A barbecue grill is essential when you want to enjoy authentic camping cuisine.
With a barbecue grill, you can grill meat, vegetables, yakisoba, and okonomiyaki at the campsite and enjoy delicious meals.
This article introduces a carefully selected list of recommended barbecue grills for camping.
We've also compiled key points for choosing a barbecue grill, so find your favorite and fully enjoy your camping meals.
・Understand the convenience of barbecue grills
・Discover recommended barbecue grills
Table of Contents
What is a Barbecue Grill?
Difference from a Fire Pit
Fire pits are primarily used for warmth and light.
While cooking with a griddle or grill grate is possible on a fire pit, it is not as specialized for cooking as a barbecue grill.
The main difference between a barbecue grill and a fire pit is whether it is designed optimally for cooking.
Key Points for Choosing a Barbecue Grill
Each manufacturer sells barbecue grills with original designs and features.
Here are some key points for choosing a barbecue grill to help you find your favorite.
Types of Barbecue Grills
Barbecue grills come in the following types:
- Standard type
- Lidded type
- Tabletop type
- Fire pit combo type
- Disposable type
The standard type is a barbecue grill that allows you to cook using a typical grill grate or griddle.
The lidded type has the advantage of allowing you to steam-grill by closing the lid.
The tabletop type is a compact size that can be used on a table, and many models are designed for smaller groups.
The fire pit combo type is a two-in-one barbecue grill that also functions as a fire pit when the grill grate or griddle is removed.
The disposable type can be thrown away after use, making it easy to use without the need for cleaning.
Grilling Surface Area and Size
It is important to choose a barbecue grill with the right grilling surface area for the number of people attending.
Please refer to the following sizes as a guideline:
| Number of People | Size |
|---|---|
| 2-3 people | 30cm x 20cm |
| 4-5 people | 40cm x 30cm |
| 6-8 people | 60cm x 40cm |
While having a larger barbecue grill is convenient for various situations, if it's too big, storage space and portability can become an issue.
Charcoal, Gas, and Electric Differences
When barbecuing while camping, charcoal grilling is the classic choice.
However, charcoal produces a lot of smoke, and you also need to prepare kindling.
If you want to enjoy a barbecue easily, gas or electric barbecue grills are also options.
Gas-powered barbecue grills require gas cylinders but offer easy flame adjustment and simple ignition, which are major advantages.
Electric barbecue grills can be easily used at campsites equipped with power outlets.
However, a drawback of gas and electric grills is that they offer less of an "outdoor" feel compared to charcoal.
Setup Method
Barbecue grills come in three types: "just place" which requires no assembly and can be used immediately, "assembly type," and "foldable type."
The "just place" type has the advantage of easy setup, but its drawback is that it takes up space when stored.
Assembly types might be tedious if there are many parts, but they can be disassembled and washed part by part, making cleaning easy.
Foldable types can be stored compactly, offering high portability, but they can be difficult to clean.
Ease of Fire Management
To grill food deliciously on a barbecue grill, heat control is a crucial factor.
Ideally, it should be easy to light and allow for free heat adjustment during cooking.
For charcoal fires, good ventilation and the ability to create airflow are important for ignition.
Heat can also be controlled by the distance between the griddle or grill grate and the charcoal.
A type that allows charcoal to be easily removed or added is convenient.
Ease of Cleanup
When choosing a barbecue grill, ease of cleanup is an important factor.
If the grill grate and griddle can be removed, dirt can be thoroughly washed off.
If the ash pan is removable, ash cleanup is easy and convenient.
Additionally, having handles to safely remove the firebox or griddle without worrying about burns provides peace of mind.
5 Recommended Barbecue Grills for Camping
Weber Original Kettle Charcoal Grill 47cm / with Thermometer
Source: Amazon
The Weber Original Kettle Charcoal Grill 47cm / with Thermometer is a large grill suitable for barbecue parties of about 6 to 8 people.
A major feature is its highly insulated porcelain-enameled bowl-shaped grill, which heats evenly throughout.
The cleaning system (ash catcher) can be attached and removed with one touch, and the grill grate and lid can also be attached with hooks.
It also allows for heat adjustment with a damper, making it recommended for those who want to meticulously control their cooking.
The grill grate mesh is coarse, making it difficult to grill small ingredients, but this can be remedied by using disposable grates in combination.
Iwatani Flat Twin Grill
Source: Amazon
The Iwatani Flat Twin Grill is a user-friendly tabletop barbecue grill with a design similar to a home gas stove.
It features a system combining two burners and two grills, making it perfectly suitable for barbecue parties of about 6 to 8 people.
A wide variety of grill plates are available, including extra-thick options, allowing for specialized grilling results.
A separate perforated griddle is also available, allowing for grilling while draining excess fat.
While ignition can be a bit challenging, it is a highly recommended item for those who prioritize grilling quality.
Snow Peak Grill Burner Takeyuen
Source: Amazon
The Snow Peak Grill Burner Takeyuen is a barbecue grill that uses a cast iron griddle.
It features a hole in the center of the gently sloped griddle, designed for rendered meat fat to drip into a water tray below.
Its major appeal is the ability to cook everything from steaks to fatty marbled yakiniku healthily and deliciously.
This gas burner grill is useful when charcoal grilling is difficult due to bad weather.
With the optional takoyaki plate, you can also enjoy takoyaki parties.
However, be aware that it cannot be disassembled, which can make cleaning and washing difficult.
Summary
Having a barbecue grill at your campsite allows you to fully indulge in camp meals.
Choose a barbecue grill that lets you fully enjoy grilling in the open and expansive outdoor environment.
Whether it's for solo camping or family camping, a barbecue grill expands the range of enjoyment.
Get a barbecue grill that suits your camping scene and enjoy memorable outdoor cooking.
