Grilling & Outdoor Cooking

Patio, Park or Campsite: How to Pick the Best Small Gas Grill

Nine small gas grills, from 10-pound tabletops to compact patio carts, compared on burners, BTU, cooking area, weight, fuel and warranty.

Sausages cooking over glowing burners on a small teal portable gas grill with the lid open
Sausages on a small portable gas grill, lid up.

A small gas grill does most of what a big cart grill does, in less space: carne asada for four, a few pieces of pollo asado, a pan of charred jalapeños and green onions, tortillas warmed on the grate at the end. In a restaurant kitchen the grill that matters is the one that holds steady heat and cleans up fast, and that is still the test when the grill is a tabletop model in the trunk or a two-burner cart on a small patio.

This guide covers two kinds of small gas grill: portable tabletop and stand-up models that run on small propane cylinders, and compact two-burner cart grills for a patio or small yard. For each we list the burners, BTU, cooking area, weight, fuel, igniter and warranty as the maker or the Amazon listing states them, and we write “Not stated” where neither gives a figure.

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, product specifications and verified buyer reports.

Quick verdict: which small gas grill to buy

For most people, the best small gas grill is the Cuisinart Chef’s Style 2-Burner Tabletop Grill: two independently controlled 10,000 BTU burners, stainless grates, a locking lid and folding legs at a stated 22 pounds, with a three-year limited warranty. If the grill will live on a patio rather than in a car, the Weber Spirit E-210 is the compact cart to buy, with a 10-year limited warranty. For camping, the Coleman RoadTrip 285 stands on its own legs and wheels; the Charbroil Grill2Go X200 is the most rugged tabletop here; and the Cuisinart Grillster is the lightest at 10 pounds.

The table compares the five picks we would steer most people toward, one for each kind of cook. All nine grills are reviewed in full after it.

Five small gas grills compared

Burners, cooking area, fuel and weight for our five standout picks, as each maker or Amazon listing states them.

Grill Best for Burners & cooking area Fuel & weight Buy on Amazon
Tailgates, picnics, small patios 2 burners, 20,000 BTU; area not stated Propane; 22 lb View on Amazon
A permanent spot on a small patio 2 burners, 26,600 BTU; 360 sq in primary (Weber) Liquid propane; weight not stated View on Amazon
Campsites with no table 3 burners, 20,000 BTU; 285 sq in 16.4 oz cylinder; weight not stated View on Amazon
Truck beds, rough trips 1 burner, 9,500 BTU; 200 sq in Propane; 24.71 lb (Charbroil) View on Amazon
One or two people, short carries 1 burner, 8,000 BTU; 146 sq in Propane; 10 lb View on Amazon

Product images from Amazon. Specifications as stated by each maker or Amazon listing; check the listing before you buy.

Our picks for the best small gas grill

These nine grills cover the ways people actually use a small gas grill: a two-burner tabletop for tailgates and picnics, a compact cart for a patio, a stand-up camp grill, rugged and ultralight single-burner models, and two budget options. Each pick explains who it suits, the specs that matter, and one honest reason to skip it.

1. Cuisinart Chef’s Style 2-Burner Tabletop Grill – Two Heat Zones in a Carry Size

Best overallCuisinart Outdoor Gas Grill

Two burners are what make a small grill cook like a big one. With one side high and one side low you can sear thin-cut steak for carne asada over the hot side and move it, or a few chicken thighs, to the cooler side to finish without burning. Cuisinart’s Chef’s Style tabletop gives you that layout: two stainless steel burners at 10,000 BTU each, 20,000 in total, with electronic ignition and independent control knobs that the listing says let you create custom heat zones.

The grates are stainless steel, and the lid has an integrated thermometer. For carrying, the listing gives a weight of 22 pounds, with a locking lid, folding legs and a carry handle. Cuisinart says it sets up in under 10 minutes with no tools.

The listing does not give the cooking area or say which propane cylinder or hose setup it ships with, so check the product photos and the manual on the listing before you plan a trip around it. Stainless grates are easy to keep clean; brush them while they are still warm and oil them lightly before the next cook.

Why we like it

  • Two independent 10,000 BTU burners for two heat zones
  • Stated weight of 22 lb with locking lid and carry handle
  • Stainless steel grates and a lid thermometer
  • Three-year limited warranty

Key specifications

Model CGG-306
Burners 2 stainless steel, independently controlled
BTU 20,000 (10,000 per burner)
Cooking area Not stated in the listing
Weight 22 lb
Fuel Propane; cylinder setup not stated in the listing
Igniter Twist-start electronic ignition
Warranty 3-year limited

Why we recommend it

It suits anyone who wants one small grill for tailgates, park days and a small patio: two heat zones, a stated weight you can plan around and a longer warranty than most portables.

Skip it if you need to know the exact grilling area before you buy. Neither the listing nor any source we read gives it.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Two heat zones
  • Stainless grates
  • Three-year warranty

Cons

  • Cooking area not stated
  • Fuel setup not stated in the listing
  • Needs a table

Check price on Amazon

2. Weber Spirit E-210 2-Burner Gas Grill – A Full Grill on a Small Footprint

Best for a patioWeber® Spirit® E-210 Gas Grill

If the grill is going to stay on a patio or in a small yard, a compact cart grill gives you more grill for the space than any tabletop. Weber’s Spirit E-210 is the two-burner version of its Spirit line, and Weber’s product page lists 360 square inches of primary cooking area plus a 90-square-inch warming rack, 450 in total, with 26,600 BTU per hour from the main burners.

The build is what you pay for. The listing describes a cast-aluminum cook box that resists rusting and peeling, porcelain-enameled cast-iron grates that hold heat evenly, and stainless steel Flavorizer bars that catch and vaporize drippings and send grease away from the burners into a pull-out tray and drip pan. Snap-Jet ignition lights each burner separately with one hand. A cabinet with a door hides the propane tank, and two side tables and four tool hooks give you somewhere to set the tortillas and the tongs.

Weber gives the size with the lid closed as 46.2 inches high, 48.3 wide and 26.6 deep, which is the number to measure your patio against. Weber does not list the weight on the product page.

Why we like it

  • 360 sq in primary area, 450 sq in total (Weber)
  • Porcelain-enameled cast-iron grates
  • Cast-aluminum cook box and Flavorizer bars
  • 10-year limited warranty

Key specifications

Model E-210 (1501000)
Burners 2
BTU 26,600 per hour, main burners (Weber)
Cooking area 360 sq in primary, 450 sq in total (Weber)
Weight Not stated
Fuel Liquid propane tank, stored in the cabinet
Igniter Snap-Jet, one per burner
Warranty 10-year limited

Why we recommend it

Choose it for a small patio or yard where the grill has a permanent spot and gets used every week. It is the best-built grill here, with the longest warranty, and enough room to cook dinner for a family over two zones.

Skip it if you need to move the grill any distance or carry it in a car. It is a cart grill on wheels, not a portable.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Largest cooking area here
  • Cast iron grates, cast aluminum cook box
  • 10-year limited warranty

Cons

  • Not portable
  • Weight not stated
  • Needs a full-size propane tank

Check price on Amazon

A person in a wetsuit holding a pack of hot dogs beside a portable grill on a folding stand at the beach, with a green propane cylinder
A portable grill set up on a folding stand at the beach.

3. Coleman RoadTrip 285 Stand-Up Grill – Three Burners on Its Own Legs

Best for campingColeman RoadTrip 285 Portable Propane Grill

Campsite picnic tables are often wobbly, wet or already full. Coleman’s RoadTrip 285 brings its own stand: quick-fold legs and two wheels let it roll from the car to the site and open at cooking height. The listing gives 285 square inches of grilling area over three adjustable burners, up to 20,000 BTU in total, which Coleman says gives more precise temperature control.

Three burners on a portable grill are useful in the same way they are on a restaurant line: one hot section for steak, one medium for peppers and onions, one low to keep tortillas warm or let chicken finish. An integrated thermometer shows the temperature under the lid, and push-button Instastart ignition lights it without matches.

It runs on one 16.4 oz propane cylinder, sold separately. The listing does not give the weight, and a stand-up grill with wheels is clearly heavier than a tabletop, so plan on rolling rather than carrying it.

Why we like it

  • Three adjustable burners, up to 20,000 BTU
  • 285 sq in grilling area
  • Quick-fold legs and two wheels
  • Three-year limited warranty

Key specifications

Model 2000033051
Burners 3 adjustable
BTU Up to 20,000 total
Cooking area 285 sq in
Weight Not stated in the listing
Fuel One 16.4 oz propane cylinder (sold separately)
Igniter Push-button Instastart
Warranty 3-year limited

Why we recommend it

It suits campers, RV travelers and tailgaters who want three heat zones and do not want to hunt for a table. It is the most capable cooker among the portables here.

Skip it if you have to carry the grill from a parking lot to a beach or trailhead. Without a stated weight, assume it is a two-hand lift.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Three heat zones
  • Stands and rolls on its own
  • Built-in thermometer

Cons

  • Weight not stated
  • Bulkier than a tabletop
  • Cylinder sold separately

Check price on Amazon

4. Charbroil Grill2Go X200 Portable Grill – Cast Aluminum Built for the Road

Most ruggedCharbroil Grill2Go X200 Portable Gas Grill

The Grill2Go X200 is built like a toolbox: a cast-aluminum firebox and lid on a high-impact frame, stainless steel latches to hold it shut and easy-grip handles on the ends. That makes it the grill here most suited to riding loose in a truck bed or a crowded trunk.

It uses what Charbroil calls its Amplifire cooking system. Charbroil’s product page lists one burner at 9,500 BTU, 200 square inches of primary cooking area, enough for eight burgers according to the listing, and a stainless steel grate. Push-button ignition lights it.

Charbroil gives the weight as 24.71 pounds and the assembled size as 23.7 by 15.7 by 13.6 inches. The warranty is split: five years on the burner and lid, one year on the grate and other parts. Neither the listing nor Charbroil’s page states the propane cylinder size.

Why we like it

  • Cast-aluminum firebox and lid on a high-impact frame
  • Stainless steel latches and grab handles
  • 200 sq in, stainless grate
  • Five-year burner and lid warranty

Key specifications

Model 25409200
Burners 1
BTU 9,500 (Charbroil)
Cooking area 200 sq in
Weight 24.71 lb (Charbroil)
Fuel Propane; cylinder size not stated
Igniter Push-button
Warranty 5 years burner and lid; 1 year grate and other parts

Why we recommend it

Choose it for hunting trips, tailgates and anyone hard on their gear. The latching cast-aluminum body is the best protected of the portables here.

Skip it if you want two heat zones. It has a single burner, so manage heat by moving food toward the edges.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Tough, latching body
  • Stated weight and size
  • Long burner warranty

Cons

  • Single burner
  • Grate covered for one year only
  • Cylinder size not stated

Check price on Amazon

5. Cuisinart Grillster Portable Gas Grill – Ten Pounds, No Assembly

LightestCuisinart Gas Grill with Locking Lid

The Grillster is the grill to buy when weight is the whole point. The listing gives 10 pounds and a size of 19 by 11.5 by 10 inches, about the size of a small cooler, with a lid that latches shut for carrying. It needs no assembly, and Cuisinart says it is ready to grill in under five minutes.

The cooking surface is a 146-square-inch enameled steel grate that is dishwasher safe, over a single 8,000 BTU burner that the listing says reaches over 600°F. Push-button ignition lights it. That is enough for steak and a few green onions for two people, or a round of quesadillas, but not for a crowd.

The listing does not say which propane cylinder it takes. Being a small single-burner grill, it will do best with thin cuts that cook fast, such as skirt steak or butterflied chicken thighs, rather than a thick roast.

Why we like it

  • 10 lb, the lightest grill here
  • Latching lid for carrying
  • Dishwasher-safe enameled steel grate
  • Three-year limited warranty

Key specifications

Model CGG-059A
Burners 1
BTU 8,000
Cooking area 146 sq in
Weight 10 lb
Fuel Propane; cylinder size not stated in the listing
Igniter Push-button
Warranty 3-year limited

Why we recommend it

It suits one or two people, short carries to a park or beach, and small cars. Nothing else here is as easy to pick up and go.

Skip it if you cook for more than two or three. The 146-square-inch grate is the smallest here.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Very light
  • No assembly
  • Dishwasher-safe grate

Cons

  • Small cooking area
  • Single burner
  • Fuel not stated

Check price on Amazon

Vegetable and meat skewers with peppers and tomatoes on a round red portable grill
Skewers of vegetables and meat on a compact portable grill.

6. Nexgrill Fortress 1-Burner Tabletop Grill – Cast Aluminum on a Budget

Budget tabletopNexgrill Tabletop 1 Burner Gas Grill

Nexgrill’s Fortress takes the layout people like in premium tabletops, a cast-aluminum body with a cast-iron grate, and builds it at a lower price point. The listing says the cast aluminum spreads and holds heat and resists rust and corrosion, while the cast-iron grate gives good sear marks and a natural non-stick surface once seasoned.

The single burner is rated at 10,000 BTU, and piezo ignition lights it. Sturdy legs, a locking lid for carrying and a removable grease tray round it out, and the listing says it works with small propane tanks.

One discrepancy to know about: the Amazon listing gives 183 square inches of cooking space, while Nexgrill’s own product page says 203. Nexgrill’s page also lists a five-year warranty on the main burner, longer than the one-year manufacturer warranty shown in the Amazon listing details. Cast iron needs a thin coat of oil after each cook so it does not rust between trips.

Why we like it

  • Cast-aluminum body that resists rust
  • Cast-iron grate for searing
  • 10,000 BTU with piezo ignition
  • Locking lid and removable grease tray

Key specifications

Model 820-BC002
Burners 1
BTU 10,000
Cooking area 183 sq in (listing); 203 sq in (Nexgrill)
Weight Not stated in the listing
Fuel Small propane tanks
Igniter Piezo
Warranty 1 year (listing); Nexgrill lists 5 years on the main burner

Why we recommend it

Choose it if you want a cast-aluminum, cast-iron tabletop for occasional trips without paying for a premium brand.

Skip it if you want a stated weight or a single clear warranty term before you buy; the sources disagree on the details.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Cast aluminum and cast iron
  • Locking lid
  • Removable grease tray

Cons

  • Cooking area stated two ways
  • Weight not stated
  • Cast iron needs oiling

Check price on Amazon

7. Nexgrill Deluxe 2-Burner Gas Grill – A Compact Cart for Less

Budget patio pickNexgrill Deluxe 2-Burner Gas Grill

For a patio on a tighter budget than the Weber, Nexgrill’s Deluxe two-burner is a compact cart grill with the same basic layout: two burners, a lid, side tables and a cabinet underneath. The listing gives 28,000 BTU across two burners and 401 square inches of cooking space with a warming rack, room for eight to ten hamburgers.

The grates are porcelain-coated cast iron, which the listing says adds non-stick, rust and crack resistance to cast iron’s even heat. A one-button electric ignition is rated for a stronger spark in wind, and a lid-mounted thermometer shows the temperature inside. The control panel is stainless steel. Two side tables, two tool hooks, a cabinet and four casters make it easy to roll into a corner when you are done.

The listing does not give the weight or the overall dimensions, so measure carefully, and it carries a one-year limited warranty, far shorter than Weber’s.

Why we like it

  • 401 sq in with warming rack
  • 28,000 BTU over two burners
  • Porcelain-coated cast-iron grates
  • Cabinet, side tables and four casters

Key specifications

Model 720-0864RA
Burners 2
BTU 28,000
Cooking area 401 sq in, including warming rack
Weight Not stated in the listing
Fuel Propane; tank size not stated
Igniter One-button electric
Warranty 1-year limited

Why we recommend it

It suits a first grill for a small patio or yard, with more cooking space per dollar than the Weber and the same two-zone layout.

Skip it if long-term cover matters to you. Its one-year limited warranty is a tenth of the Weber’s.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Lots of cooking space for the footprint
  • Cast-iron grates
  • Storage cabinet

Cons

  • One-year warranty
  • Weight and size not stated
  • Not portable

Check price on Amazon

8. Cuisinart Venture Portable Gas Grill – A Lid That Doubles as a Board

Best for prep spaceCuisinart Venture™ Portable Gas Grill

The usual problem with a tabletop grill is that there is nowhere to cut anything. Cuisinart’s Venture solves it with a wooden lid that doubles as a cutting board, so you can slice carne asada or chop onions and cilantro right next to the fire. The grill stacks for carrying with a rubberized handle.

The grate is 154 square inches of porcelain-enameled cast iron over a 9,000 BTU stainless steel burner with twist-to-start electronic ignition. A flip-out rack holds a 1 lb propane tank steady during cooking, clips store the hose, and the tank fits inside the base when you pack up, which keeps the whole kit in one piece.

A wooden lid needs more care than metal: let it cool, keep it dry and do not use it as a cutting board for raw meat and then for cooked food without washing it. The listing does not give the weight.

Why we like it

  • Wooden lid doubles as a cutting board
  • Porcelain-enameled cast-iron grate, 154 sq in
  • 1 lb tank stores in the base
  • Three-year limited warranty

Key specifications

Model CGG-750
Burners 1 stainless steel
BTU 9,000
Cooking area 154 sq in
Weight Not stated in the listing
Fuel 1 lb propane tank
Igniter Twist-to-start electronic
Warranty 3-year limited

Why we recommend it

Choose it for picnics and beach days where you want to prep, grill and serve from one compact kit.

Skip it if you cook for a group. At 154 square inches with one burner, it is a two-person grill.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Built-in cutting board
  • Tank stores inside
  • Cast-iron grate

Cons

  • Small cooking area
  • Wood lid needs care
  • Weight not stated

Check price on Amazon

9. Royal Gourmet Stainless Portable Gas Grill – Warming Rack in a Tabletop

Best with a warming rackRoyal Gourmet GT1001 S/S Portable Propane Gas Grill with Folding Legs

Royal Gourmet’s GT1001 is a stainless tabletop with a feature most portables skip: a warming rack. The listing gives 285 square inches in total, 214 on the chrome-coated cooking grate and 71 on the warming rack, which is a good place to keep tortillas or grilled onions warm while the meat finishes.

Heat comes from a U-shaped stainless steel tube burner rated at 10,000 BTU, which the listing says spreads the heat evenly. A lid-mounted temperature gauge, a removable stainless grease tray, folding legs and a latching hood with a compact handle make it easy to set up and carry.

The listing does not state the weight, the igniter or the propane setup, and chrome-coated grates are less durable than cast iron or stainless; keep them clean and dry to protect the coating.

Why we like it

  • Warming rack adds 71 sq in
  • U-shaped 10,000 BTU stainless burner
  • Lid gauge and removable stainless grease tray
  • Folding legs and latching hood

Key specifications

Model GT1001
Burners 1 U-shaped stainless steel
BTU 10,000
Cooking area 285 sq in total (214 grate + 71 warming rack)
Weight Not stated in the listing
Fuel Propane; setup not stated in the listing
Igniter Not stated in the listing
Warranty 1 year

Why we recommend it

It suits tailgaters who want a place to hold food warm on a single-burner grill, with a stainless body that wipes clean.

Skip it if you want cast iron for searing. The chrome-coated grate is the least robust cooking surface on this list.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Warming rack
  • Stainless body and grease tray
  • Lid thermometer

Cons

  • Chrome-coated grate
  • Weight, igniter and fuel not stated
  • One-year warranty

Check price on Amazon

How to choose a small gas grill

Six things decide whether a small gas grill suits the way you cook. Where it will live comes first, because that settles everything else.

1. Where it will live: car, campsite or patio

A grill that rides in a car should latch shut, have handles and weigh what you can lift with tongs in one hand and a cooler in the other. A grill that stays home can be a compact cart with a cabinet, side tables and a full-size propane tank, like the Weber Spirit E-210 or the Nexgrill Deluxe. Stand-up portables like the Coleman RoadTrip sit in between: they travel, but they roll more than they carry.

2. Burners and heat zones

One burner is fine for burgers and thin steaks. Two or three burners let you cook the way a restaurant line does: a hot zone to sear, a cooler zone to finish chicken or hold food. For carne asada, sear thin skirt or flank steak fast over the hot side, then move it over to rest while you warm tortillas. On a single-burner grill, the edges of the grate are your cooler zone.

A man using tongs over meat and sausages on a small gas grill with the lid open, outdoors on pavement
Meat and sausages on a small gas grill.

3. BTU and cooking area together

BTU on its own says little; what matters is heat for the size of the grate. The Grillster puts 8,000 BTU under 146 square inches and the Weber 26,600 under 360. Both are sized for the job. Compare cooking area to how many people you feed: under about 200 square inches is for one to three people, around 280 to 400 handles a family.

4. Grates

Porcelain-enameled cast iron (Weber, Coleman, Cuisinart Venture, Nexgrill) holds heat well for searing and needs a little oil. Stainless steel grates (Cuisinart Chef’s Style, Charbroil) are easy to clean. Enameled steel and chrome-coated grates are lighter but less durable. If you love a hard sear, cast iron is worth the extra weight. For the same kind of crust indoors, see our guide to the best cast iron skillet.

5. Fuel

Most portables are built for small disposable or refillable propane cylinders; Coleman and Cuisinart’s Venture name the 16.4 oz and 1 lb sizes. Patio carts run from a standard propane tank in the cabinet. Several listings here do not say which setup the grill uses, so check the manual on the listing before you buy cylinders or an adapter hose.

6. Warranty

Warranty length is the clearest signal of how long a maker expects a grill to last. Here it runs from one year (Nexgrill Deluxe, Royal Gourmet) to three (Cuisinart, Coleman) and ten (Weber). Charbroil splits it: five years on the burner and lid, one on the grate.

Where you can safely use a small gas grill

“Small” does not mean “safe anywhere”. The U.S. Fire Administration’s outdoor fire safety guidance says to use propane grills only outside, since indoor use can cause a fire or carbon monoxide poisoning, and to place the grill well away from siding and deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches. It also says plainly: do not store or use a grill on a porch or balcony. If you live in an apartment, check your lease and building rules too before you buy any grill for a balcony.

The National Fire Protection Association’s grilling safety tip sheet adds these rules for propane grills:

  • Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grill area, and never leave the grill unattended.
  • Make sure the lid is open before you light a gas grill.
  • Check the hose for leaks before the first use each year with a light soap and water solution: a propane leak will release bubbles.
  • If you smell gas while cooking, get away from the grill immediately and call the fire department. Do not move the grill.
  • If the flame goes out, turn the grill and gas off and wait at least 5 minutes before relighting.
  • Remove grease or fat buildup from the grates and the trays below.

For doneness, go by a food thermometer, not the color. The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service’s safe minimum internal temperatures are 145°F for beef and pork steaks, chops and roasts, with at least a three-minute rest; 160°F for ground meats such as burgers; and 165°F for all poultry, which covers pollo asado.

How we chose these nine small grills

We started from what a working kitchen asks of any grill: steady heat, at least one cooler zone where possible, grates that sear and clean up, and grease that goes somewhere other than the burner. We then looked at gas grills small enough to carry or to fit a small patio, sold on Amazon in the United States and in stock when we checked, and confirmed each specification on the maker’s page or the brand’s Amazon listing, writing “Not stated” where neither gave a figure. We left out grills that were out of stock or showing very low stock, including Weber’s Q 1200 and Q 2800N+ and Napoleon’s TravelQ 285 and 240, and skipped unbranded sellers. We have not cooked on these grills for this guide, and we did not consult outside equipment reviews for it.

Burger patties, hot dogs and slices of cheese on the grate of a black gas grill
Burgers and hot dogs on a gas grill.

Small gas grill questions, answered

What is the best small gas grill for the money?

For a portable, the Cuisinart Chef’s Style gives two burners, a stated 22-pound weight and a three-year warranty. For a patio, the Nexgrill Deluxe 2-Burner offers 401 square inches with cast-iron grates, but with a one-year warranty; the Weber Spirit E-210 costs more and carries ten.

What is the best quality small gas grill?

Of these, the Weber Spirit E-210: a cast-aluminum cook box, porcelain-enameled cast-iron grates, Flavorizer bars and a 10-year limited warranty. Among portables, the cast-aluminum Charbroil Grill2Go X200 is the most solidly built.

Can I use a small gas grill on a balcony?

The U.S. Fire Administration says not to store or use a grill on a porch or balcony, and to keep grills well away from siding, deck railings and eaves. Follow that, and check your lease and local fire rules.

How many burners does a small gas grill need?

One is enough for two or three people and quick cuts. Two or three burners give you separate hot and cool zones, which makes thicker cuts and chicken much easier to cook through without burning.

Can a portable grill run on a 20 lb propane tank?

Some can with an adapter hose, but it depends on the model. Several listings here do not state the fuel setup, so check the maker’s manual for your grill before buying a hose.

Our final pick for a small grill

Buy the Cuisinart Chef’s Style 2-Burner Tabletop if you want one small gas grill for tailgates, picnics and a small patio. Choose the Weber Spirit E-210 for a permanent spot on a patio, the Coleman RoadTrip 285 for campsites, the Charbroil Grill2Go X200 if the grill rides in a truck bed, and the Cuisinart Grillster if every pound counts. Whichever you choose, keep it outdoors and away from the house, check the hose each year and cook to temperature.

If you would rather cook on a flat top at the campsite, see our guide to the best portable outdoor griddle, or the best outdoor griddle for a full-size model at home.

For full-size two- to four-burner grills, start with our guide to the best gas grill.

Grilled steak, peppers and onions are halfway to fajitas; how to eat fajitas explains the rest. Or let us do the grilling: see the menu or call to order.

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