A camping charcoal grill has one job: carry a real fire to a place that has none, then cook over it the way a restaurant line cooks over its grill. That means steady heat for carne asada, room at the edge to warm a stack of tortillas, a lid or vents to calm the fire down, and a body you can lift out of a trunk and set on a picnic table or a patch of sand.
This guide compares nine portable charcoal grills sold on Amazon in the United States: small Weber kettles, a rectangular grill that packs like a toolbox, a cast iron hibachi, a little kamado, two tabletop barrels and a grill that folds flat. For each we list the type, cooking area, weight, material, vents, lid and warranty as the maker or the Amazon listing states them, and write “Not stated” where neither does.
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Quick verdict: which camping charcoal grill to buy
For most campsites, the best camping charcoal grill is the Weber Jumbo Joe 18-inch: 240 square inches under a kettle lid, lid and bowl dampers, a lid lock for carrying, and room for four to six people, according to Weber. For two to four people, the smaller Weber Smokey Joe 14-inch carries the same design in a lighter body. If you want something that packs square in a trunk, choose the Weber Go-Anywhere; for a heavy cast iron hibachi that sears hard, the Lodge Sportsman’s Pro; and for slow cooks away from home, the insulated Char-Griller AKORN Jr. kamado.
The table compares the five picks we would steer most campers toward, one for each kind of trip. All nine grills are reviewed in full after it.
Five portable charcoal grills side by side
Cooking area, weight and lid for our five standout picks, as each maker or Amazon listing states them.
| Grill | Best for | Cooking area & weight | Lid & vents | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Weber Jumbo Joe 18-inch Charcoal GrillBest overall
|
Families and groups of four to six | 240 sq in; 14 lb (Weber store) | Locking kettle lid; lid and bowl dampers | View on Amazon |
Weber Smokey Joe 14-inch Charcoal GrillBest for two to four
|
Couples, small cars, beach trips | 147 sq in; 7.95 lb (Weber store) | Locking kettle lid; lid and bowl dampers | View on Amazon |
Weber Go-Anywhere Charcoal GrillPacks flattest
|
Tight trunks, two-zone cooking | Area not stated; 11.5 lb (Weber store) | Lid locked by legs; 2 lid dampers, bowl vents | View on Amazon |
Lodge Sportsman’s Pro Cast Iron GrillBest cast iron hibachi
|
Hard searing, car camping | 9 x 16.75 in grate; 33.25 lb (Lodge) | No lid listed; dual air vents | View on Amazon |
Char-Griller AKORN Jr. Portable KamadoBest for low and slow
|
Smoking and long cooks at camp | 155 sq in; 33 lb | Locking lid; indexed dual dampers | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Specifications as stated by each maker or Amazon listing; weights marked “Weber store” are the figures on Weber’s own online store. Check the listing before you buy.
Our picks for the best camping charcoal grill
These nine grills cover the ways people actually cook over charcoal away from home: round kettles in two sizes, a rectangular grill with a split grate, a cast iron hibachi, an insulated kamado, two tabletop barrels, a fold-flat grill and a tabletop with a warming rack. Each pick explains who it suits, the specs that matter when you carry it, and one honest reason to skip it.
1. Weber Jumbo Joe 18-inch Charcoal Grill – Kettle Control for a Whole Campsite
The Jumbo Joe is a full Weber kettle shrunk just enough to carry. The listing gives a porcelain-enameled bowl and lid with 240 square inches of cooking area on an 18.5-inch plated steel grate, and Weber says it has room to cook for four to six people. That is the size where carne asada for a family stops being a two-round job: steak on one side over the coals, cebollitas and jalapeños beside it, tortillas warming at the cooler edge.
A kettle is easy to control because you have two sets of vents. Weber lists lid and bowl dampers, and the listing says the dampers and the ash catcher are rust-resistant aluminum. Close the top damper partway and the fire settles; open both and it climbs. The Tuck-N-Carry lid lock clamps the lid to the bowl for carrying and doubles as a lid holder while you cook, so the hot lid is not on the ground.
Assembled, the listing gives 19.75 by 20.5 by 19.75 inches, and Weber’s online store lists the grill at 14 pounds. Weber backs it with a 10-year limited warranty, according to its store. It carries with one glass-reinforced nylon handle, which is fine from car to table but not for a long walk.
Why we like it
- 240 sq in, room for four to six people (Weber)
- Lid and bowl dampers for real heat control
- Tuck-N-Carry lid lock doubles as a lid holder
- Aluminum ash catcher keeps coals off the table
- 10-year limited warranty (Weber store)
Key specifications
| Model | 1211001 |
|---|---|
| Type | Portable kettle |
| Cooking area | 240 sq in (18.5 in grate) |
| Weight | 14 lb (Weber store) |
| Material | Porcelain-enameled bowl and lid; plated steel grate |
| Vents | Lid and bowl dampers (aluminum) |
| Lid | Yes, Tuck-N-Carry lid lock |
| Warranty | 10-year limited (Weber store) |
Why we recommend it
It suits families, tailgates and group campsites where one grill has to feed everyone. The kettle lid also lets you cook a whole chicken or a thick steak by indirect heat, which a lidless hibachi cannot do.
Skip it if you are short on trunk space. A round 20-inch kettle with legs does not stack well with coolers and chairs.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Big enough for a family
- Two sets of dampers
- Lid locks for transport
- Long warranty
Cons
- Round shape packs awkwardly
- Single carry handle
- No thermometer listed
2. Weber Smokey Joe 14-inch Charcoal Grill – The Kettle in Carry-On Size
The Smokey Joe is the smallest Weber kettle and the classic grill for a beach or a park table. Weber gives it a 147-square-inch grilling surface, enough for six burgers made with a Weber burger press, and room to cook for two to four people. For a small group that is a pound or two of arrachera with a few onions alongside, which is most of what a camping meal needs.
It keeps the features that make a kettle easy to run: a porcelain-enamel finish that Weber says is scratch- and rust-resistant, a rust-resistant plated-steel cooking grate, lid and bowl dampers for heat control, and an ash catcher that protects the surface underneath and makes cleanup easier. The current version adds the Tuck-N-Carry lid lock, which secures the lid to the bowl and holds it while you cook.
Weber’s store lists the grill at 7.95 pounds, about half the Jumbo Joe, and backs it with a 10-year limited warranty. A cover is sold separately; Weber also makes a travel and storage bag for this size.
Why we like it
- 147 sq in, six burgers (Weber)
- Lid and bowl dampers
- Tuck-N-Carry lid lock
- 7.95 lb on Weber’s store
- 10-year limited warranty
Key specifications
| Model | 1501695 |
|---|---|
| Type | Portable kettle |
| Cooking area | 147 sq in |
| Weight | 7.95 lb (Weber store) |
| Material | Porcelain-enameled bowl and lid; plated steel grate |
| Vents | Lid and bowl dampers |
| Lid | Yes, Tuck-N-Carry lid lock |
| Warranty | 10-year limited |
Why we recommend it
It suits couples, small families and anyone who walks from the car to the cooking spot. It is light, simple and has the same vent control as a full-size kettle.
Skip it if you regularly cook for more than four. At 147 square inches you will be grilling in rounds.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Light and compact
- Real kettle vents
- Lid locks for carrying
Cons
- Small grate for groups
- Short legs: needs a table or flat ground
- Cover sold separately
3. Weber Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill – Packs Like a Toolbox
Round kettles waste space in a car. Weber’s Go-Anywhere solves that with a rectangular body, 11.5 by 19.5 by 15 inches according to the listing, that Weber says is easy to carry, pack and store. The legs swing up to lock the lid in place for travel and swing down to hold the grill steady when you cook, and there are grip handles on the top and sides.
The rectangle also cooks well. The cooking grate comes in two pieces, so you can lift one half and add charcoal without moving the food, and a Char-Rail insert holds the coals to one side for indirect cooking. That gives you a hot zone for searing and a cool zone for tortillas, ribs or a small roast. Weber lists two lid dampers and bowl vents, and says the grill comes with foil pans to catch drippings. Weber also says the body has room inside for cooking tools and a compact chimney starter.
Weber’s store lists it at 11.5 pounds with a 10-year limited warranty, and says it cooks for two to four people. Neither Weber nor the listing gives the cooking area in square inches.
Why we like it
- Rectangular body packs and stores easily
- Legs lock the lid for transport
- Two-piece grate for adding charcoal
- Char-Rail insert for indirect cooking
- Two lid dampers plus bowl vents
Key specifications
| Model | 1500763 |
|---|---|
| Type | Rectangular portable grill |
| Cooking area | Not stated (2 to 4 people, per Weber) |
| Weight | 11.5 lb (Weber store) |
| Material | Porcelain-enamel finish |
| Vents | 2 lid dampers and bowl vents |
| Lid | Yes, locked by the legs |
| Warranty | 10-year limited |
Why we recommend it
It suits campers who pack tight and want two heat zones: steak over the coals, tortillas and peppers over the empty side. The fold-up legs mean it never needs a stand.
Skip it if you want to know the exact grilling area before you buy. Weber does not publish it, and the grill sits low to the table.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Packs square
- Easy two-zone fire
- Add coals mid-cook
Cons
- Cooking area not stated
- Low working height
4. Lodge Sportsman’s Pro Cast Iron Grill – Heavy Iron, Hard Sear
Lodge calls the Sportsman’s Pro a hibachi-style grill with a fan following, and it is the closest thing here to the cast iron a restaurant grill is built from. The whole grill is seasoned cast iron, made in the USA, in a four-piece design. The listing gives a 9 by 16.75-inch cooking grate, which is a good shape for a row of skewers or two flank steaks side by side.
Cast iron holds heat, so the grate stays hot when cold meat hits it and gives you a strong sear. Dual air vents adjust the fire, and the removable grate makes it easier to reach the charcoal and clean up, according to the listing. Lodge says it is seasoned with 100 percent natural vegetable oil and made without PFAS, and its care advice is short: outdoor use only, then hand wash, dry and oil.
The trade-off is weight. Lodge lists the grill at 33.25 pounds, 19.38 inches long, 9.69 wide and 7.56 high, and it includes hook and carry handles. There is no lid listed, so it grills direct only; plan on thin cuts, fajita meat and vegetables rather than a slow roast. Lodge covers it with its Made Right warranty.
Why we like it
- Seasoned cast iron throughout (Lodge)
- Dual air vents and a removable grate
- Made in the USA
- Hook and carry handles included
Key specifications
| Model | LSPROG |
|---|---|
| Type | Cast iron hibachi-style grill |
| Cooking area | 9 x 16.75 in grate |
| Weight | 33.25 lb (Lodge) |
| Material | Seasoned cast iron |
| Vents | Dual air vents |
| Lid | No lid listed |
| Warranty | Lodge Made Right Warranty |
Why we recommend it
It suits car campers who grill thin, fast cuts and want a sear that a thin steel grate cannot match. Carne asada, fajitas and skewers are exactly what a hibachi is for.
Skip it if you have to carry the grill any distance. At 33.25 pounds it is heavy for its size, and it has no lid.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Cast iron heat retention
- Adjustable vents
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Heavy at 33.25 lb
- No lid
- Must be dried and oiled after use
5. Char-Griller AKORN Jr. Portable Kamado – Insulated for Long Cooks
A kamado holds heat in a thick, closed body, so a small load of charcoal can run for hours. Most kamados are ceramic and too heavy to travel. Char-Griller’s AKORN Jr. uses triple-wall insulated steel instead, which the listing says retains heat and limits airflow for fuel efficiency, steadier temperatures and longer burn times.
Char-Griller gives it a 200 to 700°F range, so it can smoke low and slow, roast, bake or sear. The cooking surface is 155 square inches of thick cast iron grate, room for up to eight burgers. Indexed dual dampers let you return to a setting you know works, a built-in temperature gauge shows the dome heat, and a locking lid keeps it closed for travel.
The listing gives the size as 20 by 20 by 26 inches and the weight as 33 pounds, with side handles for carrying. For warranty terms it points to the owner’s manual.
Why we like it
- Triple-wall insulated steel body
- 200 to 700°F range (Char-Griller)
- Indexed dual dampers and a temperature gauge
- Cast iron grates, 155 sq in
- Locking lid and side handles
Key specifications
| Model | E86714 |
|---|---|
| Type | Portable kamado |
| Cooking area | 155 sq in |
| Weight | 33 lb |
| Material | Triple-wall insulated steel; cast iron grates |
| Vents | Indexed dual adjustable dampers |
| Lid | Yes, locking |
| Warranty | Not stated in the listing (see owner’s manual) |
Why we recommend it
It suits campers who want to smoke a pork shoulder or barbacoa-style beef while the day goes on, and RV travelers who have the room. No other grill here holds a low fire as steadily.
Skip it if you mostly grill quick dinners. It weighs 33 pounds and its 155 square inches is smaller than the Jumbo Joe’s.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Insulated for fuel efficiency
- Smokes and sears
- Built-in gauge
Cons
- Heavy for its size
- Small grate for groups
- Warranty not stated in the listing
6. Cuisinart 14-inch Portable Charcoal Grill – Four Pounds With Three Lid Locks
Cuisinart’s CCG190 is a small round tabletop grill built to be carried. The listing gives the weight as just 4 pounds, the lightest stated weight on this list, and a size of 14 by 14 by 15 inches. Three lid locks hold the lid down in transit so ash does not spill in the car.
The cooking grate is 196 square inches of chrome-plated steel, which Cuisinart says resists rust and cleans quickly. Dual adjustable vents control the fire for either high heat or a gentler cook, and the firebox is enamel-coated with an ash base underneath.
Two things to weigh: the listing gives a 90-day limited warranty, far shorter than Weber’s, and a 4-pound grill is thin metal, so it will not hold heat like cast iron or an insulated kamado.
Why we like it
- 4 lb stated weight
- 196 sq in chrome-plated grate
- Three lid locks for transport
- Dual adjustable vents
Key specifications
| Model | CCG190RB |
|---|---|
| Type | Round tabletop grill |
| Cooking area | 196 sq in |
| Weight | 4 lb |
| Material | Enamel-coated firebox; chrome-plated grate |
| Vents | Dual adjustable vents |
| Lid | Yes, three lid locks |
| Warranty | 90-day limited |
Why we recommend it
It suits hikers to a picnic spot, balconies and anyone who wants a grill they can carry with one hand alongside a cooler.
Skip it if you want a grill to last many seasons. The 90-day warranty is the shortest here.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Lightest stated weight
- Lid locks
- Rust-resistant grate
Cons
- 90-day warranty
- Thin body holds less heat
7. Oklahoma Joe’s Rambler Tabletop Charcoal Grill – Adjustable Fire Height
The Rambler is a small barrel-style tabletop from a smoker brand, and it brings one feature the kettles lack: a height-adjustable charcoal tray. Raise the coals close to the grate to sear, or drop them to cook gently, the same way a restaurant parrilla moves the grate instead of fussing with the fire.
The listing gives 218 square inches of cooking space, enough for six burgers, six steaks or 12 bratwursts, on thick cast iron grates that Oklahoma Joe’s says retain heat for strong sear marks. The body is heavy-duty steel with a temperature gauge with glow-in-the-dark accents, a lid handle with a rubber grip that stays cool to the touch, sturdy side handles and a full-size removable ash pan.
Oklahoma Joe’s gives a two-year warranty on the grates, lid and all other parts. The listing does not state the weight or describe the vents, and heavy-duty steel with cast iron grates is not a light combination.
Why we like it
- Height-adjustable charcoal tray
- Cast iron grates, 218 sq in
- Built-in temperature gauge
- Full-size removable ash pan
- Two-year warranty on grates, lid and parts
Key specifications
| Model | 19402088 |
|---|---|
| Type | Tabletop barrel grill |
| Cooking area | 218 sq in |
| Weight | Not stated |
| Material | Heavy-duty steel; cast iron grates |
| Vents | Not stated (adjustable charcoal tray) |
| Lid | Yes, cool-touch handle |
| Warranty | 2 years on grates, lid and other parts |
Why we recommend it
It suits tailgaters and RV campers who want fine heat control and cast iron grates on a tabletop. The adjustable tray is the easiest way to switch from searing to gentle heat on this list.
Skip it if you need to know the weight before you buy; the listing does not give it.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Raise or lower the coals
- Cast iron grates
- Thermometer included
Cons
- Weight not stated
- Vents not described in the listing
8. Fire Sense Notebook Charcoal Grill – Folds to One Inch
Fire Sense’s Notebook grill is the space-saver here. The listing says it stands 13 inches high for cooking and folds to one inch flat in seconds, forming its own carrying case. Assembled, it measures 13 by 18 by 13 inches and weighs 8 pounds.
The body is high-heat-resistant painted steel, with a patented fold-open design and compact folding grates of 3.5 mm cooking bars. The cooking surface is 17.34 by 11.82 inches, a long narrow shape that suits a row of skewers, sausages or a few thin steaks. A rack and grill rack are included.
It is an open grill with no lid and no adjustable vents described, so you manage heat by how much charcoal you load and where you spread it. Fire Sense lists a one-year warranty, and the listing labels it for outdoor use only.
Why we like it
- Folds to one inch flat
- 8 lb stated weight
- 17.34 x 11.82 in cooking surface
- 3.5 mm cooking bars
Key specifications
| Model | 60508 |
|---|---|
| Type | Folding open grill |
| Cooking area | 17.34 x 11.82 in |
| Weight | 8 lb |
| Material | High-heat painted steel |
| Vents | Not stated |
| Lid | None |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Why we recommend it
It suits apartment dwellers, small cars and boat or RV storage where every inch counts. Nothing else here stores so small.
Skip it if you want heat control. With no lid or adjustable vents, it is a direct-heat grill only.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Stores flat
- Light at 8 lb
- Long grilling surface
Cons
- No lid
- No adjustable vents described
- Painted steel, not enameled
9. Royal Gourmet Portable Charcoal Grill with Warming Rack – Front Door for Charcoal
Royal Gourmet’s CD1519 is a boxy tabletop with two side handles for lifting out of a trunk, and two features that matter at a campsite. A front charcoal access door lets you add charcoal without lifting the grate and losing heat, and a chrome-plated warming rack sits above the main grate, a handy spot to keep tortillas or grilled onions warm.
The listing gives 303 square inches in total, split between porcelain-enameled steel wire cooking grates and the warming rack. Two air dampers, one on the body and one on the lid, control the airflow, and the fire grate adjusts to three levels. The ash tray underneath is removable for cleanup, and there is a bottle opener on the side.
Royal Gourmet gives a one-year warranty from the date of purchase. The listing does not state the weight.
Why we like it
- 303 sq in including a warming rack
- Front door for adding charcoal
- Three-level adjustable fire grate
- Body and lid dampers
- Removable ash tray
Key specifications
| Model | CD1519 |
|---|---|
| Type | Tabletop grill |
| Cooking area | 303 sq in total (grates plus warming rack) |
| Weight | Not stated |
| Material | Porcelain-enameled steel wire grates; chrome-plated warming rack |
| Vents | Two dampers (body and lid) |
| Lid | Yes |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Why we recommend it
It suits taco-night campers who like a place to hold tortillas and toppings warm above the fire, and anyone who wants to add charcoal during a long cook without moving the food.
Skip it if every pound matters, because Royal Gourmet does not state the weight.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Warming rack
- Charcoal door
- Adjustable fire grate
Cons
- Weight not stated
- Steel wire grates, not cast iron
How to choose a charcoal grill for camping
Five things decide whether a portable charcoal grill suits your trips. Size and weight come first; the rest decide how well it cooks.
1. Size: how many people, how many rounds
About 150 square inches feeds two to four people, which is what Weber says for the 147-square-inch Smokey Joe. Around 240 square inches, the Jumbo Joe’s size, handles four to six. For carne asada, think in rounds: meat goes on in batches, and the grill also has to hold onions, chiles and tortillas. If you regularly cook for a crowd, buy one size bigger than you think.
2. Weight and shape
Stated weights here run from 4 pounds for the Cuisinart to 33.25 pounds for the cast iron Lodge. Light grills are thin steel and lose heat faster; heavy ones hold heat but stay near the car. Shape matters as much as weight: a rectangle like the Go-Anywhere or a fold-flat grill packs far better than a round kettle with legs.
3. Lid and vents
A lid turns a grill into an oven. With a lid and two sets of dampers, you can cook a whole chicken or thick steak by indirect heat and close the vents to slow the fire. Open grills like the Lodge hibachi and the Fire Sense Notebook are direct-heat only. That is fine for fajita meat, skewers and vegetables, which is a lot of camp cooking.
4. Legs and working height
Most portable charcoal grills sit low. Short legs keep the hot bowl a few inches off a table, but still plan on a heat-proof surface: a metal camp table, a stone slab or bare ground cleared of anything that can burn. Many campgrounds also provide a fixed grill or fire ring; check the rules before you bring your own.
5. Material and care
Porcelain enamel, as on the Weber kettles, resists rust and wipes clean. Cast iron, as on the Lodge, must be dried and oiled after every cook. Plated and chrome-plated steel grates resist rust but wear over time. Whatever you buy, empty cold ash after each trip so it does not hold moisture against the metal.
How we chose these nine grills
We started from what a working kitchen asks of a grill: a hot, even fire, a way to make a cooler zone, easy ash cleanup and a size that matches the number of people you feed. We then narrowed the field to portable charcoal grills sold on Amazon in the United States and in stock when we checked, and confirmed each specification on the maker’s own site (Weber, Lodge) or the brand’s Amazon listing, writing “Not stated” where neither gave a figure. We left out listings from unbranded sellers, grills that were showing very low stock, and a Weber Smokey Joe Premium listing that appeared to be a European version. We have not cooked on these grills for this guide, and we did not consult outside equipment reviews for it.
Charcoal and campfire safety at the campsite
Read your grill’s manual first. These rules come from federal safety agencies, the National Fire Protection Association and the US Forest Service’s Smokey Bear program:
- Never cook with charcoal inside a tent, camper, van, car or truck. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission warns never to use charcoal to cook or provide heat inside enclosed areas such as tents, campers, vans, cars, trucks, homes or garages, because the carbon monoxide can kill you. Use charcoal grills outside only.
- Check the rules and the weather. Smokey Bear’s outdoor grilling safety guide says not to use charcoal grills where campground, area or event rules prohibit them, or in hazardous, dry or windy conditions.
- Give it room. Keep flammable objects and tree branches at least 3 feet from the grill (Smokey Bear), and keep children and pets at least three feet away. NFPA’s grilling safety tip sheet also says never to leave a grill unattended.
- Light it the safe way. NFPA notes that a charcoal chimney starter lets you light charcoal with newspaper. If you use starter fluid, use only charcoal starter fluid, and never add it or any other flammable liquid to a fire that is already lit.
- Put the coals out completely. Smokey Bear’s method: pour lots of water on the coals until the hissing stops, stir, add more water until everything is cool, then hover the back of your hand over the coals to check. Wrap the cooled coals in foil and put them in a non-combustible outdoor trash bin, never on the ground, or carry them out in a covered metal container.
- Dispose of ash in metal. NFPA says to let coals cool completely before disposing of them in a metal container. If embers escape and light vegetation, call 911.
Camping charcoal grill questions, answered
What is the best charcoal grill for camping?
For most campers, the Weber Jumbo Joe 18-inch: a lid, two sets of dampers, a carrying lid lock and room for four to six people. The Smokey Joe 14-inch is the same idea for two to four, and the Go-Anywhere packs better in a tight trunk.
Can I use a charcoal grill in a tent or camper when it rains?
No. The CPSC warns never to use charcoal inside tents, campers, vans or other enclosed areas because of carbon monoxide. Cook outside under open sky, well away from the tent, or switch to a meal that needs no fire.
How do I put out a charcoal grill at a campsite?
Close the lid and vents if your grill has them, then follow Smokey Bear’s steps: drown the coals with water, stir, drown again and feel for heat with the back of your hand. Wrap cooled coals in foil for a non-combustible bin or carry them out in a covered metal container.
How much charcoal should I bring?
It depends on the grill and the cook, so check the maker’s guidance. A chimney starter makes it easy to measure: Weber’s Rapidfire chimney holds about 5.7 pounds of briquettes, more than a small portable grill needs for one meal. Our guide to charcoal grill accessories covers chimneys, gloves and thermometers.
Is a charcoal grill or a propane griddle better for camping?
Charcoal gives smoke and char, which is what carne asada is about; propane lights faster and is allowed in more places during fire restrictions. Smokey Bear suggests a propane or electric grill instead of charcoal when one is available. If you lean that way, see our guide to the best portable outdoor griddle.
Our final pick for the campsite
Buy the Weber Jumbo Joe if you want one camping charcoal grill with a lid, real vent control and room for a family. Choose the Smokey Joe for two to four people, the Go-Anywhere for tight packing, the Lodge Sportsman’s Pro for a cast iron sear, and the AKORN Jr. for slow cooks. Whichever you choose, keep it outdoors, check the fire rules and put the coals out cold.
For kettles, kamados and barrel grills for the backyard, start with our guide to the best charcoal grill.
For the rest of the camp kitchen, pair the grill with a camp Dutch oven for beans and stews over the coals, and keep heat protection close with our pot holder picks. Then read how to eat fajitas before you build your first plate at the picnic table. Or let us do the cooking: see the menu or call to order.