Best Portable Gas Grills of 2023
These top-rated models are well suited for small yards, campsites, tailgates, and beach cookouts
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The best portable grills in CR’s tests are easy to transport, they cook evenly, and they offer decently large cooking surfaces for their small footprint. Also, they can handle basic tasks, such as browning burgers and hot dogs, without a problem.
Portable grills are ideal for camping, tailgating, cooking out at a park or beach, or grilling on a small deck or patio that lacks the real estate required for a larger, stationary gas grill.
Best Portable Gas Grills
The portable grills in our ratings range in price from about $85 to more than $600. We test models from over a dozen brands, including Broil King, Char-Broil, Coleman, Cuisinart, Landmann, Napoleon, Nexgrill, and Weber. The following six deliver strong performance in our tests.
How CR Tests Portable Grills
Our tests of portable grills are similar to our evaluations of larger models. But we place much more emphasis on key convenience factors, such as how easily a grill lights and folds up for transport, because we know that’s crucial for using a portable grill on the go.
To see how each model cooks, we wire the surface with thermocouples to record the temperature across the grates. We also perform these tests at low and moderate temperatures, and capture the range of temperatures at which each model can cook.
The fact that a grill is small—or inexpensive, for that matter—doesn’t mean you should lower your expectations. Our predicted reliability and owner satisfaction ratings, derived from the results of our annual CR member surveys, indicate how likely a grill is to stand the test of time and how happy folks are with their portable grills.
How to Clean a Portable Grill
Cleaning your portable grill after each use can help maximize its performance, keep it working longer, and make grilling safer.
Ciufo, CR’s portable grills expert, offers this step-by-step cleaning guide:
- Disconnect the propane tank.
- Dump out the grease pan and wipe it down with paper towels or a rag.
- Scrape all the food debris off the grates using a grill brush.
- Wipe the grates clean with paper towels or a rag.
- Let the grates sit for 30 minutes, or longer, until cool.
- Wipe down the exterior surfaces.
Once everything is clean, reassemble the grill so that you’re prepared to start cooking the next time.
Tips for Using a Portable Grill at a Public Park
Take the following steps before you fire up.
- Research the park’s rules. Portable grill regulations can vary by park. For example, only charcoal grills are allowed at parks in Washington, D.C., while only propane grills are allowed at parks in Albuquerque City, New Mexico. There may also be restrictions on where in the park you can grill and what days or hours you’re allowed to grill. Some parks require you to obtain a grill permit.
- Follow basic safety precautions. To keep everyone safe and prevent fires, make sure to place the grill on a hard, flat surface (ideally concrete), never leave a hot grill unattended, keep a fire extinguisher close by, and dispose of any used charcoal in a fireproof container.
- Be courteous. Keep fellow parkgoers in mind when using a portable grill. That entails setting up shop away from other groups (especially if your grill produces smoke), cleaning up any trash that’s left over, and observing park rules regarding alcoholic beverages and noise (many parks have quiet hours).
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