Get Cooking With The Best Camping Grills In 2022

Why Trust Us

I've spent a significant amount of time cooking on camp stoves and perfecting camp cooking. I know what is necessary for a camp stove or grill — reliability, ease, consistent heat, and portability. While living or traveling in my small van, having gear that fits in small spaces, is easy to carry around, and serves multiple purposes is key. I've brought my years of camping experience to testing out camping grills.

Who This Is For

If you spend time camping and want to improve your camp kitchen, this list of the best camping grills is for you. You're ready to feed the whole crew every night with a smorgasbord of burgers, hot dogs, kababs, veggies, and more. There's nothing better than portable camping grills to make everyone happy after a day of hiking, swimming, playing games, fishing, hunting, or hanging around camp.

How We Picked

We picked the best camping grills for this list by researching the best portable and tabletop grills currently on the market. Then we took some of the best ones out camping to test them out. We compiled this list of the best camping grills based on testing and research.

How We Tested

Testing camping grills is a whole lot of fun. I mean, you just get to go camping and eat food! We took some of the best camping grills out into the San Juan mountains to try them out. We tested for ease, portability and reliability. We cooked breakfast and dinner on them to test out different features.

Features To Look For In Camping Grills

There are a few major things to look out for when shopping for camping grills. From how much space there is for cooking, what surface it has, and how easy it is to clean, all these factors play a part in how good a camping grill will be for your needs specifically.

Cook surface - Usually referenced in square inches, the surface for cooking will determine how much you can cook at one time and how much it will cost to keep the flames going. The more grilling space you have, the more fuel you need to keep the fire going. Smaller cooking surfaces are ideal for those planning no more than four in their party while they’re camping.

Temperature gauge - These are a hit or miss for some. When it’s a small batch of food, you can generally keep your eye on it with little to no worry. Food items like sausage, hot dogs, and burgers just take a keen eye to keep under wraps. Trying your hand at ribs or something more complex? You may need your temperature gauge.

Transportation - If you're looking for camping grills, you want them to be portable, no questions asked. When you’re loading and unloading the car, wheeling it to your campsite, or storing it away, you'll want maximum mobility for minimum fatigue. Look for all-terrain wheels or lightweight carry models with handles.

Grill tops/plates - Want to ensure that your food comes out perfectly? You may need a griddle or cook plate addition with your unit to treat it like a skillet or griddle. If you’re a newcomer to the outdoor grilling scene, this will come in handy for you. Some of the models on this list come with griddles instead of grill plates.

Ease to clean - The last thing anyone wants is to buy something difficult to clean. Your camp grill needs to be easy to clean so that you can cook well and often. Stainless steel grates are really easy to clean and so is anything with a non-stick surface. Of course, it’s always best to have a scrub bristle brush for your grill, just to scrape off any caked-on grease or food after it cools down. Some of the models on our list are dishwashable, making them very easy to clean.

Ignition button - Quick, easy no-flame ignitions are what most grills are sporting these days. They make the job quick and easy; these are a must. Of course, even with the best portable charcoal grill, you will not be able to just push a button to ignite.

Safety Tips When Using An Outdoor Grill

We’re all aware that open flames are dangerous. We’re going over some basic safety practices and a few things you may not have thought of to give you a well-rounded view of how to set up your camping grill and what to look for when using it at camp.

• Avoid using your grill within proximity of any trees with branches that hang close to the ground (within 12 feet). The best way to measure this is by having your friend look at you standing beneath it and doubling your height. If you’re clear, grill away. A more decisive way would be to bring a tape measure along for the ride or to set up shop far away from overhanging branches.
• Stable footing. This may sound like child’s play, but trust us - this is one little feature that often gets overlooked. When you set up your grill, you need to check the ground around it first. If you can, ensure it’s as level as can be, and make sure to clear away leaves and twigs so there’s no chance of a wild wind pulling your camping grill away. It’s also helpful to avoid accidental tip-overs. Using a table, truck bed, or another flat surface off the ground also works well for camping grills.
• Keep the grill clean. Burgers and chops will taste better as a result, but that’s not the main reason - remember that overhanging branch issue I told you about? That’s generally only a concern when you have a dirty grill, and grease can send pillars of flame and smoke into the sky. Keep the grill clean, and you’ll avoid grease fires.
• Most grills will stay hot enough for at least an hour after use to start a brush fire if they get tipped over. Treat it as if the flame is live for long after you're done cooking, and you’ll have nothing to worry about.

• Lastly, always be prepared to put out a fire at a moment’s notice. Keep water close at hand to put out the fire if need be (although water can mess up some grills, so be careful).

Q: What’s the difference between camping grills and camping stoves?

A: Think of a gas range. There’s a burner and a controlled flame - that’s what a camping stove is. It resembles a regular, traditional stove like you’d find in anyone’s house. Camping grills are just smaller versions of large backyard grills, where you’re using either gas or charcoal to cook your food. Camping grills typically have a grill plate or griddle instead of burners.

Q: How to properly grill outdoors

A: If you’re new to the world of grilling at the campsite, don't worry, it's pretty easy to learn. Follow these steps, and you’ll be safely grilling up a storm.

1. Inspect the Grill

You'll need to inspect the grill if you’re using it right out of the package. For charcoal grills, you should ensure all the ash is swept away. For gas grills, ensure you have a full tank and inspect the line for leaks (a lot can happen when you stow your unit away).

2. Ignite

If you're using charcoal, fill the space with charcoal and then light. Cover and let the charcoal turn into coals. For a gas grill, either press a button to ignite or use a lighter. Charcoal or gas, you need to heat up your grill for at least 10 minutes. Avoid using lighter fluid on charcoal grills - it makes the food taste like chemicals. Your grilling area needs time to heat up so you’ll actually cook your food instead of staring at it, and to avoid light-outs (when your gas grill flame inexplicably goes out, and you have to wait five minutes to reignite it).

3. The Cooking Process

Alright, ready for a slew of tips and tricks? You’ve inspected, prepped, and lit the grill - now let’s get ready to cook some food.

• Only flip your meats (ideally) one single time during the entire process. You place them on the grill on one side, await until it’s properly cooked, and flip it, then wait some more. This gives you consistent color on both sides.
• Get the same flavor and effects as a professional smoker by taking non-treated wood chips, soaking them in water for 15 minutes, and applying them to the basin (charcoal grills only). If your camping grill comes with a smoker, this is where you would use the chips.
• Keep your meats moist or keep the marinade on them by wrapping them entirely in tinfoil while cooking. This also keeps any sugar-rich marinades and/or sauces from caramelizing if you don’t want them to. Direct flame contact will practically candy your meats (if this is your intention, rock on).

Q: How to keep food fresh outdoors

A: The number one way to keep your food fresh is by using a cooler. We’re past the days of salting meats and curing foods, just use a cooler, and keep your food fresher for longer. Our top cooler for this particular task can keep your food and beverages cold for up to 72 hours - more than enough time to cook and enjoy your perishables out on the camping trail.

Q: What accessories should I bring for my camping grill?

A: Glad you asked. There are five basic things that you should never be without. These allow you to be at the ready, so nothing sneaks up on you. Avoid all those “Dammit!” moments by packing the following:

• Utensil Kit

This six-piece set includes everything you need, whether it’s a one-man show or a ten-person feast, you’ll be ready to go. It consists of a spatula, barbeque brush, and other tools that you’ll find invaluable. There’s even a bonus with this purchase: a miniature charcoal grill, perfect for firing up for a single medium-sized saucepan when you’re cooking sides.

• Deluxe Folding Grill Table

Laying out the dishes in an orderly fashion? Take it buffet style and serve up the dishes as they come off the grill, allowing your mates to grab and go. This folds up really small and pops up to provide a bunch of surface area. It comes with a nice carrying case to avoid damages.

• Heat-Resistant Grilling Gloves

Gloves keep you from burning yourself while you're going in for the burger flip or adding more charcoal to the grill.

• Outdoor Eatery Set

This killer kit includes cutlery and dishware that’s intended to be used outside. Super durable, super easy to clean, and ready to use whenever.

• Dish Wash Basin

Look, nobody wants to pack up a dirty grill, greasy utensils, and filthy plates when they’re leaving. This wash basin allows you to clear everything before you leave, so you return home the same way you left.

Q: Can I use camping grills on my apartment terrace?

A: That depends on your apartment's rules! Many of these grills are the perfect size to use on an apartment terrace or small patio. But some apartment complexes don't allow things to be left out on porches, so make sure to check the rules for your apartment. If you do live in a small space where you are allowed to keep a grill on your deck, these camping grills are the ideal size.

Sources:

1. Grilling Safety - NFPA