Summer is approaching, the weather is nice, meals are ready on a grill. A propane grill is a good choice for sweet summertime gathering, but you want to make sure you buy a nice, suitable model for family use.
Below are 7 outstanding options for the best small propane grills for RV camping and home use. Take a look!
Best small 1-burner propane grills:
- Cuisinart CGG-180T Petit Gourmet Portable Tabletop – the Most lightweight
- Weber 50060001 Q1000 Liquid Propane Grill – Most versatile
- Coleman Propane Grill | RoadTrip LXE Portable Gas Grill – Best for tailgating
Best small 2-burner propane grills:
- Cuisinart CGG-306 Professional Tabletop Gas Grill – Most portable
- Pit Boss Grills 75275 Stainless Steel Two-Burner Portable Grill – Budget-friendly
- Weber 44010001 Spirit II E-210 Black LP Outdoor Gas Grill – Best overall
- Char-Broil Classic 280 2-Burner Liquid Propane Gas Grill with Side Burner – Additional side burner
Best small 1-burner propane grills
Cuisinart CGG-180T – Most lightweight
- Affordable
- Most lightweight
- Highly portable
- Easy to clean
- Pronounced briefcase-style carrying handle
- You can’t leave the grill alone while in use
It takes a few seconds to set the Petit up and get it going. Once assembled, the grill works perfectly. The porcelain-enameled grill grates retain heat well. The grill comes with a briefcase-style handle and foldable legs, making it easier to carry and grill.
The solid design and easy maintenance are also the highlights worth to mention. Keep in mind that you shouldn’t leave the grill while using because it can be very hot.
Product Specifications
| Dimensions | 16 1/2 x 11 1/4 x 33 ½ inches |
| Number Of Stainless Steel Burners | 1 |
| BTU-per-hour input | 5,500 BTU |
| Total cooking area (square inches) | 145 |
| Highlight Features | Porcelain-enameled grate, aluminum legs and stabilizing feet, briefcase-style carrying handle
|
Cuisinart CGG-180T Petit Gourmet Portable Tabletop, most lightweight grill in the list, is a perfect option for small gatherings and camping trips.
Weber 50060001 Q1000 – Most versatile
- Split grates allow for a grate/griddle cooking combination
- Lightweight
- Easy to assemble
- Excellent grease tray
- Large cooking surface
- Propane sold separately
The Q1000 offers larger knobs and handles, so it is easier to use. This version keeps the electronic ignition, an extra point for convenience and safety. The cooking surface is way enough for a small group of people. I also like the split grates so that you can grill or griddle whenever you like.
The grill is small and easy to clean too. Unlike other gas grills, this model doesn’t include a propane tank.
Product Specifications
| Dimensions | 14.5H x 27W x 16.5D inches |
| Number Of Stainless Steel Burners | 1 |
| BTU-per-hour input | 8500 BTU |
| Total cooking area (square inches) | 189 |
| Highlight Features | Split grates, cast-aluminum construction, simple-to-operate push-button ignition
|
Weber 50060001 Q1000 Liquid Propane Grill with its well-made design, versatility, and affordability, deserves a space in your kitchen.
Coleman RoadTrip LXE – Best for tailgating
- Small enough to fit in the back of most car trucks
- Cooks food fast (20,000 BTUs)
- Collapsible design
- Large cooking surface
- Cleaning can be difficult
With over 280 square inches of total cooking area, your crowd will be properly fed. The two burners with 20,000 BTUs can heat up and cook very quickly. You can grill steaks on one side and cook pancakes on the other side, double efficiency!
I love the collapsible design. The foldable handle and wheels create a stable base for the grill to work. When finished, it folds down in a blink. The err part is it will take a while to clean the mess on the grates after cooking.
Product Specifications
| Dimensions | 46 x 18 x 35 inches |
| Number Of Stainless Steel Burners | 2 |
| BTU-per-hour input | 20,000 BTUs |
| Total cooking area (square inches) | 285 |
| Highlight Features | Swaptop interchangeable cooktops, instastart button, collapsible design. |
Coleman Propane Grill | RoadTrip LXE Portable Gas Grill, highly functioning and portable, is the best friend for tailgating and car camping.
Best small 2-burner propane grills
Cuisinart CGG-306 – Most portable
- Quick ignition
- Easy to set up
- Lightweight
- Portability
- Built-in thermometer
- Stainless steel grates aren’t good at keeping heat.
Some people concern about the stainless steel cooking grates. It is true that stainless steel isn’t very heat-retaining-friendly.
However, the plus point is that it can hold the heat very long. What’s more, stainless steel grates require less cleaning and maintenance. If you aren’t a big fan of cleaning, consider the CGG-306.
Two burners at 20,000 BTUs and 276 square inches of cooking space offer the super-fast grill you can find. The model features a built-in thermometer to assist users when grilling. No more burnt steaks!
This grill comes at a very affordable price as well.
Product Specifications
| Dimensions | 21.5 x 13 x 17 |
| Number Of Stainless Steel Burners | 2 |
| BTU-per-hour input | 20,000 BTUS |
| Total cooking area (square inches) | 276.75 |
| Highlight Features | Stainless grates, integrated thermometer and adjustable burner knobs |
A portable option for an outdoor BBQ party, the Cuisinart CGG-306 Professional Tabletop Gas Grill brings great food to your table with a budget-friendly price.
Pit Boss Grills 75275 – Budget-friendly
- Well-made and sturdy
- Little assemble
- Budget-friendly
- Quick ignition
- You have to babysit your grill while in use. (because it is too hot)
Both body and lid are made of heavy-duty stainless steel – a material that lasts very long. You will see no rust or corrosion for a long period of use. Since it is small, this grill is easy to move around. What’s more, the folding legs and latching hood add to the portability of this grill.
The cooking space is about 276 square inches, able to accommodate a few steaks, portions of bacon, vegetables, and hamburgers at once. The ignition is easy to use. Pit Boss also features ABS controls and built-in thermometer.
The only downside is that the grill can get too hot, so you shouldn’t leave it while in use.
Product Specifications
| Dimensions | 23″ W x 16″ T x 19.5″ D |
| Number Of Stainless Steel Burners | 2 |
| BTU-per-hour input | 10,000 BTU |
| Total cooking area (square inches) | 276 |
| Highlight Features | Folding legs and latching hood, long lasting stainless steel construction, independent burners
|
Pit Boss Grills 75275 Stainless Steel Two-Burner Portable Grill is a grill that won’t break your bank. It performs excellently and stays very durable for an extended period.
Weber 44010001 Spirit II E-210 – Best overall
- The gas tank is easy to reach and mount
- Super durable
- Well-made
- Extra working space
- The assembly process is quite demanding.
What’s more, the grill’s total cooking space is about 450 square inches – a massive area to grill whatever you want. The two burners work perfectly, keep the heat evenly through the grates.
I have to say that the open cart design is a brilliant idea. It comes with 6 hooks and extra prep tables. Two large durable wheels offer a hand when you need to move this grill, not a single sweat is shed.
Weber products are famous for their durability and excellent construction. This Spirit II E-210 isn’t an exception. However, they still need to work on the assembly part because many users complain that the instruction isn’t enough.
Product Specifications
| Dimensions | 57 H x 48 W x 26 D |
| Number Of Stainless Steel Burners | 2 |
| BTU-per-hour input | 26, 500 BTU |
| Total cooking area (square inches) | 450 |
| Warming rack cooking area (square inches) | 90 |
| Highlight Features | Porcelain-Enameled Cast Iron Cooking Grates, Open Cart Design, Folding Side Table, Side Tables with Integrated Hooks |
Weber 44010001 Spirit II E-210 Black LP Outdoor Gas Grill brings the best bang for your buck. Durability, endurance, and great performance are all excellent traits this grill has.
Char-Broil Classic 280 – Additional side burner
- Large wheels, easy to transport
- Sturdy and rust-resistant
- Great grease management system
- 2 side shelves for extra working space
- The side burner doesn’t heat well.
This grill offers extra side burner of 8,000 BTUs, perfect to make sauces or sides. What’s more, Char-Broil comes with 2 big side shelves, providing additional space for preparation. The lid and firebox are made of heavy-duty porcelain-coated steel, able to withstand tough weather conditions.
The stainless steel burners are also durable and spread the heat evenly. The side burner can’t heat up very well compared to the two primary burners so that you should use it to heat up sauces.
Product Specifications
| Dimensions | 45.6 x 24.1 x 41.9 inches |
| Number Of Stainless Steel Burners | 2 |
| BTU-per-hour input | 8,000 |
| Total cooking area (square inches) | 280 |
| Highlight Features | Porcelain-coated steel lid and firebox, stainless steel inline burners, side burners, Piezo ignition system
|
Char-Broil Classic 280 2-Burner Liquid Propane Gas Grill with Side Burner, extra space and additional working capacity, is an option to consider when you think of weekend BBQ parties with friends and family.
How to choose the smallest propane grill (buying guide)
Before making any purchase, I often look at my golden list of questions and answer them all. This list is helpful because it sheds light on my muddy intention and let me know which factors I should focus on when buying a grill.
I will share this list with you.
How much am I willing to pay?
We all want to buy high-quality products, but let be honest here. We need to be realistic as well. You can spend $2,000 on a propane grill you probably use once every month. Even small gas grills can cost a fortune too.
Set a budget limit and stick with it. If you start your shopping at the beginning of summer, chances are you can’t get a very cheap price. However, in late July or August, you can surely find a lot of deals.
Natural gas or propane?
In case you have a gas line to your porch or deck, a natural gas grill should be the first choice. If that isn’t the case, propane is the only option left. The drawback of propane is that you always have to change the tank once in a while when it is empty.
How many BTUs should I use?
BTUs stands for British Thermal Units. It shows you the heating capacity of your grill. A grill with high BTUs rating will consume fuel very fast. So be careful with what you wish for! I recommend looking for a grill that offers up to 100 BTUs per square inch of cooking space.
How large the cooking surface should be?
A small grill can provide food for 2 to 10 people depending on the cooking size and waiting time. If you only want a few steaks for you and your partner, maybe a single-burner, the small-sized cooking surface is enough.
What other features should I consider?
Do you want extra working space? Think about open/ folding shelves. Grills with hooks can be helpful too especially when you grill different foods at a time. Think of features you want, but make sure that they don’t exceed your initial budget.
Who makes the best small propane grills for RV camping and home use?
So which brand names you can trust? There are a few manufacturers that produce high-quality and affordable propane grills as following:
- Char-Broil
- Weber
- Pit Boss
- Cuisinart
- Coleman
FAQs
Are propane grills safe?
Propane grills are safe if you know how to use them right. There are a few things you shouldn’t do when using them.
- Do not use propane gas grill indoors or in a closed space.
- If you smell leaks, do not use matches to check.
- Do not expose cylinders to high temperatures.
- Do not let children play with the grill or cylinder
- Do not smoke while working with a cylinder.
How long will a 20 lb propane tank last?
The durability of a propane tank depends on the BTU capacity. A 20 lb tank has around 430,270 BTU. If you burn the gas wide open, it can stay up to 7.4 hours of burning time.
What is better, cast iron or stainless steel grill grates?
Both cast iron and stainless steel grill grates have pros and cons. Let’s take a look at them and decide which is better for you.
Cast iron grill grates can
- Keep heat well for a long time
- Very durable
However, they aren’t 100% rust-resistant. Cast-iron grates are prone to rust and corrosion over time. To prevent that, you need to clean the grates right after use when they are still warm. That often takes more time to clean.
Stainless steel grill grates can
- Stay very durable, will not rust or corrode.
- These grates require minimal maintenance and less attention to clean.
Stainless steel grates, unfortunately, can’t get very hot as cast iron. They can get dark over time but that won’t affect the taste.
Can all propane grills be converted to natural gas?
What if you want to convert propane to natural gas? Is it possible? It is a common question that gas grill users often ask. Fortunately, there are simple steps to use natural gas on a propane grill.
- Before shopping, you need to make sure that your gas grill can use dual fuel, which means it can run off of both propane and natural gas.
- A conversion kit will help you switch from propane to natural gas. Each brand of grills offers different conversion kit, so you need to read the grill label to figure it out.
- Turn off the gas line, install the conversion kit as the manual guide.
- You can grill right away after installation.
Is propane more dangerous than natural gas?
Both natural gas and propane need to be handled carefully when it comes to safety. The clear distinction between propane and natural gas is the former is heavier than air while the latter is lighter than air.
Both can scatter into the air, but they can also concentrate in closed spaces. That is when they become dangerous. In this case, propane is more hazardous than natural gas since it tends to gather on the floor rather than floating up above.
Propane gas poses a higher risk of explosion. It can also increase the chance of suffocation if it leaks.
Is it cheaper to cook with propane or electricity?
Let’s do a calculation to find out.
Typically, propane gas is measured in BTUs (British Thermal Unit), while electricity is measured in kilowatts. A gallon of propane equals 27 kWh of electricity. In other words, 27 kWh of electricity is similar to 91,500 BTU.
Let’s take a light bulb for example. If it is turned on a whole day, it will need roughly 2.4 kWh. If we use propane as the power source, to supply a light bulb you need 0.09 gallon of propane gas.
Next, you can take a look at your electricity bill and multiply the cost (per kWh) by 27. For example, if you pay 12 cents per kilowatt-hour, then a gallon of propane will cost $3.24 (0.12 x27). In the market, the price of a gallon of propane varies from $2.00 to $2.75.
In short, propane is cheaper than electricity.
The bottom line
Have you picked the best small propane grill for RV camping and home use from the list? I hope that you not only find your ideal grill but also answer some of your searching questions.
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I’m James J. Decker, a hobbyist and DIYs and also a big of home improvement and gardening tools. I immensely enjoy how these amazing products improve productivity and efficiency, and allow me to do jobs for which I would’ve otherwise needed professional help.
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