8 Best Tabletop Grills Reviewed & Buyer’s Guide

Portable grills are the new kitchen trend today. We all enjoy preparing food in our homes and serving our loved ones. Upgrading your grill can help you make food faster and serve more food.

We would love to help you choose the tabletop grill that suits your needs.

This article will review the best tabletop grills on the market today. 

Best tabletop grills

Many portable grills are available today, so it’s hard to choose one that fits your preference and needs the best. Allow us to narrow down some of the best choices. 

1. Blackstone Table Top Grill

The Blackstone company was established in the United States in 2005, launching quality kitchen appliances such as stoves, ovens, grills, and smokers, to name a few. One of the favorites of consumers is the 17-inch tabletop grill. 

It weighs 21 pounds, and its dimensions are 17.5 x 18 x 8.5 inches. This is one of the market’s most compact and smaller grills today. It is easy to carry and transport from place to place, making it ideal for travel and outdoor use. 

The body is made of stainless steel coated with black powder that makes it resistant to rusting and lasts several years. The griddle is also constructed with rolled steel. The actual cooking surface is 260 square inches, and the burner has a heat capacity of 12000 BTU.

Other features include an electric ignition system and a removable grease pan for easy cleaning and oil collection. The surface of the tabletop griddle can be wiped with a paper towel. 

2. Cuisinart Portable Gas Grill

Cuisinart first made itself known in 1971 when it released its first electric food processor. Since then, they have continuously come up with several kitchen appliances, one of which is the Grillster Portable Gas Grill.

The weight of the grill is only 10 pounds, and the dimensions are 19 x 11.5 x 10 inches. It’s lightweight and small so that it would fit in limited spaces. You can use it for travel and outdoor cooking, like in the backyard or patio. The good thing is that a hood with a handle locks over the grill. That way, you can carry it easily. 

There is no need for you to assemble the grill as it already comes ready to use. You can start cooking with just a push of a button. The body is made of durable steel, and the porcelain enamel cooking grates are safe for the dishwasher and have even heat distribution.

You can enjoy cooking a variety of food with 146 square inches of cooking surface that runs on propane with a heat capacity of 8000 BTU.

3. Weber Q1200 Liquid Propane Grill

Weber is an American private kitchen appliance brand that first started in 1952. Their first product is the kettle grill. As they expanded, they also began manufacturing other devices such as grills. One of their bestsellers is the Q1200 Liquid Propane Grill.

The Q1200 features an aluminum body with a stainless steel burner. The cooking grates are made of cast iron coated with porcelain. The entire grill is placed upon a nylon frame reinforced with glass. The grill dimensions are 15.5 x 40.9 x 16.5 inches, while the cooking surface is 189 square inches with a swinging lid for cover and heat retention. 

There is also a removable grease collecting tray and two foldable side tables. The grill is portable with large handles. The controls are also easy to operate. It comes with a knob for the temperature and a thermometer on the lid for monitoring. The ignition system is electrically powered. 

4. Royal Gourmet Tabletop Grill

Royal Gourmet 22 Inch Tabletop Grill, Portable Propane Gas Griddle, 2-Adjustable Burners, For outdoor and travel use

Royal /gourmet has served the American people with quality grills and smokers since 2014. One of their best products is the 22-inch tabletop grill. With dimensions of 17.6 x 13.5 inches, a total cooking surface of 238 square inches, and a weight of 22 pounds, this grill is most preferred for small outdoor cooking. 

The grill has two circular stainless steel burners with 8500 BTU heat capacity. Each of the burners has separate controls. The griddle is porcelain-coated – durable and, at the same time, easy to clean using just a paper towel. 

In terms of grease management, it has a cup built in the side to collect excess oil while cooking. It also switches on by a piezo ignition system. 

5. Giantex Tabletop Gas Grill

An online retail store in America called Giantex invented their very own propane tabletop gas grill. You have 20 square inches of available cooking space within its 20.5 x 13 inches measurements. The grill has two burners with a total heat capacity of 20000 BTU.

The ignition system can be activated with only a push of a button, and each burner has its separate control system. It is constructed with rust-proof 430 stainless steel and has a swinging lid with a handle for easy transport and maximum heat retention.

It also comes with foldable legs, so it’s easy to store. The compact dimensions of 22 x 18 x 15 inches allow you to store the grill in small spaces. The lid also has a built-in thermometer to track the temperature inside the grill.

6. Weber Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill

This is another product made by Weber that deserves to be on this list because of its market popularity and quality to consumers. The 121020 Go-Anywhere charcoal grill is only 14.5 inches in height, 21 inches wide, and 12.25 inches long, making it very small and handy. It’s perfect for travel because it only weighs 14.5 pounds. 

The lid can be locked, and the legs, which hold the grill securely on any surface, are foldable. There is also a handle on the side that makes transport convenient. This grill model’s cooking grates are nickel-enameled, and the body is porcelain. Both are reliable and easy to clean. 

The 160 square inches surface of the cooking griddle allows a maximum of 6 burgers to be cooked simultaneously. There are also built-in dampers that regulate the ventilation inside the grill to maintain the temperature. 

7. Cuisinart Petit Gourmet Portable Tabletop Gas Grill

Cuisinart makes another quality tabletop gas grill in the form of the CGG-180T Petit Gourmet. This model is ideal for travel because of its compact structure. It only weighs 13.5 pounds, and the dimensions are 12.8 x 18 x 12 inches. You can also enjoy a total of 145 square inches of cooking surface. This can accommodate eight pieces of steak cuts or burger patties and 4 lbs of fish. 

It has foldable legs that support it on any surface, and setting it up does not take much time and effort. The swinging lid serves as a lock and a handle for hassle-free carrying. The burners are stainless steel and have 5500 BTU heat output. 

Another good thing about this model is that it does not consume as much energy as other models. Some of its components are safe to use in the dishwasher, and the ignition is activated in a twist-to-start mechanism. 

8. Char-Broil TRU-Infrared Portable Gas Grill

Char-Broil was founded in Columbus, Georgia, in 1948. The company has provided the American people with high-quality charcoal grills. Apart from being the first inventor of the charcoal grill, they also came up with portable versions, and one popular model is their Grill2Go X200 TRU-Infrared Gas Grill.

The grill has a toolbox design made of cast aluminum with stainless steel latches that lasts for several years. The grill’s structure is built to withstand heavy impact, and the legs can carry and support the grill on different types of terrain it stands on. 

The actual cooking surface you can use measures 200 square inches. A unique feature of this grill is that it uses a TRU-infrared heating system where convection heat is produced from infrared radiation as the main source of heat for the grill.

The grill operates on a smart ignition system, and the lid has a built-in thermometer to track the internal temperature. This helps to avoid overcooking the food. The grill case is resistant to tearing, so you can transport it easily. 

9. Flame King RV Gas Grill

Don’t be fooled. Even though this is the last one on the list, the Flame King RV Mounted Gas Grill packs unique features that give it an advantage over its competitors. It has a bracket mounts the grill on any vehicle, like an RV, trailer, or mobile home. This makes setting up the grill a breeze, especially when traveling. 

The total cooking surface is 214 square inches and has one main burner with a heat adjustment knob and another heating rack. You can cook multiple dishes at the same time with this feature. 

The hanging rack can also be the legs if you want the grill to stand on an even surface. This is primarily intended for mobile living and travel use. The lock has retainer pins, and the lid has a dual lock system for maximum protection and security of the grill.

Criteria for the Best Tabletop grill

Below are the characteristics you should consider in a tabletop grill. 

Fuel type

Grills can either be powered by gas or charcoal. There are advantages and disadvantages to both. This boils down to your preference and what you can handle physically and financially. For travel and outdoor use, charcoal is much preferable. But propane tanks may be much less of a hassle if you’re mostly going to use them at home. 

Foldable legs

This is only optional. But it’s much more convenient if your model has foldable legs for storage and transport. For those with limited storage spaces, it could be a huge deal for the grill legs to be foldable so the machine can fit. It also helps put distance between the part of the grill that heats up and the surface on which it is placed. 

Weight

This should not be a huge concern if you only intend to keep your grill in your home and do not plan to take it while traveling. If your main purpose for a grill is to have a portable outdoor grill set that you can take anywhere, you want something lightweight and easy to carry. For home use, you should also consider where you plan on placing it and make sure that it can carry the weight of the grill.

Carrying handles

Ideally, a portable grill should have handles regardless if it’s for travel or home use only. Side handles will do for short trips. But a top handle that mimics a lunchbox or briefcase for long walks is most preferred. Ensure that the handles are also attached to the main unit securely and that no screws or bolts are loose. 

Lid locks

If the lid is securely locked, your grill will be much more protected against debris and dust, especially in storage or transport.

Number of burners

Most tabletop grills only have one burner. But there are a few select models with two burners that can be controlled separately. This helps when cooking multiple kinds of food that require different cooking temperatures. It also means you can cook more food at once with more burners because the cooking surface is larger. 

Portability

Again, this will depend on your primary purpose for buying a tabletop grill and where you will use it. It should not matter much if you have allocated space for the grill where it will be placed permanently, and you do not plan on moving it or bringing it with you on your travels.

Otherwise, if the grill is intended to be used outdoors and taken on trips, then the ease of carrying and transporting is a huge factor to consider. 

Size

Most portable tabletop grills are compact and can fit in large spaces like the back of a pickup truck. You have to get an idea about the possible places where the grill may be placed so you can estimate the ideal size of the grill that works for you. 

Ease of use

One of the features you should examine about the usability of a tabletop grill is the ignition system. It’s better if the ignition system does not require a lighter or a match to start a fire. Automatic ignition systems are the easiest and most convenient.

The grease collecting trays should also be easily removed, and the cooking grates should be detachable and resistant to staining. 

Easy to clean

This is important, especially when you take the grill while traveling. The cleaning and packing up should not be a hassle for you, or at least you should be able to close it without the risk of the grease dripping out and making a mess.

Other features

Some models with retractable legs also serve as handles, making transporting easier. Side tables are also great for putting utensils while cooking. Pricier units have a small built-in refrigerator below them for drinks and other ingredients. Just base your choice on your budget and your needs. 

Safety precautions while using the grill

Even smaller grills are not exempt from posing a hazard. That’s why you still must take safety measures to keep your grill working smoothly. Below are some tips that we recommend you should follow:

• Put the tabletop grill on even surfaces and safe terrains. Use tools with long handles so you won’t directly touch heat-prone parts of the grill. 
• Please do not leave it unattended while in use. 
• Don’t put too many oil-producing foods at once so you won’t ignite the flames further. 
• Outdoor grills should not be used indoors. 
• Switch the grill off as instructed by the manufacturer and clean it immediately after use. 
• Make sure to have a fire extinguisher nearby. 

Benefits of having a tabletop grill

A tabletop grill is a smaller version of an outdoor backyard grill set. The name suggests that you can place it on top of a surface, and it will operate just like a grill but only on a smaller scale. Since it’s also lesser in size, it also costs less.

Versatility in cooking

Smaller households do not have the space or budget to have a full-sized backyard grill. A tabletop grill does not take up much space and is cheaper. You will still be able to enjoy grilled foods without the added expense. You can also use it anytime and anywhere since it’s very handy. 

Same features, same taste

• Fuel options – Regardless of the size, both grills can run on charcoal or propane. 
• Grill grates – The grill gates’ material, shape, and sizes vary depending on the grill’s brand and model. 
• Heat retention – Most tabletop grills also come with a lid that helps maintain the grill’s internal temperature, so the food is cooked evenly and faster, saving energy and fuel.

You won’t be missing out on too much if you decide to go for a tabletop grill instead of a full-sized backyard set. The features are pretty much the same, and the main difference is the size, meaning you would be cooking less food at a time. But this is not that big of a concern for home users. 

What you can cook on a tabletop grill

Lots of food can be cooked on a tabletop grill. The classic grilled meats, bruschettas, angel food cakes, kebabs, and much more. Any food that can be cooked on a regular grill can be handled by tabletop grills too. 

Conclusion

Tabletop grills are portable and compact so that they can be placed in small spaces and used for outdoor cooking. They are great to bring on camping trips, mobile homes, and even just in your backyard barbeque. All of the models we listed in this article have impressive features and are of high quality. 

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Are tabletop grills only for cooking small amounts of food?

You can cook a fair amount of food at a time on a tabletop grill. Especially if you opt for a model with a wide cooking surface that simultaneously accommodates several servings of food, for large food items, make sure that there is enough space between one and the other so they won’t stick together while cooking. 

What safety measures should be taken while using a tabletop grill?

The first and most important is that you should never leave the grill unattended while it is in use. Always have someone watch it if you have somewhere else to be for a while or turn it off if no one is available to look after it.

Next, make sure you use grill-safe kitchenware that does not develop heat stains after being used on a grill. Materials like copper, aluminum, and cast iron can change color after multiple uses on a tabletop grill. 

Do I need to purchase additional accessories for my grill?

Do your research first about what materials are compatible with the surface of the cooking grate, so you know what is safe to use without damaging either one. Most of these details are found in the product manual, so we recommend reading through it because the accessories you need depend on the model. 

Can tabletop grills be used for camping?

Most private campgrounds do not allow visitors to make open flames anymore, so you can’t prepare food in cookware that needs direct fire. Thus, you will need cooking equipment that runs on electricity or propane tanks for such occasions. The results may be different, but it is a safer option.

Can tabletop grills be used indoors?

Tabletop grills are intended to be used outdoors because of the heat and smoke emissions. But some models can be used indoors, provided they come with safety features. You also have to exercise some preventive measures for safety purposes. Protective equipment and keeping pets and children away from the device are essential. 

Can you boil water on a portable grill?

You can boil water on a grill using a kettle made of heat-resistant and fireproof material. Put the kettle over the grill and set it at a high temperature. If possible, close the lid to maximize the temperature and hasten the process. It would take longer if the lid is open, but it will still be able to bring the water to a boil. 

Last update on 2024-04-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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