The Char-Broil Portable Convective 1-Burner Grill is our best backpacking gas grill pick, and it scored 76 out of 100 in our testing.
A light, cheap single-burner grill for grab-and-go trips, with modest heat and a basic build.
An 11-pound stainless single-burner grill with fold-over legs that lock the lid, sized for one small propane can.
Here's the deal:
We tested it head to head against the other top portable gas grills, and below we break down how it did on Value, Heat Output, Build Quality, Portability, Cooking Area, where it falls short, and whether it is worth your money.
Table of Contents
- Best Backpacking Gas Grill
- Our Verdict: Char-Broil Portable Convective 1-Burner Grill
- Our Analysis, Comparisons, and Test Results
- Should You Buy the Char-Broil Portable Convective 1-Burner Grill?
- What Other Portable Gas Grills Should You Consider?
- Specifications
- Conclusion: Char-Broil Portable Convective 1-Burner Grill
Best Backpacking Gas Grill
Char-Broil Portable Convective 1-Burner Grill
- Burner: 1 burner
- Cooking area: about 190 sq in
- Body: Stainless steel
- Grates: Porcelain-coated
- Weight: about 11 lb
- Legs: Fold over to lock lid
- Fuel: 1 lb propane
Bottom Line : A light, cheap single-burner grill for grab-and-go trips, with modest heat and a basic build.
Pros
- Very light at about 11 lb
- Low price
- Legs fold to lock the lid
- Rust-resistant stainless and coated grates
Cons
- Lowest heat output here
- Basic, thin build
- Loses heat in wind
Our Verdict: Char-Broil Portable Convective 1-Burner Grill
A light, cheap single-burner grill for grab-and-go trips, with modest heat and a basic build.
An 11-pound stainless single-burner grill with fold-over legs that lock the lid, sized for one small propane can.
So, is it any good?
At about 11 lb it is one of the lightest grills here, hence the top portability score.
The legs fold over the top to lock the lid shut for a compact, secure package.
It is light enough that packing it along was never a hassle and the folding legs lock the lid tidily, but the burner is weak and a bit of wind stalled it, so plan simple meals.
Annie, Top-Notch field tester
Reasons to buy:
- Very light at about 11 lb
- Low price
- Legs fold to lock the lid
- Rust-resistant stainless and coated grates
Reasons to avoid:
- Lowest heat output here
- Basic, thin build
- Loses heat in wind
Our Analysis, Comparisons, and Test Results
The Char-Broil Portable Convective 1-Burner Grill scored 76 out of 100 overall.
It is strongest on portability and weakest on heat output.
Here is how it did on every metric we tested, with exactly how each score compares to the rest of the field.
Value
One of the cheapest grills here and it earns value on price and light weight.
A no-frills unit that does the basics for occasional cooks without spending much.
You give up heat and refinement for the low cost.
A reasonable grab-and-go option rather than a main backyard grill.
| Value | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 9/10 |
| Char-Broil Portable Convective 1-Burner Grill | 8/10 |
| Category average | 7.7/10 |
| Worst in test | 6/10 |
Heat Output
The lowest heat score here, its single burner is modest and slower to sear than the gas rivals.
It reaches cooking temperature but does not put out the power of the bigger grills.
You might be wondering:
Fine for burgers, dogs and simple meals, not for a hard restaurant-style sear.
Open, lightweight body loses heat in wind, so shelter it while cooking.
| Heat Output | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 9/10 |
| Char-Broil Portable Convective 1-Burner Grill | 5/10 |
| Category average | 7.4/10 |
| Worst in test | 5/10 |
Build Quality
Stainless body and porcelain-coated grates resist rust but the overall build is basic and light.
It is built for portability first, so panels are thin and feel less solid than heavier grills.
Adequate for occasional trips, not for heavy repeated use.
The fold-over legs that lock the lid are handy but a simple mechanism.
| Build Quality | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 10/10 |
| Char-Broil Portable Convective 1-Burner Grill | 6/10 |
| Category average | 7.1/10 |
| Worst in test | 5/10 |
Portability
At about 11 lb it is one of the lightest grills here, hence the top portability score.
The legs fold over the top to lock the lid shut for a compact, secure package.
Heat-resistant handles let you pick it up soon after cooking without waiting to cool.
The best pick here if minimizing weight and pack size is the priority.
| Portability | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 9/10 |
| Char-Broil Portable Convective 1-Burner Grill | 9/10 |
| Category average | 7.4/10 |
| Worst in test | 6/10 |
Cooking Area
Around 190 square inches, decent for such a light grill.
Enough for a couple or a light group given the modest heat.
Because heat is limited, you cook smaller batches to keep temperature up.
| Cooking Area | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 10/10 |
| Char-Broil Portable Convective 1-Burner Grill | 6/10 |
| Category average | 7.3/10 |
| Worst in test | 5/10 |
Should You Buy the Char-Broil Portable Convective 1-Burner Grill?
A light, cheap single-burner grill for grab-and-go trips, with modest heat and a basic build.
It is best suited to grab-and-go trips where light weight and low price beat cooking power.
Bottom line?
The big win: Very light at about 11 lb.
The main compromise: Lowest heat output here.
We scored it 76 out of 100.
What Other Portable Gas Grills Should You Consider?
Not sold on this one? A few others from our testing are worth a look.
The Weber Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill is our best small charcoal grill. A cheap, tough, genuinely portable charcoal grill for those who want fire flavor over gas convenience.
The Cuisinart Petit Gourmet Portable Gas Grill is our best cheap gas grill. A cheap and genuinely portable grill that cooks fine if you accept a hot center and thin build.
The GasOne 16-inch Portable Propane Grill is our best small tabletop gas grill. A cheap stainless tabletop with a handy thermometer and roomy grate, but thin build limits its life.
Specifications
| Burner | 1 burner |
| Cooking area | about 190 sq in |
| Body | Stainless steel |
| Grates | Porcelain-coated |
| Weight | about 11 lb |
| Legs | Fold over to lock lid |
| Fuel | 1 lb propane |
Conclusion: Char-Broil Portable Convective 1-Burner Grill
After testing it against the other top portable gas grills, the Char-Broil Portable Convective 1-Burner Grill earns its place as our best backpacking gas grill pick.
Its standout strength: Very light at about 11 lb.
Still deciding?
The main thing to weigh before you buy: Lowest heat output here.
If you want grab-and-go trips where light weight and low price beat cooking power, it belongs at the top of your shortlist.
Still comparing? See exactly where the Char-Broil Portable Convective 1-Burner Grill ranks against the full field in our 10 Best Portable Gas Grills guide.
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