Gear Compare-portable campfire grills

Portable Packable Campfire Grills

Just about a year back, while dreaming of starlit BBQs and cozy campfire nights in my backyard, my eyes got stuck on something pretty sleek a portable fire pit and grill — the Pacofire Titanium Portable Camping Grill. It wasn’t just any ordinary BBQ grill on sale; it promised durability that screamed “lifetime of camping adventures.” Yet, there it sat on my wish list, its high price taunting me and its “sold out” status playing hard to get.

The quest for an affordable alternative led me down the Amazon rabbit hole, where I unearthed not one, but two gems:

• Lifronkit Portable Camping Campfire Grill, boasting a compact 8" diameter (Amazon $15.99)
• Alinkey Small BBQ Grill, slightly larger at 8.5" in diameter (Amazon currently unavailable)

Now, these weren't your high-falutin titanium marvels, but for a backpacker's fire pit or a portable campfire grill, they seemed just about right. Their sizes make them far from being substitutes for a giant backyard fire pit, yet perfectly suited for backpacking adventures and creating on-the-spot safe fire pits. When they arrived, it was clear the Lifronkit was the sturdier sibling, with the Alinkey feeling a tad on the flimsy side. Yet, both promised the adventure of a portable bonfire pit, a BBQ with grill capabilities that could rival any stationary backyard grill.

Putting them together was a bit of a puzzle—no interchangeable parts here, friends. But once set up, they were as neat and compact as could be, taking up no more room than a spiral notebook in my pack.

Testing day brought gusts that would've sent lesser fire grills flying, but these two held their ground. Their design offered a shield against the wind, making lighting up a breeze with just some scrap wood and a bit of newspaper. Yet, as I triumphantly placed the grill grate over the eager flames, I realized it was a tad awkward with the fire roaring so merrily beneath.

A quick note: sans top plate, these grills were like newborn deer on ice—wobbly. They didn't collapse, but let's just say I wouldn't host a dance party on them. With the grate on, though, they found their footing, although sneaking in fuel was like threading a needle without disturbing the culinary ballet atop.

Cooking time was the true test. I went for thin-sliced rib-eye, seasoned with just a sprinkle of salt. Both grills turned that meat into a feast fit for a king, quick and delicious over the open flame. I’ve yet to throw charcoal into the mix, but I'm betting they'll handle it like champs, making them a solid choice for any camping grill or portable barbecue grill enthusiast on a budget.

So, yes, they're keepers. Having a moveable fire pit that's as eager for adventure as I am, yet asks for so little space? That’s a win in my book. Whether it's a backyard BBQ, a small gas grill for a quick meal, or a portable fire pit for those camping nights under the Great Plains sky, these portable grills, with their backpack-friendly dimensions, are ready for the task. And at the price of a couple of movie tickets, they're a steal.

In the end, if you’re on the lookout for a portable BBQ stove, a camping grill, or just a reliable outdoor grill to take your backyard grilling game on the road, consider giving these budget-friendly contenders a glance. They prove that you don’t need the fanciest BBQ smokers or the most expensive BBQ pits to enjoy good food and good company under the open sky.