A tabletop gas grill is the grill for people without room for a grill: a balcony with a sturdy table, a patio corner, an RV, a tailgate, a campsite picnic table. It sits on a surface rather than on its own cart, it lights with a knob instead of a chimney of charcoal, and it shuts off when dinner is done. For carne asada on a Tuesday, a few elotes or a stack of tortillas warmed over the grates, that is often all a household needs.
This page narrows our broader guide to the best portable grill, which also covers charcoal and folding-leg grills, down to propane grills that sit on a table. We have chosen different models from that guide and from our best small gas grill picks, so each page adds something.
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Quick verdict: which tabletop gas grill to buy
The best tabletop gas grill for most households is the Broil King Porta-Chef 120: a grill maker’s single-burner model with porcelain-coated cast iron grids, 220 square inches of primary cooking space, snap-in legs you can remove to set it on a table, and Broil King’s 10-year warranty on the lid and cookbox. If you need more room, the three-burner Broil King Porta-Chef 320 is its big brother. For a light grill you can carry to a campsite on one-pound cylinders, look at the Magma Cabo or the budget Megamaster 1-Burner.
Below are the five strongest choices side by side, then all seven in detail, the propane safety basics, and what to check before you buy.
Five tabletop gas grills side by side
Five picks for five kinds of small-space cook, with each maker’s or listing’s stated figures. All seven grills are reviewed in full below.
| Product | Best for | Burners & output | Cooking area | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Broil King Porta-Chef 120Best overall
|
Patios and balconies | 1 burner, 14,000 BTU | 220 sq in + 128 sq in rack | View on Amazon |
Monument Grills Clearview 2-Burner Tabletop GrillBest two-burner
|
Two heat zones in a carry size | 2 burners, 15,000 BTU total | 200 sq in total | View on Amazon |
Blackstone 1814 17-inch Tabletop GriddleBest flat top
|
Fajitas, eggs, quesadillas | 1 H-shaped burner; BTU not stated | 268 sq in | View on Amazon |
Magma Cabo Stainless Tabletop Gas GrillBest for boats and RVs
|
Salt air, small decks | 1 turbo burner; BTU not stated | 9 x 18 in | View on Amazon |
Megamaster Tabletop 1-Burner Gas GrillBudget pick
|
Occasional camping and tailgates | 1 burner, 11,000 BTU | 360 sq in (listing) | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Output, cooking area and fuel are as stated by each maker or listing; BTU figures do not tell you how hot a grill gets.
Our picks for the best tabletop gas grill
These seven cover the real range of tabletop propane cooking: a grill maker’s cast iron models in two sizes, a two-burner grill with separate heat zones, a tabletop flat-top griddle, a grill that doubles as a camp stove, a stainless marine grill and a budget single burner. Each section says who it suits and gives one honest reason to skip it.
1. Broil King Porta-Chef 120 – A Grill Maker’s Tabletop Grill
Broil King is a grill company first, and the Porta-Chef 120 is built like a small version of its full-size grills rather than a camping gadget. The listing gives one stainless steel burner rated at up to 14,000 BTU, a 220-square-inch primary cooking area and a chrome-coated warming rack that adds 128 square inches. The grids are porcelain-coated cast iron, which holds heat and leaves real sear marks on steak, chicken thighs or a row of green onions.
Under the grids sits Broil King’s stainless Flav-R-Wave system, a set of ridges that, according to the listing, spreads heat evenly, vaporizes drippings and protects the burner. That matters on a single-burner grill, where the middle tends to run hotter than the edges. Canadian Tire, a retailer, describes four snap-in legs that come off and store under the grill, which is what makes it a tabletop grill: legs on for the patio floor, legs off for a sturdy outdoor table.
It is not a featherweight. Retailers list it at about 37 to 38 pounds assembled, and the retailers we found describe it running from a standard 20-pound propane tank sold separately. The warranty, as listed, is 10 years on the lid and cookbox, 5 years on the main burner and 2 years on remaining parts and paint.
Why we like it
- Porcelain-coated cast iron cooking grids
- Flav-R-Wave heat spreader over the burner
- Detachable legs for table use (retailer)
- 10-year lid and cookbox warranty (listing)
Key specifications
| Model | 950654 |
|---|---|
| Burners | 1 stainless steel |
| Heat output | Up to 14,000 BTU |
| Cooking area | 220 sq in primary, 128 sq in warming rack |
| Grates | Porcelain-coated cast iron |
| Fuel | Liquid propane; 20 lb tank sold separately (retailer) |
| Weight | About 37–38 lb (retailers) |
| Warranty | 10 yr lid and cookbox, 5 yr burner, 2 yr other parts |
Why we recommend it
It suits a balcony, patio or RV cook who wants the grates and warranty of a full-size grill in a footprint that fits on a table.
Skip it if you plan to carry it to a campsite; at close to 40 pounds and set up for a full-size tank, it is a stay-near-the-car grill, not a hiking one.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Cast iron grids
- Long cookbox warranty
- Legs on or off
Cons
- Heavy for a tabletop grill
- One burner, one heat zone
- Fuel setup not spelled out on the listing
2. Monument Grills Clearview 2-Burner Tabletop Grill – Watch the Food Through the Lid
Two burners are the single most useful upgrade on a small grill, because they give you two heat zones: sear on one side, keep things warm or finish thicker cuts on the other. Monument Grills’ Clearview has two stainless steel burners with a combined 15,000 BTU and a 15.4 by 13-inch stainless grate, 200 square inches of cooking area in total, according to the listing.
The feature that gives it its name is the lid, which has a window of tempered glass that Monument says is high-heat tested. Every time you lift a lid on a small grill, the heat drops fast; being able to check on chicken or peppers without opening it is a real advantage on a cooker this size. There is also a built-in thermometer.
The listing gives the size as about 18.8 by 18.1 by 13.5 inches and the weight as 23.8 pounds. It comes with a 40-inch hose for a 20-pound propane tank; to run it on one-pound cylinders you need Monument’s adapter (99000), sold separately. Monument lists a 2-year warranty on the grill and 8 years on the stainless burners.
Why we like it
- Two burners for two heat zones
- Tempered glass window in the lid
- Hose for a 20 lb tank included
- 8-year burner warranty (listing)
Key specifications
| Model | G22 |
|---|---|
| Burners | 2 stainless steel |
| Heat output | 15,000 BTU total |
| Cooking area | 200 sq in total; grate 15.4 x 13 in |
| Grates | Stainless steel |
| Fuel | 20 lb tank via included hose; 1 lb with adapter sold separately |
| Weight | 23.8 lb |
| Warranty | 2 yr grill, 8 yr burners, 1 yr electrical |
Why we recommend it
It suits a cook who wants two zones and a lid they can see through, in a grill light enough to lift onto a table.
Skip it if you want cast iron grates; stainless grates do not hold heat the way the Broil King’s cast iron does.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Two heat zones
- Glass lid window
- Long burner warranty
Cons
- Glass needs keeping clean to stay useful
- 1 lb adapter costs extra
- Modest total output
3. Blackstone 1814 17-inch Tabletop Griddle – A Flat Top Instead of Grates
A small grill cooks steak and chicken well; it cooks eggs, chopped onions and peppers for fajitas, or crumbled chorizo badly, because they fall through the grates. If that is most of what you cook, a tabletop flat top does the job better, and Blackstone is the name most people know for propane griddles. The 1814 is its 17-inch tabletop model.
The listing gives 268 square inches of steel cooking surface, enough, Blackstone says, for nine burgers, nine pancakes or a dozen eggs at once. An H-shaped burner spreads the heat across the plate, a built-in igniter lights it, and an integrated grease tray catches drippings. The unit measures 17.5 by 18 inches and 8.5 inches high, and its rubber feet adjust for uneven tables.
It is a griddle, not a grill: there are no grates, no lid and no grill marks. The listing does not state the burner output, the weight or the propane tank size, so check the box before you buy fuel. We checked the CPSC recall database for Blackstone and found no recalls.
Why we like it
- Flat top for fajita vegetables, eggs and quesadillas
- H-shaped burner for even heat, per Blackstone
- Built-in grease tray
- Adjustable rubber feet
Key specifications
| Model | 1814 |
|---|---|
| Burners | 1, H-shaped |
| Heat output | Not stated in the listing |
| Cooking area | 268 sq in (17-inch plate) |
| Grates | None; steel griddle plate |
| Fuel | Propane; tank size not stated |
| Size | 17.5 x 18 x 8.5 in |
| Warranty | Listed as 1 (year); check Blackstone’s terms |
Why we recommend it
It suits a household whose outdoor cooking is mostly fajitas, breakfast and quesadillas, on a balcony table or at a campsite.
Skip it if you want grill marks or a lid for thicker cuts; any of the grills here does that, and our griddle guide covers bigger flat tops.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Solid cooking surface
- Compact for a car trunk
- Grease tray for cleanup
Cons
- No grates or lid
- Burner output not published in the listing
- Weight not stated
4. Magma Cabo Stainless Tabletop Gas Grill – Built for Salt Air
Magma makes grills for boats, and that shapes everything about the Cabo. The listing says it is made entirely from mirror-polished 304 stainless steel to stand up to marine conditions, and the long, narrow 9 by 18-inch grill surface is shaped to fit a small deck, a tailgate or an RV picnic table. Fold-away legs make it a tabletop grill; Magma also sells rail and rod-holder mounts separately for boats.
The burner is what Magma calls a turbo design, made to keep a steady flame in wind, which is useful anywhere outdoors, not only on the water. Over it sits a snap-out radiant plate that, according to the listing, spreads the heat and removes cold spots. Retailers describe it running from standard one-pound disposable propane cylinders and list the weight at about 11.8 pounds, the lightest grill here.
Magma does not give a BTU figure on the listing; one retailer quotes 11,200 BTU, but we could not confirm it, so we leave it as not stated. The listed warranty is one year.
Why we like it
- All 304 stainless steel, per the listing
- Burner designed for windy conditions
- Lightest pick here, about 11.8 lb (retailer)
- Optional mounts for boat rails
Key specifications
| Model | A10-703 |
|---|---|
| Burners | 1 turbo burner |
| Heat output | Not stated |
| Cooking area | 9 x 18 in (162 sq in, retailers) |
| Grates | Stainless steel |
| Fuel | 1 lb propane cylinders (retailers) |
| Weight | About 11.8 lb (retailer) |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Why we recommend it
It suits boat owners, RV travelers and anyone cooking near salt air who wants a small grill that will not rust out in a season.
Skip it if you cook for more than two or three people; a 9 by 18-inch surface fills up fast.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Corrosion-resistant build
- Very light
- Wind-resistant burner design
Cons
- Small cooking surface
- No BTU figure from the maker
- Mirror finish shows grease
5. Broil King Porta-Chef 320 – Three Burners for a Crowd
This is the larger sibling of our top pick, and it is here for the household that cooks for six instead of two. According to the listing, three stainless steel burners deliver up to 18,000 BTU, the primary cooking area is 295 square inches and a warming rack adds 135 more. Three burners mean real heat control: high on one side for carne asada, low on the other for onions and tortillas.
The construction matches the Porta-Chef 120: porcelain-coated cast iron grids and the stainless Flav-R-Wave system over the burners. Broil King says the grill is made in North America with domestic and globally sourced components. Retailers describe detachable legs that let it sit on a table.
Size is the trade-off. Broil King’s product page, as shown in search results, lists the weight at 52 pounds and a QCC1 hose for a 5-, 10- or 20-pound tank. That makes it a tabletop grill for a solid outdoor table or a tailgate, not a camping carry. The listed warranty is 10 years on the cookbox, 5 years on the burners and 2 years on the rest.
Why we like it
- Three burners for three heat zones
- 295 sq in primary area plus warming rack
- Porcelain-coated cast iron grids
- Made in North America (listing)
Key specifications
| Model | 952654 |
|---|---|
| Burners | 3 stainless steel |
| Heat output | Up to 18,000 BTU |
| Cooking area | 295 sq in primary, 135 sq in warming rack |
| Grates | Porcelain-coated cast iron |
| Fuel | QCC1 hose for 5, 10 or 20 lb tank (Broil King) |
| Weight | 52 lb (Broil King) |
| Warranty | 10 yr cookbox, 5 yr burners, 2 yr other parts |
Why we recommend it
It suits a family or a tailgate crew that wants a full grill’s control in a unit that still sits on a table and fits in a trunk.
Skip it if you need to carry it any distance; at 52 pounds it is the heaviest grill here.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Most cooking area on this list
- Three-zone heat control
- Long cookbox warranty
Cons
- Heavy
- Needs a bigger tank than a 1 lb cylinder
- Large footprint for a small table
6. Coleman Tabletop 2-in-1 Camping Grill/Stove – Grill and Pan at Once
Coleman has made camp stoves for generations, and this tabletop unit splits the difference between stove and grill. One side is a 130-square-inch grill surface; the other is a stove burner that fits a 10-inch pan, and the listing says you can use both at the same time. That is a practical layout for camp tacos: meat on the grill side, beans or salsa warming in a pan on the other.
The listing gives two adjustable burners with up to 20,000 BTU in total, a PerfectFlow pressure regulator that Coleman says keeps performance steady even in extreme conditions, and WindBlock side panels that shield the burners from wind or fold down as small side tables. The cooktop is rust-resistant aluminized steel, and a removable tray handles grease.
It runs on a 16.4-ounce propane cylinder, and Coleman’s figure is up to 2 hours with both burners on high per cylinder. Coleman’s product page lists the weight at 15.36 pounds. The listing gives a 1-year limited warranty.
Why we like it
- Grill and stove usable at the same time
- Up to 20,000 BTU total (listing)
- WindBlock panels fold down as side tables
- Stated run time per 16.4 oz cylinder
Key specifications
| Model | 2209294 |
|---|---|
| Burners | 2 adjustable (grill and stove) |
| Heat output | Up to 20,000 BTU total |
| Cooking area | 130 sq in grill; stove fits 10 in pan |
| Grates | Aluminized steel cooktop |
| Fuel | 16.4 oz propane cylinder; up to 2 hr both burners on high |
| Weight | 15.36 lb (Coleman) |
| Warranty | 1-year limited (listing) |
Why we recommend it
It suits campers who want one tabletop appliance for the grill and the pot, running on the small cylinders sold at every camping store.
Skip it if grilling is the main job; 130 square inches is the smallest grill area on this list.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Grill plus stove
- Wind protection built in
- Light and compact
Cons
- Small grill area
- Aluminized steel, not cast iron
- Short run time on high
7. Megamaster Tabletop 1-Burner Gas Grill – A Basic Grill on One-Pound Bottles
Megamaster’s tabletop grill is the simplest route into propane grilling here: one stainless steel burner rated at 11,000 BTU, push-button ignition, a built-in thermometer in the lid and foldable legs. The listing says it runs on one-pound propane cylinders, which makes it easy to throw in the car for a park or a tailgate.
The listing gives the cooking space as 360 square inches. The title also mentions a warming rack, and the listing does not split the figure between grate and rack, so treat the number as the total rather than the main grilling area. The firebox is porcelain-coated steel, and the locking lid keeps it closed while you carry it.
Two things set it apart from other low-cost single burners: Megamaster lists a 5-year warranty, the longest of the budget-level grills we found, and it comes from an established maker of gas grills rather than an anonymous seller. What it lacks is cast iron grates or a second heat zone.
Why we like it
- Runs on one-pound propane cylinders
- Locking lid and folding legs for transport
- Built-in lid thermometer
- 5-year warranty (listing)
Key specifications
| Model | 820-0065C |
|---|---|
| Burners | 1 stainless steel |
| Heat output | 11,000 BTU |
| Cooking area | 360 sq in total, including warming rack (listing) |
| Grates | Not stated |
| Fuel | 1 lb propane cylinder |
| Weight | Not stated |
| Warranty | 5 years (listing) |
Why we recommend it
It suits someone who grills a few times a season at a park or campsite and wants a basic, lightweight unit on small bottles.
Skip it if you grill weekly at home; a cast iron grid like the Broil King’s holds heat far better and will outlast it.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Simple, light setup
- Uses widely sold 1 lb cylinders
- Long warranty for its class
Cons
- One heat zone
- Grate material and weight not stated
- Cooking area includes the rack
How to choose a tabletop gas grill
A restaurant kitchen judges a grill by heat it can control, a surface that holds that heat, and how quickly it cleans up between services. Those same three questions sort out tabletop grills, plus two that only matter for small grills: what it burns, and where you will set it down.
1. Burners before BTU
BTU measures how much fuel a burner uses, not how hot the grill gets, a point Charbroil’s own listings make. The more useful number is how many burners there are. One burner means one heat level across the grate; two or three let you sear on one side and cook gently on the other, which is how you keep onions and tortillas from burning next to a steak.
2. Grates that hold heat
Porcelain-coated cast iron (both Broil Kings) holds heat and marks meat well. Stainless steel (Monument, Magma) is lighter and resists rust but cools faster when cold food goes on. On a small grill with modest output, that difference shows.
3. One-pound cylinder or full-size tank
The small green one-pound cylinders are easy to carry and sold everywhere campers shop, but they run out fast. Coleman, for example, quotes up to 2 hours with both burners on high per 16.4-ounce cylinder. For regular home use, a grill that connects to a 20-pound tank, as the Monument and the Broil Kings do, costs less per cook. Check what hose or adapter comes in the box.
4. Weight and where it will sit
The grills here range from about 12 pounds (Magma) to 52 pounds (Porta-Chef 320). Decide whether you will carry it from a car to a campsite or lift it once onto a patio table and leave it there. The table needs to be sturdy, level and non-combustible underneath the grill.
5. A grill or a griddle
Much Mexican home cooking, from fajita vegetables to quesadillas, suits a flat top. If that is most of what you cook, a tabletop flat top like the Blackstone 1814 may serve you better than grates; our best portable outdoor griddle guide covers those.
Propane safety for small grills
A tabletop grill is still a gas appliance, and its small size makes it tempting to use somewhere it should not be. The National Fire Protection Association’s grilling safety guidance, which follows the same lines as grill makers’ manuals, is plain:
- Outdoors only. NFPA says propane and charcoal grills should only be used outdoors. That includes garages, tents, RV interiors, boat cabins and enclosed porches.
- Away from the house. Place the grill well away from the home and deck railings, and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
- Leak check. Check the gas hose for leaks before the first use each year. NFPA’s method is to brush a light soap-and-water solution on the hose and connections with the gas on; a leak will release bubbles. Tighten connections and test again, or have the grill serviced.
- If you smell gas while cooking, get away from the grill and call the fire department. Do not move the grill.
- Never leave a lit grill unattended, and keep children and pets well away.
We checked the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s recall listings for each brand on this page and found no recall covering these models. Always register a new grill with its maker so you hear about any future notice.
How we picked these seven tabletop grills
We started from what a kitchen asks of any grill and narrowed to propane grills designed to sit on a table, from makers that publish real specifications and warranties. Every pick was in stock on Amazon in the United States when we checked, and we avoided items marked as low in stock, because portable grills come and go quickly. Several well-known names are missing for that reason: Weber’s Q 1200N in its U.S. versions and the Weber Traveler were on back order, the Weber Q 2800N+ and Napoleon’s TravelQ models were down to their last few units or out of stock, and the one in-stock Weber Q listing we found appeared to be a European-market version. We could not find Cuisinart’s Petite Gourmet sold on Amazon. Blackstone’s tabletop models are griddles; we include one, the 1814, for flat-top cooking, and our griddle guide covers the rest. The in-stock Cuisinart, Coleman RoadTrip, Charbroil, Pit Boss, Nexgrill Fortress and Royal Gourmet GT1001 tabletop grills are already recommended on our related guides, so we chose others here. We left out grills from sellers with no identifiable maker, and a Royal Gourmet two-burner whose listing gave no output or fuel details. We have not cooked on these grills for this guide; figures come from the makers’ listings and pages, with retailer figures labeled where we used them, and we did not consult outside testing publications for this page.
Tabletop grill questions, answered
What is the best tabletop gas grill for a balcony or patio?
The Broil King Porta-Chef 120: cast iron grids, a 10-year cookbox warranty and legs that come off for table use. First check your building’s rules; many apartment buildings and local fire codes limit open-flame grills on balconies.
Can you use a tabletop propane grill indoors?
No. NFPA says propane grills should only be used outdoors. A small grill produces carbon monoxide just like a large one.
Can a tabletop grill run on a 20-pound tank?
Many can, with the right hose. The Monument Clearview includes one; the Broil King Porta-Chef 320 uses a hose for 5- to 20-pound tanks. Grills built around one-pound cylinders, like the Megamaster, need an adapter hose to run from a bigger tank; check the maker’s manual for the correct part.
How many burners does a tabletop grill need?
One is enough for burgers and a few chicken pieces. Two let you keep a cooler zone for vegetables and tortillas, which is the setup we would choose for most households.
How do I check a portable grill for gas leaks?
With the cylinder or tank connected and the gas on, brush soapy water on the hose and connections. Bubbles mean a leak: shut off the gas, tighten the connection and test again. If it still bubbles, do not use the grill until it is repaired.
Our pick for small-space grilling
Buy the Broil King Porta-Chef 120 if you want a tabletop grill that cooks like a real grill and will last. Choose the Porta-Chef 320 for bigger groups, the Monument Clearview for two zones and a see-through lid, the Blackstone 1814 if you want a flat top instead, the Magma Cabo for boats and RVs, the Coleman 2-in-1 for camp cooking, and the Megamaster if you grill only now and then.
For full-size options, see our best gas grill guide, and for charcoal and folding-leg models go back to the best portable grill picks. And if you would rather someone else did the grilling tonight, see the menu or call to order.