Easy to carry but valuable in performance are the best tabletop grills. It’s the reason you’re searching for the top tabletop grills to enjoy all your BBQing without worrying about hectic portability.
To help you get yours, our experts have reviewed the top tabletop grills and griddles with varying fuel sources, keeping the real-time users’ feedback in view. Therefore, we are assured that you’ll get the ultimate value out of this article. Let’s end the wait and start with our 20 mins read. So, here we come.
Best Tabletop Grills for 2023: A Quick Look Overview
Before getting deep into our review for the best tabletop grills, a hasty overview can help you know what grills we’ve added in our article. Thus, you can save time and quickly learn more about your darling grill.
[amazon table=”1317″]
Best Tabletop Grills – Complete Review
Here we begin with our experts’ review.
1. Weber 51040001 Q1200 as the Best Tabletop Grill Overall
When you want a Weber tabletop grill, we come with this 51040001 Q1200 grill by Weber. Among our best tabletop grills, it’s at the top. Here is what makes it exceptional. The portable design, great heat of 8500 BTUs, and aluminum & cast iron durability are making it a “fit” tabletop gear.
Your BBQ adventure is the most pleasing with this lightweight grill on Earth, yet with some head-scratching assembly. The easy auto-ignition further helps you. Moreover, the grill’s heat is controllable to help you grill your favorite steaks. Besides these, it also has easy cleanliness.
The grill is completely safe to get around, thanks to its insulated lid and bottom. In every way, for low to average elevations with no care of winds, the grill is terrific, along with the notable warranty.
Why love this Grill?
- The lightweight grill is perfect for sitting at your cooking table.
- It is well insulated.
- Excellent heating is controllable.
- Auto-ignition features bring comfort.
- The grill is one of the most lasting gas grills on our dear planet.
What are some cons?
- The grill doesn’t work the best at higher altitudes.
- It’s relatively pricey.
2. Cuisinart CGG-306: Best Tabletop Propane Grill
A unique combination of sturdiness, quality heating, and sleekness of design awaits you with this Cuisinart CGG-306 portable tabletop grill. Our BBQ experts have placed this grill at the top amongst the best tabletop grills.
Why? Let’s find…The grill’s setup is not hard. Little attachments make it ready to use.
With the temperature control knobs, it is a grill for a small family. Likewise, the 10,000 BTUs extreme heat makes it the only choice for your challenging higher altitudes.
Yet, it’s not all about good heat. The cleanliness and portability are also captivating benefits. The lockable lid and foldable legs allow you to place it on the table.
The grease leakage is quite common with many grills. However, this grill by Cuisinart has solved the drip issues. In the same way, the stainless steel sleekness further helps with cleanliness.
The grill by Cuisinart has also got some drawbacks. The gill’s finishing is not as exceptional. Sharp edges are ready to hurt your finger. It also makes users believe that the grill’s material is cheap, which is not true, however. In short, you can have heat treasure if you can carefully use it.
Why love this grill?
- The grill is lightweight and portable.
- It is long-lasting.
- The setup is easy.
- It has an outstanding customer support and an extended warranty period.
What are some cons?
- Some users might not like the extra heat.
- It isn’t a budget option.
3. Royal Gourmet GT1001 Stainless Steel Portable Grill
Outdoor camping demands more durable yet lightweight propane grills than ordinary ones. For this, Royal Gourmet has presented you GT1001 to ease the process of food making outside. This stainless steel portable burner bears a U-shape burner with 10,000 BTU power and weighs just 19.6 lbs. And the tube burner distributes heat evenly on all sides.
Do you know why it is considered best for outdoor gatherings? That’s because it has a completely portable design with folding support legs and a latching hood. All this and the compact handle of the latching hood make it easy to move in different places. You can carry it to any plain or levelled area.
The most important thing to consider in a portable grill is the cooking space. And this device gives you a spacious 280 square inches cooking area. Along with this, there are also 206 square inches of stainless steel cooking grates.
Didn’t find any place like a warming rack? Keep reading there is also a 75 square inches warming rack to keep your cooked food warm. And this rack is also coated with chrome to make it a perfect piece for a secondary cooking area.
The lid is not just a piece of steel, but it is mounted with a temperature gauge to help you know about the temperature fluctuations. There is also a stainless steel grease tray to collect the residues of grilling. This tray is removable to dump all the residue out.
But wait, what about the points that the manufacturer needs to improve in this product? Initially, the burner doesn’t distribute fire evenly and deflects the fire. And there are gaps in the bottom metal sheet. During cleaning, all the liquid comes out of it and makes the surroundings messy.
Why love this grill?
- Stainless steel grease management system
- Easy folding support legs
- Piezo ignition system for instant burning
What are some cons?
- Uneven distribution of fire or fire deflection
- Gaps in the bottom metal sheet can make a mess during cleaning.
4. Cuisinart CGG-180T Small Tabletop Grill
Another beautiful and tempting gas grill by Cuisinart, we’ve reviewed among the best tabletop grills. CGG-180T looks too strong to carry. Yet, it’s portable and stable.
This small grill is wonderful to let you cook easily despite its small size. The heat efficiency of the grill allows you to forget the size. In addition, the engineered design also allows no heat loss in the presence of winds.
How about longevity? The Cuisinart has made this grill of aluminum material to help it last longer on your patios and camping sites with no care of rust. The only downside of this grill is that you have to take care of it because you might need to explore dozens of stores to replace its parts.
Why love this grill?
- The grill has a nice heat-preserving design.
- It is portable.
- It is durable.
- The grill’s assembly and cleanliness are easy.
What are some cons?
- It is costly.
- The grill can’t be set higher.
5. Coleman Tabletop Gas Grill | Portable Propane Grill
This beautiful push-button ignition design, two burners grill by Coleman, has won a place in our best tabletop grills to allow you to enjoy peaceful grilling. Available in two colors, this 11,000 BTU grill is portable.
We appreciate Coleman for introducing this grill with a portable, stable design along with the three years warranty. Hence, you are not worried about any unpleasant discovery with your gear.
The grill by Coleman has temperature control buttons for two zones. But they don’t work side by side. Instead, they allow you to light the inner burner or outer burner.
With clear expectations about heat management, you can be satisfied when the grill comes home. Be mindful that this grill can lose heat in windy circumstances.
To clean it, pouring the water into the base before grilling will help with an effortless cleaning process. A single wipe will clean it. In a nutshell, the grill is a great portable unit for BBQing, despite being heavier.
Why love this grill?
- The grill supplies good heat with inner and outer burners.
- It has excellent longevity.
- The grill is breezy to assemble.
What are some cons?
- Cleaning can be problematic if you don’t fill the bottom with water.
- It’s somehow heavier.
6. CharBroil Portable 240: the Best Tabletop Grills for Money
Are you looking for an affordable propane grill with no complications? Look, this “money-saver” appears sturdy. Charbroil has come up with this best tabletop grill for the money, besides the comfort of portability and with rubber hooded legs’ steadiness.
The grill is cheap, right? But you also get a lid-mounted temperature gauge with it to check the heat. The heat output of this grill is wonderful. For this wide grilling area, you get 9,500 BTUs heat. Hence, you can easily make your burgers or steaks.
Speaking about the shortcoming, the bottom gets hot. So, you might need to place some insulation to prevent your delicate tabletops. The cleanliness of this grill is super easy. The reason is, you hardly need to struggle to reach the nooks — every component is accessible. Overall, it’s an excellent tabletop propane grill.
Why love this grill?
- It’s the best budget option.
- It has excellent ease of cleanliness.
- The grill is portable and sturdy.
What are some cons?
- The grill’s bottom can get too hot.
7. NOMADIC Portable Propane Gas Grill
In our list of the best tabletop grills, the “portative” NOMADIQ’s grill is fabulous to be a genuine tabletop grill. No matter if it’s heavy, the portability is much easier than any gas grill. We liked this grill because the ceramic coating on its pans makes it health-friendly. The flip grill design can invite many to ask, “where did you get it from,” seeing it on your cooking table.
The grill is pretty easy to assemble. Likewise, the grilling begins with the single auto ignitor. This grill is also durable because of its quality construction and material. In short, it’s an excellent tabletop grill with even heat and roomy pans.
Why love this grill?
- The grill offers smooth heat for your food.
- It is durable.
- The grill is a cinch to assemble and clean.
What are some cons?
- It’s a bit costly.
8. 17 inch 1814 Blackstone Table Top Griddle with Hood
Can a grill and griddle with a lid match your mini grilling needs? This small Blackstone grill with a 17 inches area is an excellent pick for you two. This single control button functional grill with 12,000 BTUs at each burner is straightforward to use. Likewise is the cleanliness — thanks to the well-placed grease collector.
How many times do you find a grill irritating when it slips here and there? Now the time is to be happy as this grill is your friend with its rubber caped feet.
Blackstone has really worked to improve this grill. For instance, we’ve come across many complaints about the grill performance. Yet, during the recent time, there has been little to say negatively about it except that cooking area coating can be annoying.
Why love this grill?
- It is an excellent tabletop grill for solo or twos.
- It is durable.
- The grill is easy to use.
What are some cons?
- The grill is portable but heavier.
9. Royal Gourmet PD1300 Propane Gas Grill Griddle
Can’t you help with being versatile with your cooking? You need not interchange the grill or griddles for your eggs, sandwiches, steaks, and veggies. From our best tabletop grills, this PD1300 is fabulous for your small family’s frequent carvings. Unlike our previously reviewed grill by Blackstone, this grill is lightweight. Hence, it’s a tabletop grill.
The grill, however, isn’t scorching. The reason is its 8500 BTUs burners that make it merely suitable for low-average altitudes. That doesn’t mean that the grill is not efficient. You can have it when you know about your needs.
How about the heat distribution? The grill has some cooler spots; besides this, the mid burner is relatively cooler. Yet, you can manage it by understanding your gear. We liked the removable and washable porcelain top of the grill. But we don’t recommend washing it frequently.
The grease collection cup of this grill is small, which is not a big deal because almost all grills have grease collectors with limited capacity. To summarise, the grill is a nice option for you.
Why love this grill?
- The grill is effective for the average elevation.
- It’s easy to assemble and use.
- It is not costly.
- The lift-off porcelain pan is washable.
What are some cons?
- The grease cup needs a vigilant check to drain it lest it should cause a mess.
10. Blackstone 1666 Propane Gas Grill Griddle on the Go
While the Blackstone 36” griddle is perfect for gatherings or crowds, its smaller counterpart, the Blackstone 28” griddle is just ideal for a small family of grillers.
This propane gas grill provides you with a smooth, flat top. The surface area is just enough to handle every kind of food, from pancakes to burgers to meats.
This grill comes with two burners that provide a total of 30,000 BTUs. The two burners further bifurcate into an H-shaped configuration to mimic their 4-burner 36” predecessor, providing heat for a whooping 470 square inches of grilling surface. Due to the H-shaped configuration of each burner, you get a four-zone heating surface. Below the burner control knobs, there’s a side shelf to store any foods and tools.
The opposite side of the side shelf contains a handle to allow you to take the grill wherever you want. The handle side contains two non-wheeled legs and the shelf side includes two caster wheels. This design ensures that the grill remains secure and firmly attached to the ground while you’re using it. Since its caster wheels can be locked, it provides reinforced stability.
One of the remarkable aspects of the design of this grill is that its grilling area has a front groove to collect excess runoff. This groove opens into a side grease tray attached below the handle. As for the propane tank, there’s a holder for it on the opposite side of the grease tray.
In addition,this grill contains a non-stick, powder-coated steel base to collect the excess runoff for easy cleaning.
Blackstone 28” gas grill has garnered almost eight thousand reviews on Amazon with an overall rating of 4.8. What’s more, it is conveniently priced and provides value for money.
Why love this grill?
- Flat 470-square-inch grill top that can accommodate a variety of foods
- Battery-powered push-button igniter for easy starting and operation
- Comes with two sturdy casters for easy transport
What are some cons?
- Prone to rusting due to rough material
11. Weber 121020 as the Best Tabletop Grill: Charcoal
Are you resolved to get an ideal charcoal tabletop grill? We’ve reviewed this 121020-Go charcoal grill by Weber for you in this article for “best tabletop grills.” For any charcoal grill, the worst thing, apart from the grill’s performance, can be the dust dripping that can leave your balcony, table, or vehicle messy.
To solve the issue besides bringing outstanding BBQ experience, Weber has got you this portable, porcelain-coated charcoal grill for you. The grill is excellent for holding the heat. There are no side vents but at the rear, because Weber thinks that side vents cause fluctuation in the temperature. To your surprise, it’s true…!!!
To clean or assemble this grill, there aren’t any complications. In the same way, the portability is easy, which can be easier further, when you get some good grill carrying bag for a few dollars. Did you notice that the grill has been more elevated? It is the reason your tabletops remain safe.
OMG, the grill has been impressive with its foldable legs, which perfectly lock the entire unit! Thus, it’s straightforward to carry in one hand. For the performance, again, the grill is incredible. You can make patties or burgers for dozens of friends because of its max heat and the wider area. To simply put, the grill is one of the best tabletop grills for your beach parties, patios, RVs, or camping.
Why love this grill?
- The grill has a portable, anti-rust design.
- It is budget-friendly.
- The cleanliness is easy.
What are some cons?
- When joined together, the assembly handles cause uncomfortable carrying.
12. Fire Sense: Under Budget Tabletop Charcoal Grill
All the fancy drama ends with this grill because Fire Sense well accommodates your simple grilling needs. This notebook style, the cheap grill is simply a “grill.” You can take it wherever you want. We love the notebook-inspired design that allows within a second set up and helps you carry it in your camping car without asking for a box.
You’ll love to have it because of manually manageable charcoal heat. This basic grill can feel uncomfortable when you need to fasten a screw for its stability before grilling. Otherwise, detaching the mesh can cause a swing. Yet, here is a guarantee that a penny screw will make it your most favorite grill.
Feeling attracted? We advise you to use a fire mate under the grill to avoid the falling ashes spoil your table.
Why love this grill?
- It’s suitable for all elevations.
- Ease of assembly, cleanliness, even heat, and portability are all about this grill.
- It is cheap.
- The grill’s design is innovative.
What are some cons?
- The grill can shake in the absence of upper mesh, although a screw can fix the issue.
13. Cuisinart CGG-750 Portable, Venture Gas Grill
Those who want to opt for something out of greys and blacks must have a glance at our last review. This red-colored Cuisinart stainless steel grill comes with a 9000 BTU burner. To turn this burner on, you have to twist the button, and it is ready to touch the cooking grate.
This product is equipped with a 154 square inches cooking grate to cook a variety of food items at a single time. And this grate is with porcelain enamel to prevent the food from sticking to the surface. Under the grill body, there is a propane storage tank with about 1 lb space in it.
Any idea what’s the point that makes it preferred to other grills? Yes, you caught us right; it is a travel-friendly device that enhances its demand. As it is just 20 lbs in weight, you can carry it with its large carry handle. The handle has a rubber grip to ensure a comfortable carrying experience.
Moreover, there is a wooden lid that can also serve you as a chopping board. After discussing it all, let’s now move to the sizing. This grill has the dimensions of 16.25 x 13 x 10.75 inches, but there is also a stand to put the grill on it.
Apart from its functioning, Cuisinart CGG-750 also has an eye-catching appearance. The color contrast is so amazing that no one can stay restricted from falling in love with it. You will need to spend just $192.99; a tip-top, budget, and travel-friendly grill are ready to come on your way.
But you must know this product doesn’t have that much spacious cooking area that the other above reviewed products. So this is where you have to compromise buying this product.
Why love this grill?
- Travel-friendly
- A rubber gripped the comfy handle
- Cool appearance
- Easy to assemble
- Handy lid/ cutting board
What are some cons?
- Small cooking area
- Less deep grease tray
- Grills are so weak and incredibly light in weight
14. Ninja Foodi FG 551: the Best Tabletop Electric Grill
No-assembly-required, this heavy-duty, sleek and portable electric grill by NINJA SHARK is one of the best tabletop grills from our collection. This electric grill has been designed to let you cook anything that it can hold. With a smart control display system, you control the heating of your food. Hence, the ultimate performance exceeds the expectations.
Though it is a 6-in-1 thing yet, the grill grate does a marvelous searing. The grill’s manual advises you with various temperatures for different foods. But, remember, you’ll have to learn the requirements of your food yourself, though the temp difference is not varying a lot.
You might find the smoky levels rising higher. It’s not something to worry about because delayed cleanliness sessions can only be the cause. So, clean it after every use. To conclude, this electric grill is a must-have for your kitchen counter. But be careful to check your food when the indicator has called for a check.
Why Love This Grill?
- This amazing cooking gear does what it claims.
- The grill is easy to use and clean.
- You get the perfect value for the money.
- The design is captivating.
What are the Cons?
- The temperature setting has a little learning curve.
15. Cuisinart Electric Griddler, Stainless Steel
When you’re pretty sure that you only want an electric Griddle, this portable tabletop grill by Cuisinart comes to serve the purpose. The single knob controllable silky grill is easy to use.
This electric grill is superb for getting hot in no time. The heating pans are also great. Yet, the grease collection system has caused a little disturbance by making the grill tilted. So, you need to make it smooth by placing some super under the back area.
Temperature knobs are very disciplined. They don’t let you modify the temperature without running a preheat cycle once you have set the temperature. The Cuisinart has built this grill to do a dual job of griddle and grill. Therefore, the pans are removable and reversible. The manufacturers describe that these pans are dishwasher safe. Beware, repetitive washing can cause damage.
Why love this grill?
- This grill has a beautiful design.
- It is a pure grill and griddle.
- The cooking is incredible.
- It’s easy to use and clean.
- It is portable.
What are the Cons?
- Any alteration in the heat setting is not easy.
How to Choose the Best Table Top Grills?
Picking your best tabletop grill isn’t an easy task. You actually invite a deal of experience: good or bad. It’s why it’s essential to pay special attention to various factors that can help you pick your most loving cooking essential for grilling and cooking. So, here is how you can make a confident selection by keeping the following factors in view.
- Overall structure
When I am looking for a tabletop grill, I usually look for a sturdy material. Since gas grills are often kept indoors, choose products that can handle the different aspects.
A grill built from stainless steel or molded aluminum is, therefore, less susceptible to rust. Pay attention to the wheel, car, firebox, and cap as well as the overall construction of the grille. Compared to painted steel carts made with nuts and bolts, stainless steel carts that had seamless structural and welded joints are often more robust than painted steel carts made with nuts.
- Power – BTU level/Heat Flux
A robust grill can save you time if you’re using it for a large number of people. The BTU is the entire electrical output which provides a very clear indication of how beautiful the barbecue is going to be. There are different things to consider this such as the entire grill layout, proper insulation along thick grills.
They may influence operation. Similarly, a grill with more features but not more BTU provides functionality. Hence, the perfect heat output should be between 80 and 100 BTU per sq. inch.
-
Durability
You’ll probably need a replacement in a couple of years costing you more revenue. Although the piece said it was Stainless Steel, analyze it. The thinner material will probably work as wear and tear confront.
When the company offers a product with 5-10 Years guaranteed you can be sure you have long-term success. Buy more gas-grilled food so they can last the place long. This could save money by saving your time and money. The thickness of the materials is a very effective way for keeping the grill running properly to prevent damage.
- Portability
You can have a portable gas grill on cast iron wheels or as a small unit. These wheels let you have the gas grill anywhere you want. Some small tabletop gas grills even retract to be compact. So, make sure, your grill should be easy to carry.
- Safety features
You’d rather have the safety functions of the grill than anything less. Some of the features include preventing the car grill from automatically shutting off. The screen can also have controls through locking locks to prevent it from going off.
-
Warranty
A grill with a one-year warranty is decent, but if you can find products with a longer warranty period then you might want to prioritize these models. Identify if your machine comes with a warranty if part or component breaks inside of certain dates.
The best tabletop gas grills don’t have to be deprived of cool features but you can still get a grill with extra features such as a Warranty if parts break in just a couple of months. For example, the grill will have an arrest warrant.
-
Construction materials
The value grills we described above are of the highest quality. Still, for the folks, those living in wet conditions could opt for rust-resistant material like 304 stainless steel. The type of material used for the grates at grills can also be important. It’s actually what touches the surface of what you eat as soon as you swallow it.
FAQS about Best Table Top BBQ Grills
-
What is a tabletop grill?
Tabletop grills provide a versatile and useful grill to the table. They’re designed for any kitchen surface big and stable enough to bear weight.
The technology behind a grill is simple as it mainly involves a system that allows this grill to be positioned at a safe distance away from the table it is placed on. They’ve got a heating source with variable degrees of flexibility depending on the type of fuel it is used.
Almost all table grills are covered by glass or heavy-duty cover that retains the maximum heat possible while saving energy and time. Because of excellent heat retention, these grills evenly cook the food.
-
What to cook on a tabletop grill?
The beauty of a tabletop grill is that you can cook all your favorite summer dishes outdoors. No matter what you’re looking for you’ll likely find a griller version for you to experiment with on your tabletop grill.
-
What are the main two types of tabletop grills?
Tabletop grills are of two types primarily: propane vs. charcoal. Liquid propane is the main fuel for the tabletop grill. Both kinds of fuels share great qualities and small peculiarities. Take a look at the other options in the field then decide the fuel you really need.
-
Are there any tabletop grills made with dual-fuel?
No, dual fuel grills are usually not dual-fuel enabled. The reason is their small size which can’t afford a complex design to allow you either hook a natural gas line with your tabletop grill or simply replace propane with charcoal or charcoal with propane.
-
Are the indoor-outdoor tabletop electric grills made of Teflon?
Yes, most of the indoor-outdoor tabletop grills have Teflon as a nonstick coating material. To be completely non-stick but non-Teflon can be hard to find. Though ceramic coated griddles are becoming popular, yet aren’t truly non-stick as those with Teflon are. Especially, if you’ve been using Teflon coated grills or griddles, the ceramic might not make a happy addition to your grilling experience.
By compromising on the after grilling and cleaning efforts you can pick a ceramic coated griddle like George Foreman GRP4842P Multi-Plate Evolve Grill. Remember, it’s not about 1-2 months of experience. After a couple of months, you can hope for the annoying sticking of food on ceramic surfaces as many users with ceramic griddles also report.
In the same way, the ceramic coatings are not lasting. So, they can expose the surface underneath and put you at a health risk. Hence, a “non-stick” Teflon makes a more comfortable choice.
-
What is the best stainless steel tabletop grill for RV?
Ninja Foodi FG 551: the Best Tabletop Electric Grill is the best stainless steel tabletop grill for RV to sit on your RV kitchen counter. However, if you love cooking in your RV backyard, the Royal Gourmet GT1001 can be the best pick because of its stainless steel construction, and foldable legs that allow you max comfort while grilling your burgers or steaks.
-
What size of propane tank for tabletop grill should I use?
You can’t pair a camel with a goat. So, for the tabletop grills, with moderate cooking needs, hooking a 5 lb propane tank is a good idea. In this way, your entire grilling unit along with the propane tank’s weight will remain portable.
-
Which tabletop electric grill is the hottest?
Tabletop electric grills are not as hot as propane grills are, we admit. Still, you can pick one with the best heat like Cuisinart Electric Griddler 175-450 degrees’ adjustable temperature range. Yet, it takes some time to get hot enough
-
What should I put under a tabletop grill?
To protect your grill table surface, you can put some best grill mats of small size under your tabletop grill.
Our Final Thoughts on Best Tabletop Grills
Portable grills have always been hot-selling for their utility. By reflecting on your grilling needs, you can easily pick one that you like most.
More interestingly, you can also have over one grill. For example, if you occasionally love the heavenly charcoal taste, you can get your charcoal grill and have some other as well.
No matter which one is your favorite. We invite you to share your choice with us from these best tabletop grills by commenting below.
universitygrill.net is a participant in the Amazon Associate program and will earn from qualifying purchases.