9 Best Tabletop Grills of 2023

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A tabletop grill is one of the best things you will buy for your house in this era. There is no need to visit a restaurant to taste their grilled food because now you can prepare it at home and easily clean the table afterward.

A tabletop grill is one of those kitchen appliances designed to give you different methods to prepare grilled food.

When looking for the best tabletop grill, certain factors are worth considering before deciding whether the choice is right for you.

Let us look at some of the most common questions about tabletop grills.

Top 9 Tabletop Grills Comparison Table

PictureNameMaterialPower SourceRating (1-5)
1. Giantex Propane TableTop Gas GrillStainless SteelPropane4.5
2. Weber 54060001 Q2200 Liquid Propane GrillAluminumPropane4.8
3. Cuisinart CGG-180T Petit Gourmet Portable Tabletop Propane Gas GrillSteelPropane4.4
4. Weber 121020 Go-Anywhere Charcoal GrillPorcelain-Coated Cast IronCharcoal4.7
5. Hamilton Beach Electric Indoor Searing Grill with Viewing WindowStainless SteelElectric4.5
6. Cuisinart CGG-180TS Petit Gourmet Portable Tabletop Gas GrillSteelPropane4.5
7. MARTIN Portable Propane Bbq Gas GrillStainless SteelPropane4.4
8. NOMADIQ Portable Propane Gas GrillStainless SteelPropane4.7
9. PowerXL Smokeless Grill with Tempered Glass LidAluminumElectric4.6

What to Look For in a Tabletop Grill

If you’re considering buying a tabletop grill but aren’t sure which one is right for you, consider several important criteria before making your purchase. Below are areas you might want to consider carefully when deciding which grill is best for you.

Fuel

To start with, it is important to know the type of fuel used by the tabletop grill. You must ask yourself what fuel you plan to use, whether propane or charcoal.

Both types have advantages and disadvantages. Choose a tabletop grill with a fuel source you will feel comfortable with.

Presence of Foldable Legs

When choosing the best grill, size is always an issue. However, this does not mean that you have to compromise on quality.

You can choose a foldable tabletop grill that is easy to transport with you as you move. The foldable legs may not fold completely but ensure that you get a tabletop grill with legs that provide enough clearance to keep its hot parts from the surface it will be resting on.

Weight

The weight of the grill is a crucial element, as this will determine how portable it will be. Ideally, you do not want to buy an excessively heavy model, as it will be hard for you to carry it around.

You don’t want to lug around a heavy, bulky grill that could stain your tabletop while it cooks.

There is plenty of lightweight and portable grills out there that will not take away from your grilling experience.

Carrying Handles

When it comes to table grills, side handles are a double-edged sword. They can be very helpful for carrying while transporting your grill from one place to another.

However, while cooking meat and veggies, you will need space for turning and flipping meats evenly. That is why you should consider buying a table grill with retractable side handles to replace the regular ones.

Locking Lid

One of the things to look for in a tabletop grill has good locks. The whole point of getting one is convenience and ease when moving it.

But if the unit is not well locked, it does not matter how light and easy to move it is because it can easily fall apart.

When sturdiness and safety are your top priority, choose a tabletop grill with good-quality locks.

Top 3 Best Tabletop Grill Reviews

1. Giantex Propane TableTop Gas Grill

The Giantex Propane TableTop Gas Grill is easy to move around, use, and clean. You can put this tabletop grill next to your picnic table or kitchen bar.

It’s perfect for outdoor patio with friends and family, tailgating, camping, hunting, and beach outings.

This grill features two powerful burners, an easy-locking lid, and a transport handle.

The two stainless steel burners put out over 20,000 BTU’s power for an intense, high-performance cooking experience.

Pros
  • Has foldable legs
  • Easy to clean
  • Has a lockable lid
  • Made of stainless steel
Cons
  • There is nothing to hold the insides when you move the grill around

2. Weber 54060001 Q2200 Liquid Propane Grill

The Weber 54060001 Q2200 Liquid Propane Grill is the ideal barbecue for your outdoor setting. This grill features easy, versatile cooking using standard BBQ propane gas.

With its 280 square inch grilling surface, you can cook just about anything outdoors and at the same time entertain your friends or family.

The built-in lid thermometer lets you monitor the grill’s temperature, while the cast stainless steel burner is porcelain-enameled for longer-lasting rust resistance.

The unit is very easy to set up, and there is very little clean-up when you are done cooking.

Pros
  • Easy to clean up
  • Comes with a built-in thermometer
  • Comes with side tables
  • Preheating is fast
Cons
  • A bit heavy

3. Cuisinart CGG-180T Petit Gourmet Portable Tabletop Propane Gas Grill

The Cuisinart CGG-180T Petit Gourmet Portable Tabletop Propane Gas Grill is a portable gas grill with a 145-square-inch grilling area and foldaway legs.

This compact propane tabletop grill can cook meat, fish, and vegetables for 2 people.

It has a 5,500 BTU stainless steel burner, making the cooking process quicker. It has a porcelain-enameled grate that distributes heat all around the food evenly.

This portable, tabletop gas grill heats up quickly, is easy to set up, and is great for tailgating or camping.

Pros
  • Easy to set up
  • Has foldable legs
  • Has a lid lock
  • Very portable
Cons
  • Does not come with a thermometer

4. Weber 121020 Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill

The Weber 121020 Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill is easy to carry almost anywhere. From camping trips to tailgate parties, you will love how simple it is to take your grill wherever you need it.

The grill locks in place during transport, so the grate doesn’t shift, and your food won’t fall through onto the ground while moving.

It features a convenient 160 square-inch cooking area with a hinged cooking grate for easy access and a cover top that locks for easy transport and dampers for precise temperature control.

Pros
  • Very portable
  • Easy to assemble
  • Easy to clean
Cons
  • Temperature control is a little tricky

5. Hamilton Beach Electric Indoor Searing Grill

The Hamilton Beach Electric Indoor Searing Grill is the perfect way to cook indoors, whether you live in an apartment or don’t have access to a barbecue.

This electric indoor grill has a convenient window-in lid that allows you to watch your food cook while keeping heat inside. It’s easy to clean.

The hood and plate are removable and dishwasher safe, and the extra-large drip tray catches juices so they don’t spill on your counter during cooking.

Pros
  • Easy to clean
  • Easy to set up
  • Comes with dishwasher safe components
Cons
  • It’s only for indoor grilling

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do You Start a Tabletop Gas Grill?

The first step to starting a tabletop grill is to make sure there is a gas cylinder in your tabletop grill. If there is any gas left in the cylinder and available, you can use it immediately.

Turn on the knob to high. Hold a light or igniter over the burner to see if it fires up. Keep the lid open while you ignite all burners.

Do You Clean The Grill After Every Use?

Grill cleaning should be done after every use. It is important to do this after you are done cooking. Cleaning the grill after each use will extend the life of your grill because you will not expose food residue to burning coal or grease that is left on the grate.

Once the grates cool down, and the grill is still warm, brush and clean the food particle stuck on the grate.

All you need is a wire brush for this simple cleaning. However, after six months, you should thoroughly clean the grill. This includes deep cleaning and inspection of the grill.

How Do You Clean a Tabletop Grill?

When cleaning your tabletop grill, scrub the areas with a scouring pad. Use gloves and a degreaser.

You can spray the cleaning solution on the grates, using gloves to protect your hands and some elbow grease to ease the transfer of the cleaning agent from its source to the grates.

Other or additional items used in this process include dish soap, hot water, and scrubbing pads. However, it would be best to ensure that the area is clean before you begin this process.

Can You Have a Gas Grill at an Apartment?

Paying attention to safety isn’t the only reason you can’t use a gas grill at an apartment. Forcing your neighbors to inhale too much gas may leave a lasting unpleasant memory, which is why many do not allow the use of gas grills in the first place.

Gas leaks can be a huge problem, which is not good for the people inside the building and those living in the nearby buildings that will be affected.

Gas grills can be used outdoors but are still prohibited in apartments.

How Often Should a Grill be Cleaned?

Keeping the grill clean and well-maintained can help prevent food contamination. It would be best to deep clean your grill regularly and after every use. This is to prevent foodborne illness.

If you happen to grill frequently, at least once a week, you need to do deep cleaning of the grill every two months.

However, before the two months, it is recommended that you do a simple clean-up of the grill after every use.

Can You Put a Tabletop Grill on a Glass Table?

If your tabletop grill is small enough to fit easily on your glass table, and if it has less charcoal attached to the base, then it should be fine to use on a glass table.

The main test of this is that you don’t want your tabletop grill to get too hot to handle when on your table because that is a fat chance it would last long on the glass.

If you keep this in mind, most tabletop grills can be used on glass tables.

Conclusion

It can be hard to decide which tabletop grill is best for you. While all the options look attractive, it is a good idea to consider some factors and then pick the best one.

Tabletop grills are generally used by people who like indoor and outdoor activities. People who go camping with their families often carry tabletop grills with them. They can easily cook food while they are out in the wild.

Similarly, people who live in apartments but like having barbecues at home also use tabletop grills as cooking appliances indoors and outdoors can help them cook their food conveniently.’

Bobby Johnson

When he's not writing about barbecue, you can find Bobby smoking meat for friends and family. He's been a backyard pitmaster for roughly half his life, and has worked with nearly every cut of meat. Not everyone has a hands-on guide to teach them BBQ, but that's what Bobby hopes to do with Electric Smoker HQ. He wants to help people create amazing food that they can be proud of.