Everyone has their own way of grilling. While some prefer to stick to the more traditional charcoal grills, others prefer to use the more advanced and convenient gas or propane grills that have become very popular. However, you might not have enough space for a large outdoor grill, so a small propane gas grill would be your best option.
These small, compact grills take up very little space, but they’re portable and deliver very delicious BBQ’S just like the big grills. They also make your grilling experience simple and easy since they heat up quickly which reduces your cooking time.
Summary table for the best small propane grill
| Product | Features | Check on Amazon |
|---|---|---|
| Weber Spirit II E-210 2-burner liquid propane grill | 2 burners, porcelain-enameled grates and lid, fuel gauge, stainless steel heat deflector, foldable side table | Check Price |
| Char-Broil 280 2-burner | 280 sq. inch cooking space, 20,000 btu heat, ignition system, 6-inch wheels, 2 fixed legs | Check Price |
| Cuisinart CGG-059 portable gas grill | Folding legs, 8,000 btu heat, porcelain-enameled grates, twist-light ignition knob, gas regulator, 146 sq. inch cooking space | Check Price |
| Weber Q1000 Liquid propane grill | Push-button ignition, cast aluminum lid, removable drip tray, control burner valve, reinforced nylon frame | Check Price |
| Cuisinart CGG-240 Gas Grill | Collapsible stand, 240 sq. inch cooking space, cool handles, 2 foldable side shelves, twist-to-start ignition | Check Price |
| Char-Broil Grill2go X200 | 200 sq. inch cooking space, cast aluminum firebox and lid, temp gauge, push-button ignition, stainless steel grates, Tru-infrared cooking system | Check Price |
| Cuisinart CGG-180TS tabletop gas grill | 145 sq. inch cooking space, 5,500 btu heat, twist-to-start electric ignition, temp gauge, foldable legs, lid lock, | Check Price |
| Char-Broil 2-burner cabinet propane gas grill | 300 sq. inch cooking space, 2 burners, 24,000 btu heat, stainless steel lid, electronic ignition, storage cabinet, foldable side metal shelves, lid-mounted temp gauge | Check Price |
| Cuisinart CGG-360 propane tabletop grill | 2 burners, 20,000 btu heat, stainless grates, integrated thermometer, adjustable burner knobs, drip tray, 3-year warranty | Check Price |
| Fuego F21C-H element hinged propane gas grill | Cast iron grilling grates, dual-zone burner system, 22,000 btu heat, porcelain-enameled lid, residue tray, optional griddle, and pizza kit | Check Price |
Weber Spirit II E-210 2-burner liquid propane grill
A liquid propane grill made with quality materials, it’s reliable, well made, and looks good in your backyard or deck. It has 2 burners with 450 sq. inch cooking space and porcelain-enameled cast iron grills that are super durable. The open cart makes it easy to store your supplies below the grill and you can use the 6 hooks to hang your spatulas, tongs, and grill brushes near your reach. The 2 large wheels make it easy to move the grill and the 2 sturdy legs keep it stable and prevent it from rolling when you’re using it. The foldable side table provides more space for prep.
Pros
- Great heat distribution
- Easy to clean
- Removable grease tray
- Foldable side table
Cons
- No cool-off handles
A 2-burner gas grill with a 280 sq. inch cooking space enough to make meals to feed a large family. The porcelain-coated grates will help to prevent food from sticking and also makes it easy to clean to avoid rust. The 2 stainless steel burners are durable and use an excellent ignition system that is fast and reliable with just the push of a button. The firebox and lid are also made with porcelain-coated steel that increases their durability and can withstand bad weather. The 8,000 btu side burner is ideal for cooking your side dishes and warming your sauces while the side metal sleeves provide ample room for storage and prepping.
Pros
- Lightweight and durable
- Easy to move around
- Large grilling space
- Compact design
Cons
- Inconsistent heating
- No temp gauge
Cuisinart CGG-059 portable gas grill
A tabletop grill perfect for small spaces and on-the-go users. It’s entirely made with stainless steel which makes it easy to clean and durable. This small, gas grill is easy to use, portable, powerful, and durable and comes with a large carrying handle and foldable legs that make it easy to transport. Its small profile means you can place it on a storage shelf when you’re not using it. The 146 sq. inch cooking space is made with enameled steel grates that ensure food doesn’t stick and is dishwasher-safe. The gas regulator monitors the gas flow from your propane tank to your grill as you cook.
Pros
- Compact design makes it easy for storage and transport
- Foldable legs
- Dishwasher-safe grates
- Even heat distribution
Cons
- Temp settings don’t work well
- The vents are razor-sharp
Weber Q1000 Liquid propane grill
A small, compact grill with a single stainless steel burner that can produce 8500 btu heat to heat 189 sq. inch cooking space. This portable gas grill is lightweight which makes it easy to carry and doesn’t occupy much space in your kitchen. Although you can’t grill large quantities of food at once, you can still cook delicious food for 4-6 people. It’s built with cast aluminum and reinforced with nylon which makes it pretty durable and able to withstand harsh weather. The porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grates ensure that your food doesn’t stick when cooking and are easy to clean.
Pros
- Lightweight and portable
- Very durable materials
- Push-button ignition for easy start
- Easy to clean plates
Cons
- Poor quality regulator
A portable gas grill with a built-in stand so you can easily use the grill anywhere. This makes it ideal for camping, picnics, and the beach. It has a 240 sq. inch cooking space, a double-wall stainless steel cover, and a 15,000 btu loop burner that helps to evenly distribute the heat for a delicious cooked meal. The built-in hood temp gives you precise reading so you can easily control the intensity of the flames while the twist-to-start ignition makes it easy to start your grill. The foldable side sleeves provide extra space for placing your condiments and prep work.
Pros
- Heats up very fast
- Consistent heat distribution
- Quality grill
Cons
- Difficult to clean the cast iron grates
- Unstable legs
A rugged and portable gas grill made with a durable die-cast aluminum construction, a lid-mounted temp gauge, push-button ignition, and a Tru-infrared system that ensures there are no flare-ups when grilling. The 200 sq. inch grilling space has enough space to cook for 8 people at one go while the lid-mounted temp allows you to easily monitor and control the temps. The removable drip tray makes it easy to collect excess fat and grease from your food and easy cleaning.
Pros
- Quality built for easy transportation
- Sears very well
- Temp control works well
- Sturdy legs
Cons
- Poor quality regulator
Cuisinart CGG-180TS tabletop gas grill
A tabletop propane grill with durable foldable legs that ensure a stable and durable base for the grill when using it and can easily be folded for easy transport. The 145 sq. inch cooking space can accommodate a few burgers, chicken breasts, and veggies for a large family meal. The 5500 btu burner has a limited heating range, but it preheats the grill in minutes and adjusts the temps very accurately. The integrated lid lock makes it secure and easy to transport and the removable grates are dishwasher-safe which makes it easy to clean.
Pros
- Easy to transport
- Compact and functional
- Easy to use
Cons
- Limited heating range
- Difficult to remove and clean the grease tray
Char-Broil 2-burner cabinet propane gas grill
A simple, hassle-free, and compact 2-burner grill that can fit in your backyard without taking up too much space. It produces 24,000 btu heat with a 300 sq. inch cooking area on porcelain-coated cast-iron grates and a 100 sq. inch swing-away warming rack. You have ample space to prep and cooks plenty of burgers at once. The 2 stainless steel burners are durable and provide a wide temp range with precision control to ensure that your food doesn’t over or undercook. The metal side shelves provide extra space for preparing your food and they fold down for storage. Thanks to the battery-powered temp dial, each burner has its own ignition and control system to make your work easier.
Pros
- Easy to start and use the grill
- Plenty of grilling space
- Easy to assemble
- Well constructed and very sturdy
Cons
- No multiple heat zones
Cuisinart CGG-360 propane tabletop grill
A lightweight and portable stainless steel grill with 2 burners that can produce 20,000 btu heat. Each burner has a control knob, electronic ignition an accurate in-built thermometer that makes it easy to control the temps inside the grill depending on what you’re cooking. The foldable legs, locking cover and carrying handle make this small and lightweight grill easy to carry and use anywhere. It also has a drip tray that will easily collect all the fat and grease from your food for easy cleaning.
Pros
- Durable and well built
- Heats up quickly
- Lightweight and portable
- Easy to clean the grates
Cons
- Malfunctioning burner knobs
Fuego F21C-H element hinged propane gas grill
A very unique and small propane gas grill that performs very well. It has a circular design, a dual-zone heating system with 2 circular burner rings that allow you to cook at different temps at the same time. The inner ring gets very hot while the outer ring has a lower temp. This innovative design makes it ideal for cooking in small spaces. The porcelain-enameled lid helps to prevent the paint from peeling, a 346 sq. inch cast-iron grilling grate, pizza stone kit, and a residue removal system that allows grease and fat to drop straight through to the dripping tray for easy removal and cleaning.
Pros
- Heats up very fast
- Can cook different foods at once
- Innovative design
- Efficient cooking
Cons
- The lid rusts after a while
Things to consider when buying a small propane grill
Cooking capacity
The size of the grill’s cooking space will determine the amount of food you can cook in one go. You should also consider how many people you usually grill for and how often you invite friends over for a cookout. A grill with one or two burners will be the best option if you’re going for a small grill.
Grilling area
You also need to consider where you will be grilling. If the grill is for home use, will it fit in the space available, whether it’s your backyard, patio, or balcony? Always make sure you choose a well-ventilated area. If you need to move it around, do you need a grill with wheels for easy movement around or do you need a light and compact grill for camping or picnics? Portable grills don’t take up much space, are very easy to move around, and still efficient in grilling.
BTU
This is the measurement for the amount of heat your grill can produce. The BTU heat is directly related to the size of the cooking area you’re using. So the more BTU heat your grill produces, the faster it will burn up your propane gas so you need to be careful.
Temperature and control
This is a very important factor with any grill. Since the built-in thermometers in most grills don’t work properly, you should use a standard kitchen thermometer to check on your food’s temp when cooking. Some grills will give you a consistent temp throughout the cooking process while others fluctuate from high to low which can cause your food not to cook evenly.
Ease of cleaning
Once you’re done cooking your meal, you have to make sure you clean your grill so it stays clean and avoids rust. Some models are designed with removable parts like grill plates, drip trays, and heat shields that are dish-washable. The other parts will require some routine maintenance like the burners and gas valves.
Durability
As a consumer, you always check the durability of any product you buy, and grills are an investment and should serve you a long time. If you’re looking for an outdoor grill it needs to withstand harsh weather and very high grilling temps. A grill with a solid build and made with quality materials will allow for easy cleaning, portability and also ensure it doesn’t rust.
Fuel type
Some people believe that using charcoal in your grill will give you the best flavor in your food, while others prefer to use propane because of its convenience. Others can’t have a live-fire grill on their balconies because they live in an apartment or their home is too small, so they prefer to use an electric grill. Each type of fuel has its benefits and drawbacks.
Lightweight
Depending on the intended use of the grill, a lightweight, weight, and size of the propane grill are important. The best thing about these grills is that they’re designed to be portable so you can easily move them around different areas in your home and backyard. If you’re looking for a grill that you’re going to be using while traveling, make sure it’s a compact grill that’s easy to transport.
Features
The general quality of the grill is very important since it’s something you want to use for a long time. Check the material used to construct the grill, its weight, and also how tight the lid fits. Also, look for features like a side burner which will come in handy if you’re doing a lot of grilling. Gliding drawers will be very helpful and convenient for storing your grilling utensils and condiments, and a removable grease tray will make your clean-up easier.
How to clean a propane grill
- First, double-check if all the dials are turned off and you’ve disconnected the propane tank. Then wear working gloves to protect your hands.
- Remove the metal plates and grill grates and place them in a bucket with warm soapy water and let them soak for a while.
- Cover the heating elements at the bottom of your grill with some aluminum foil.
- Remove the drip tray and throw any dirt into the trash, then place the tray in a bucket with soapy water.
- Use a brush to scrub down the grates and metal plates then use a garden hose to rinse.
- Use a grill brush to gently brush off any debris on the heating elements.
- Remove the venturi tube assembly and clean it with soapy water then use a paper clip or a tube brush to unclog any blocked holes. Rinse it with your garden hose and let it dry.
- Clean the drip tray and hose it down.
- Replace the grates, metal plates, and drip tray, but make sure the venturi tube is dry before replacing it. Ensure you properly align it with the gas valve as you reinsert it.
- Wipe the exterior part of the grill using wipes for cleaning stainless steel. For grills made with ceramic, cast iron, or porcelain-coated, use a soapy cotton cloth and follow with a dry cotton cloth.
- Reconnect the propane tank.
FAQ
How much propane does a 2 burner grill use?
To cook a meal on a medium-sized grill on high heat, you will probably use 2 pounds of gas which means a 20 lb propane tank will give you 18-20 hours of cooking time using a medium grill.
What is the disadvantage of using propane gas?
Although it’s a safe energy source, it’s combustible so it has the potential to leak and since it’s heavier than air, any leakage in an enclosed area will cause it to concentrate on the floor where it’s not easy to detect it.
Verdict
The Weber Spirit II E-210 2-burner liquid propane grill is a good-looking, well-made, and reliable small propane grill that you can easily move and transport anywhere for a nice outdoor or indoor cookout.
Gavrie Ricci
Gavrie Ricci is a design manufacturer and one of his latest projects is the Eco grill, an electric grill that comes equipped with a revolutionary heating system. Gavrie is a design enthusiast and is passionate about simplification, there are so many types of grills in the market but people find it hard to narrow down to one unit that will suffice for all their grilling and smoking needs. The comprehensive articles about grills at Grillception are, therefore, a guide to choosing the perfect unit that suits different user needs. Gavrie seeks to empower people with knowledge about grills, to simplify their search process.
I could not resist commenting. Perfectly written!