When envisaging a caravan tour, many of us will conjure up images of warm sunny days, with a spot of al fresco dining and many happy memories being made. If you’re after a bbq and grill for your tourer, the good news is that there are a range of options on the market, ideal for all requirements. In this guide, we’re sharing our choices for the best barbecue for a caravan, with options that offer portability, compact designs and high-performance cooking.
We’re focusing on either gas caravan BBQs or charcoal fuelled units – these are easier to power when you’re pitched up at one of the best caravan sites, as well as ensuring you get that authentic barbecue taste.
Be sure to factor in the weight of the barbecue when you’re picking one – after all, you’ll need to keep the caravan weights at the forefront of your mind so you don’t surpass the payload. Make sure you’ll have the space to store it too, something which can be a particular issue in smaller tourers. Lastly, consider who you will be barbecuing for as well – are you touring as a family? If so, a bigger grill will be required. In contrast, a smaller one will do the job if you’re only touring as a two.
Combine your grill with the best caravan crockery and you’ll be all set for an enjoyable eating experience.
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What are the best caravan BBQs?
Campingaz PartyGrill 200
George Foreman Portable Gas BBQ
Crusader Products Portable Gas BBQ
Weber Traveler Portable Grill
Cadac Carri Chef 2 BBQ and Chef Pan Combo
George Foreman Toolbox Charcoal barbecue
Weber Go-Anywhere Gas Barbeque Grill
Weber Go-Anywhere Charcoal Barbeque Grill
Ved Portable Barbecue Grill
Valiant Portable Folding Picnic and Camping BBQ
The best caravan barbecue:
Campingaz PartyGrill 200
- Dimensions: L32 x W32 x H33cm
- Cooking area: 32cm diameter
- Weight: 2.84kg
- Fuel type: Campingaz gas cartridge
Reason to buy:
- Good build quality and easy ignition
Reason to avoid:
- Relatively simple with only small surface area
The PartyGrill offers a simple yet robust set up that will suit couples looking to cook a simple meal. It comes supplied with an aluminium plate for consistent heat distribution, and has an easy to use Piezo ignition system for lighting.
Fuel is supplied by easy-to-source gas cartridges and a fat collecting systems prevents fat spillage.
George Foreman Portable Gas Barbecue
- Dimensions: 34 x 70 x 50 (H x W x D in cm)
- Cooking area: 22 x 50 x 37.5 (H x W x D in cm)
- Fuel: propane gas
- Weight: 7.5kg
Reason to buy:
- A fairly lightweight option, comes with an integrated thermostat
Reason to avoid:
- Price could be a consideration
Relying on propane gas, this caravan barbecue comes with fixed legs, ensuring a stable cooking base is provided. We like its relatively light weight of only 7.5kg too – this means the payload shouldn’t be a concern for all but owners of the tiniest tourers. If this is you, the Campingaz could be worth considering instead, which comes in at 2.84kg.
It relies on Piezo ignition for convenience and has an integrated thermostat to aid with achieving an optimum temperature for cooking. An adjustable side vent ensures it has a controlled air flow too.
Crusader Products Portable Gas BBQ
- Dimensions: L95 x W115 x H43cm
- Cooking area: 43cm x 35cm
- Weight: TBC
- Fuel type: Propane or butane
Reason to buy:
- Good price when compared with premium alternatives
Reason to avoid:
- Build quality could be better
This portable unit can be easily moved around on its own wheels and has plenty of features to make it attractive to caravanners. It can be set to a decent cooking height via its trolley legs or placed on a table (no need for crouching) and it has a decent cooking area, so good for families and larger groups.
The large single stainless steel burner has variable heat control and offers an impressive 3.9kw of heat. Two fold-out side shelves provide a useful prep area. While there are premium alternatives to this barbecue (see the Weber) at this price there’s much to commend this model.
Weber Traveler Portable Grill
- Dimensions: L58.4 x W110.7 x H94.5cm
- Cooking area: 2065 cm2
- Weight: 22.2kg
- Fuel type: 16oz gas canister or use an adapter hose to connect to larger tank
Reason to buy:
- Multi-featured with excellent build quality
Reason to avoid:
- A premium price
There’s a reason Weber dominates the barbecue market – the company creates barbecues that work, look good and that people want to use. With its large grilling area, compact lines when folded and overall performance, the Traveler is great for those on the move, and has excellent cooking performance.
We like the one handed setup and collapse, and the fact that the lid has an automatic lock and temperature gauge. It has to be said that the lid is fairly low, but that’s the compromise for a sleeker more compact finish. Overall an excellent performer that looks good too.
Cadac Carri Chef 2 BBQ and Chef Pan Combo
- Dimensions: L27.6 x W27.6 x H36.6cm
- Cooking area: diameter 47cm
- Weight: 10.5kg
- Fuel type: Gas cylinder or cartridge
Reason to buy:
- Excellent design and high quality spec
Reason to avoid:
- Relatively weighty item
Versatility is the word with this modular barbecue that can barbecue, bake, fry, smoke steam or roast. Simply select your choice of BBQ Grid or Chef Pan for multi-cooking functions. There’s also a neat pot stand and carry bag.
Great for foodies who want to do that little bit more – the unit is robust, at a good height for cooking and packed with smart features such as Piezo ignition, variable heat setting and a dome with stay-cool handle and thermometer. In the hands of the right chef, cooking results can be impressive. Paella pan and pizza stone accessories are also available.
George Foreman Toolbox Charcoal barbecue
- Dimensions: L29 x W43 x H29cm
- Cooking area: 41.3cm x 26.5cm
- Weight: 4.2kg
- Fuel type: Charcoal
Reason to buy:
- Good value and provides authentic charcoal taste
Reason to avoid:
- Basic design with few features
George Foreman has built a strong reputation for his domestic kitchen grills, but does this charcoal barbecue provide a knockout punch? Well, when it comes to features it’s a little basic, but it looks smart and robust and we like its easy-to-carry (via its heat-resistant handle) toolbox style.
The foldable legs allow you to place it in on a table or picnic bench for easy cooking. It would suit a couple who want a small no-fuss barbecue that provides an authentic charcoal taste.
Weber Go-Anywhere Gas Barbeque Grill
- Dimensions: H36.9 x W53.4 x D31cm
- Cooking area: 42 x 26cm cooking area
- Weight: 7.22kg
- Fuel type: Propane/butane canisters
Reason to buy:
- Portable, easy to use and looks good
Reason to avoid:
- Relatively expensive
Oozing quality, this travel-size gas barbecue looks great in black and silver and has some neat functions including push-button ignition, an instant heat up gas stove, a heat-resistant bowl and lid, and a triple plated cooking grate. It also comes with a smart-looking handle with heat shield.
Great for the campsite or the beach, the cooking surface isn’t huge but it’s practical and portable – we like the folding legs which can also lock the lid in place for easy carrying.
Weber Go-Anywhere Charcoal Barbeque Grill
- Dimensions: H36.9 x W53.4 x D31cm
- Cooking area: 42 x 26cm
- Weight: TBC
- Fuel type: Charcoal
Reason to buy:
- Portable, easy to use and looks good
Reason to avoid:
- Relatively expensive
Much like its gas-powered brother (the Weber Go-Anywhere Gas Barbeque Grill) this charcoal-fuelled grill has that classic black/silver design with heat-resistant bowl and lid, triple plated cooking grate and handle with heat shield.
For those who prefer the authentic barbecue taste of charcoal, this Weber can use lump wood or briquette. As with the other Webers seen here, barbecue components come with a ten year warranty.
Ved Portable Barbecue Grill
- Dimensions: L35 x W24 x H39cm
- Cooking area: TBC
- Weight: 1.5kg
- Fuel type: Charcoal
Reason to buy:
- Extremely portable and wallet friendly
Reason to avoid:
- Build quality suggests it won’t last long-term
This neat lightweight grill in stainless steel folds down to the size of a laptop for easy portability. This is very much a secondary barbecue – more for the beach or a day out rather than serious cooking. That said, for those looking for the ultimate in convenience and portability, this fits the bill and is good enough for a couple of burgers and a few sausages.
The build quality is reflected in the price – we suspect not built to last longterm. Cheap and cheerful.
Valiant Portable Folding Picnic and Camping BBQ – Black
- Dimensions: L15.7 x W3.9 x H11.2cm
- Cooking area: 32 x 23cm
- Weight: 3.3kg
- Fuel type: Charcoal
Reason to buy:
- Compact and keenly priced
Reason to avoid:
- Build quality is reflected in price
Something of a cross between the Ved and the Weber Go-Anywhere, this has a foldaway briefcase design for easy transport. The cooking area is relatively small, so again perhaps more for a day out rather than day-to-day use.
It comes in black with stainless steel grills and is super easy to put together. The folding legs raise it off the ground and streamline with the case when not in use. Another budget option.
How to choose the best caravan barbecue
There are a few factors to think about that will set you up to pick the right caravan barbecue for your tours.
Begin by thinking about how many of you you’re going to cook for. A family will be better served with a bigger grill whereas two of you could get away with a smaller and more compact option. Make sure you have the payload for the barbecue you’re thinking of as well – you don’t want to allocate too much of your allowance to one that is bigger than you needs.
You’ll have to make sure you have the room in your caravan for the barbecue you settle on as well. After all, you’re going to have to transport it to your campsite, so will you have somewhere to store it? Look at the dimensions and make sure it will fit along with the other accessories you like to take on tour with you.
Do you have a preferred fuel type too? Once you’ve settled on a gas caravan barbecue or a charcoal BBQ, you’ll be well on your way to finding the one for you.
Written with contributions from Peter Byrne.
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