I love to camp, but I really love a great meal while I am doing it. Of course, I know camping is a roughing-it lifestyle and people cook over their campfires all the time, but NO! I just like to have a good camp stove to make my meals that much more pleasurable. It probably comes from being the owner of 2 restaurants and cooking in them for 30 years. I have used quite a few different cooktops over the years, so here is my list of the best camping cooktops for making the whole family happy.
If you are shopping to cozy up your campsite, check our 20 ways to make your campsite feel like home
Good grills or camping cooktops can run into the thousands, but that is just a little extreme to me. Remember, we are camping out in the woods and roughing it like our forefathers before us. Seriously, there are many reasonably priced cooking devices that will serve our needs and get the job done.
We definitely want a grill that is portable or collapsible so we are not using up too much of our precious storage space. here is what I have found as far as price and their space-saving ability. Most I have used or seen used by fellow campers, and have only added ones I think to get the job done at a reasonable price.
Fire up the grill!
Perfect tabletop grill for a couple or small family
These tabletop units are the perfect size camping cooktops for a couple or a small family to make dinner. It takes up little space with its detachable legs and small grill surface. Even though it is small, it still has plenty of room to get steaks and chicken prepared just the way you like it.
- These portable camping gas cooktops have a 145-square-inch grilling area and foldaway legs
- Cooks 8 burgers, 8 steaks, 6 to 10 chicken breasts, or 4 pounds of fish
- Powerful 5,500 BTU stainless-steel burner and even-heating porcelain-enameled grate
- Aluminum legs and stabilizing feet set up in seconds; integrated lid lock keeps lid secure
- Pronounced briefcase-style carrying handle; weighs 13.5 pounds
Cuisinart CGG-180T Petit Gourmet Portable Tabletop Propane Gas Grill
Larger family grill with folding legs
This model is a popular one for medium-large size families that love a few burgers and brats whenever they want. Still, manageable size with its folding legs and mid-size grill surface. The perfect camping cooktops to grill or for the avid tailgater.
- GRILLING POWER: Up to 20,000 total BTUs
- 3 ADJUSTABLE BURNERS: With improved burner technology for more precise temperature control
- LARGE GRILLING AREA: 285 sq. inches
- EASY SETUP: Sturdy quick-fold legs and wheels
- THERMOMETER: Integrated design for accurate temperature monitoring
- PUSH-BUTTON IGNITION: For matchless lighting
Coleman RoadTrip 285 Portable Stand-Up Propane Grill
Multi-Burner Stove
Frying and pot boiling
This is a great choice if you want to have a few pots or pans brewing on the stove all at once, with a good chili, gumbo, or stew. Also, a somewhat manageable size as the stand has removable legs.
- GREAT OUTDOOR COOKING BUDDY – With 3 powerful burners to work with, this burner stove makes camp cooking easily and works well for deep frying stuff much cleaner. camping and parties!
- HUGE HEAT OUTPUT – The flame can be adjusted by the regulator or by controlling the propane flow with the propane tank valve. The 3 powerful burners can output max. 225,000 total BTU/hr, for 75,000 BTU each with 20 PSI; LPG is highly recommend
- THREE INDIVIDUAL BURNER STOVES – The 3 burners can be operated independently and you can control the flame height with extreme accuracy to ensure you’re cooking at the right rate
- VERSATILE STOVE ON STAND – With detachable legs, this outdoor stove is compact, portable, and easy to travel with.
- HEAVY-DUTY CONSTRUCTION – Made of a sturdy metal frame, the gas burner has a cast iron top that can bear high temperatures.
The Set-Up
Folding Cook Station
This is a must-have for those who love to cook all the time. The perfect camping gas cooktops need a place to call home. It allows you to set your grill on it instead of the provided picnic tables and opens up space. with 4 side tables to hold sauces and spices, cooking utensils, and extra pots and pans.
I really like the more pricy model with enclosed storage, so you can leave spices and dishes in place between meals. That model runs about $350 and is a little too much for my blood.
- A portable folding cook station brings the kitchen outside with counter and storage space for a camping stove or grill, cooking utensils, and cookware
- Folding Camping Table: Folding camp table brings the kitchen outside with enough counter and storage space to accommodate camp kitchen equipment like stoves and grills, cooking utensils, and cookware
- One-piece powder-coated steel frame unfolds easily to reveal an aluminum countertop, storage rack, and four plastic fold-out side tables
- Quality Construction: 1-piece powder-coated steel outdoor table frame easily unfolds to reveal a heat-resistant aluminum countertop, storage rack, and 4 plastic fold-out side tables
- A heat-resistant aluminum countertop (weight limit 48 lbs) is the ideal space for a camp stove; a lower rack (weight limit 35 lbs) for the dry good storage
Slim-Fold Camp Kitchen Portable Folding Cook Station
Who wants pancakes?
Blackstone flat top griddle
The flat top is my go-to grill for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. These camping gas cooktops may not seem like the perfect cooking device. The truth is you can pretty well do anything on them. I used a flat top in my restaurants for everything from, veggies, fish, steaks, and of course breakfast. So, don’t be afraid to get out there and flip some pancakes.
- Make your outdoor adventures a delicious affair with Blackstone 22″ tabletop griddle. This portable griddle has everything you need to whip up a smorgasbord of eggs, crunchy hash browns, crispy bacon, and fluffy pancakes all at the same time.
- Portable convenience: Whether you are cooking in your backyard or out in nature, make sure to take this lightweight, versatile flat top griddle with you. Thanks to the compact size, you can carry it for barbecue get-togethers, tailgating, fishing, pool parties, and more.
- Cook for one, cook for all: 339 Sq. inch cooking surface and 24,000 BTUs of heat mean all your cooking challenges will be met quickly. The large space of our outdoor griddle is perfect for cooking eggs, hash browns, bacon, French toast, and other things yum!
- Powerful “H” burners for even heat: This heavy-duty griddle is powered by two “H” style burners that ensure optimal heat distribution and even cooking. Both the burners feature built-in igniters and can be controlled independently, allowing you to cook food at different temperatures.
- Innovative grease management system: If you plan on cooking bacon or any other juicy meats, clean-up can be tedious. Luckily, our heavy-duty flat griddle features a rear grease trap that collects all the mess and makes after-cooking clean-up a breeze.
Blackstone Tabletop Griddle, 1666, Heavy Duty Flat Top Griddle Grill Station for Camping
Homestyle Combo
2 burner Stove/Oven Combo
- Camp Oven Stove Combo – Use piezoelectric ignition, propane stove left burner 8,500 BTU/Hr., right burner 5,100 BTU/Hr., portable oven 5,100 BTU/Hr.
- 40L Large Capacity Camping Oven – With thermometer and adjustable knob, suitable for baking a variety of foods. Inside Oven dimensions: 16.5×12.2×9.8”
- Easy to Install – Outdoor oven with a 3.2 ft hose and CSA-certified regulator, it can connect to a 1 lb. propane tank. If you want to connect a 20 lb. propane tank, please purchase a regulator separately
- High Quality & More Durable – SABAF burner imported from Italy, 304 food-grade stainless steel cooking panel, double explosion-proof glass oven door, 201 stainless steel handle
- Portable Outdoor Kitchen – Great for camping, hiking, mountain climbing, picnicking, tailgating, RV travel, emergency preparedness, etc.
Camplux Camp Oven with 2 Burner Camping Stove, Propane Oven Stove Combo
Imagine you are standing around the grill
Close your eyes for a moment and just think about this. It’s sunrise, you roll out of your RV, morning air feeling brisk, fire from the night before taking its last breath as it’s trying to reignite. You find your favorite chair on the site, turn it to look out over the lake, and nestle in to relax. Birds chirping and fish jumping as the new day begins. This is what it’s all about!………. Now imagine a hot cup of coffee in your hand. Life just got so much better!
If you are a coffee enthusiast like me, check us out @ theGRIND.blog for any coffee needs you might have. We also share plenty of informational material and recipes.
If you are shopping to cozy up your campsite, check our 20 ways to make your campsite feel like home
