This Is the Best Camping Grill, According to Our Test Kitchen

Whether you’re going camping for a week or just a few nights, figuring out your meal situation is a must. And while roasting hot dogs over an open fire is nostalgic, there are way better ways to cook up your campfire favorites; the top option being a portable camping grill. Here, we’ll introduce you to our choice for the best camping grill and offer a few delicious foods you can cook on it. And as a bonus, here’s how to meal plan for a group camping trip.

Need grill guidance? This grill guide will show you which type of grill is best for you.

The Best Camping Grill: Weber’s Portable Propane Grill

Our top choice for a camping grill is Weber’s Q1000 propane gas grill with one burner. This grill is a particular favorite of Josh Rink, Taste of Home’s Senior Food Stylist. “The grill is the perfect size for cooking for two people and is easy to use.” Josh explains, “I particularly like that it uses small gas tank canisters—no lugging giant or heavy tanks around!”

This on-the-go grill is a compact 14.5″H X 27″W X 16.5″D and less than 30 pounds, which makes it easy to lug around your campsite and won’t take up too much room in your car or camper. While the Q1000 is on the smaller side, it still has plenty of room on its cooking surface. The porcelain-enameled, cast-iron grill grates can fit about 6 burger patties at once and can be switched out with a griddle top (sold separately) to cook up pancakes and bacon in the morning. The grill is easy to clean thanks to the grate and griddle’s porcelain-enamel coating, and the removable catch pan which can hold a disposable drip pan.

Josh says the Q1000 grill is powered by a 14 or 16 ounce liquid propane tank, which can be purchased at a home improvement store or gas station. To start cooking, all you’ll have to do is connect the gas line, click the one-button ignition, adjust the heat and let the grate get hot. Be sure to check the other cookware essentials you’ll need while camping.

Weber’s Portable Propane Grill: At A Glance

• Cost: $179
• BTU: 8,500 per hour
• Size: 14.5″H X 27″W X 16.5″D
• Weight: 28.5 pounds
• Materials: Aluminium lid and body, stainless steel burner tube, porcelain-enameled, cast-iron grill grate and nylon frame.
• Fuel: Liquid propane
• Limited warranty through Weber’s website

What to Cook On A Camping Grill

While you can cook just about anything on this Weber grill, some of our favorite things to cook on it are camping staples like burgers and hot dogs, foil-pack meals, grilled pizza and other campfire-friendly recipes.

If you invest in the griddle cooktop as well, you can whip up pudgy pies without an iron, cheesy dip, french toast or a hearty campers’ breakfast hash. Don’t miss these campfire comfort foods the next time you’re in the great outdoors:

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Pizza Mountain Pies

Because we liked this pudgy pie recipe so much, I started making them for my daughter on our stove at home. —Pam Weik, West Lawn, Pennsylvania

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Kathy's Herbed Corn

My husband and I agreed that the original recipe for this corn needed a little jazzing up, so I added the thyme and cayenne pepper to suit our tastes. Now fresh summer corn makes a regular appearance on our grill. —Kathy VonKorff, North College Hill, Ohio

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Sheepherder's Breakfast

My sister-in-law always made this delicious breakfast dish when we were camping and had to come up with good, easy breakfast ideas. Served with toast, juice and milk or coffee, it's a sure hit with the breakfast crowd! One-dish casseroles like this were a big help while I was raising my nine children. Now I've passed this recipe on to them. —Pauletta Bushnell, Albany, Oregon

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S'mOreos

My son introduced us to this twist on classic s'mores when we were camping. Have a jar of Nutella around? Slather on the inside of the graham cracker halves before you build this one-of-a-kind treat. —Christina Smith, Santa Rosa, California

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Campfire Hash

In our area we are able to camp almost all year-round. My family invented this recipe using ingredients we all love so we could enjoy them on the campfire. This hearty meal tastes so good after a full day of outdoor activities. —Janet Danilow, Winkleman, Arizona

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Campfire Bundles

I created this recipe on a family camping trip. I'd brought along a hodgepodge of ingredients, so I just threw them all together in a foil packet. Everyone said that the bundles were delicious. Ever since, I've grilled them at home with equally good results. —Lauri Krause, Jackson, Nebraska

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Pot of S'mores

Mom’s easy Dutch-oven version of the popular campout treat is so good and gooey. The hardest part is waiting for this to cool so you can devour it. Yum! —June Dress, Meridian, Idaho

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Campfire Bean 'N' Ham Soup

These are the best beans and ham you'll ever taste—bar none! Friends rave about this hearty soup that I serve hot off the grill. For easy cleanup, consider covering the outside of your Dutch oven with heavy-duty foil first. —Tom Greaves, Carrollton, Illinois

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BBQ Hot Dog & Potato Packs

For these nifty foil packs, small hands make quick work of topping potato wedges with a hot dog, onions and cheese. — Kelly Westphal, Wind Lake, Wisconsin

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Cake & Berry Campfire Cobbler

This warm cobbler is one of our favorite ways to end a busy day of fishing, hiking, swimming or rafting. It's yummy with ice cream—and so easy to make! —June Dress, Boise, Idaho

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Camping Grill Safety

The most important thing to keep in mind while you’re grilling outdoors is to keep yourself and others safe. Follow this checklist every time you’re grilling at a campsite:

1. Choose a grilling spot that is level, solid and free of debris. You might want to pack a hand broom or something similar to brush dry leaves, twigs and grass away.
2. Check that there are no low hanging branches over and around the grill. Also move camping supplies, like tents, chairs and coolers away from the grill.
3. Make sure that your grill is clean and without stuck-on food to prevent it from igniting. Read up on how to clean your grill the right way.
4. When starting your grill, keep the lid open. Trying to ignite the grill with the lid closed can cause gas to build up. If you’re new to grilling with gas, take a look at how to reset a propane regulator.
5. While cooking, don’t leave the grill unattended. Keep an eye on your food to prevent burning and fires.
6. When grilling meats, use a food thermometer to ensure they’re cooked through and food safe.
7. After you’re done cooking, allow the grill to cool down completely before packing it up.

Here are more grilling safety tips to follow while you’re at a campsite, a tailgate or home.

Now that you know which camping grill is best, don’t miss our ultimate guide to grilling, including recipes, maintenance, cooking tips and more.

The post This Is the Best Camping Grill, According to Our Test Kitchen appeared first on Taste of Home.

Caroline Stanko