Photo: Cuisinart
Not everyone has a large backyard or patio that can fit a large grill. That said, this should not stop you from hosting barbeque parties and prepare some of the tastiest steaks for your friends.
You can do this using a small gas grill and even though this means roasting a small quantity of meat per time, it will still get the job done.
Therefore, if you are a meat lover and don’t have enough space to fit in a large grill, these are the best small gas grills you should consider.
In this post:
- 9 Best Small Gas Grills – Review
- 1. Small Gas Grill with Easy-Start Electronic Ignition: Weber Q1200
- 2. Fully Assembled Small Gas Grill: Weber Q1000
- 3. 2-Burner Small Gas Grill: Char-Broil Performance 300
- 4. Open Cart Design Small Gas Grill: Weber Spirit II E-210
- 5. Best Compact Gas Grill: Cuisinart CGG-180T
- 6. Small Gas Grill with 3 Independently Adjustable Burners: Coleman RoadTrip 285
- 7. Easy-to-Assemble Small Gas Grill: Fuego F24C
- 8. Small Gas Grill with a Large Cooking Surface: Char-Griller E3001
- 9. Cheapest Small Gas Grill: Char-Broil Portable 240
- How to Buy the Best Small Gas Grills
- Conclusion
9 Best Small Gas Grills – Review
IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Weber Q1200 (With Easy-Start Electronic Ignition) |
| |
 | 2. Weber Q1000 (Fully Assembled) |
| |
 | 3. Char-Broil Performance 300 (Has 2-Burner) |
| |
 | 4. Weber Spirit II E-210 (Open Cart Design) |
| |
 | 5. Cuisinart CGG-180T (Best Compact) |
| |
 | 6. Coleman RoadTrip 285 (With 3 Independently Adjustable Burners) |
| |
 | 7. Fuego F24C (Easy-to-Assemble) |
| |
 | 8. Char-Griller E3001 (With a Large Cooking Surface) |
| |
 | 9. Char-Broil Portable 240 (Cheapest) |
|
PRODUCT |
|---|
1. Weber Q1200 (With Easy-Start Electronic Ignition)
|
2. Weber Q1000 (Fully Assembled)
|
3. Char-Broil Performance 300 (Has 2-Burner)
|
4. Weber Spirit II E-210 (Open Cart Design)
|
5. Cuisinart CGG-180T (Best Compact)
|
6. Coleman RoadTrip 285 (With 3 Independently Adjustable Burners)
|
7. Fuego F24C (Easy-to-Assemble)
|
8. Char-Griller E3001 (With a Large Cooking Surface)
|
9. Char-Broil Portable 240 (Cheapest)
|
1. Small Gas Grill with Easy-Start Electronic Ignition: Weber Q1200
Photo: Weber
- Main Cooking Area: 189 square inches
- BTUs: 8500
- Dimensions: 15.5 x 40.9 x 16.5 inches
- Weight: 29 pounds
Starting off the list is Weber’s Q1200 and this small gas grill is equipped an easy-start electronic ignition that makes it quick and easy to power up the burner tubes while infinite control burner valve settings let you fine-tune the heat to your preferred level.
The stainless-steel burner tubes produce up to 8,500 BTU/ hour and direct this heat to a 189 square inch cooking area, in which porcelain-enameled steel, stainless steel, and porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grates hold your barbeques for roasting.
These cooking grates are durable, easy to clean, have superb heat retention and add lovely sear marks to your meat so as to make it look as good as it tastes.
Other features include a sturdy yet lightweight cast aluminum lid and body, an angled grease tray and catch pan, and a built-in thermometer. However, the unit does not come with a cart for easy movement and raising when in use, and it does not have a warming surface.
Pros:
- Easy-start electronic ignition
- Infinite control burner valve settings for fine-tuning the heat level
- Durable, easy to clean cooking grates with superb heat retention
- Angled grease tray and catch pan
- Built-in thermometer for monitoring temperature levels
Cons:
- Requires a cart which is not included
- No warming surface
2. Fully Assembled Small Gas Grill: Weber Q1000
Photo: Weber
- Main Cooking Area: 189 square inches
- BTUs: 8500
- Dimensions: 14.5 x 27 x 16.5 inches
- Weight: 26.6 pounds
In terms of features, this Q1000 from Weber is very similar to the one above, and it is packaged while fully assembled so that you can use it straight out of the box.
The unit features push-button ignition for powering up its stainless-steel burner tubes while infinite control burner valve settings let you adjust the grill’s heat to your desired level.
Porcelain-enameled cooking grates are used to hold your food as it is being cooked, and these are easy to clean, durable and hold heat for quick roasting.
Other features include an 8,500 BTU/hour heat output, a 189 square inch total cooking area, a large cast aluminum lid that can hold a big bird inside and large grip handles for easy carrying.
On the downside, this product does not come with a cart for easy transportation and raising when in use, and its grill must be preheated at high temperatures for 10-15 minutes before use.
Pros:
- Comes fully assembled for easy use
- Push-button ignition
- Infinite control burner valve settings for easy temperature level adjustment
- Large cast aluminum lid for holding large pieces of meat inside
- Large grip handles make it easy to carry
Cons:
- Cart not included
- Requires preheating before use
3. 2-Burner Small Gas Grill: Char-Broil Performance 300
Photo: Char-Broil
- Main Cooking Area: 300 square inches
- Warming Surface: 100 square inches
- BTUs: 24000
- Dimensions: 42.9 x 24.5 x 44 inches
- Weight: 82.5 pounds
Char-Broil’s Performance 300 features two independent burners, which collectively produce 24,000 BTUs.
This heat is directed to porcelain-coated cast-iron grates with a large 300 square inch surface area that can fit about 16 burgers, and it also has a swing-away rack that acts as a warming surface with 100 square inches of porcelain-coated grates.
The unit features a convenient cabinet-storage where you can keep the propane tank that powers the grill, and the entire structure sits on 4 casters, 2 of which are lockable for stability as you grill.
Other features include a stylish and durable stainless-steel lid and UFC, a lid-mounted thermometer for temperature monitoring, metal side shelves that fold downwards when not in use and electronic ignition for quick start-up.
However, with its cabinet design, this piece is relatively large and therefore, might occupy a lot of space especially when in storage.
Pros:
- 2 burners with a combined 24,000 BTU heat output
- Large 300 square inch cooking area with a 100 square inch warming surface
- Convenient cabinet storage for keeping the propane tank out of sight
- 4 casters with 2 lockable ones
- Lid mounted thermometer for temperature monitoring
Cons:
- Relatively large in size
4. Open Cart Design Small Gas Grill: Weber Spirit II E-210
Photo: Weber
- Main Cooking Area: 360 square inches
- Warming Surface: 90 square inches
- BTUs: 26,500
- Dimensions: 57 x 48 x 26 inches
- Weight: 103 pounds
This small gas grill is characterized by an open cart design, in which it has 2 large wheels for easy portability.
The unit has a large cooking surface that comprises of 360 square inches of the primary cooking surface and a 90 square inch warming rack. This space enables you to cook multiple burgers over two burners that produce 26,500 BTUs/ hour, while also keeping your buns warm.
More features include porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grates, angled flavorizer bars to catch drippings for smoking the food, a grease management system with disposable drip trays for collecting the grease and side tables with integrated hooks.
On the downside, the grill’s open cart design makes it quite large and also quite heavy, though its two large wheels make it easier to transport.
Pros:
- Open cart design with 2 large wheels
- Large cooking surface
- Angled flavorizer bars catch drippings for smoking the food
- Side tables with integrated hooks
- Grease management system with disposable drip trays
Cons:
- Heavy
- Relatively large in size
5. Best Compact Gas Grill: Cuisinart CGG-180T
Photo: Cuisinart
- Main Cooking Area: 145 square inches
- BTUs: 5500
- Dimensions: 18 x 12 x 13 inches
- Weight: 13.5 pounds
If you are looking for a very compact gas grill, Cuisinart offers the best solution with this CGG-180T and in addition to this, it can be further compacted during storage because of its foldable legs, which leave it with a briefcase design.
With its small size though, you get a relatively small cooking area that is only 145 square inches, but this is enough to fit 8 burgers or 4 pounds of fish or 10 chicken breasts.
The grill’s heat output is also quite low at 5,500 BTUs/ hour, but it has an even-heating and heat-retaining porcelain-enameled grate that helps in the cooking process while a twist-start electronic ignition gives a quick start-up.
Other features include an integrated lid lock for keeping the lid and food secure inside, a briefcase-style carry handle for easy transportation and a lightweight 13.5-pound design that is very easy to carry.
Pros:
- Compact and lightweight design
- Foldable legs for compact storage
- Even heating and heat-retaining porcelain-enameled grate
- Twist start electronic ignition for quick start-up
- Briefcase-style carry handle for easy transportation
Cons:
- Relatively small cooking area
- Low heat output
6. Small Gas Grill with 3 Independently Adjustable Burners: Coleman RoadTrip 285
Photo: Coleman
- Main Cooking Area: 285 square inches
- BTUs: 20000
- Dimensions: 30.2 x 19.2 x 16.1 in.
- Weight: 46.7 pounds
Coleman’s small gas grill is very unique because it features 3 independently adjustable burners, which basically give you three temperature zones in which you can set the grilling temperature with high precision.
On top of this, the unit has an improved burner technology that gives 20% better control over the total 20,000 BTU heat output for precise temperature setting.
Another benefit you get with this gas grill is that it has quick-fold legs and 2 rugged wheels for easy transportation and setting up whether at home or at your campsite while swappable cooktops between a cast-iron grill, griddles or stove grates enable you to prepare different meals.
More features include 2 side tables for keeping sauces and utensils, a built-in thermometer for measuring the temperature level, push-button ignition and a locking lid for secure transportation.
On the downside, this product does not have a warming surface and also lacks a convenient storage cabinet for your propane cylinder.
Pros:
- 3 independently adjustable burners
- Improved burner technology gives 20% better control over the total heat output
- Quick fold legs and 2 rugged wheels for easy transportation and set up
- Swappable cooktops for preparing different meals
- 2 side tables for keeping sauces and utensils
Cons:
- No warming surface
- Lacks a storage cabinet
7. Easy-to-Assemble Small Gas Grill: Fuego F24C
Photo: Fuego
- Main Cooking Area: 415 square inches
- Warming Surface: 110 square inches
- BTUs: 26500
- Dimensions: 24 x 24 x 47 inches
- Weight: 80 pounds
This gas grill is shipped in parts but putting it together is very easy because all you need is a boxcutter and a screwdriver to piece in all the 20 fasteners.
Even though it takes up quite a large space when assembled and is not foldable for compact storage, the F24C has a sleek design with a hinged door that allows you to lock your propane tank neatly inside using a clasp door close system.
At the top, the unit features an ergonomic 45˚ angled hinged lid that prevents you from reaching directly above the flame so as not to burn your hand.
Other features include a dual-zone burner system that produces 26,500 BTUs for direct and indirect grilling over the main grilling surface that measures 415 square inches and a warming surface that is 110 square inches in size. However, the grill is very costly.
Pros:
- Easy to assemble
- Propane tank compartment with a hinged door for neat storage
- Ergonomic 45˚ angled hinged lid keeps your hand from getting burned
- Dual-zone burner for direct and indirect heating
- Large cooking area
Cons:
- Expensive
- Not foldable for compact storage
8. Small Gas Grill with a Large Cooking Surface: Char-Griller E3001
Photo: Char-Griller
- Main Cooking Area: 438 square inches
- Warming Surface: 192 square inches
- BTUs: 40800
- Dimensions: 48 x 28 x 48 inches
- Weight: 88 pounds
Char-Griller’s E3001 features the largest cooking surface in this review, and it comprises of a 438 square-inch main cooking area plus a 192 square-inch warming surface. This totals to 630 square inches, which is very big.
Additionally, the unit is the hottest gas grill, producing a whopping 40,800 BTUs using its 3 adjustable burners, and also features a 12,000 BTU/ hour side burner.
The grill has a side shelf that provides a handy working area and hooks for holding your utensils within close reach.
Other features include electronic ignition, porcelain-coated cast-iron grates, a built-in thermometer, durable steel construction and 2 large caster wheels for easy movement.
However, the piece is not foldable for compact storage, and it doesn’t have a secure cabinet for keeping your propane cylinder.
Pros:
- Large 630 square-inch cooking surface
- High 40,800 BTU heat output and a 12,000 BTU side burner
- Side shelf with utensil hooks
- Integrated thermometer for temperature monitoring
- Durable steel construction with 2 large caster wheels
Cons:
- Not foldable for compact storage
- Lacks a storage cabinet for your propane cylinder
9. Cheapest Small Gas Grill: Char-Broil Portable 240
Photo: Char-Broil
- Main Cooking Area: 240 square inches
- BTUs: 9500
- Dimensions: 24.8 x 16.2 x 13.3 inches
- Weight: 28.2 pounds
If you are on a tight budget, this gas grill from Char-Broil is a good option to consider and despite this, it has a 240 square-inch cooking surface, which is not as small, and its single burner produces 9,500 BTUs.
The piece is also equipped with a piezo ignition system for quick start-up at the push of a button while a lid-mounted thermometer enables you to easily monitor the temperature changes.
On its underside, this unit has sturdy legs that keep it stable when being used on a table or on the ground while carry handles on the side make it easy to transport to and out of storage.
Other features include a durable painted porcelain body that is rugged and rust-resistant and a compact design that can fit in very tight spaces.
However, the grill’s push ignitor is designed to be compatible only with 1-pound propane tanks and it does not have a warming surface.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Push-start Piezo ignition system
- Lid mounted temperature gauge for monitoring temperature levels
- Carry handles for easy transportation
- Durable, painted porcelain body that is rugged and rust-resistant
Cons:
- Only compatible with 1-pound propane tanks
- No warming surface
How to Buy the Best Small Gas Grills
Photo: Coleman
1. Size and Weight
When looking for a small gas grill, one of the most important factors to consider is its size and weight. The lighter and more compact the gas grill is, the better, but there is a catch.
In most instances, small units contain fewer features and therefore, will have a smaller cooking area, few burners and the like. However, this makes it very portable.
With that in mind, if you are extremely tight on space, go for the very compact size so that it fits. Otherwise, a larger unit will be better because it gives you more features. On weight, if the one you prefer is too heavy, make sure it has wheels for easy transportation.
2. Cooking Surface
Measured in square inches, a gas grill’s cooking surface size shows you the amount of space that you have to cook your burgers, chicken breasts and other kinds of meat.
Some units actually have a main or primary cooking surface and a warming surface and this helps to keep your buns or any other complementary warm as you cook your meal. The larger this area is, the more the food that you can prepare at a go.
Another desirable feature is an interchangeable cooktop, which allows you to prepare different meals on the same grill.
3. BTUs
BTU stands for British Thermal Unit and it refers to the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of a single pound of water by 1˚F. Therefore, the higher the BTU value, the hotter the grill’s heat output and the better it is because it will cook your meals faster.
4. Material
Lastly, you need to check the material used in the construction of the unit. Generally, steel-built grills are very sturdy and durable, but this material makes them heavy and thus, difficult to transport to and out of storage.
On the other hand, cast aluminum grills are very lightweight but might not be as sturdy as their steel counterparts. Such grills are ideal if you also want to travel with it when camping or on other outdoor activities because they are easy to carry.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a small gas grill is still as effective as a large one, only that you will have a smaller cooking surface.
This makes it ideal for limited spaces but because of their wide variety that is available in the market, you need to be very selective before buying and this article will help you do this so as to pick the best small gas grill that suits your needs.