The Best Barbecues For Van Life
Whether you’re parked beside a remote loch in Scotland or enjoying a coastal stop in Cornwall, cooking outdoors is arguably one of the biggest pleasures of van life. The right barbecue should be compact, easy to transport, quick to clean, and capable of delivering consistently great food without taking up valuable storage space.
With so many gas and charcoal options, it can be difficult to know where to start. To help narrow the field, we’ve focused on products evaluated by trusted reviewers (rather than marketing claims), as well as our own tried and tested outdoor cooking range. We’ve reviewed cooking performance, portability, durability and ease of use out on the road.
Before you start looking at the pros and cons of the best portable BBQs, it’s important to think about what makes the best barbecue for van life. When you’re searching for the best portable barbecues for life on the road, think about:
- compact size for easy storage
- fast setup and pack-down
- even heat distribution
- simple cleaning
- fuel efficiency
- stable cooking surface in varying weather
For many van owners, gas models are the preferred choice because they heat quickly, create less mess and are easier to use on short overnight stops. Charcoal enthusiasts, however, still appreciate the authentic smoky flavour only charcoal can deliver.
With all this in mind, let’s begin our guide to the best portable barbecues, starting with charcoal cooking options.
The Little Cayuga BBQ Egg
A brand-new edition to the Salamander Stoves outdoor cooking gear range, the Little Cayuga BBQ Egg is compact in size, but powerful in performance. Constructed from ceramic stone and finished with a high temperature black glaze, the sleek mini kamado BBQ grill and smoker feeds 2 to 4 people. It’s the perfect portable cooking companion for camping, boating and beach adventures, whilst being simple to store and taking up minimal space.
The Little Cayuga BBQ Egg is a favourite among van life enthusiasts and you can get 30% off in time for your summer adventures (for a limited time only).
Weber Go-Anywhere Charcoal
If you prefer traditional charcoal cooking, the Weber Go-Anywhere continues to receive praise from both experienced reviewers and portable barbecue fans.
Camping communities frequently recommend it for its folding legs, secure lid and dependable build quality, making it one of the easiest charcoal grills to transport.
It offers genuine barbecue flavour while remaining compact enough to fit inside most campervan storage lockers and it deserves a spot on our list of best portable barbecues.
Morso Table Top Grill 71
Van life enthusiasts who want a barbecue that feels robust should seriously consider the Morsø Table Top Grill 71. Its cast iron build gives it a reassuringly premium feel, while the enamelled cast iron grate holds heat well for steady, satisfying grilling.
It is not the lightest option for the road, but for campsite cooking, boating and longer trips, it delivers the kind of outdoor cooking experience that makes van life meals feel a little more special.
Cleverly designed with an adjustable height cast iron griddle, which can be swung away from the fire for loading and unloading, the Morso Table Top Grill 71 is perfect for cooking a wide range of barbecue food.
Morso Giro Grill
Campervan owners and outdoor enthusiasts who want the best portable grill for cooking over a real fire should consider the Morsø Giro Grill. It combines a grill grate and roasting pan in one elegant setup, giving you the flexibility to sear, roast and cook more creatively when you are parked up at a campsite or enjoying a long evening outdoors.
The solid cast iron base gives it the stability you want when cooking outside while the stainless-steel stand feels sleek, sturdy and easy to assemble. It is especially well suited to those who value durable kit, a simple setup and a more atmospheric way to cook outdoors.
Weber Traveler
Outdoor Gear Lab named the Weber Traveler its best portable grill overall after extensive comparative testing against 22 leading models. Testers praised its large cooking surface, excellent temperature control, durable construction and surprisingly easy transport thanks to its folding trolley design.
For longer road trips, it’s an excellent choice if you have enough storage space. Although heavier than tabletop alternatives, the generous cooking area makes it ideal for couples or families travelling together. So, if you’re looking for one of the best portable BBQs that performs like a full-sized garden barbecue, the Weber Traveler is difficult to beat.
CADAC Safari Chef 30
The CADAC Safari Chef has earned an excellent reputation with campers and caravanners for its versatility. Experienced camping communities consistently praise the Safari Chef’s interchangeable cooking surfaces and compact design.
The interchangeable grill plate, flat plate and pot stand allow you to cook breakfast, burgers, steaks or even boil a kettle, making it an extremely useful bit of kit.
This lightweight gas barbecue is ideal for camping, boating, van life, picnicking or fishing. For anyone seeking the best caravan barbecue, the Safari Chef is one of the most practical all-round choices thanks to its portability and flexible cooking options.
Weber Q1200
BBC Good Food selected Weber Q1200 as one of its top portable gas barbecues after extensive hands-on testing, highlighting its reliable performance and excellent build quality.
Outdoor Gear Lab also praised the Q1200’s heat retention, porcelain-enamelled cast iron cooking grates and consistent cooking temperatures despite its modest burner output. Its compact footprint makes it particularly well suited to campervans where space is often at a premium.
If your priority is finding one of the best portable barbecues without sacrificing cooking quality, the Weber Q1200 deserves serious consideration.
Campingaz Attitude 2Go
The Campingaz Attitude 2Go also makes an appearance on a few lists of the best portable BBQs with reviewers praising its compact design and ease of transport. Ideal for camping and caravanning, the tabletop format fits neatly into many campervan storage compartments.
There’s enough cooking space for two to four people and its simple ignition system and straightforward cleaning make it particularly appealing for travellers moving between campsites.
When weighing up the pros and cons of the best portable barbecues combine reliability, portability and consistent cooking performance, so you can enjoy better meals wherever your next van life adventure takes you.
Find out more about our Outdoor Kitchen and Fire Collection here
