Amazon
2024 NCAA college football season is underway and the 2024-2025 NFL season is about to begin, which means one thing for die-hard fans — it’s time to get ready for some great tailgating. And no good tailgating party is complete without grilled burgers, streaks, chicken, fish, and freshly prepared hot dogs. To boost your tailgating game this year, we’ve found some of the best portable grills for the job.
our team Grilling Expert has put together this roundup of the best portable grills suitable for tailgating in 2024. Regardless of your budget, preferred fuel, grill size requirements, or how many people you’re cooking for, we’ve got some game-winning options available for you.
Top portable grills for tailgating during football season
Pro tipBefore choosing the right grill for tailgating, consider how many people you will typically be preparing food for and whether you want the right grill for you. charcoalPropane, electric or wood-pellet fueled grill.
Best grill for tailgating overall: Kamado Joe 13.5″ Joe Jr.
Home Depot
fuel type: Charcoal | Cooking area: 150 square inches | Ignition Type: Match | Housing Material: Ceramic with Stainless Steel Grate | temperature range: 225 to 750 degrees Fahrenheit | DIMENSIONS: 22.19 x 16.06 x 20.5 inches | weight: 68 pounds | Tabletop stand included: Yes. Guarantee: 2 years
When it comes to the taste of a classic charcoal grill, there’s no better-known, premium grill brand than Kamado Joe. And this Joe Jr. model offers all the main features of the company’s larger models, but in a grill that’s transportable. It comes with its own tabletop stand, so you can set it up on the deck, at a tailgating party, or anywhere you can bring a 68-pound grill and some charcoal. The stand has built-in side handles that make it easy for two people to carry.
Despite being the smaller brother of the Kamado Joe full-size grill, it offers 150 square inches of cooking space. With this grill, you get only the basics you need for grilling. The stainless steel grate is not adjustable and there is no removable ashtray or side shelf for food preparation.
Yes, you’ll have to pay a little more for this grill, but it’s made from high-quality materials, including heat-resistant ceramic, cast iron, and stainless steel. The shell is extra thick to help prevent smoke and moisture at any cooking temperature. To maintain an even cooking temperature, a cast-iron air vent is integrated at the top of the grill. The grill comes in the company’s iconic Blaze Red color. A grill gripper and ash scraper are included.
Optional accessories include the Joe Jr. Cart with Shelves, the company’s steel wok, steel griddle, steel half-moon pan set, steel paella pan and grill cover, which is perfectly sized for this grill.
Get it at Best Buy for $450, down from $500.
The best value grill for tailgating: Cuisinart CGG-608 Tabletop Grill
Amazon
fuel type: Propane | Cooking area: 184 square inches | Number of burners: 1 Heating Element | Ignition Type: Twin Beginnings | Housing Material: Stainless Steel | burner output: 10,000 BTU | DIMENSIONS: 14.5 x 17.75 x 15 inches | weight: 16.9 pounds | Tabletop stand included: Yes. Guarantee: 3 years
This portable outdoor grill from Cuisinart works with up to maximum capacity 1-pound liquid propane tank for fuel (sold separately) and provides 184 square inches of cooking space—enough to prepare meals for up to five people. The lid has a built-in thermometer. It also has a quick-start ignition, so you won’t need matches or a lighter.
The CGG-608 is a single burner grill made of stainless steel. It generates up to 10,000 BTUs of cooking power and does not require assembly. Just connect the propane tank, light the grill and you are ready to start cooking.
One notable feature is that it has a locking hood that has a built-in carry handle, so the 16.9-pound grill is very easy to transport. This is the perfect grill for small balconies, tailgaters, campers, and RVers.
Best Charcoal Tailgating Grills: Weber Jumbo Joe Charcoal Grill
Amazon
fuel type: Charcoal | Cooking area: 18 square inches | Ignition Type: Match | Housing Material: Porcelain-enamel bowl and lid | DIMENSIONS: 19.75 x 20.5 x 19.75 inches | weight: 17.4 pounds | Tabletop stand included: Yes. Guarantee: Up to 10 years
The Weber Jumbo Joe is all about classic charcoal grilling at an affordable price. It is a simple but very portable grill that can prepare up to eight burgers.
We liked that the porcelain-made lid and bowl are designed to retain heat. They won’t rust or chip. Meanwhile, built-in dampers allow you to easily control the temperature.
Using the lid lock with integrated handle, you can pack up this portable grill and then set it up on almost any flat outdoor surface. Setup is quick and easy. And using the aluminum ash catcher, cleanup is super easy too. Based on over 5,300 customer reviews on Amazon, this grill has earned a 4.8-star (out of five) rating.
Best premium electric grill for tailgating: Canyon G2 Electric Grill
Amazon
fuel type: Electric (1,440 watts) | Cooking area: 213 square inches | Number of burners: 1 | Ignition Type: Electric | Housing Material: Stainless Steel | burner output: Up to 550 degrees Fahrenheit | DIMENSIONS: 21.6 x 19.25 x 9.5 inches | weight: 37 pounds | table top Stand Included: Yes. Guarantee: 3 years
We love this Kenyon G2 electric grill because it can be used indoors or outdoors. It takes less than two minutes to set up.
Previously, electric grills could take up to 30 minutes to reach the right cooking temperature, but the Canton G2 heats up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit in less than 10 minutes and 550 degrees Fahrenheit in less than five minutes. Plus, when you’re finished cooking, the grill’s lid and grate are easily removable for easy cleaning. They’re also dishwasher-safe. We’re also big fans of this grill’s sleek design.
Yes, this is an electric grill, but you can add extra flavor to your food by adding a variety of liquids to the drip tray. The single control knob lets you set the exact cooking temperature you want in the grill’s 213 square inches of cooking space.
The Canyon G2 is designed as a tabletop grill, but a stainless steel, 40-by-21-by-35-inch grill cart is sold separately. Other optional accessories include a grill cover, warming rack, and griddle. This grill is exceptionally well built and designed to last for years. It’s easy to operate and you don’t have to worry about flare-ups, so you’ll get perfectly grilled food every time you use it.
The grill comes with a 6-foot, 120V power cable, as well as a drip tray. Built-in carry handles make it easy to transport. Think of it as the Rolls Royce of premium, portable, indoor/outdoor cooking grills that’s worth the investment.
Best Compact Tailgating Grill:Weber Q1200 Propane Grill
Amazon
fuel type:Liquid Propane Cooking area: 189 square inches | Number of burners: 1 Heating Element | Ignition Type: Electric (battery powered) | Housing Material: Cast Aluminum | burner output: 8,500 BTU | DIMENSIONS: 24.6 x 20.5 x 40.9 inches | weight: 26 pounds | Tabletop stand included: Yes. Guarantee: 5 years
In addition to using liquid propane for fuel, we like that this portable grill has folding side tables, electric ignition, a thermometer built into the lid, a removable catch pan, and cast-iron cooking grates that are made of porcelain-enamel. You also get 189 square inches of cooking space.
Once set on the tabletop, the Weber Q1200 is capable of generating up to 8,500 BTUs of cooking power per hour within its cast-iron aluminum body. As for fuel, you can choose 16.4-ounce cylinder Liquid propane is available on Amazon or anywhere that sells grilling or camping supplies. This grill is available in your choice of six lid colors, all with a black frame, tabletop stand, and integrated shelves.
Based on over 7,600 reviews on Amazon, the Weber Q1200 has earned 4.8 out of 5 stars, so you know this is a popular model that people love. Alternative and very convenient Foldable Grill Cart Table ($125) and Weber Grill Cover ($19) sold separately.
Best tailgating grills for small groups: Weber Traveler Portable Gas Grill
Amazon
fuel type: 16 oz Propane Tank | Cooking area: 240 square inches | Ignition Type: Electric | Housing Material: Ceramic-enameled steel | burner output: 11,000 BTU | DIMENSIONS: 42.72 x 43.6 x 37.2 inches | weight: 37 pounds | Tabletop stand included: Yes. Guarantee: Up to 5 years
When folded, the Weber Traveler Portable Gas Grill is just 40 inches wide, so it fits in the trunk of most cars. You can open it with one hand and then use the stand’s wheels to roll the grill into place. Then, just plug in a propane tank and you’re ready to cook for up to four people at once.
The 240 square inches of cooking space provides enough room for 12 burgers or 15 sausages. The grill is available in four colors – black, red, blue and “stealth” (which also has a black stand). While you get up to 11,000 BTUs of cooking power, you can easily adjust the temperature to meet your grilling needs.
On Amazon, the Weber Traveler has earned a 4.7-star rating (out of five) based on more than 1,200 customer reviews. We’re fans of this grill’s folding design and large grilling space.
For all your grilling needs, check out our coverage Best Charcoal Grills in 2024, The Best Smart Grills for Summer 2024, Best wood-pellet grills in 2024 And Best Propane Grills for 2024,
