Best Portable Open Grills


Our review process

Ever consider how you can upgrade your next backyard picnic? There are plenty of options of grills to purchase. How do you know which grill is the best for your cooking needs? Luckily, our professionals spent numerous hours assembling, reviewing, and analyzing more than 1,300 grills, each one having 89 various data parameters. During our time reviewing each grill, we found nine that are portable open grills. Our final goal is to bring you practical facts that you can then use to find the perfect grill for your patio. We took into account first-hand user experiences and included key features, such as body construction material and burner type. Therefore, we are excited to show you the following guide that will review some of the advantages and disadvantages in order to assist you in getting the grill of your dreams!

There's lots to know about portable open grills. Open grills have even heat circulation, so that while the lid is closed, food maintains the desired consistency and texture. They have ventilated heat regulation, ensuring a consistent level of airflow. Open grills have an extensive surface area, which is great for cooking multiple food items simultaneously.

Portable grills typically feature internal storage units, making them great for keeping all barbecuing supplies in one convenient area. With a compact design, they are a fantastic option for outdoor locations with limited space. However, they have a lower burner power, so it can take you a while to get your meal ready, especially if you're grilling bigger pieces of meat. In addition, they require additional measures for safety, so if you decide to get one, it's a good idea to read up on proper use.

Our Top Ranking Grills:
Product NameBrandFuel Type
Best Overall Score
1
An image of Magikitch'N LPAGA-60-SS 60" Liquid Propane Stainless Steel Open Grill
Magikitch'N LPAGA-60-SS 60" Liquid Propane Stainless Steel Open Grill
Magikitch'N
liquid propane
Runner Up
2
An image of Magikitch'N LPAGA-30-SS 30'' Liquid Propane Stainless Steel Open Grill
Magikitch'N LPAGA-30-SS 30'' Liquid Propane Stainless Steel Open Grill
Magikitch'N
liquid propane
Best Durable Option
3
An image of Star Manufacturing 6136RCBF 36'' Natural Gas Stainless Steel Open Grill
Star Manufacturing 6136RCBF 36'' Natural Gas Stainless Steel Open Grill
Star Manufacturing
natural gas
Best Affordable Option
4
An image of Camp Chef TB90LWG Propane Gas Portable Open Grill
Camp Chef TB90LWG Propane Gas Portable Open Grill
Camp Chef
propane gas
5
An image of Crown Verity L Series Liquid Propane Stainless Steel Portable Open Grill
Crown Verity L Series Liquid Propane Stainless Steel Portable Open Grill
Crown Verity
liquid propane
Our Top Ranking Grills
Customer Rating
Brand
Magikitch'N
Fuel Type
liquid propane
Customer Rating
Brand
Magikitch'N
Fuel Type
liquid propane
Customer Rating
Brand
Star Manufacturing
Fuel Type
natural gas
Customer Rating
Brand
Camp Chef
Fuel Type
propane gas
Best Overall Score
An image of Magikitch'N LPAGA-60-SS 60" Liquid Propane Stainless Steel Open Grill

Rely on the Magikitch'N Liquid Propane Open Grill for a delicious barbecue experience you can share with your family and friends. This Magikitch'N grill has a spark igniter to take the struggle out of lighting your grill. Fueled by liquid propane, it distributes heat across the cooking area and allows for easy temperature control so that you can enjoy delicious results every time. With a stainless steel body, it has superior strength and durability. It has a portable design, which makes it great for a day at the beach.

    Pros
    • Features a spark igniter, helping you quickly light your grill
    • Stainless steel design is both sleek and durable
    • Liquid propane allows you to easily control the temperature so that all your food is cooked to perfection
    Cons
    • Stainless steel construction tends to lose its color over time
    • Includes a stainless steel grill grate, getting messy easily and requires intense cleaning
    • Features a spark igniter, losing its ability to work quickly if it gets too dirty
Runner Up
An image of Magikitch'N LPAGA-30-SS 30'' Liquid Propane Stainless Steel Open Grill

The Magikitch'N Liquid Propane Open Grill is outstanding for enjoying a delicious barbecued meal for all your family and friends. This Magikitch'N grill features a spark igniter to take the struggle out of starting your grill. Using liquid propane, it is ideal for consistently distributing heat to ensure a perfect cook every time. It has a portable design, which makes it excellent for a day at the beach.

    Pros
    • Features a spark igniter, allowing you to easily light your barbecue
    • Stainless steel design is resistant to corrosion and built to last
    • Liquid propane uniformly distributes heat across the cooking area and allows for convenient temperature control
    Cons
    • Stainless steel construction limits heat transfer, affecting your food
    • Spark igniter loses its functionality quickly if it gets too dirty
    • Runs on liquid propane, costing more than a grill that needs charcoal
Best Durable Option
An image of Star Manufacturing 6136RCBF 36'' Natural Gas Stainless Steel Open Grill

The Star Manufacturing Natural Gas Open Grill is an outstanding choice for any neighborhood cookout. This Star Manufacturing grill features a portable design, which makes it ideal for camping or hosting parties. Using natural gas, it is perfect for providing a cleaner-burning alternative for all your barbecuing needs. With a stainless steel construction, it holds heat for a long time, meaning that you can continue preparing your food after it has been switched to the off position.

    Pros
    • Stainless steel design is highly resistant to corrosion and dust
    • Natural gas emits almost zero pollutants and is environmentally-friendly and energy efficient
    Cons
    • Stainless steel design limits heat transfer, affecting your food
    • Features a cast iron cooking grate, taking a considerable amount of time to heat up
    • Runs on natural gas, costing more than a grill that utilizes charcoal
Best Affordable Option
An image of Camp Chef TB90LWG Propane Gas Portable Open Grill

The Camp Chef Propane Gas Open Grill is a perfect choice for any weekend barbecue. This portable grill has a piezo starter, helping you easily fire up your barbecue. It features three cast aluminum burners, so you can experience an even more diverse range of meals. It is made with a portable design, so you can conveniently bring it camping or to a friend's house. Using propane gas, it distributes consistent heat across the cooking area to minimize grill flare-ups.

    Pros
    • Piezo starter allows you to light your propane gas grill effortlessly
    • Features a tool holder, giving you the flexibility to barbecue like a professional by having all your utensils easily accessible
    • Propane gas provides a strong heat-source, ensuring that food is cooked well
    Cons
    • Piezo starter loses its ability to work very fast if it gets too dirty
    • Propane gas is not good for slow cooking or for smoking meat
Additional Picks
An image of Crown Verity L Series Liquid Propane Stainless Steel Portable Open Grill

The Crown Verity L Series Liquid Propane Open Grill is a perfect choice for any weekend barbecue. With 10 burners, this portable grill allows you to produce the indirect and direct heat needed to create a two-zone cooking area. It features a portable design, which makes it excellent for a day at the beach. Using liquid propane, it can reach its maximum temperature in less than 15 minutes, so you can get grilling right away. This stainless steel grill is highly resilient and durable in harsh conditions. Featuring lockable casters, this portable grill makes sure your grill stays in one place when something or someone bumps up against it.

    Pros
    • Stainless steel design is highly resistant to corrosion and dust
    • Liquid propane consistently distributes heat throughout the grill and allows for easy temperature control
    Cons
    • Stainless steel design doesn't retain heat as well as cast iron
    • Liquid propane is not ideal for slow roasting or for smoking meat
An image of Magikitch'N 60" Liquid Propane Stainless Steel Portable Open Grill

Prepare delicious meals for your family and friends by using the Magikitch'N Liquid Propane Open Grill. This Magikitch'N grill has a portable design, which makes it outstanding for weekend trips. Made of stainless steel, it is highly durable and resilient in harsh environments. It runs on liquid propane, which utilizes a portable fuel tank that is simple to refill and use.

    Pros
    • Stainless steel design is highly resistant to corrosion and dust
    • Liquid propane consistently distributes heat over the cooking space and allows for convenient temperature control
    Cons
    • Stainless steel construction tends to lose its color over time
    • Includes a stainless steel cooking grate, getting dirty easily and requires intense cleaning
    • Liquid propane costs more than a grill that uses charcoal
An image of Magikitch'N LPG60 60" Gas Portable Open Grill

The Magikitch'N Gas Open Grill is a perfect choice for any neighborhood barbecue. This Magikitch'N grill features a swing-out handle to keep your barbecue tightly sealed. It has a portable design, so you can conveniently bring it camping or to a friend's house. With six burners, this portable grill allows you to produce the indirect and direct heat needed to create a two-zone cooking area. It has a built-in hood thermometer, which displays the internal temperature of the grill to give you more control over your meat. This Magikitch'N grill features a spark igniter so that you can effortlessly light it. It requires gas, cooking food quickly, so you don't have to wait to enjoy your steaks, ribs, and chicken.

    Pros
    • Spark igniter makes lighting your gas grill quick and simple
    • Features a front service shelf, providing you with enough room to place platters of wings and spices
    • Runs on gas, heating food quickly
    Cons
    • Features a spark igniter, losing its functionality quickly if it gets too dirty
    • Requires gas, needing more regular upkeep than other fuel types, due to its complexity
An image of Crown Verity 34" Natural Gas Stainless Steel Portable Open Grill

Count on the Crown Verity Natural Gas Open Grill for a delicious barbecue experience you can share with your friends and family. This open grill features a portable design, which makes it excellent for weekend trips. Featuring a stainless steel build, it is built to last. It has five large stainless steel main burners, which let you create the direct and indirect heat needed for two-zone cooking. This natural gas grill is perfect for reducing unnecessary waste and exposure to harmful emissions, such as carbon dioxide.

    Pros
    • Stainless steel design is highly resistant to corrosion and dust
    • Natural gas is environmentally-friendly and does not emit harmful chemicals
    Cons
    • Stainless steel construction tends to lose its color with extended use
    • Natural gas is not good for slow roasting or for smoking BBQ
An image of Aussie 700-DS Propane Gas Portable Open Grill

Are you a fan of hosting great barbecues? Consider choosing the Aussie Propane Gas Open Grill for a delicious grilling experience. This open grill features an electronic ignition to take the struggle out of starting your grill. It has a portable design, which makes it outstanding for camping or hosting parties. Fueled by propane gas, it distributes heat evenly across the cooking area for consistent results every time. Use the indirect and direct heat needed for two-zone cooking with this open grill's six large stainless steel main burners.

    Pros
    • Electronic ignition makes lighting your propane gas grill quick and simple
    • Propane gas locks in juices to ensure tender and flavorful results
    • Grease pan catches grease from your food and prevents it from messing up your grill
    Cons
    • Electronic ignition loses its functionality very quickly if it gets too dirty
    • Propane gas is not great for slow roasting or for smoking BBQ
If You Need Help Making Your Choice, Here's Some Additional Information About the Portable Open Grills Available:
How Should Your Portable Open Grill Be Fueled?
Natural Gas Grills

If you want a grill which will be a more environmentally-friendly option, then a natural gas grill is what you need for your portable open grill. Natural gas grills are low maintenance, ensuring that they remain in perfect condition with little upkeep required. They maintain a steady temperature, making them perfect for either slow roasting or searing your meat. They feature temperature control dials, which make it more convenient to select the perfect temperature while cooking. With an easy-to-use design, they will take your cooking experience to the next level. Natural gas grills can reach temperatures of 400 to 600 degrees Fahrenheit, so you can evenly cook anything from vegetables to meat and poultry. They have igniters for better monitoring of the fire. On the low end of the CO2 emissions fuel scale, they are a more energy-efficient choice. However, they are difficult to install, often requiring a professional to create a natural gas line if you don't already have one. Now that you know more about natural gas grills, and you want to get one, take a look here.

Propane Gas Grills

Want to learn more about propane gas portable open grills? Keep reading the following section to learn more about them. Maintaining consistent temperatures, propane grills can cook your meat to the point of perfection. They are capable of reaching temperatures of 400 to 600 degrees Fahrenheit, so you can fully grill food with delicious zest and flavors. They have a low maintenance design, ensuring that they stay in perfect shape with little upkeep required. Propane gas grills come with temperature control dials, which make sure that grilling occurs, at the right temperature. They have igniters, which enable you to easily start the grill without the need for a lighter or match. A potential downside is that they run out of propane after repeated use, so you'll need to have extra fuel ready in order to finish grilling your food. Additionally, they have wide venting, so if food with smoky flavor is what you want, these grills aren't the best choice for you. Feel ready to decide on the right portable open grill for you? You can get started here.

Liquid Propane Grills

Want to learn more about liquid propane portable open grills? Keep reading the following section to learn more about them. Liquid propane grills are able to reach temperatures of 400 to 600 degrees Fahrenheit, ensuring that your favorite food is consistently cooked at the correct heat level. They have a low maintenance design, ensuring that they remain in perfect shape with little upkeep required. They warm up in seconds, requiring little set up time. They distribute heat evenly, maintaining a stable temperature throughout the grilling process for the best results. They are designed with temperature control dials, so you can easily decide the right heat while cooking. Designed to ensure a rapid and safe startup every time, they come with igniters, so you can grill without the need for a lighter or match. However, they have wide venting, so if food with smoky flavor is what you want, these grills aren't the right choice for you. A benefit is that liquid propane is more expensive than natural gas, making them a luxury, only to be considered if you're looking to make a big investment by adding an outdoor kitchen to your home. Ready to pick out the right portable open grill for you? You can get started here.

Deciding on Cooking Grate Material for Portable Open Grills
Grills with Stainless Steel Grates

If you want a portable open grill with a stainless steel grate design, you can find a high-quality one here. Stainless steel grates have heat retention technology, minimizing the fuel required while cooking. The grates are built with anti-corrosion properties, so they provide long-lasting durability even after repeated use. They are non-stick so that you can grill without the need for extra oiling. They have a low maintenance build, so it won't be a hassle to ensure that they stay in great condition over time. They are simple to clean, so a variety of grill brushes will do the trick.

Grills with Cast Iron Grates

With two portable open grills with a cast iron grate design, there's lots to know about what makes them unique. Cast iron grates have heat retention technology, delivering a perfectly cooked meal quickly and efficiently. These grates have even heat circulation, making them excellent for ensuring that meat is thoroughly cooked. They are non-stick, which will prevent meat from sticking to the grate after grilling. However, they need to be maintained carefully: It's best if you oil them before use and always make sure to clean them before they've cooled down. Additionally, they have a heavier design, so you may need a special tool to lift and replace them on the grill. With all of the information that you need to know about cast iron grates, check out this highly-rated portable open grill.