood, meat, and veggies.

Similarly, the high output means that Coleman will allow you to cook food pretty quickly.

The Instastart ignition, in particular, alongside the quick heating times, means that you can conveniently and quickly grill the ultimate breakfast before other campers wake up.

Further, this unit comes with three temperature zones that can are easily adjustable to suit your cooking. The three burners on the Coleman can be adjusted independently, allowing you to have greater control of the temperature all across your grill area.

The variety of meals that you can cook on this grill is underlined by the interchangeable cooktops.  The cooktops will allow you to change the grill grates using a stove grate and griddle.

Stand with Wheels

The Coleman 285 is truly a portable generator.

The stand that comes alongside with wheels attached makes it easier for you to move this lightweight grill when you need to.

The gliding side stables are incredible assets that increase the utility of this unit. The tables will create more space for keeping your sauces as well as utensils.

RV-Ready

The Coleman 285 is RV-Ready, meaning it’s easier to hook this unit to your RV’s propane tank.

Pros

  • Generous cooking surface
  • Portable
  • Improved control

Cons

  • No utensil hooks

Check Coleman RoadTrip 285 Price On Amazon

Cuisinart CGG-180T 

The Cuisinart CGG-180T is a unique portable gas grill that is kind to the wallet and easy to use.

A compact unit, the Cuisinart CGG-180T, is portable and will easily pack into an easy carry case with an ergonomic handle.

Cuisinart CGG-180T

Built-in Stand

The aluminum legs on the Cuisinart CGG-180T fold out when it’s time to start grilling, and they tuck away once you’re done.

The presence of the stands makes the Cuisinart CGG-180T highly functional as a standing grill as well as increases its compactness.

Cuisinart CGG-180T even features a locking mechanism on the lid. The lid alongside a briefcase-type handle further underlines the portability of this unit.

The compact design on this unit will allow you to take it anywhere you want to go. So, whether you're looking to go to a beach party, tailgating, camping, or fishing, your outdoor experiences would be incomplete with Cuisinart CGG-180T.

Straightforward Heat Control

The Cuisinart CGG-180T is a modest grill, and we love the simplistic design.

With no frills or frays, the heat control on the Cuisinart CGG-180T is easy to use.

Here, no need to worry about the sophisticated gauges. Instead, the unit comes with simple and intuitive controls that are easy to adjust.

Large Cooking Surface

The 160 square inch cooking surface on the Cuisinart CGG-180T is a drop-down from what we had earlier seen on the Coleman 285.

Nonetheless, the porcelain-enamel grate is quite large and spacious enough to cook eight burgers, or steaks, eight hamburgers, 6-10 chicken breasts, or over 4-pound fish.

In a nutshell, this grill will allow you to feed your whole family without waiting.

The steel burners on the Cuisinart CGG-180T produce up to 5,500 BTUs. While it’s not the highest we’ve seen, it will allow you to cook your meals quickly and evenly.

Easy Assemble

As we had mentioned earlier, Cuisinart CGG-180T comes in a simple and intuitive design, allowing easy assemble and disassemble.

The integrated lid lock closes securely, and this helps to bolster the safety aspect on this grill.

The cooking grate is further accompanied by a drip tray, which keeps the mess to a minimum, meaning it’s easy to clean this unit when the meal is done.

Pros

  • Compact and lightweight
  • Easy to store
  • Budget option

Cons

  • Legs don’t lock open or closed

Check Cuisinart CGG-180T Price On Amazon

Weber Q1200

The Weber Q 1200 is one of the models in the Q 1000 series. It builds upon what Q 1000 offered and is currently available in 8 different colors and offers a slew of exciting and functional accessories.

Weber Q1200

Build Quality

The crucial components on the Weber Q 1200 are built from steel, aluminum or glass-reinforced nylon.

All these materials will hold up exceptionally well, even in the most livid conditions.

The grills, in particular, ooze quality and no major componentry on the Weber Q 1200, will rust.

Cooking Surface

Weber Q 1200 has a large cooking surface measuring 189 square inches.

It’s larger than that of the Cuisinart CGG-180T and will allow cooking a variety of meals, including large hamburgers and around 18 hotdogs.

What I like most about the cooking surface is the material construction. Though the heavy-duty cast-iron gates come with a tough porcelain coating, they are efficient at absorbing and distributing heat, provided you take your time to pre-heat appropriately.

The cooking surface offered by this grill is ideal for a young family.

Performance

The stainless steel Q-shaped burner on this grill produces 8,500 BTUs.

The grill is always running hot, and even at its lowest setting, Weber Q 1200 makes up for perfect direct grilling.

And we had mentioned earlier, the grill grates on this unit are cast iron, meaning they're quite durable.

Also, they come with a plate-like design, and this helps to limit the amount of grease that falls on the frame, and this result in fewer flare-ups.

The griddle plate will turn your half grill into a griddle, and this is a handy asset, especially if you’re looking forward to cooking breakfast or have some become for burgers.

Ease of Clean

Cleaning a grill is never easy or fun.

Weber Q1200 comes with a grease tray at the bottom of the grill. The tray collects all the grease and debris that runs out.

Pros

  • Minimal assembly
  • Fold-out tables
  • Plenty of accessories

Cons

  • Lighting issues on the grill

Check Weber Q 1200 Price On Amazon

Giantex Propane Tabletop Gas Grill

The Giantex is among the most powerful tabletop liquid propane grill in the market.

Sporting a heavy-duty silver finish alongside a box-like design, this unit can tackle any grilling requirement you might have.

The entire Giantex body stands on our solid, foldable legs for the ultimate stability.

Giantex Propane Tabletop

Built Quality

The Giantex is a highly rated small gas grill model thanks to its sturdy construction, making it ideal for BBQ.

Giantex is constructed from heavy-duty stainless steel to deliver durability even after repeated use.

Portable

Another incredible asset on the Giantex is portability.

Weighing at 26.5 pounds, the Giantex is pretty light in weight and will allow you to pick it up with ease.

Underlining the portability of this grill is the presence of foldable legs that makes this unit more compact.

The lid can further be locked down, and this will allow you to carry the grill without worrying about the inside components such as the grate from popping out.

The portable nature plus the safety of this tabletop gas grill makes it an inspired choice for backyard barbequing, or occasions such as tailgating, boating, camping or general picnics.

2-Burner System

Packing a 2-burner system, the Giantex produces 10,000 BTUs on individual burners, therefore offering a total of 20,000 BTUs.

We love the burner system on the Giantex as it heats up really fast and can maintain the temperature for a long period.

Also, the built-in two burners use a separate push-and-turn ignition, allowing you to turn one or both burners individually, depending on the food you’re cooking.

Large Cooking Surface

The 20.5" x 13" cooking surface on this burner is relatively huge, and it will allow you to cook multiple burgers, steak, or pieces of chicken at a go.

Easy Clean-Up

And when the cooking is done, you’ll love how easy it is to clean this grill.

Underneath the grill, there's a drip tray that collects all the extra juices, fats, and grease from the food you're cooking.

Finally, you’ll be pleased with the in-built thermometer and a lock system, which further increase the safety of this tabletop grill.

Pros

  • Solid steel construction for durability
  • Independently adjustable burners
  • No assembly required

Cons

  • Only works with 20-pound propane tank

Check Giantex Price On Amazon

Coleman Sportster

The Coleman Sportster is a propane grill with a lot to offer.

A highly portable unit, the Coleman is easy to move around. And though compact, this grill offers a surprising amount of grill space when in use.

The core of this grill, however, is the impressive and quality componentry design.

Coleman Sportster

Portable

Sporting collapsible wheeled legs, the Coleman will let you pull it from behind if you don’t want to carry the load when you’re on the go.

The height adjustment mechanism will let you fold the grill to roughly 10 inches, and this saves on storage for easier transportation.

Large Cooking Surface

Coleman offers a larger cooking surface, measuring 225 square inches.

The cooking surface is large enough to let you cook 6-8 burgers, 20 hot dogs, or two rectangular sized steaks.

Cooking Power

Under the hood, Coleman produces 11,000 BTUs of cooking power.

This cooking power is sufficient to roast a 4-pound steak in under 2-hours in medium heat.

The grill further comes with adjustable heat settings, three in particular (low, medium & high), lit by a push-button igniter.

Easy Cleaning

If the reviews are anything to go by, the Coleman Sportster is an easy to clean grill.

The cooking grates on this grill are coated with porcelain that is removable and promises easy cleaning and sustained heating.

The drip tray is also fully removable, and this makes the overall cleaning much easier.

Functional and Easy to Use

From the ground up, Coleman Sportster is designed with simplicity in mind.

The Coleman Sportster is easy to use, and you don't need to be a grilling master to use the grill well and get the most out of it.

Pros

  • Truly portable
  • Great cooking power
  • Compact

Cons

  • No accessories

Check Coleman Sportster Price On Amazon

Fuego F24C Gas Grill

Fuego F24C comes with a futuristic design that would look great on any patio or balcony. Though it comes at a hefty price tag, the inclusion of a slew of great features makes the Fuego F24C well worth it.

Fuego F24C Gas Grill

Built Quality

Fuego F24C is built to last, and that is evident from the solid and thick metal construction.

Weighing 18 pounds, the Fuego F24C is both lightweight and allows retaining of heat.

Large Cooking Surface

The grilling surface on the Fuego F24C measures 525 square inches, a decent amount for the compact grill.

According to the manufacturer, the cooking surface on this unit can hold a 20 quarter-pound hamburger that is 4.5-inches in diameter, or up to three small broiler-fryer beer can chickens.

Besides the generous cooking space, I appreciate the fact that the cooking grates are not constructed using flimsy material that will break, wear out or rust in a few years.

Cooking Performance

A primary reason why the Fuego F24C is one of the most sought portable grills is the huge 26,500 BTUs, allowing you to reach temperatures up to 500 Fahrenheit.

You'll also love the in-built dual-zone burner that will allow you to cook your food over direct and indirect heat simultaneously depending on where you place it on the primary and warming racks.

Safety

To keep you safe when cooking, the lid on this grill opens up at a 45-degree angle. Safety is further bolstered by the presence of a handle on the side that keeps your arms way from the heat.

Besides safety, the lid acts as a windshield for the times you leave your grill open.

The propane tank on this grill is nestled below the grill, enclosed in the bottom with the latching for safety purposes.

The non-marking industrial casters, on the other hand, will do more than bolster portability, but they'll not leave any marks on your floor if you need to move your grill around.

Easy Cleanup

Clean up the Fuego is pretty easy.

The residue tray plays catches the oil as well as cooking debris that falls below the fire bowl.

Pros

  • Dual-zone burner system
  • Large cooking surface
  • Safe lid design

Cons

  • Tad expensive

Check Fuego F24C Price On Amazon

Best Portable Gas Grill Buyer Guide

If you’re planning to purchase a portable gas grill, there’re several factors that you need to consider.

Let’s look at these critical factors.

gas grill buying guide

Size/Cooking Area

The first thing to consider is the cooking area.

Generally, most of the portable gas grills have a relatively smaller cooking space compared to the traditional grills.

However, it’s not to mean you have to settle for less.

Within the same portable grill domain, there’re units with larger cooking space than others.

Your choice of cooking space will ultimately depend on your cooking needs .i.e the size of your family and probably what you want to cook.

Weight

Weight is an integral aspect, especially if you’ll be moving a lot.

If you’re an outdoor enthusiast who wants to take their grills with them, you will want to pick a model that is lightweight and easy to move from place to place.

Besides weight, you would want to pick a model with caster wheels to allow easy dragging of the grill.

Temperature Control

A built-in temperature control lets you adjust the temperature of your grill to ensure your dishes are fully cooked.

However, you don’t have to worry about this feature because many of the grill we've featured here come with integrated temperature control.

Material Construction

Besides weight, material plays a crucial role in the durability and sturdiness of a grill.

The most common materials from grills include stainless steel, cast iron, ceramic, or aluminum.

Conclusion

The key basic features on a gas grill are really important, while the extra features are about convenience.

While looking at the best portable gas grill, you need to look at the key features, and then assess your grilling needs.

Only ensure that you pick a gas grill model that has the features that you desire.

FAQs:

Is there a difference between gas grills and charcoal grills?

Choosing between a gas or charcoal grill will depend on what you prefer. However, there are some notable differences between charcoal and gas grill. One of the differences is that it is easier to control the heat in a gas grill than in a charcoal one. 

Additionally, gas grills don’t use flames directly to the food as a charcoal grill does. As such, you’ll have challenges trying to create a proper sear. The charcoal will also give your food a smoky flavor.  

How do you avoid flare-ups on a gas grill?  

Sometimes you may experience flare-ups as you use your gas grill. The flare-ups are a result of marinades, oils, and fatty foods dripping on the flames. Before you use a gas grill, trim off excess fats from the food you wish to grill. You can also try to leave the gas grill's lid open and keep it away from windy areas. If the flames don’t stop, have a fire extinguisher nearby. 

Are gas grills dangerous?

Although gas grills are considered safer than charcoal grills, they come with considerable risks. They pose a substantial risk as they use propane gas which is associated with gas leaks. The leaks can lead to explosions which will cause fires. 

 

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