Every grill is short of counter space. The side shelves on a gas grill hold a plate and a pair of tongs, a kettle has none at all, and a tabletop griddle or pizza oven needs something to stand on. An outdoor grill cart fixes that: a weatherproof top for raw meat, cut onions and finished food, shelves underneath for the charcoal, the propane and the sheet pans, and wheels so it can follow you around the patio.
In a restaurant kitchen the line is built around the same idea. The cook never walks away from the heat to find a tray, because everything is within reach. A good cart brings that to the backyard. The ones below differ in what the top is made of, how much the maker says it holds, what kind of storage it has and whether it can carry a tabletop grill. This guide compares them using what each maker or listing states, and says so where a detail is not published.
Julia’s earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page, at no cost to you. Recommendations are based on what a restaurant kitchen looks for in a prep station, product specifications and verified buyer reports.
Quick verdict: which grill cart to buy
For most patios, the best outdoor grill cart is the Royal Gourmet 33.5 x 19.7-inch Outdoor Grill Cart: a stainless steel top rated for 77 pounds, two shelves, a trash bag holder and a hook for a 20-pound propane tank. If you want closed storage that looks like furniture, choose the Keter Unity XL, with 78 gallons of storage under a stainless top. If you need a heavy-duty stand for a tabletop griddle or pizza oven, the Skyflame Stainless Steel Prep Cart is rated for 170 pounds.
The rest of this page explains how these carts differ and which suits your grill and your patio.
Five grill carts and prep stations side by side
Our five standout carts, one for each kind of outdoor cook, with the top, load rating and storage each maker or listing states. All seven are reviewed in full below.
| Grill cart | Best for | Top | Stated load | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prep space next to any grill | Stainless steel, 33.5 x 19.7 in | 77 lb | View on Amazon | |
Keter Unity XL Outdoor Entertainment CartBest storage
|
Closed, weatherproof storage | Stainless steel on resin cabinet | Not stated by Keter | View on Amazon |
Skyflame Stainless Steel Prep Cart with Side TableBest heavy-duty
|
Tabletop griddles and pizza ovens | Stainless steel, removable side table | 170 lb | View on Amazon |
Outsunny Outdoor Bar Cart with Storage CabinetBest rolling cabinet
|
Serving and prep on four wheels | Stainless steel, 35.4 x 18.9 in | 66 lb top, 66 lb shelf | View on Amazon |
Suncast Grilling Prep Station with Drop LeavesBest compact
|
Small patios and balconies | Resin, 22 in wide (40 in with leaves up) | 50 lb top, 35 lb leaves | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Sizes and load ratings are as stated by each maker or Amazon listing; check the listing before you buy.
Our picks for the best outdoor grill carts
These seven carts cover the three kinds of outdoor prep station most cooks need: an open steel cart with shelves that can also carry a tabletop grill, a closed cabinet cart that keeps tools and plates out of the weather, and a compact station for a small patio. Each review gives the top size, stated load, wheels, storage and warranty as the maker or listing states them, and says “not stated” where nothing is published.
1. Royal Gourmet 33.5 x 19.7-inch Outdoor Grill Cart – A Steel Prep Table That Rolls
Royal Gourmet makes grills and griddles, and this cart is built to stand next to one. The listing gives the stainless steel top as 33.5 by 19.7 inches, about 660 square inches of prep space, and says it supports up to 77 pounds. That is a big, wipeable surface for a sheet pan of marinated arrachera, a cutting board of onions and peppers, and the platter the finished meat goes onto.
Underneath there are two shelves for plates, pans, seasonings and tools, and a removable trash bag holder, which is the detail that makes it feel like a working station rather than a table. Royal Gourmet also includes three tool hooks and a hook for a 20-pound gas cylinder, so the spare propane tank has a place off the ground.
The frame is steel with four tube legs. Two of them end in directional wheels and two in fixed feet, so you lift the handle end and roll it like a wheelbarrow, then set it down where it will not drift. Royal Gourmet says the fixed feet keep it steady on uneven patios and decks. The side handle doubles as a towel bar.
The listing says it can carry a pizza oven, a portable griddle or a grill as well as working as a prep table, inside as an island or outside. If you put a tabletop grill on it, follow that grill maker’s guidance on clearances and keep the load within the stated 77 pounds. Royal Gourmet does not state a warranty on the listing.
Why we like it
- Stainless steel top, 33.5 x 19.7 in, about 660 sq in
- Stated to support up to 77 lb
- Two shelves plus a removable trash bag holder
- Hooks for tools and a 20-lb propane tank
Key specifications
| Model | PC3401B |
|---|---|
| Type | Open prep cart / grill table |
| Top size | 33.5 x 19.7 in |
| Material | Stainless steel top, steel frame |
| Stated load | Up to 77 lb |
| Wheels | 2 directional wheels, 2 fixed feet |
| Storage | 2 shelves, trash bag holder, 3 tool hooks, propane hook |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It gives you the most usable prep surface for the size, in stainless steel you can scrub after raw meat, with storage that matches how a grill cook works: shelves, a trash bag and a place for propane. It suits gas, charcoal and griddle setups alike.
Skip it if you want closed storage; everything on the shelves is open to rain and sun.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Large stainless top
- Trash bag holder and propane hook
- Stable fixed feet
Cons
- Open shelves only
- Only two wheels, so you lift one end to move it
- No warranty stated
2. Keter Unity XL Outdoor Entertainment Cart – 78 Gallons of Weatherproof Storage
Keter’s Unity XL is closer to a piece of patio furniture than a steel cart. The body is all-weather resin with a wood-look finish, which Keter says will not rust, peel, warp or dent, and the top is stainless steel; Keter’s own page specifies 201-grade. Inside there are 78 gallons of storage, 54 sealed and 24 open, according to Keter.
That closed storage is the reason to buy it. Grill tools, skewers, foil, a spare bag of charcoal and serving dishes stay dry and out of sight, and the patio looks tidy between cookouts. Keter adds adjustable shelves, spice and condiment holders, utensil hooks and a towel bar, so the cart works as a prep station, a serving buffet or an outdoor bar.
Keter’s page gives the overall size as 52.7 inches wide, about 20.5 inches deep and 35.5 inches high, and the cart weighs 46.3 pounds. It rolls on two wheels. Keter does not state a load rating on its page or the listing, and it does not give the top’s exact dimensions, so plan on it as a prep and serving surface rather than a stand for a heavy grill or pizza oven.
Resin is not a heat surface. Keep the cart beside the grill, not touching it, and set hot pans on a trivet or on the steel top rather than on the plastic. Keter’s page lists a two-year warranty.
Why we like it
- 78 gallons of storage, 54 of it sealed, per Keter
- Stainless steel top on a weatherproof resin body
- Shelves, spice holders, hooks and a towel bar
- Two-year warranty, per Keter
Key specifications
| Model | 272770 |
|---|---|
| Type | Closed cabinet cart / prep and serving station |
| Top size | Not stated (cart 52.7 x 20.5 x 35.5 in overall) |
| Material | Resin body, 201-grade stainless steel top |
| Stated load | Not stated by Keter |
| Wheels | 2 |
| Storage | 78 gal (54 sealed, 24 open), shelves, hooks, towel bar |
| Warranty | 2 years |
Why we recommend it
It is the cart for a patio where the grill stays out all year and you want everything else put away. The sealed storage and furniture finish make it the most livable choice here.
Skip it if you need a stand for a tabletop grill or pizza oven; Keter publishes no load rating, and the body is plastic.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Most storage, much of it sealed
- Weatherproof resin body
- Warranty stated
Cons
- No load rating published
- Resin body must stay clear of grill heat
- Large footprint
3. Skyflame Stainless Steel Prep Cart with Side Table – Rated for 170 Pounds
Skyflame’s cart is built to carry equipment, not just food. The listing rates it for 170 pounds and says it works as a stand for most 12- to 16-inch pizza ovens, a griddle stand or a barbecue prep table, with a reinforced steel frame and a thickened stainless top that Skyflame says does not wobble.
The other draw is the removable side table. With it attached you get extra workspace next to whatever sits on the main top: room for a tray of raw burgers beside a tabletop griddle, or for dressing pizzas next to the oven. Take it off and the cart fits a narrower space. The listing gives the overall size as 47.2 inches long, 21.8 inches deep and 32 inches high; Skyflame does not list the main top’s own dimensions.
Storage is generous: three shelves with raised edges, four side hooks, a tank holder, a paper towel rack, a seasoning box and a bottle opener. Two large wheels with double brakes let you roll it from the garage to the patio and lock it in place.
Stainless steel is the right surface for raw meat because it wipes clean and does not hold on to juices. Skyflame does not state a warranty on the listing. For the griddles you might set on it, see our guide to the best outdoor griddle.
Why we like it
- Stated capacity of 170 lb
- Removable side table for extra workspace
- Three shelves, hooks, tank holder and towel rack
- Two large wheels with brakes
Key specifications
| Model | SK-QE0208-SS1 |
|---|---|
| Type | Open prep cart / griddle and pizza oven stand |
| Top size | Not stated (cart 47.2 x 21.8 x 32 in overall) |
| Material | Stainless steel top, reinforced steel frame |
| Stated load | 170 lb |
| Wheels | 2 large wheels with brakes |
| Storage | 3 shelves, 4 hooks, tank holder, towel rack, seasoning box |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
If the cart will hold a tabletop griddle or a pizza oven as well as your prep, the 170-pound rating and the side table make this the one to choose.
Skip it if you want enclosed storage or a published warranty; it has neither.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Highest stated load here
- Extra side table
- Lots of hooks and racks
Cons
- Open shelves only
- Main top size and warranty not stated
4. Onlyfire 33.6 x 21.7-inch Stainless Steel Cart – A Firm Stand for a Tabletop Cooker
Onlyfire makes grill and pizza oven accessories, and this cart is designed mainly as a stand. The listing gives the stainless steel top as 33.6 by 21.7 inches and rates it for 120 pounds, with another 20 pounds on the bottom shelf, for 140 pounds in total.
That top rating is the useful number. Onlyfire names pizza ovens, portable grills and flat-top griddles, including Blackstone models, as things the top is made to hold. A 120-pound top leaves headroom for most tabletop cookers plus a cutting board, and the listing says the steel base frame keeps it from wobbling under weight.
It moves on two plastic wheels, with a side handle for steering, and the listing says the wheels lock once the cart is in place. A propane tank hanger carries a 20-pound cylinder, and four removable hooks hold brushes and tongs. The bottom shelf is the only other storage, so this is a stand with some room for fuel and plates rather than a full prep station.
Onlyfire says the top has smooth, blunt edges to protect your hands. The listing does not give a warranty. If the cart carries a grill, follow that grill maker’s clearance guidance and keep the cart on a level surface.
Why we like it
- Stainless top, 33.6 x 21.7 in
- Top rated for 120 lb, 140 lb in total
- Made to hold pizza ovens and tabletop griddles
- Propane tank hanger and four hooks
Key specifications
| Model | F-OKA9113-SS1 |
|---|---|
| Type | Open cart / pizza oven and griddle stand |
| Top size | 33.6 x 21.7 in |
| Material | Stainless steel top, steel base frame |
| Stated load | Top 120 lb, shelf 20 lb (140 lb total) |
| Wheels | 2 plastic wheels, locking |
| Storage | Bottom shelf, propane hanger, 4 hooks |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It is the simplest way to give a tabletop griddle or pizza oven a stable home at working height, with a top rating that covers the equipment and your prep.
Skip it if you need lots of storage; one light-duty shelf is all there is.
Pros and cons
Pros
- High stated top load
- Sized for tabletop cookers
- Locking wheels
Cons
- Bottom shelf rated for only 20 lb
- No warranty stated
5. Outsunny Outdoor Bar Cart with Storage Cabinet – Four Wheels and a Closed Cupboard
Outsunny’s cart sits between the open steel carts and the Keter cabinet. It has a stainless steel top on a slatted HDPE body, a closed cabinet and an open shelf underneath, and four wheels rather than two. The listing gives the top as 35.4 by 18.9 inches and the whole cart as 45.7 inches wide, 18.9 deep and 35 high.
HDPE is a dense outdoor plastic, and Outsunny says it resists water, corrosion, cracking and weather while keeping the cart light. The four 360° swivel wheels, two with brakes, make it the easiest cart here to push around a crowded patio: from the grill to the table to serve, and back again to clear.
Outsunny rates the top for 66 pounds and the shelf for another 66, with 11 pounds on each hook. Storage is well thought out for serving: the cabinet and open shelf, a detachable paper towel rack, a side rack for seasonings or cups, and four S-hooks for small tools.
The listing suggests it for drinks, snacks and prep and mentions only an unfired small grill on top, so treat it as a prep and serving cart, not a grill stand, and keep it clear of the heat. It carries a one-year warranty against manufacturer defects, per the listing.
Why we like it
- Stainless steel top, 35.4 x 18.9 in
- Four swivel wheels, two with brakes
- Closed cabinet plus open shelf
- One-year warranty
Key specifications
| Model | 84G-747V00BN |
|---|---|
| Type | Cabinet cart / prep and serving station |
| Top size | 35.4 x 18.9 in |
| Material | Stainless steel top, HDPE body |
| Stated load | Top 66 lb, shelf 66 lb, hooks 11 lb |
| Wheels | 4 swivel wheels, 2 with brakes |
| Storage | Cabinet, open shelf, towel rack, side rack, 4 S-hooks |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Why we recommend it
For cooks who move food back and forth across the patio, four wheels and a closed cupboard make this the most practical serving cart. The stated loads and warranty are a bonus.
Skip it if you want to stand a grill or griddle on it; the maker positions it as a prep and serving cart.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Rolls easily on four wheels
- Closed storage
- Loads and warranty stated
Cons
- Not a grill stand
- Plastic body must stay away from heat
6. Suncast Grilling Prep Station with Drop Leaves – Small Footprint, Wide Top
Suncast’s prep station solves the small-patio problem with two drop leaves. With them down, Suncast gives the counter as 22 inches wide; raise them and it opens to 40 inches. The depth is 23.25 inches and the height 33.75 inches, close to kitchen-counter height.
The body is all-weather resin, which Suncast says is water resistant and will not rust or rot. There are two cabinets: an upper one for a serving tray, napkins and cups, and a lower one for grilling tools and condiments. Suncast gives the total storage as 42.5 gallons and includes a removable serving tray.
Suncast is unusually precise about loads: 50 pounds on the top, evenly distributed, 35 pounds on the drop leaves and 20 pounds on the internal shelf. That is plenty for prep and serving, and not meant for a grill. It rolls on four casters, two of which lock.
Like any resin cart, keep it beside the grill rather than against it, and set hot pans on a trivet. Suncast’s product page does not list a warranty for this model.
Why we like it
- Drop leaves: 22 in wide folded, 40 in open
- Loads stated for top, leaves and shelf
- Two cabinets, 42.5 gallons, removable tray
- Four casters, two locking
Key specifications
| Model | DCP2000 |
|---|---|
| Type | Compact cabinet prep station with drop leaves |
| Top size | 22 x 23.25 in; 40 in wide with leaves up |
| Material | Resin |
| Stated load | Top 50 lb, leaves 35 lb, shelf 20 lb |
| Wheels | 4 casters, 2 locking |
| Storage | 2 cabinets, 42.5 gal, serving tray |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
On a small patio or balcony, the drop leaves give you a full-width prep counter only when you need it. Clear load ratings make it easy to know what it will take.
Skip it if you want a steel surface for raw meat; the top is resin, so use a cutting board on it.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Folds small
- Closed storage
- Detailed load ratings
Cons
- Resin top, not steel
- Light loads only
- No warranty stated
7. NUUK Grill Table with Storage Cabinet – Steel Cabinet and Drawer on Four Wheels
NUUK’s grill table pairs a stainless steel top with an enclosed steel cabinet and a slide-out drawer. The listing gives the top as 20 by 30 inches, 600 square inches of workspace, on heavy-gauge square tube legs.
It is the only all-metal cart here with closed storage. The cabinet door shields plates and tools from the weather, and NUUK says the drawer has a safety stop so it does not pull all the way out. Four S-hooks hold grill tools on the outside, and four wheels let it roll from the patio to the deck.
NUUK suggests it as a grill prep station, a pizza oven table, an outdoor bar or a buffet table. The listing does not give a load rating, so if you plan to put a pizza oven or tabletop grill on it, ask NUUK for a figure first. It also does not say whether the wheels lock or give a warranty.
A steel body is more forgiving of nearby heat than resin, but it still needs space around a hot grill. Wipe the stainless top after raw meat as you would any prep surface.
Why we like it
- Stainless top, 20 x 30 in (600 sq in)
- Enclosed cabinet and drawer with safety stop
- Heavy-gauge square tube legs
- Four wheels and four S-hooks
Key specifications
| Model | 40012-VC |
|---|---|
| Type | Steel cabinet cart / grill table |
| Top size | 20 x 30 in |
| Material | Stainless steel top, steel frame |
| Stated load | Not stated |
| Wheels | 4 |
| Storage | Enclosed cabinet, drawer, 4 S-hooks |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you want closed storage but prefer steel to plastic. The drawer is handy for tongs, thermometers and lighters.
Skip it if you need a stated load rating for heavy equipment; NUUK does not publish one.
Pros and cons
Pros
- All-steel cabinet and drawer
- Four wheels
- Stainless top
Cons
- No load rating
- Smaller top than the Royal Gourmet
- No warranty stated
How to choose an outdoor grill cart
Think about a cart the way a cook thinks about a station on the line: what needs to be within reach, what needs to stay dry, and what has to sit on top.
What goes on top. If the cart will carry a tabletop griddle, a portable grill or a pizza oven, buy one with a stated load that covers the cooker plus your prep, like the Skyflame (170 pounds) or Onlyfire (120 pounds on the top). If it is only for prep and serving, a 50- to 77-pound rating is plenty.
Top material. Stainless steel is the easiest surface to clean after raw meat and copes with heat better than plastic. Resin tops are fine for serving, but use a cutting board for prep.
Open or closed storage. Open steel shelves are quick to reach mid-cook and easy to hose down. Closed cabinets keep plates, tools and paper goods dry between cookouts. If the cart lives outside all year, closed storage is worth it.
Wheels. Two wheels and two feet stay put once parked but must be tipped to move. Four swivel wheels roll easily; make sure at least two lock.
Distance from the heat. No cart here is described by its maker as a heat-proof surface for a lit grill’s body. Leave space between the cart and the grill, keep plastic and resin parts away from the firebox, and follow your grill maker’s clearance guidance.
How we picked these seven carts
We started from what a kitchen asks of a prep station: a cleanable top at working height, storage within reach, and a frame that stays steady. We then looked for outdoor carts and prep stations sold on Amazon in the United States from identifiable makers, checked each one’s stock with Amazon’s product data before writing, and took sizes, load ratings, wheels and warranties from the maker’s own page (Keter and Suncast) or the brand’s Amazon listing. Where neither states a figure, we say “not stated”. We looked for a Blackstone prep cart but found none in stock on Amazon when we checked, and we left out a stainless work table whose listing gave two different load ratings, along with sellers we could not identify. We did not use these carts for this guide, and we have not cited published equipment reviews, because we did not read any for these models.
Grill cart questions, answered
Can you put a grill on a grill cart?
Only a tabletop grill, griddle or pizza oven, and only on a cart whose maker says it can carry one and rates it for the weight. Royal Gourmet, Skyflame and Onlyfire all name grills, griddles or pizza ovens as uses. Follow the cooker maker’s clearance guidance and keep the cart on level ground.
What is the difference between a grill cart and a prep station?
A grill cart is usually an open steel table built to hold a cooker or sit beside one. A prep station is often a cabinet with a counter, designed for prep and serving. Several carts here do both; the stated load and top material tell you which job each suits best.
Is stainless steel or resin better outdoors?
Stainless steel is better for prep, since it cleans easily after raw meat. Resin and HDPE bodies resist rain and do not rust, which makes them good for storage. The Keter and Outsunny carts combine a steel top with a plastic body to get some of both.
How much weight does an outdoor grill cart hold?
It varies widely, which is why we list each maker’s figure. Among these carts, stated loads run from 50 pounds on the Suncast top to 170 pounds on the Skyflame. Keter and NUUK do not publish one.
Do grill carts need to be covered?
Steel carts last longer with a cover or a spot under a roof, because even stainless steel can stain in wet weather and plastic wheels and handles wear in the sun. Resin carts handle rain well, but a cover keeps the top clean between cookouts.
Our final pick for the patio
Buy the Royal Gourmet cart if you want a big stainless prep top with shelves, a trash bag holder and a propane hook beside any grill. Choose the Keter Unity XL if you want closed storage that looks like furniture, the Skyflame if a griddle or pizza oven will sit on top, and the Suncast if space is tight. Whichever you choose, keep it beside the grill rather than against it, and give raw and cooked food their own sides of the top.
A cart is only half the setup. Our guides to the best gas grill, the best charcoal grill and outdoor griddle accessories cover the rest, and Mexican food for a group has ideas for what to cook on it.
And if you would rather someone else did the cooking tonight, see the menu or call to order.