6 Best Portable Grills for Camping That Seasoned Campers Swear By

There’s a moment at every campsite, just as the sun dips low, when the question arises: "What’s for dinner?" A flimsy, unstable grill can turn a delicious meal into a frustrating chore, while the right one becomes the heart of your outdoor kitchen. Choosing the best portable grill isn’t about finding the fanciest model; it’s about matching the tool to your adventure.

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Choosing Your Perfect Portable Camping Grill

The first decision you’ll face is fuel: propane or charcoal. Propane offers incredible convenience—just turn a knob for instant, controllable heat. This is a massive advantage when you’re tired after a long hike or dealing with fire bans, which are increasingly common out west.

Charcoal, on the other hand, is about the ritual and the flavor. It requires more time, more effort, and more cleanup, but it delivers that classic smoky taste many of us crave. For the purist, there is no substitute. But remember, you’ll be hauling around a bag of briquettes and dealing with hot ash disposal, a real consideration in leave-no-trace areas.

Beyond fuel, think about how you actually cook. Are you a simple burger-and-hot-dog person, or do you dream of searing steaks and sautéing veggies? A basic grill grate might be all you need. But if you’re making pancakes for the crew or frying up bacon, a griddle surface becomes essential. Some grills offer swappable plates, giving you versatility at the cost of more gear to pack.

Finally, consider the grill’s "packed" shape and size, not just its weight. A long, flat grill might slide under a platform bed in a van, while a dome-shaped one creates an awkward lump you have to pack around. I’ve seen countless people buy a powerful grill that’s so inconvenient to store it gets left behind. Measure your intended storage spot before you buy.

Weber Q1200: The Reliable All-Arounder

The Weber Q series is legendary for a reason. The Q1200 is the sweet spot for most campers, offering a cast-iron grate that provides exceptionally even heat distribution. This isn’t some flimsy sheet metal grill; it feels substantial and cooks like the one on your patio at home.

Its design is simple and effective. The built-in thermometer is genuinely useful, and the side tables are perfect for holding your plate and tongs. It runs on the small 1lb propane canisters, but you can get an adapter hose to hook it up to a larger 20lb tank, making it a great option for longer trips or as a primary RV grill. Its only real downside is its clamshell shape, which can be a bit bulky to pack in a tightly loaded vehicle.

Coleman RoadTrip 285: Ultimate Versatility

If you want one appliance to do it all, the Coleman RoadTrip is your answer. Its standout feature is the integrated, collapsible stand, which saves your back and frees up precious table space. No more crouching on the ground to flip your burgers.

The real magic, however, is in the swappable cooktops. You can have a traditional grill grate on one side and a flat-top griddle on the other, or even swap one out for a stove grate to boil water. This turns your grill into a complete outdoor kitchen. The tradeoff for this incredible versatility is size and weight. It’s one of the larger and heavier "portable" options, making it best suited for car campers and RVers with ample storage, not overlanders counting every pound.

Blackstone 22” Griddle: For the Group Chef

The Blackstone isn’t a grill; it’s a griddle, and that’s a critical distinction. If your camping menu revolves around big breakfasts, smash burgers, or stir-fries for a crowd, this is your tool. The 22-inch model provides a massive, consistent cooking surface that a traditional grill can’t match.

Cooking on a flat-top changes the game. You can cook bacon, eggs, and pancakes all at once without anything falling through the grates. It requires a seasoning process, just like a cast-iron skillet, and you’ll need to manage grease. But for feeding a group, its efficiency is unmatched. It’s heavy and a bit awkward, but if you have the space, it will make you the hero of the campsite.

Nomad Grill: Premium Charcoal in a Briefcase

The Nomad is for the discerning camper who refuses to compromise on charcoal flavor but demands portability and style. This thing is built like a tank, with an anodized aluminum shell that allows it to function as a smoker or an open-fire grill. It packs down into a sleek, self-contained briefcase that is incredibly easy to transport and store.

This is a premium product with a premium price tag. Its cooking surface is smaller than the others on this list, making it ideal for one to four people. The Nomad is an investment in quality materials and ingenious design. It’s for the person who sees their gear as part of the experience and is willing to pay for something that performs flawlessly and will last a lifetime.

BioLite FirePit+: More Than Just a Grill

The BioLite FirePit+ is a brilliant piece of multi-purpose gear. It’s first and foremost a smokeless wood-burning fire pit, using a battery-powered fan to inject air into the fire, creating a hyper-efficient burn. This means you can enjoy a real campfire ambiance without playing musical chairs to avoid the smoke.

Then, you add the included grill grate, and it transforms into a fantastic charcoal or wood-fired grill. You get to cook over real embers, giving you incredible flavor. The fan system gives you a surprising amount of temperature control. The main consideration is that you have another battery to keep charged, but its ability to serve as both a fire pit and a grill makes it a powerful space-saver for any camper who values a good fire.

Weber Go-Anywhere: Classic Charcoal Portability

Sometimes, the simplest solution is the best. The Weber Go-Anywhere has been a staple for decades because it just works. It’s a simple steel box with a grate, but its rectangular shape is incredibly pack-friendly, sliding into tight spaces where dome-lidded grills won’t fit.

The legs pivot up to lock the lid in place for transport, a clever and durable design. It’s affordable, lightweight, and delivers a genuine charcoal grilling experience without any fuss. It’s not fancy, and the cooking area is modest, but for solo travelers, couples, or anyone who just wants a reliable, no-frills charcoal grill, the Go-Anywhere is an undisputed classic.

Key Factors in Your Portable Grill Decision

Choosing the right grill comes down to being honest about your needs. Forget the marketing hype and ask yourself a few key questions. Answering them will point you directly to the right model for you.

First, how many people are you consistently cooking for? A massive grill is a waste of space and fuel for a solo traveler, while a tiny one is a nightmare for a family of five. Be realistic about your typical group size. The Blackstone shines for groups, while the Nomad or Go-Anywhere are perfect for couples.

Next, consider your entire setup. Where will the grill live during travel and at the campsite?

• Storage: Does it need to fit in a specific bin, under a bed, or in a rooftop box? Measure twice, buy once.
• Surface: Will you have a picnic table, or do you need a grill with its own stand like the Coleman?
• Fuel: How much propane or charcoal are you willing to carry? A 1lb canister is easy but runs out fast; a 20lb tank is a commitment.

Finally, think about your cooking style and priorities. Do you value convenience above all else (propane), or is flavor king (charcoal)? Do you need a multi-tool that can boil and griddle, or is a simple grate enough? The best grill is the one that removes friction from your camping experience, not the one with the most features.

Ultimately, your portable grill is more than a cooking appliance; it’s a centerpiece for making memories. The right one will fade into the background, reliably turning out great meals and letting you focus on the sunset. Choose the one that fits your rig, your crew, and your style, and you’ll be set for years of delicious adventures.