10 Best Camping Grills (Review) In 2021

Equipping yourself with a high-quality camping grill is all fine and well, but there are a few more factors to consider in order to ensure you’re getting the best out of your camping experience. From features to safety tips to general maintenance, it’s worth knowing the following aspects so that you don’t end up at a loose end on your camping trip.

Features To Look For In A Camping Grill

It’s vital to look out for the following features when purchasing and using your camping grill. These features will shape your whole experience with the grill, so make sure that your preferences abide with the following.

Power Source - There are many different power sources which camping grills can have, and the one you choose will depend on a couple of personal factors. What have you used before? Are you conscious of your impact on the planet? Are you looking for the most cost-effective option?

Once you have the answers to the above questions, you will be able to make an informed decision on which power source to choose. The most popular power sources to choose from are wood burners and gas, but for the environmentally conscious, there is also the option to have electricity or natural energy power sources.

Each power source has its own different quirks and will require different tools to get going. However, unless you’re after the woody rustic taste which wood burners bring to the table, you’ll be pleased to know that the results are just as good from each power source. The camping grills featured in this guide have been chosen with different power sources in mind, so there’s plenty for you to compare.

Cooking Surface - The cooking surface is one of the most important features of a camping grill, as, at the end of the day, it will be the decider on how much food you can cook at once. The majority of grill surfaces are measured in square inches, and many camping grill descriptions will even tell you how much meat you can cook in one sitting. The size of the cooking surface will completely depend on your appetite or how many people you wish to cook for, but also remember that the bigger the cooking surface, the harder it will be to transport around. This factor alone shows that both small and large cooking surfaces have pros and cons, but if you’re passionate about cooking some good grub, then the rest is manageable.

As well as the cooking surface determining how much food you can cook, it also plays a part in the amount of energy used. This is why it is so important to carefully consider how much food you will be cooking, as more fuel will be needed to heat a larger surface area. Please excuse this painfully planned pun, but don’t bite off more than you can chew.

Temperature Control - Nowadays, a lot of camping grills will have a temperature gauge, meaning you have the freedom to raise or lower temperatures in order to cook your food to perfection. Temperature control isn’t always a necessity with camping grills, as it’s pretty easy to tell when small things like burgers and hotdogs are fully cooked. However, if you’re cooking something fiddlier which has strict cooking instructions, or you just wish to make sure the food you are cooking is edible, then temperature control will be your best friend. Simply use the dial or switch to crank things up a notch and you’ll soon trust your creations. Also, for the impatient cookers, temperature control means that you can cook things quickly, so the whole process doesn’t become a tedious task.

Heat Output - This is about to start sounding technical, but we assure you that it’s pretty straight forward. The heat output of a camping grill is measured by BTU (British Thermal Unit). Basically, BTU is a measuring unit for temperature, and it’s used to inform buyers about how much heat their camping grill can give out. The heat required will depend on the food you’re cooking, but for reference, a steak will not cook when on a gas grill with a BTU per square inches which is lower than 100. In fact, whenever you are grilling, the BTU is going to need to be over 100. To calculate the BTU per square inch, simply divide the given BTU by the size of the cooking surface. From here, you will be able to see what your camping grill can handle.

Grates - The grate is the area which your food will get cooked on, meaning it’s pretty important to get right. Believe it or not, a lot of thought needs to go into your grates, as the material will have a direct impact on how well the food cooks, as well as how much clean-up will be required afterward.

The best, and most popular, grates are either made out of cast iron or stainless steel. Cast iron grates are the best solution for efficient heat transfer, but stainless-steel grates are far easier to clean. Either way, the food you cook will be perfect with either of these grates, and they are available in a variety of sizes meaning you can replace one if need be.

Ignition - In this day and age, not a single person wishes to encounter the hassle which comes with figuring out how to turn something on. Due to this, the majority of camping grills now come with a simple ignition button, which isn’t too dissimilar to a light switch. Most ignition buttons don’t require a flame either, meaning the whole process is safe and quick. Easy stuff.

If you decide to get a camping grill which doesn’t have an ignition button, then don’t worry, it will still be easy to figure out. Just ensure that you read the instructions (sorry - must be done). The last thing you’ll want to do it rush the ignition process and end up with either no flames or a broken grill.

Construction - The construction of the camping grill is likely to reflect the price of it, but if you opt for the cheapest one around, you’re likely to end up with a flimsy piece of work which breaks after one use. So, with this in mind, don’t be afraid to spend a few extra dollars on a camping grill which has been constructed with high-quality materials which are made to last for years.

Just like we mentioned with the material of your grates, the most solid camping grills tend to be made out of cast iron or stainless steel. These materials are designed to endure high heats, meaning you and your family will be kept safe at all times. As well as safety, these materials don’t rust as much, further confirming their longevity.

It can be easy to opt for the most lightweight option when choosing a camping grill, especially as it's going to be transported frequently. However, ask yourself, is the flimsiest option worth the number of repairs it’ll need? Once you start looking at expertly constructed camping grills, you’ll soon realize that they are the perfect fit for you.

Portability - The whole point of a camping grill is to take it on your adventures with you, so there’s no point purchasing one which doesn’t have the right portability features. To start with, if the camping grill is on the larger side, then make sure it has wheels. This will stop you from having to pull a muscle in an attempt to carry it for long distances.

Most camping grills are made with traveling in mind, meaning the majority will be small enough to carry like a briefcase. If this is the case with yours, then make sure that it has a lockable lid and durable handle. The lockable lid will stop the grates from falling out, and the handle means that you have even weight distribution for a bearable carrying experience.

Ease of Construction - Some camping grills will come pre-assembled, but others may need some construction by yourself. This isn’t too much of an issue, but just ensure that the construction guide is easy to follow and that you have the right tools to carry out the task properly. The last thing you want is to realise you’ve forgotten a vital tool when you’re in the middle of nowhere and in need of food.

It’s unlikely that you’ll need to assemble anything too fiddly, and in most cases, you’ll just be required to construct a stand or handle. It will entirely depend on the model you purchase, but the ones mentioned in the guide require very little work to construct. You’re welcome.

Versatility - Did you know that some camping grills can do so much more than just grill food? As more and more products are becoming energy efficient, it’s interesting to see that some camping grills can convert the wasted heat energy into electricity which can then be used to charge phones. Who know that camping grills could be so versatile!

Safety Tips For When Using A Camping Grill

Camping grills may bring convenience to your adventure, but at the end of the day, you’re still dealing with fuels and open flames. Keep the following safety tips in mind at all times so that your experience is not ruined by a nasty accident:

• Never use the grill in your tent
• Avoid using the grill near any hanging branches
• Always keep the grill clean to avoid grease fires and rust
• Do not let kids go anywhere near the grill when it is on
• Always double check that the ignition is off when the grill is not in use
• Keep a mini fire extinguisher nearby

Camping Grill FAQ

Q: What's The Difference Between a Camping Grill and Camping Stove?

A: A camping stove is considered to be more ‘old school’, and is just a portable version of the average stove you would have in your kitchen. Camping stoves require a burner and a flame to ignite, whereas a camping grill tends to cook through charcoal or gas. To put it more simply, a portable camping BBQ grill is just a smaller version of a barbeque grill, and a camping stove is a smaller version of a kitchen stove.

Q: How To Properly Grill Outdoors?

A: Grilling outdoors is not a difficult task, but it can be overwhelming for first-timers who want to get everything right. So, to begin with, give the grill a thorough inspection in order to ensure that there is no ash lying around and that no gas has leaked. Once you’re confident that everything is clear, start to warm up the grill. The warming up process will require some patience, but it’s better to wait at this stage rather than have food which is barely even cooking.

Once the campfire grill is warm and ready to cook, wrap your chosen meat up in marinade and tinfoil to stop it from caramelizing when it hits an open flame. If your meat doesn’t have marinade which is at risk of caramelizing, then chuck it on the grill and only flip it when one side is fully cooked. From here, you’ll have evenly cooked meat!

Q: How Can I Keep My Food Fresh Outdoors?

A: The easiest way to keep your food fresh while outdoors for a few days is to use a cooler. The majority of coolers will work to keep your food fresh for up to 72 hours, meaning you can enjoy chilled foods for the whole duration of your trip. Coolers are made for camping situations, meaning they will be just as portable as your camping grill - perfect!

Q: What Accessories Should I Bring For My Camping Grill?

A: In order to have the best experience possible with your camping grill, it’s worth bringing the following accessories with you.

1. Heat-resistant grilling gloves to avoid any nasty burns
2. Outdoor cutlery which can be disposed of once used
3. Utensil kit for all your grilling wants and needs
4. Foldable grill table for a buffet-effect

Q: How To Check The Level Of My Gas Tank?

A: To simply check the level of your gas tank, slowly pour hot water down one side of the tank. As a line of condensation begins to appear, you will be able to see what level the gas is at. If a line of condensation does not appear, then the tank is likely to be empty. In order to confirm this, run your hand along the tank and see if there's a change in temperature. A change in temperature will indicate where the gas level is, but no change will further prove that it is empty.