If you’re looking for the best portable grill for beach cookouts, you’ve come to the right place! Enjoying warm, char-grilled foods on the shore is an experience unlike any other, and one that’ll create memories to last a lifetime. Choosing the right grill for your beach adventures can be overwhelming with no shortage of products available on the market today. To help get you one step closer to your next beach outing, we’ve gathered six of the best grills available and a buyer’s guide for choosing which is right for you.
Comparison Chart
Best Portable Grill for Beach Cookouts Reviewed
1. Weber Q2200 Gas Grill
Review - Spoiler: It's our top grill for beach cookouts!
Grilling your favorite foods at the seaside is a great way to spend time with friends and family, and to enjoy delicious and fresh foods together. Traditional grills are much too large to bring with on trips to the shore, which is why the Weber Q2200 was designed as a convenient and highly portable grill for life on the go. Not only does this grill make a great accessory for beach trips, but it is also great for camping, backyard outdoor fun and more.
The cast-iron cooking grates on this product are both easy to clean, and provide high and level heat to cook food evenly. Additionally, this grill features a very durable cast aluminum body and lid, which does a fantastic job at retaining heat for a constant temperature inside.
The removable catch pan on this grill is easy to clean and helps to prevent a buildup of grease inside the grill, which can be both unsanitary and dangerous. Another safety feature is the electronic ignition, which is easy to use and ensures that users don’t have to worry about fumes building up inside of the grill when they are trying to light it.
Thanks to the infinite control burner valve, it’s easy to adjust the temperature on this grill for perfect results every time. The folding tables featured on the sides of this product make prepping food convenient and easy, and ensure everything you need is easily accessible while grilling.
Because this grill heats up quickly, it is great for cooking a fast meal when everyone is hungry. If you open the lid and allow it to air out when the meal is finished, this grill will cool down quickly, which allows users to close it and store it out of the way.
Another great feature of this grill is that the nylon frame is glass-reinforced. This means that the frame won’t bend or buckle when the grill is in use or being transported, which helps to ensure its longevity and will prevent users from having to order replacement parts.
PROS
CONS
2. Cuisinart CGG-180
Review
Many grills on the portable market aren’t actually portable at all, but require two hands and a fair amount of upper body strength to carry it around. However, the Cuisinart CGG-180 grill is made to be highly portable and easy to carry to ensure convenient use. You can literally carry it with one hand.
As you might expect though, considering the size, the cooking surface is quite small in size and doesn’t allow for a great deal of food to be cooked at once. With 160 square inches to grill on, this grill will provide enough food for up to 6 people at once. Due to the briefcase design, it's also a grill that is very easy to take wherever you may need to. Just pick it up and go.
When you want something more versatile than other options out there, this Cuisinart grill is an ideal choice. It can sit on a table or rest on extendable legs to provide stability for just about any situation. This adjustable height and versatility in placement is highly rated and reviewed by many happy customers.
PROS
CONS
3. Coleman Portable Grill
Review
For those who enjoy a grill with a great aesthetic appeal, the Coleman portable grill is the ideal option. It has easy lighting, precise settings (high, medium, and low), and is perfect for a condo patio or apartment. Because it is portable, it can easily fit in the trunk of your vehicle if you want to go camping or to the beach.
This is a grill with a very cool look and plenty of capability backing it up. It provides you with 285 square inches of space to cook on, which is plenty of room to cook for friends and family. Additionally, it features 2 slide out side counters for convenient and easy preparing of foods, and to keep everything close by during use.
On top of that, this grill is designed to easily fold up to be stored away when you're done. You'll even get a useful InstaStart button to make getting going simple and easy. Furthermore, the cast-iron design provides longevity and durability to ensure it’s use for years to come.
PROS
CONS
4. Party Griller
Review
If you have a preference for simple designs, take a look at this Party Griller. It is completely portable, effective, and adaptable, meaning you can cook on the hot plate or use it with pans, pots, or kettles. This is suitable for a family of four to take away to the beach or for a camping trip. With this grill, you also don’t have to worry about packing or carrying around large gas bottles.
This grill offers a much simpler design than others you may find on the market today. While it isn't anything fancy to look at, it's more than capable of grilling just about anything you need. Furthermore, it's durable design is constructed to avoid warping as well as rusting.
In addition, the design is made to be restaurant quality so that you'll be able to trust its longevity for many years to come. Along with the grill itself, you'll also get some seasoning shakers that are just right for storing the seasonings you may want to use while cooking.
PROS
CONS
5. Quick Grill
Review
If you're looking for a smaller and ultra portable beach grill, then the Quick Grill may be the right product for you.
This handy and conveniently sized option is similar to the Party Grill, but in a smaller tabletop size that’s better suited to smaller parties. As a result, it's a product that is very easy to carry and set up just about anywhere you need to. It's also made from a quality and durable stainless steel, so you can count on it for delicious char-grilled foods at the seaside for many adventures to come.
Keep in mind that this is a smaller option, so it may not be as ideal for larger groups. However, it's an easy tool to take camping, tailgating and more. Thanks to the included carrying bag, it’s convenient to carry this grill to and from the beach- even when your hands are full of beach gear.PROS
CONS
6. Weber 741001
Review
If you like to keep it simple and affordable, the Weber is a fantastic option. Many are familiar with the design that this Weber grill offers. You'll get over 350 inches of cooking space, which is plenty for most average-sized groups. It features a one-touch cleaning system which provides hassle-free ash cleanup, and a porcelain-enameled lid and bowl to retain heat. Additionally, the lid hook is convenient so you won’t have to place the lid on the ground while grilling.
The durable plated steel cooking grate retains heat to provide even cooking, and it’s easy to clean. The temperature of the grill can be controlled without lifting the lid, simply by adjusting the dampers to your ideal cooking temperature. Additionally, closing these dampers will eliminate the oxygen flow, helping to extinguish coals inside. To help prevent your lid handle from getting too hot, this grill has a heat shield for convenient use. It also has durable wheels which allow you to move this grill around easily, and make it able to withstand rough terrain and the elements.
What really makes this option stand out when compared to others is the worry-free 10-year warranty that comes with it. Because of that, you'll be able to trust that your investment will be protected for a long time. Many find it to be highly reliable and very easy to use.
PROS
CONS
Portable Grill Buying Guide
Grilling on the go is a wonderful way to enjoy a delicious meal when camping at the beach or sightseeing. Without the right grill, however, it can be difficult to get the perfect char on your favorite foods. Shopping for a portable grill can be overwhelming with the many products, styles and features available on the market today. Understanding what to look for when choosing the best grill for you is the best way to ensure worry-free shopping and convenient cooking on the go.
To best prepare for when hunger strikes, here are the features you’ll need to look for when choosing the best beach grill for your next adventure:
Cooking Area
One of the most important things to consider when shopping for a portable grill is how much cooking area it offers. Most portable grills are rather small and will only offer enough space to cook for two to four people, which creates longer grilling times for larger families.
If you’re planning to feed a larger group, you’ll need to make sure to choose a grill that can provide you with the cooking space you need for easy grilling. You’ll find smaller options on the market which feature around 200 inches of grilling space, and larger options with 300 inches or more. The size of this cooking area will determine how much food you can cook at once, and how much you’ll need depends entirely on how many people you plan to feed at the seaside.
Heat Type
There are two types of heat sources used for portable grills:
- Charcoal
- Gasoline
Choosing between charcoal and gas is a personal decision, but there are a few things to consider when deciding what heat type is right for you. Generally speaking, it’s much easier to find charcoal in a store in a small town, which means that charcoal grills may be easier to use. It’s also easy to cook over indirect heat with a charcoal grill.
On the other hand, people who are used to cooking on a gas grill, and want that increased level of control, are generally going to be much happier with a gas grill. In this case, they will want to consider planning ahead to have the propane that they need to make grilling on the go more enjoyable.
BTU Output
The BTU output determines how much output you will have from your grill. When shopping for a gas grill, the higher the number of BTUs, the hotter the temperature that you will be able to achieve with a grill. It’s important to remember, however, that more BTUs will result in burning through fuel faster, which means that it will cost more to grill.
Wind Resistance
Grilling outdoors with friends and family can be a fun and rewarding way to enjoy and adventure together. When choosing which grill is right for this activity, it’s important to consider the wind resistance of the design you choose. To prevent hassle while grilling, choose a model with burners that aren’t exposed, or one that has burner covers to protect the flame and prevent wind from cooling it down.It’s also important to ensure that the sides, bottom, and lid of the grill are made of a thick and durable material, as this will help to retain heat and prevent wind from being a major problem. Since wind can easily cool down a grill, choosing a grill that offers great wind resistance is incredibly important for quality and even cooking of your favorite foods.
Burner Control
Being able to independently adjust and control the burners on a gas grill is important to ensure an even cook without any burning. Unlike charcoal grills, where the coals can simply be pushed to the side, burners can easily run hot or cold if you’re not able to adjust them with ease.
Being able to adjust the temperature quickly, and having the grill respond reliably, is important. This helps to ensure good control over the grill, which will prevent accidental burning or undercooking.
Additional Features
Other features can make a portable grill easier to work with. Some of the best features that you will want to consider include a backup burner lighting chain system and a thermometer. Additionally, more advanced portable grills, which will cost a bit more, will often have a hanging warming rack to keep cooked food warm until the rest of the meal is ready.
Additional Things to Consider When Choosing a Portable Grill
Which is a better type of portable grill – gas or charcoal?
Just as homeowners should pick what type of grill they want to have at their home, choosing a portable grill is a matter of personal preference. It’s a good idea to stick with the type of grill that you already know how to easily operate and cook on so that you don’t get frustrated by trying to switch things up. Keep in mind, however, that taking a propane tank with you on the road can be tricky, which is why charcoal portable grills are such a popular option.
How often will the grill be used?
Being able to honestly answer this question is important for anyone who is going to buy a portable grill, as they can vary widely in price and in quality. If you are going to use your grill every weekend throughout the summer and into the fall, then you will want to be willing to spend a little bit more to get a high-quality grill that will last. On the other hand, users who aren’t going to grill out very often may not want to look at a grill with such a high price tag.
Does it need to fit in a specific travel space?
Some RVs or trucks only have a small amount of room for a portable grill, so you need to make sure that you choose one that will easily fit in the space that you have. While many people think that bigger grills are better, this isn’t always true, especially if you simply don’t have the room to store and transport your new grill.
How do I take care of a portable grill?
Just as traditional grills need to be cleaned on a regular basis, portable grills also need to be cleaned to ensure that they will last for a long time. Leaving grease and bits of burned food on the inside of the grill can cause it to wear out much faster than it otherwise would. For this reason, carefully cleaning the grill after every use and making sure that it remains in good condition is key to protecting this investment.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right portable grill for your next beach adventure is a matter of preference. However, using this guide you’re sure to find one that meets your needs and will last for many seaside adventures to come. Here at Seaside Planet, our goal is to make life outdoors accessible to everyone. This guide is designed to get you one step closer to your next trip to the shore, and to get you grilling your favorite foods as soon as possible. To find more gear reviews and beach guides, check out the following articles in the Seaside Planet blog:
- The Best Beach Chairs of 2020
- The Best Waterproof Radio for Beach Days
- Choosing the Best Beach Wagon
- Finding the Best Rolling Cooler for Beach Trips
- The Best Beach Umbrellas of 2020
- Must Pack Gear: A Towel That Repels Sand
Has this guide helped to get you one step closer to your next beach cookout? We would love to hear about it- share it with us in the comment section below!
Megan Jones leads the editorial staff of Seaside Planet. They are a multidisciplinary team of outdoor adventurers, water sports lovers, and passionate beach goers. You can learn more about Meg and the rest of the editorial team here.