The Ultimate Guide to Finding the Best Portable Gas BBQ for Camping
Picture this: you’ve just rolled into camp, the esky’s full, the mozzies are minding their own business (for now), and you’re starving. Nobody wants to spend half the arvo wrestling with firelighters or scrubbing last trip’s charcoal off a rusty hotplate. A tidy little gas grill you can whip out, spark up, and pack away in minutes? That’s living.
Below, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about choosing the best portable gas BBQ for camping in Australia, from must-have features to sneaky extras that make camp cooking a breeze. We’ll keep it fun, keep it factual, and tack on a cracking FAQ at the end.
Why pick gas when you’re off-grid?
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Speed does matters
Flick the igniter and you’ve got steady heat in 60 seconds flat - no waiting for coals to glow, no drama if the wind picks up. -
Fire bans won’t ruin dinner
Total Fire Ban days often still allow gas appliances with an enclosed flame (double-check local rules). When charcoal is a no-go, your gas grill keeps sizzling. -
Precise temperature control
Knock the knob a quarter-turn and you’re already in low-and-slow territory—perfect for that butterflied lamb leg or veggies on skewers. -
Travel-friendly fuel
The humble 450 g screw-top canister (the ones that you use for your jetboil) weighs less than a stubby and powers most portable units for 3 hours on full blast.
Must-have features in the field
| Feature | Why you’ll thank yourself later |
|---|---|
| Weight & pack size | Anything under ~4 kg is carry-able from car to picnic bench. Flat-pack designs save precious boot space. |
| Sturdy build | Stainless or enamelled steel laughs off knocks, salt spray, and endless corrugated tracks. |
| Even heat spread | Look for a proper diffuser plate or barbecue with windshield design so snags on the edges don’t sulk half-raw. |
| Removable drip tray | Less grease flare-ups now, less scrubbing later. |
| Save to ignite | Easy to ignite with ignition hole on the side |
| Dual-fuel add-ons | Bonus points if you can swap in a charcoal tray for smoky flavours once regulations allow (gas convenience, charcoal romance). |
| Eco creds | Long-lasting parts, or a brand that plants a tree for every grill sold—top marks for happy-planet campers. |
Real-world scenarios (and which grill traits shine)
- Weekend 4WD mission – You’re bouncing through the High Country; weight’s fine but pack space is gold. Favour a flat-pack frame that slides between the MaxTrax.
- Family caravan park stay – Drip tray capacity and even heat take priority. Kids want sausages now, not in shifts.
- Overnight hike to a beach camp – Sub-4 kg, single-burner, screw-top canister. Anything heavier turns into a kettlebell workout over dunes.
- Fire-ban season cook-up – Confirm the burner is enclosed so the ranger tips his hat instead of writing a fine.
One standout example (Not-so-humble brag)
STOV Portable BBQ – 3.6 kg, folds flatter than a laptop, screws onto screw-top bottles (EN417), and - cheeky flex - doubles as a charcoal grill when you add the charcoal tray accessory. Plus, we plant native trees for every unit sold.
Even if you choose another brand, use the checklist above to separate camp-kitchen heroes from glove-box junk.
Camp-chef hacks for gas-grill bbqing
- Pre-season your grill plate with oil at or better your food - less sticking, more sear lines.
- DIY windbreak: a folded bit of aluminium foil around the sides preserves flame on breezy headlands.
- Pack a silicon basting brush—no rogue plastic bristles in your prawns.
- Leave no trace: empty drip trays into a sealable jar and bin it later. National parks (and your car boot) will appreciate it.
Camping Gas BBQ FAQ
| Question | Quick answer |
|---|---|
| Can I use a portable gas BBQ during a Total Fire Ban? | Often yes, if the appliance has an enclosed flame and is on a cleared surface. Always confirm state or park regulations on the day. |
| What size gas bottle is best for weekend trips? | A single 450 g canister handles two steak-heavy dinners for two people about 6 times or a total of 3 hours of cooking. |
| How do I clean the grill plate at camp? | While still warm, scrape with a metal spatula, wipe with paper towel, then spray a mix of water and white vinegar. Finish at home with hot soapy water. |
| Is butane the same as propane for camping BBQs? | Not quite. Many Aussie portable grills run on propane or a propane-butane mix. Pure butane struggles below 0 °C. Stick with propane-ready canisters for year-round trips. |
| Can I cook with the lid down? | If your model has a lid and a diffuser plate, yes-instant mini-oven for roasts and pizzas. Check manufacturer’s vents to avoid flame-outs. |
| Will a gas BBQ give food smoky flavour? | You can add a foil pouch of soaked wood chips or invest in a combo unit (like adding a charcoal tray) for genuine woodfire notes. |
Final takeaway
The best portable gas BBQ for camping is the one that fires up fast, packs up small, and survives the same rough tracks you do. Tick off weight, durability, heat control and clean-up ease, and you’ll spend less time fussing with gear and more time sinking into camp-chair bliss with mates.
Happy grilling, legends - and may your steaks be juicy, your gas bottles full, and your campsite sunsets golden.