10 Best Camping Grill Grates: Brutally Honest Buyers Guide

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Grill grates are an amazing piece of camping equipment for people who enjoy cooking food over an open fire. They allow you to cook food evenly without the need for you to stand there with food attached to the end of a stick, trying not to burn anything.

Some people enjoy cooking food over an open fire which is great, but if you’re anything like us, we like to bring a grill grate with us as it tends to help food cook better.

If you’re staying at a campsite, there’s a chance you can use one of their grill grates, so it’s always worth checking; however, if you’re survival camping, then you’re going to need to bring your own.

In this article, we are going to take a look at the 9 best camping grill grates in 2021. We will look at the features, as well as the pros and cons of each. By the time you’ve finished reading, you’ll have a better understanding of the type of grill grate you need.

Here’s Our Top Picks…

Best Overall – Dzrzvd Bushcraft Grill Grate

Adjustable Design – Stromberg Carlson GR-1522 Stake and Grille

Corrosion Resistant – REDCAMP Folding Campfire Grill

Includes Carry Handle – YOLER Folding Campfire Grill

Best For Large Groups Of People – Texsport Heavy Duty Black Grill

And Here’s Our Top 9…

1. Dzrzvd Bushcraft Grill Grate

If we had to describe this grill grate in one word, it would be ‘indestructible’. Okay, maybe not indestructible, but it sure packs a punch when it comes to sturdiness and design quality.

It’s made from durable woven mesh, which is considered to be stronger than other types of mesh you’d typically find on the market. That’s probably why it’s loved by so many campers throughout America.

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However…

The durability isn’t the only element that should have you posting on Facebook about this great product. Also included in your purchase is a chopping board, allowing you to chop up your food before you cook it.

Taking this into consideration, we’d give Dzrzvd a pretty high score when it comes to looking after their customers; hence why their product is at the top of this list.

Once you’ve finished cooking, you can store everything in the carry bag provided, which is great for camping. The last thing you need is to be carrying a grill grate around with you by hand.

That brings us to our next point…

This grill grate weighs in at a whopping 2.45 pounds, so moving it from place to place isn’t going to weigh you down. In fact, it’s so lightweight you can carry it in your backpack when hiking.

Pros:

• Lightweight
• Comes with a carry bag
• Compact
• Durable and long-lasting
• Includes a chopping board

Cons:

• The bag isn’t as high-quality as the grill grate

2. Stromberg Carlson GR-1522 Stake and Grille

When it comes to grill grates, there are two types — normal ones and the Stromberg Carlson Stake And Grille. Yes, that’s right, this grate is in a league of its own.

Not only is it super-sturdy, but it can also be lowered or raised. This means you’ll be able to choose how fast (or slow) you want to cook your food. You can think of it similar to how high you put a baking tray inside an oven; the higher up it is, the faster the food cooks.

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Choosing the cooking speed of your food is all well and good, but how about getting this grill grate set up. You’ll be glad to hear is pretty straightforward; however, you’re going to need a mallet.

All you need to do is place the grill grate in your desired area above the campfire and hammer it into the soil using your mallet. Once you feel it’s sturdy enough and isn’t going to fall over — it’s time to get cooking.

In terms of size, the grill grate itself measures 15” wide X 22” long, giving you plenty of space to cook a meal for four people. 

If that wasn’t enough to get you splashing the cash, you’ll also be glad to hear that it comes with a nylon storage bag. This means you can carry it around with you easily and store it in your backpack.

Pros:

• Very sturdy
• Can be lowered or raised
• Simple set up
• Plenty of cooking space
• Includes nylon storage bag

Cons:

• Requires a mallet to set up

3. Redcamp Folding Campfire Grill

When Redcamp releases a new product, it never fails to disappoint fellow campers. The same can be said for their folding campfire grill.

Its most prominent feature has to be the legs that protrude out of each side. They provide great stability in all conditions, so you won’t have to worry about your food falling off.

It also means the weight on the grill is supported on either side, allowing you to cook as much food as you want without having to worry about it collapsing. And we all know, if you’ve been hiking all day, a small meal isn’t going to cut it.

Another reason the Redcamp Campfire Grill is so sturdy is due to the high-quality materials used during the design process. The grill itself is made from 304 stainless steel whereas the legs are designed with 201 stainless steel.

Not only do these premium materials prevent oxidation and corrosion, but they are super-lightweight, which is one of the deciding factors when choosing camping equipment.

Redcamp is so confident in this product’s ability, that they offer a 365-day manufacturer warranty. In the rare case that you run into any issues, you can contact Redcamp and expect a reply within 24 hours…

Talk about great customer service!

Pros:

• Reputable brand
• Provides great stability
• Long-lasting
• Lightweight
• Corrosion-resistant

Cons:

• None

4. YOLER Folding Campfire Grill

If you want to talk about reliability, then look no further than the Yolder Folding Campfire Grill. As you’ve probably noticed, most campfire grill grates are made from stainless steel…

But not this one.

It’s made from heavy-duty iron, which means it will last for a long time. Don’t get scared when we say ‘heavy-duty’; it weighs in at only 5.8lbs, so it’s still very lightweight and portable.

In fact, it even includes a small handle on the side, allowing you to easily move it from place to place after it has been folded up. You’ll also get a modern-looking bag that slips over your shoulder which is great for storage and transportation.

When it comes to stability, the Yolder Campfire Grill won’t let you down. Similar to the RedCamp Campfire Grill, it has two legs on either side that lock in place, preventing it from collapsing.

Just be careful not to trip over the legs as they protrude outwards a little bit.

The top of the grill is made from diamond-shaped mesh. This design allows heat to flow evenly, so you can kiss goodbye to having unevenly cooked campfire food.

Pros:

• Made from durable iron
• Only weighs 5.8lbs
• Includes a carry handle
• Comes with a bag
• Promotes even heat flow

Cons:

• Legs protrude out a little which can be a trip hazard

5. Texsport Heavy Duty Black Grill

If you’re an ‘outdoorsy’ person, then you’ve probably heard of Texsport before. They have been providing explorers like yourself with outdoor equipment for over 50 years, so let’s just say they know their stuff.

Their grill grate has been purchased by many customers throughout America. And after doing our research, we can see why this one is loved by so many.

Firstly, it’s made of premium steel, making it one of the strongest grill grates on the market. You sure as hell won’t be trading this one in for a replacement anytime soon — at least not for many years to come.

In addition, the legs can be folded in, allowing for easy storage and transportation. Combine this with the lightweight design, and you’ve got one of the best camping grill grates on the market.

Texsport has designed this grill solely for camping. So, whether you want to cook some hot dogs, fry some burgers, or enjoy a great steak, you’re in good hands with this camping grill.

The sheer size of it means you’ll be able to cook a lot of food in one sitting, which is great if you’re camping with a large group of hungry people.

Pros:

• Heavy-duty
• Reputable brand
• Very strong
• Large size
• Lightweight

Cons:

• You need to leave 5” between the flame and the bottom of the grill

6. Branded Boards BBQ Grill Grate

When you purchase the Branded Boards Grill Grate, you get more than you bargained for. As well as a high-quality grill grate, you’ll also get a chopping board, mini camp knife, and drawstring bag.

That’s almost an entire cookware set!

All these great accessories make it super-easy to get your food prepared in the shortest time possible, allowing you to spend more time enjoying the stunning nature that camping has to offer.

Anyway, onto the grill…

The grill itself can be used in two different ways. You can use it unfolded or folded depending on how much food needs to be cooked. When unfolded, it measures 6 X 12”, which is enough space to cook meals for multiple people.

On the flip side, it measures 6” X 6” when folded, which is more suitable when cooking for 1-2 people.

Now you know the different ways you can use this grill, we also want to talk about its weight and portability…

You’ll be glad to hear that even though this product comes as part of a kit, everything included is designed to be lightweight — from the knife to the drawstring bag.

In terms of transportation, you won’t have to carry it by hand. You can either put it in the drawstring bag or store it in your backpack when you’re on the move.

Pros:

• Comes as a kit
• Can be used folded or unfolded
• Lightweight
• Compact
• Includes drawstring bag

Cons:

• The knife is a little small

7. Stansport Grill Tripod Cooker

We never thought we would be typing this, but this grill looks more like a child’s play swing than something used to cook food on; however, that don’t mean it doesn’t perform well.

In fact, it actually comes with some benefits that other grill grates don’t have. For example, the pyramid design allows you to hang clothes on it to dry. Don’t do this over an open fire though, otherwise, your clothes will get burned to ashes.

The unique design also means it’s more stable than other grill grates you’d typically find on the market. The weight is evenly distributed throughout each leg, preventing it from blowing over and becoming damaged.

To set it up, you won’t need to hammer it into the ground which can be common with these types of grill grates. Just open the legs outwards and it will automatically go into the required position.

Similar to the Stromberg Carlson Stake and Grille, the height can be adjusted, allowing you to choose your preferred cooking temperature.

Once you’ve finished cooking up a storm, it can be folded down and stored away for future use. Keep in mind that it’s very compact, so storage and transportation shouldn’t be an issue.

Pros:

• Adjustable height
• Sturdy design
• Compact
• Lightweight
• Looks great

Cons:

• It isn’t recommended for cooking heavy items

8. REDCAMP Heavy Duty Folding Campfire Grill

The term ‘good things come in small packages’ perfectly sums up the Redcamp Heavy Duty Campfire Grill. It’s not the biggest on the market, but it doesn’t disappoint when it comes to performance.

Upon inspection, the first thing you’ll notice is the diamond-shaped grill top. This design isn’t just put there to make it look good. It allows heat to flow through easier, cooking your food faster and more effectively.

When it comes to the overall design, you’re in good hands with Redcamp. They are known for their world-renowned products. The legs feature a foldable and lockable design, preventing them from collapsing while cooking.

Once you’re done cooking, fold the legs up and you’ve got a compact grill grate that can be stored almost anywhere.

In terms of how much food it can cook, it can hold up to four burger patties or 6 hotdogs. This is more than enough if you’re only camping with the family; however, if you’re with a larger group of people, then an alternative grill grate would be more suitable.

Pros:

• Well-known brand
• Makes heat flow easier
• Lockable legs
• Compact
• Great for families

Cons:

• More suitable for a family rather than large groups

9. Domaker Large Campfire Grill

Let’s start by saying that Domaker is on hand to help should you have any questions after purchasing their grill grate. Chances are, you’ll probably never need to contact their customer support team; however, it’s always good to know you’re being looked after, especially after spending money.

The grill comes in two different sizes — large or medium. We recommend sticking with the medium, as it gives you more space to cook food. Who knows, maybe you’ll invite some fellow camping buddies out with you and be thankful for the extra cooking space.

To put the size into perspective, the large variant measures 17” X 12.6” X 5.7” when unfolded, and 17.3” X 12.6” X 1” when folded. After you’ve finished your cooking rampage, it folds down and can be stored in the carry bag provided.

As many of you campers know, camping is all about seeing new places and spending time in nature. That’s why the carry bag is such a great add-on. It means you can easily carry it around with you when exploring new places.

Pros:

• A great customer service team
• Multiple size variations
• Plenty of cooking space
• Includes carry bag
• Compact

Cons:

• Doesn’t have an adjustable height

A Must-Know Tip If You’re Planning On Buying A Grill Grate…

The majority of grill grates on the market come with a coating of paint that tends to melt when it’s first being used. Of course, you don’t want this to happen when you’re trying to cook.

To prevent it from happening, we recommend setting your grill grate up as normal and leaving it over an open fire to burn for a few hours before using it. Once this is done, proceed to wash it down using cold water.

This will strip away the layer of paint and allow you to start cooking. We couldn’t tell you why grill grates come with this annoying layer of paint, but it’s extremely common.

What To Consider When Buying A Grill Grate

There is no certain type of grill grate that is better than others, it all depends on personal preference; however, there are some things that are key when it comes to choosing a grill grate that will serve you well in the long run.

Here they are…

Durability

If you’re going to invest in a grill grate, durability should be an important buying factor. A grill grate that isn’t durable will fall apart and result in you needing to cook over an open fire.

To make sure you don’t spend your money on something that isn’t durable, we recommend sticking with grill grates that are made from either stainless steel or iron.

Here is a chart comparing steel and iron with other metals. They are all measured in yield strength (PSI). Yield strength is measured by how much force it takes for the material to become deformed.

As you can see, steel is in a league of its own when it comes to strength. Iron, on the other hand, isn’t as strong as copper and aluminum; however, it’s still strong enough for a grill grate.

Foldable Design And Portability

Grill grates aren’t the easiest thing to carry around with you on your camping trip. Luckily, most of them have foldable legs, allowing you to fold them down to a more compact size and carry them around with you.

If you want to take it a step further, you can purchase a grill grate that includes a small bag for storage. Not only does this make transportation easier, but it also provides an extra layer of protection.

Size

The reason we can’t say with 100% certainty which grill is the best is because part of it comes down to your personal preference. For example, if you’re camping with 20 of your friends, then a 1 person grill isn’t going to be ideal for you.

On the flip side, if you’re solo camping, why would you want a grill grate that can cook 20 burgers at the same time?

So, when it comes to size, it’s all about analyzing your own situation and choosing a grill grate based on your own conclusion.

The Different Types Of Grill Grates

If you’re in the market for a grill grate, then you’re going to come across a few different types.

Here they are…

Tripod: A tripod grill grate looks like a pyramid. They typically have three legs and a plate in the middle where the food goes. The great thing about them is that you can adjust the height, allowing you to cook your food faster.

Flat Bed: A flat bed is the most common type of grill grate on the market. They normally have a flat mesh surface to cook food on and two legs that fold out. 

Swivel Stake: A swivel stake grill is kept in place using one single stake. The reason they are loved by so many is due to their swivel design. Once you’ve finished cooking, you can spin the grill away from the flame, allowing the food to cool down before being served.

In Conclusion

If we had to choose between the different types of grill grates, we would go for the swivel stake grill. They are adjustable and feature a swivel design, which makes them high on our list.

Which type of grill do you prefer for camping? We’d love to hear your thoughts!

If you have any questions, drop a comment below and we will get back to you as soon as we can.