7 Best Portable Grills with Side Burners

Outdoor cooking in a mobile or compact space requires gear that works twice as hard while taking up half the room. Finding a portable grill with a reliable side burner unlocks the ability to sear a steak and simmer a sauce simultaneously, saving precious time and fuel. The right choice depends entirely on balancing weight, fuel efficiency, and cooking power against the hard realities of limited storage space.

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Blackstone Tailgater: Best Grill & Griddle

This heavy-duty hybrid brings unmatched versatility to any campsite or driveway. Featuring a heavy cast-iron grill box on one side and a cold-rolled steel griddle on the other, this unit eliminates the need to choose between two popular cooking styles. The burners operate independently, allowing for low-temperature simmering on one side while searing at high heat on the other.

The structural design is robust, with adjustable legs that handle uneven gravel or grassy patches with ease. However, this stability comes with a significant weight penalty of around 75 pounds. For solo travelers or those with tight payload capacities in a small camper, lifting this unit in and out of storage will feel like a daily workout.

Buy this if a diverse menu is a top priority and physical storage space is not at a premium. It is the ultimate choice for families who want to cook pancakes for breakfast and burgers for dinner without swapping out heavy plates. Pass on this model if light weight and rapid, tool-free setup are your main requirements for a mobile kitchen.

Camp Chef Explorer: Best Modular Setup

The Camp Chef Explorer is a legendary workhorse in the overland and RV communities for good reason. Its modular design features two high-output 30,000 BTU cast-aluminum burners that accommodate a massive ecosystem of accessories. You can easily swap in a professional griddle plate, a deluxe grill box, or simply use open pots and pans directly on the grates.

This system thrives on adaptability but requires a systematic approach to packing. Each add-on accessory must be stored separately, which can quickly clutter a small van garage or a tiny home deck. The wind screen performs well in moderate gusts, though extreme weather will still test flame stability due to the open-frame design.

This setup is perfect for those who want a fully customized, modular kitchen that can feed a crowd and scale up or down based on the trip. It is built to last a lifetime with minimal maintenance. Avoid this option if a simple, self-contained, lightweight grab-and-go grill is preferred.

Stansport Outfitter: Best Budget Combo

For those seeking high utility without a premium price tag, this compact stove-and-grill combo delivers impressive value. It pairs a high-output burner with a direct-flame grill area, packed neatly into a classic suitcase-style steel chassis. The unit runs efficiently on standard 16.4-ounce propane canisters, making it highly portable for quick weekend getaways.

Real-world trade-offs are inevitable at this price point, primarily in the thickness of the metal and the precision of the flame control knobs. The thin steel lid can warp slightly under extreme heat, and the grill grates require careful cleaning to prevent rust. However, the Piezo ignition system is reliable, eliminating the constant hunt for matches or lighters.

This is the ideal selection for budget-conscious campers or part-time road trippers who need a functional, compact cooking solution. It packs down flat, fits easily into any small trunk, and gets the job done without fuss. If high-end heat retention or heavy-duty commercial construction is expected, investing in a more premium model is wise.

Coleman RoadTrip 285: Best Standup Grill

This model brings a sleek, trolley-style design to the mobile cooking scene, making setup and transportation incredibly easy. With its quick-fold scissor legs and rugged wheels, it rolls like a suitcase directly from the RV storage bay to the picnic table. The three independently adjustable burners provide up to 20,000 BTUs of total cooking power across a generous grilling area.

The integrated side tables are a standout feature, offering precious workspace for utensils and prep plates in cramped outdoor setups. While the water pan grease management system makes cleanup simple, it must be leveled carefully to prevent spills during cooking. The grill’s footprint when folded is somewhat bulky, requiring a dedicated, tall storage compartment.

Choose this option if ease of mobility and standing comfort are the primary priorities for outdoor cooking. It is a fantastic match for RVers who park on paved sites and appreciate a grill that stands on its own feet instantly. Skip it if packing space is extremely tight or if off-grid, rugged backcountry travel is the primary use case.

Camp Chef Pro 60X: Best Heavy-Duty System

When industrial-grade reliability and massive cooking capacity are required, this heavy-duty system stands unmatched. It features two 30,000 BTU burners, built-in leg levelers, and folding side shelves that double as a protective lid when closed. The steel frame is powder-coated to withstand harsh marine environments, desert heat, and constant road vibration.

Operating this system feels like using a commercial kitchen range in the middle of the wilderness. The main drawback is the sheer physical bulk, weighing in at nearly 50 pounds without any cooking accessories attached. It demands a serious commitment to storage space, making it best suited for larger towables, overland trucks, or permanent tiny home setups.

This is the definitive choice for serious outdoor cooks who demand professional performance and refuse to compromise on heat output. It will boil giant pots of water in minutes and handle windy conditions that leave lighter stoves cold. Those living in micro-vans or small teardrop trailers should look for a much lighter, more compact alternative.

Martin Portable Propane: Best Compact Stove

This highly efficient unit offers a streamlined approach to mobile cooking by stripping away unnecessary bulk. It combines a classic burner with an integrated grill section, all housed in a remarkably low-profile suitcase design. The pressure-regulated system ensures consistent flame performance even in cold weather or at high elevations, which is a common pain point for mountain travelers.

Key design features include: * Thick chrome-plated grates that resist warping under direct flame exposure. * Built-in wind shields to protect burner efficiency on blustery days. * A secure locking latch that prevents accidental opening during transit.

The small footprint makes it incredibly easy to slide under a platform bed or tuck into a shallow cabinet. The trade-off is the limited cooking surface, which is best suited for couples or solo travelers rather than larger groups. Clean-up requires a bit of patience, as grease can find its way into the lower corners of the painted steel body.

This stove is tailor-made for solo vanlifers, truck bed campers, or minimalist travelers who value space above all else. It offers high-quality heat control in a package that takes up almost no room. If feeding more than two people regularly is the goal, the cooking surface will quickly feel frustratingly small.

GasOne Double Burner: Best Low-Profile

This ultra-slim, tabletop double burner is a masterpiece of space-saving engineering for mobile kitchens. It sits flat on any stable surface, offering dual-fuel compatibility with both propane and butane canisters. This dual-fuel capability is incredibly valuable for international travel or off-grid living, where fuel availability can vary wildly by region.

The lack of integrated legs means you must have a dedicated table or tailgate space ready for cooking. The brass burners provide highly precise flame adjustment, allowing for delicate simmering that many high-output camp stoves cannot replicate. Because it lacks a built-in lid or heavy wind guards, cooking in high winds will require a separate, improvised wind block.

This is the perfect option for those who want a sleek, indoor-style cooking experience adapted for outdoor use on a table or countertop. Its low profile makes it exceptionally easy to store flat in shallow drawers or under seats. Pass on this model if a standalone unit with integrated legs and heavy-duty grilling grates is desired.

Matching BTU Output to Your Cooking Needs

Understanding British Thermal Units (BTUs) is crucial to selecting a stove that performs well without wasting fuel. Many buyers mistakenly assume that higher BTUs always translate to better cooking, but this is a common misconception. High BTU burners consume gas at an alarming rate, which can be a major issue when relying on small, expensive portable canisters.

For simple boiling, searing, and wind resistance, a high-output burner of 20,000 to 30,000 BTUs is excellent. However, if the cooking style involves delicate simmering, low-temperature frying, or baking, a burner with lower maximum BTUs and precise control valves is far more useful. Consider these primary cooking styles:

• High-Heat Searing & Boiling: Requires 20,000+ BTUs per burner.
• All-Purpose Cooking & Simmering: Thrives in the 10,000 to 15,000 BTU range.
• Minimalist & Solo Cooking: Easily managed with efficient 5,000 to 8,000 BTU burners.

Fuel management is another critical factor linked directly to heat output. Running a 30,000 BTU burner on high will deplete a standard 1-pound green propane bottle in less than an hour. Balancing the burner’s maximum output against your available fuel storage capacity will prevent unexpected cold meals in the middle of a trip.

Connecting Your Grill to an RV Propane Tank

Plumb-in connections to an RV’s onboard propane supply offer unparalleled convenience and eliminate the hassle of managing loose disposable canisters. To make this work safely, you must understand the difference between high-pressure and low-pressure systems. Most RV quick-connect ports are low-pressure lines, meaning the gas has already passed through the rig’s main regulator.

Connecting a standard portable grill to an RV quick-connect port requires removing the grill’s built-in regulator. Running gas through two regulators in series will result in an extremely weak flame or no gas flow at all. Specific conversion kits, including low-pressure quick-disconnect hoses and fittings, are widely available for major grill brands to bypass the stock regulator safely.

Always perform a leak test using soapy water on all newly installed fittings before lighting the burner for the first time. Keep the hose length under 15 feet to maintain adequate gas pressure and prevent tripping hazards around the outdoor living area. Mastering this setup saves money on fuel and drastically reduces the plastic waste generated by disposable bottles.

Safe Storage and Maintenance in Small Spaces

Storing a grease-covered grill inside a small living space like a van, RV, or tiny house requires strict discipline. Leftover food particles and grease residue will quickly attract rodents and insects while creating persistent, unpleasant odors. Letting a grill cool completely before packing it away is the first, non-negotiable rule of small-space living.

A dedicated, heavy-duty carrying bag is an essential investment for any portable cooking system. These bags contain odors, catch grease drips, and protect surrounding gear from soot and scratches during travel. Before storing the unit for an extended period, apply a light coat of food-grade oil to cast-iron grates to prevent rust from moisture buildup.

Never store propane canisters or tanks inside the living area of an RV or tiny home. Ambient heat can cause the safety relief valves to release highly flammable gas into the enclosed space, creating a severe safety hazard. Utilize exterior storage bays, bumper mounts, or tongue-mounted boxes to keep fuel source containers safely vented to the outside.

Choosing the ideal portable grill with a side burner requires a clear-eyed assessment of your daily cooking habits, vehicle storage capacity, and weight limits. By focusing on practical performance over excessive features, you can build an efficient outdoor kitchen that stands up to the rigors of the road. Invest in quality, maintain your gear diligently, and enjoy the freedom of cooking gourmet meals wherever your travels take you.