What is the best portable BBQ in Australia 2022?

You've probably looked at the types of camping gear you need to bring, the clothes you need to wear, and the food that you will be having.

Then you realize, you'd probably need a portable BBQ that you can cook food with.

But you don't have one.

So you scoured the internet and looked at some camping BBQ reviews to see the best portable BBQ in Australia that fits your needs.

Alas, you get overwhelmed by the sheer number of portable BBQs being offered.

Hence why you're here.

Don't worry, we got you covered.

In this quick portable BBQ review, we will go through some of the best portable BBQ grills and the value it offers, ultimately helping you decide whether you should get them for your upcoming camping BBQ adventure.

"Wait.. food? What will I be making food with in the wilderness... a bonfire?"

There are 4 types of portable camping BBQs you can get: electric barbecues, a wood-fired BBQ, a charcoal BBQ grill, or a Liquefied Petroleum Gas barbecues (or fancy lingo for LPG) aka bottled gas BBQ.

Choosing what portable grills to get depends on what sort of BBQ grilling experience you're looking for.

Are you looking for a safe and simple camping stove that you can use outdoors and indoors?

Are you looking for a convenient portable BBQ that will be ready to use as soon as you unpack it?

Are you looking for the most versatile portable BBQ?

Or are you looking for a portable BBQ that allows you to cook with the most flavourful results?

As you can see, each type of camping stove has its pros and cons which we will go through.

Avoid ruining your camping trip just because you picked the wrong BBQ.

If you want to have a casual grilling session that is relatively simple and safe, then electric BBQs might be what you're looking for.

Electric BBQs usually offer fairly even heat distribution, little to no learning curve, easy maintenance, and usually have a lower average entry point.

There are also fewer risks of these types of BBQs causing an accidental fire in contrast to a gas BBQ.

However, they take quite a while to heat up and usually offer minimal versatility, i.e. for grilling only.

Electric BBQs are known for their relatively mild learning curve.

For those that are looking for a convenient, quick, and easy-to-use portable BBQ, then getting a portable gas BBQ is for you.

Getting a gas barbecue started is easy - just with the flick of a switch or knob and you're good to go.

You'd also be able to adjust the temperature more easily with knobs to control the burner heat output.

With a portable gas BBQ, heat from the burners is more consistent and allows you to sear with ease.

However, a gas BBQ is more limited in its ability when it comes to indirect grilling or smoking.

You could try adding wood chips above the burner flames but that would still be tricky.

Gas BBQs offer consistent heat and allows you to sear with ease.

If you're more dedicated and patient with your cooking, but would like a more versatile portable BBQ option, then getting a portable charcoal BBQ is the right one for you.

One of the strong features of a charcoal BBQ is that it can give a more desirable flavour and smell to your food, compared to a gas BBQ that might even give some off-putting smell if the combustion isn't perfect.

This is due to the charcoal BBQ having more surface area to catch the drippings of the juice from the food cooked and smoking it up over the food.

In addition, you could also play around with various types of hardwood and wood chunks for extra depth to the flavour.

Using a charcoal BBQ is also more suited if you'd like to cook the food slow and low for a more tender roast.

You can also adjust the charcoal to control spots of direct and indirect heat.

Whether you want to sear it hot over the charcoal flames or cook it low and slow, a charcoal BBQ can do all that for you.

The problem, however, is that they're sort of tricky to get the charcoal flames started.

This can be remedied by placing a few newspapers in between the charcoal and burning them to try and get the charcoal flames started, or worst case, use firelighters or lighter fluid (though they can provide an unpleasant taste to your food).

If you're not careful, charcoal can also stain your clothes.

Charcoal BBQs allow you to cook low and slow for a more tender roast.

If you want to add more flavour to your cooking, even more so than the charcoal BBQs, then you might be interested in getting a wood-fired BBQ.

There are a lot of different kinds of woods to choose from, such as hickory wood, pecan, applewood, oak, and others, all with their unique flavours.

There are also no added artificial additives in wood, making your food safer to consume.

Starting a wood fire is similar to starting a charcoal grill, albeit starting a wood fire takes much longer - expect up to an hour for the wood to heat up.

Using a wood BBQ is also more difficult to master, as you'd constantly have to adjust and add in more wood chips as wood burns up more quickly than charcoal.

So now that you've learned more about wood, charcoal, and portable gas BBQs, let's go through some of the best portable BBQ options in Australia.

Wood-fired BBQs can add a lot of flavour to your cooking, but is difficult to master.

The Napoleon TravelQ PRO285 Portable Electric Grill is stylish, with the all-black, cast aluminium, high-topped lid design that lets you take portable grilling literally anywhere you want to go.

The evenly split grill heats evenly and provides a non-stick cooking surface for your food.

The cast-iron grill is also rust-resistant as it is porcelain-coated.

The thermostat and stainless steel burners are removable for quick and easy cleaning of the porcelain drip tray.

However, this portable electric BBQ also comes with the strengths and downfalls of an electric BBQ.

Electric BBQs usually take quite a while to heat up, and this portable BBQ is no different.

But they are an excellent choice if safety is your priority, as there are minimal risks of the grill causing an accidental fire compared to a gas BBQ.

Easy to carry and set up, this grill is perfect for any adventure.

This portable barbecue is available in 4 contemporary colours: Graphite Black, Stone Grey, Orange, and Khaki.

The body of this compact camping BBQ is made from lightweight durable steel, with a high-temperature finish, sleek cool-to-the-touch handles, stainless steel grates, and a detached base to ensure a cool bottom.

There's also a food-grade storage tray and bamboo preparation board cleverly integrated into the design, while also still leaving room to store fresh coals or your BBQ utensils.

If you're looking for a cheap BBQ for camping that looks sleek and stylish, the Everdure Cube is the best portable charcoal grill to get.

Looking for a cheap camping BBQ that doesn't look cheap?

We picked this as the best portable grill in terms of price as you can acquire one for just $199.

Even at such an affordable price point, this compact charcoal BBQ is a portable beauty that enables you to enjoy the great-tasting flavour from cooking with charcoal whether you're at home or away.

The Everdure Cube charcoal grill is a sleek, stylish, and compact BBQ.

Looking for a cheap camping BBQ that doesn't look cheap?

We picked this as the best portable grill in terms of price as you can acquire one for just $199.

Even at such an affordable price point, this compact charcoal BBQ is a portable beauty that enables you to enjoy the great-tasting flavour from cooking with charcoal whether you're at home or away.

This portable barbecue is available in 4 contemporary colours: Graphite Black, Stone Grey, Orange, and Khaki.

The body of this compact camping BBQ is made from lightweight durable steel, with a high-temperature finish, sleek cool-to-the-touch handles, stainless steel grates, and a detached base to ensure a cool bottom.

There's also a food-grade storage tray and bamboo preparation board cleverly integrated into the design, while also still leaving room to store fresh coals or your BBQ utensils.

If you're looking for a cheap BBQ for camping that looks sleek and stylish, the Everdure Cube is the best portable charcoal grill to get.

The Everdure Cube charcoal grill is a sleek, stylish, and compact BBQ.

The Ozpig is an Aussie portable camping BBQ for those with a passion for outdoor cooking and travel.

This is the best camping BBQ in terms of versatility, as it can not only be used as both a grill or your outdoor cooking device, but also as a fire pit heater with the ambiance of an open fire.

It is also versatile in the fuel you give it - you can load in wood and charcoal for your camping BBQ.

It has a compact chimney that directs smoke away from all the action.

Plus, its raised off-the-ground design means it can be used in many locations where an open fire is not permitted. (However, we found that the grass underneath the BBQ would still die out for around a week.)

There are also the optional BBQ accessories for the Ozpig that we highly recommend you buy for even more added versatility.

With the optional BBQ accessories, this versatile camping BBQ lets you enjoy baking, cooking food by chargrilling, deep-frying, wok cooking, rotisserie roasting, or just boiling the kettle for a cuppa.

If you're looking for a very versatile camping BBQ option, then this is the best charcoal BBQ you could get.

It can not only be used as both a grill or your outdoor cooking device, but also as a fire pit heater with the ambiance of an open fire.

You could even smoke food with the Ozpig Smoker extension!

The Ozpig is an Aussie portable camping BBQ for those with a passion for outdoor cooking and travel.

This is the best camping BBQ in terms of versatility, as it can not only be used as both a grill or your outdoor cooking device, but also as a fire pit heater with the ambiance of an open fire.

It is also versatile in the fuel you give it - you can load in wood and charcoal for your camping BBQ.

It can not only be used as both a grill or your outdoor cooking device, but also as a fire pit heater with the ambiance of an open fire.

It has a compact chimney that directs smoke away from all the action.

Plus, its raised off-the-ground design means it can be used in many locations where an open fire is not permitted. (However, we found that the grass underneath the BBQ would still die out for around a week.)

There are also the optional BBQ accessories for the Ozpig that we highly recommend you buy for even more added versatility.

With the optional BBQ accessories, this versatile camping BBQ lets you enjoy baking, cooking food by chargrilling, deep-frying, wok cooking, rotisserie roasting, or just boiling the kettle for a cuppa.

You could even smoke food with the Ozpig Smoker extension!

If you're looking for a very versatile camping BBQ option, then this is the best charcoal BBQ you could get.

This portable gas camping BBQ comes with all the bells and whistles of a premium BBQ, such as the ACCU-Probe Temperature Gauge, the "Instant Jetfire Ignition", the 2 stainless steel burner tubes, the rust-resistant porcelain-coated cast-iron cooking grill plates, an easy-to-access grease tray, and a spacious cooking interior with the hood's extra height.

The gas barbecue also comes with a hang bar which enables you to keep it elevated on any rack when storing.

This camping gas BBQ also comes with a 10-year limited manufacturer's warranty.

It is similar to the Travel Q Pro 285 portable gas BBQ, with the difference being the 285X comes with the scissor cart.

The scissor cart allows you to fold the BBQ stand and enables you to pull the BBQ like a luggage bag, allowing maximum portability and easily moving the camping BBQ around.

So if you're looking for a camping gas BBQ that is easy to carry around, then this is the best portable gas BBQ for you.

The Napoleon TravelQ Pro 285X is a small gas BBQ with a big offering.

Of all the portable gas BBQs we have at Joe's Barbecues, this is the only portable BBQ that has a feature like this.

This portable gas camping BBQ comes with all the bells and whistles of a premium BBQ, such as the ACCU-Probe Temperature Gauge, the "Instant Jetfire Ignition", the 2 stainless steel burner tubes, the rust-resistant porcelain-coated cast-iron cooking grill plates, an easy-to-access grease tray, and a spacious cooking interior with the hood's extra height.

The Napoleon TravelQ Pro 285X is a small gas BBQ with a big offering.

The gas barbecue also comes with a hang bar which enables you to keep it elevated on any rack when storing.

This camping gas BBQ also comes with a 10-year limited manufacturer's warranty.

It is similar to the Travel Q Pro 285 portable gas BBQ, with the difference being the 285X comes with the scissor cart.

The scissor cart allows you to fold the BBQ stand and enables you to pull the BBQ like a luggage bag, allowing maximum portability and easily moving the camping BBQ around.

Of all the portable gas BBQs we have at Joe's Barbecues, this is the only portable BBQ that has a feature like this.

So if you're looking for a camping gas BBQ that is easy to carry around, then this is the best portable gas BBQ for you.

The gas barbecue also comes with a hang bar which enables you to keep it elevated on any rack when storing.

This camping gas BBQ also comes with a 10-year limited manufacturer's warranty.

It is similar to the Travel Q Pro 285 portable gas BBQ, with the difference being the 285X comes with the scissor cart.

The scissor cart allows you to fold the BBQ stand and enables you to pull the BBQ like a luggage bag, allowing maximum portability and easily moving the camping BBQ around.

So if you're looking for a camping gas BBQ that is easy to carry around, then this is the best portable gas BBQ for you.

The Napoleon TravelQ Pro 285X is a small gas BBQ with a big offering.

Of all the portable gas BBQs we have at Joe's Barbecues, this is the only portable BBQ that has a feature like this.

Compact in size but big on technology and features, the Beefeater BUGG portable BBQ is a great all-rounder barbecue that’s perfect for all occasions.

You can choose between the Bugg and the Bigg Bugg and between 2 colors Amber or Black.

Starting from an affordable $599 price tag, the Bugg Gas Barbecue is a popular choice amongst BBQ lovers all across Australia.

You could also opt to spend an additional $200 for the model with the stand, which we recommend for the added mobility.

This portable gas grill packs a punch with its 2 powerful stainless steel burners capable of searing steaks hassle-free on top of the porcelain enamel-coated cast iron grills and hot plate.

The grill plate set-up is versatile as you can tweak how you use the half grill as you see fit.

It also has the Beefeater's "Reliable Quartz Ignition Start" technology which means that it will ignite the first time, every time - without needing you to push any buttons or change batteries.

This small gas BBQ has a thermometer integrated into the cast aluminium lid which you can cook with the hood up or down - not a lot of portable BBQs can do this!

The height and width of this portable barbecue give you ample cooking surface for you to cook large pieces of meat.

There's also the grease tray underneath the grill which makes cleaning up the excess oil much easier!

Made from sturdy and robust materials, this portable gas grill feels like it will last quite a while.

We've made a more detailed walkthrough of this portable BBQ which you can read here.

Overall, the Beefeater Bugg BBQ is a strong pick amongst all the other options and is definitely worth the money.

The Beefeater BUGG portable BBQ is a great all-rounder barbecue that’s perfect for all occasions.

The BBQ comes with a grill and a hot plate griddle.

The Beefeater BUGG portable BBQ is a great all-rounder barbecue that’s perfect for all occasions.

Compact in size but big on technology and features, the Beefeater BUGG portable BBQ is a great all-rounder barbecue that’s perfect for all occasions.

You can choose between the Bugg and the Bigg Bugg and between 2 colors Amber or Black.

Starting from an affordable $599 price tag, the Bugg Gas Barbecue is a popular choice amongst BBQ lovers all across Australia.

You could also opt to spend an additional $200 for the model with the stand, which we recommend for the added mobility.

This portable gas grill packs a punch with its 2 powerful stainless steel burners capable of searing steaks hassle-free on top of the porcelain enamel-coated cast iron grills and hot plate.

The grill plate set-up is versatile as you can tweak how you use the half grill as you see fit.

The BBQ comes with a grill and a hot plate griddle.

It also has the Beefeater's "Reliable Quartz Ignition Start" technology which means that it will ignite the first time, every time - without needing you to push any buttons or change batteries.

This small gas BBQ has a thermometer integrated into the cast aluminium lid which you can cook with the hood up or down - not a lot of portable BBQs can do this!

The height and width of this portable barbecue give you ample cooking surface for you to cook large pieces of meat.

There's also the grease tray underneath the grill which makes cleaning up the excess oil much easier!

Made from sturdy and robust materials, this portable gas grill feels like it will last quite a while.

We've made a more detailed walkthrough of this portable BBQ which you can read here.

Overall, the Beefeater Bugg BBQ is a strong pick amongst all the other options and is definitely worth the money.

The Napoleon Rodeo Charcoal Grill is the original infrared portable charcoal grill.

Light and mobile, this agile little portable grill can easily go where the action is, giving you restaurant-quality grilling wherever you want.

It’s lightweight and sturdy, with all-weather wheels that make rolling across the deck, over the grass, and even on gravel.

At $399, this portable grill comes with heaps of desirable features on a BBQ such as even heat distribution with their stainless steel heat diffuser, hinged cooking grids for easy charcoal refills, a large interior cooking space, stainless steel grates, and a temperature gauge built into the lid.

It also comes with its stand with wheels for easy mobility on your camping trips.

This agile little portable grill can easily go where the action is.

As you can see, picking the best portable barbecue for your camping trips depends on what you look for in an ideal camping BBQ.

All the BBQs we've listed here are portable, although some come with a stand (such as the Napoleon TravelQ Pro 285X) while some of the other ones you can carry around with your hands - and depending on whether you have enough space in the back of your car, you might consider one over the other.

Besides portability, also consider the pros and cons of the different types of BBQs - ie. electric, gas, charcoal, wood - and match them with the type of cooking you'd like to do.

Enjoy a camping BBQ with friends and family.

But if you still need expert advice, feel free to talk to the friendly team at Joe's Barbecues in-store, online, or over the phone at (02) 9737 9799 and we'll help you choose the perfect portable BBQ for your next camping trip.

But if you still need expert advice, feel free to talk to the friendly team at Joe's Barbecues in-store, online, or over the phone at (02) 9737 9799 and we'll help you choose the perfect portable BBQ for your next camping trip.