The 10 Best Small Gas Grills | The Ultimate Guide for 2020
Looking for that easy, big grill experience but don’t have the space for a hulking 6 burner?
We’ve been there and we’ve found answers.
There’s a reason people buy a small grill. And it’s not because they like taking longer to cook their steaks.
The Final Sear: The Weber Spirit II E210 takes the win in this category for the speedy heat time, even heat distribution and overall durability. You also get premium upgrades like porcelain coated cooking grates (no cast iron here), stainless steel housing, and Flavorizer bars, just like on the bigger grills.
They don’t do it because they enjoy the frustrations of their bbq struggling to heat to the right temperature as soon as a breeze has the audacity to gatecrash the party.
They definitely don’t do it because they welcome the smirks from their buddies, and the side comments regarding the relative output of a baby grill vs. the power of their latest behemoth.
No, the vast majority of grillers looking for a small grill do so because they are short on space, NOT on expectations.
Small grill cooking doesn’t have to be a matter of total compromise. Sure, you’re going to be working with fewer burners and you’re not going to have that sweet rotisserie kit, but the basics shouldn’t be sacrificed.
I’ve put together a list of my favorite small grills for small spaces or grillers on the move, all of which live up to the expectations you would have for a grill of ANY size.
The 10 Best Small Gas Grills of 2020
Char-Broil Performance 300 2-Burner Cabinet Gas Grill
Product Name- 4.6Rating
- 24,000BTU/hr
- 300 sq. inCooking Area
- 24.5 x 42.9 x 44 inDimensions
- $$Price
Weber Spirit II E-210
Product Name- 4.4Rating
- 26,500BTU/hr
- 360 sq. inCooking Area
- 48 x 26 x 57 inDimensions
- $$$Price
Coleman RoadTrip LXX Portable Propane Grill
Product Name- 4.1Rating
- 20,000BTU/hr
- 285 sq. inCooking Area
- 19.1 x 34 x 13.6 inDimensions
- $$Price
1. Weber Spirit II E-210 Black LP Outdoor Gas Grill
The original Spirit is the first grill I ever purchased and I was blown away by the hallmark Weber cooking experience delivered in a smaller package. The Spirit II is a newer, upgraded version of the original that delivers an even higher level experience.
What Weber has done especially well with this grill is sit down and consider, “What does the best small gas grill need to have, what does it need to do, and what can we live without?” And I think they’ve nailed it.
With the E210, Weber took the top, core features of their larger grills and engineered them to fit in a neat, compact mini version that still packs a power punch. The Spirit delivers 26,500 BTUs with 450 sq inches of cooking space and 90 inches of warming rack. This grill provides solid, even heat to every inch.
Weber added in their new Gs4 grilling system, with two burners, each supported by stainless steel, top quality tubes. These tubes aren’t your typical burner tubes. They won’t rust quickly, or damage easy and leak gas. They are in fact, specifically designed to be durable and they actively limit the effects of rust agents.
Even with just two burners, the Weber really feels like a portable outdoor kitchen. It comes with reasonably sized drop down tables on both sides (more room to layout food) that fold down for easy storage. Both tables are equipped with 3 sturdy hooks to hang your tools (pans, spatulas, knives, etc.).
You can also expect to enjoy Weber’s exclusive Flavorizer bar system, porcelain coated cooking grates (designed for quick cleaning), and the new infinity electronic ignition system.
What really signifies that this is a Weber grill is how evenly it cooks and how quickly. I’ve used the Spirit to cook just about any kind of meat you can think of: steaks, burgers, dogs, ribs, chicken breasts, chops, etc. It cooks all of them evenly (no random cold spots) and delivers a killer sear. Heat time is quick, usually 10 minutes, tops.
The E210 doesn’t come equipped with a side burner. While I occasionally like to use one, it’s not a deal breaker and is a pretty minor. If your main concern is space, then this shouldn’t be a major deterrent for you.
The Spirit II has a solid 4.4 out of 5 star rating on Amazon with over 175 reviews.
2. Char-Broil Performance 300 2-Burner Cabinet Gas Grill
I was trying to come up with the right word to describe this compact offering from Char-Broil, when my buddy hit the nail on the head: Muscular.
That sums it up perfectly. The Char-Broil is a little powerhouse of a grill and a more budget-friendly option than the Weber Spirit if you’re shopping for a small space.
The Performance delivers a 2-burner set up, like the Weber, but with slightly less power at 24,000 BTUs. Total cooking space is 300 square inches with the addition of a 100 square inch swing away warming rack for toasting buns or keeping a rack of hot dogs primed and ready for eating.
The cooking grates on this grill are also porcelain coated, like the Spirit II, which makes for easy clean up and even grilling. The Flavorizer bars are a Weber hallmark, so you won’t see those here, but you can expect an electronic ignition system for quick and easy start-ups.
The grease pan is also removable on this grill for easy cleaning and maintenance.
The lower storage cabinet is easily big enough for the propane tank (side-mounted on the Weber), along with any accessories, and the side tables fold down to reduce the footprint when not being used. The lockable casters – a must, especially for those with restricted space – mean it can be easily wheeled away after everyone’s been fed.
The reviews for the Performance on Amazon are pretty stellar, ranking 4.6 out of 5 stars with over 160 reviewers.
3. Coleman RoadTrip 285 Portable Stand-Up Propane Grill
This grill from Coleman is a favorite in the small grills category because it’s the perfect portable partner for grilling on the move.
If camping, picnicking, tailgating and boating with friends and family is your thing, or if you just have a small outdoor patio space that can’t accommodate a full size set-up, this is a great go-to grill for solid, reliable cooking that won’t deplete your beer budget.
Where the Coleman really shines is when it comes to reliability and durability. Getting toted around to all your favorite events and on trips this little guy is going to take a beating, but that’s ok, it’s exactly what it was intended to withstand.The RoadTrip is designed to be collapsible to fit neatly in the trunk of most cards (well, maybe not if you have a smart car), and the stainless steel casing keeps it sturdy and ready to roll.
Overall cook size is a surprising 285 square inches, which is larger than you would expect from it’s slim profile, almost as large as the non-portable Char-Broil on our list. It is pumping 20,000 BTUs of power over 3 burners with a temp range of 350-700 degrees. It includes porcelain coated cooking grates which get top marks for ease of clean up and maintenance.
New to the RoadTrip is the instastart ignition, no matches required, just instant heat at the push off a button. A removable grease tray make clean up fast and mess-free, which is a serious bonus when you’re on the move and want to enjoy your day instead of spending it maintaining your grill.
Our favorite feature on this grill that make it a best value pick are the swappable griddle, grill and stovetop plates that can be used interchangeably to customize your cooking experience. This is super useful when you’re on a camping trip and want to cook up a stack of pancakes and sausage for breakfast, but need to be able to grill a pile of hot dogs for lunch or dinner. Pop up side tables also make prep convenient for any meal.
Assembly is quick and fans especially love how easy it is to collapse and then roll behind them on the built-in casters before loading and unloading. This is a great pick for a small and potable grill that is mid-range for budget and top level for durability.
4. Weber Q1000 Liquid Propane Grill
This Weber may be little, but it is mighty, which is why it snags a spot on our 10 best list despite being a more compact, single-burner grill.
Weber is known for making the best home grills on the market, and this petite little powerhouse lives up to the name. Features include a single 12,000 BTU stainless steel burner, 280 total square inches of cooking space, porcelain-enameled cast iron cooking grates, a cast aluminum lid, and an easy-start electronic ignition system.
The side tables conveniently fold down and are just big enough to do a little prep work. The Q 2200 also offers an infinite control burner valve and is lightweight and portable.
It can sit either on a tabletop or you can add on the optional frame to make it a more permanent, stationery grill.
5. Char-Broil Classic 280 2-Burner Liquid Propane Gas Grill with Side Burner
Char-Broil makes some of our favorite grills in the $200-$500 range, but if you’re searching for a compact option under $150, this is a great contender.
I also love that the Classic can be purchased with or without the optional side burner for about a $50 difference. This is a nice feature and it’s great to be able to add this on if you’re a little more serious about your grilling game.
So what can you expect from the Classic by Char-Broil? This grill offers 280 square inches of cook space (comparable to the RoadTrip from Coleman), 2 burners delivering 20,000 BTUs of power, porcelain coated cooking greates for simplified clean up, and a push-button start ignition system. The optional side burner delivered 8,000 BTUs and is great for sauces or side dishes.
The Classic also offers 2 side shelves for cook prep and storage.
6. Fuego Element F24C Carbon Steel Gas Grill
The first time I saw the Fuego FELG24C, I wasn’t sure if I should cook on it or send it up into space.
It’s the brainchild of a former designer from Apple and it’s a definite stand out on this list for it’s circular design and innovative tech approach to grilling.
In terms of heat, like it’s name suggests, this grill really brings it. The main selling point for the Fuego is that it heats up to 500 degrees in justb 5 minutes. Thanks to its dual zone heating system, the Fuego gives you the option of cooking just on the outer burner for lower temp, slower cooking, or to turn on the second burner to make full use of the 700 degrees of heat it can produce.
The design makes very good use of space, and there are no hotspots at all, so you can cook perfectly on every inch of the space it provides. The round grill is deceptively large, and you can fit 10-15 burgers on without issue. This is a great grill for the more tech-minded griller who doesn’t have or need much space.
7. Char-Griller E3001 Grillin’ Pro 40,800-BTU Gas Grill
This is one of our top grills for the under $300 category, but as a 3-burner grill is also JUST qualifies for the small grill list too.
The Char-Griller delivers a lot of power of those 3 burners, about 40,000 BTUS, with a very roomy 438 square inches of primary cooking space. It also offers a warming rack for close to 200 extra square inches.
Porcelain coated grates make for easy cleaning, and you’ll also see a 12,000 BTU side burner for additional prep. As is standard with all the grills on this list, the ignition system is electronic and easy to use.
8. Char-Broil Grill2Go X200 Portable TRU-Infrared Liquid Propane Gas Grill
This little lockbox of a grill looks like it’s ready to accompany you into enemy territory.
The purpose of the Grill2Go isn’t just to sit on your back patio and cook up a steak or two on Saturdays. This grill is meant to move. It’s small, lightweight and has a handle so you can carry it like the famed Nuclear “football” the secret service totes around for the President. Its meant for tailgating, camping and road trips and is the perfect companion if you’re known to be hard on your gear.
The Grill2Go offers a cast aluminum firebox, high impact frame with legs and a handle, a TRU-infrared cooking system designed to eliminate flare-ups, 200 square inches of total cook space and a small stainless steel temperature gauge mounted on the lid. Ignition is quick push-button style, no matches needed, and it offers a 9,500 BTU main burner. It takes 1lb propane tanks but can easily be converted to a full size 20lb tank should you need it.
This is a great pick if you’re an adventure-junkie who can’t leave the grill behind.
9. Cuisinart CGG-180T Petit Gourmet Portable Tabletop Gas Grill
The Cusinart is a solid, less expensive alternative to the RoadTrip from Coleman if you’re looking fot a portable option to hang with your on-the-go lifestyle.
This is a VERY small grill at just 145 square inches, which can accommodate about 8 burgers or 6-8 chicken breasts in one go. The single burner offers 5,500 BTUs and porcelain coated cooking grate.
The construction on the Petit Gourmet is somewhat lacking compared to the other options, comprising mostly aluminum and plastic, but for the price, you’re not expecting all stainless. It’s also the smallest option on this list and a great pick if you literally need something that could fit in a large handbag.
10. Cuisinart CGG-306 Chef’s Style Stainless Tabletop Grill
For indoor grilling, the Cuisinart is the top pick to sit on your countertop.
The size of a large panini press, this little powerhouse can give you the taste of an outdoor grill in the comfort of your very indoor kitchen. It offers 2 stainless burners boasting a pretty impressive 20,000 BTUs (significantly higher than the Petit Gourmet). Twist start ignition, foldaway legs and total temperature control round out the feature list.
This is a solid pick if you’re looking for the smallest of the small for your indoor grilling adventures.
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About the Author Craig Rinde
I am a grill freak! It's hard to pick my favorite thing to grill, but if I had to choose... it is still a tie between pork ribs and a juicy beef burger. I am currently grilling on a Weber S210(I live in a small space) but my dream grill is definitely a summit. Those things are bad ass. Anyways I would love to hear from you, leave a comment or question below!
