Best Cuisinart Grills for Every Backyard

The best Cuisinart grills are the Petit Gourmet for compact travel, the Chef’s Style Tabletop Grill for higher-capacity portability, the Roll-Away for a small patio, and the four-burner Cuisinart gas grill for regular family cooking.

Quick picks by backyard situation

Best Cuisinart grills compared by size and design

Dimensions and included accessories can change by production year or retailer package, so confirm the manufacturer’s specification sheet before buying. Cooking-area figures are more useful than total grill dimensions: a grill may look compact while its lid, shelves, propane cylinder, and clearance requirements make it a poor fit for a narrow space.

Cuisinart CGG-8500 Side Five Burner Gas Grill

Included for 'Best Cuisinart Grills for Every Backyard' as a relevant option in this category; details come from the product listing.

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Cuisinart Petite Gourmet Portable Gas Grill, Compact Portable Grill Propane, 150 Sq. In. Cooking Surface, 5,500 BTU Burner Small Gas Grills for Camping, BBQ, Folding Legs and Carry Handles, Red

Included for 'Best Cuisinart Grills for Every Backyard' because the listing specifies Compact Portable Grill Propane and 150 Sq. In. Cooking Surface, details this guide uses to compare options.

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Cuisinart Outdoor Electric Grill, 8-in-1 Air Fryer/Grill/Smoker, 154 sq in

Included for 'Best Cuisinart Grills for Every Backyard' because the listing specifies 8-in-1 Air Fryer/Grill/Smoker and 154 sq in, details this guide uses to compare options.

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Cuisinart Gas Grill with Locking Lid, Portable, 8,000 BTU, 10 lbs.

Included for 'Best Cuisinart Grills for Every Backyard' because the listing specifies Portable and 000 BTU, details this guide uses to compare options.

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Best for balconies and travel: Cuisinart Petit Gourmet CGG-180T

The Petit Gourmet is the most practical choice when storage and carrying weight matter more than capacity. Its 145-square-inch grate is enough for several burgers, chicken pieces, or a small combination of vegetables and sausages, but it is not designed for a large party. The folding legs and handle make it easier to move from a garage to a tailgate or campsite.

Its single burner keeps controls simple, but it also limits two-zone cooking. You cannot easily sear over high heat while keeping another food item warm over a low zone. The porcelain-enameled grate is relatively easy to brush clean, although its coating should not be attacked with a metal scraper or wire brush that sheds bristles.

Check building and fire rules before using any gas grill on a balcony. Many apartments prohibit open-flame grills regardless of grill size.

Best portable upgrade: Chef’s Style CGG-306

The CGG-306 is the better answer for people who want portable storage without giving up a useful family-sized cooking area. At about 276 square inches, it offers nearly twice the primary space of the Petit Gourmet. Two burners allow a basic hot-and-cool arrangement: run one side for direct searing and the other at a lower setting for slower cooking or warming.

The stainless-steel body and grate are convenient for outdoor use, but stainless steel is not maintenance-free. Grease film, salt, and acidic marinades can discolor the surface, while trapped moisture can encourage corrosion around fasteners and burner openings. Wipe the lid and exterior after cooling, and store the grill dry under a breathable cover rather than leaving it exposed to rain.

This model is a tabletop grill, not a freestanding cart grill. Allow room for the propane cylinder, lid opening, and heat clearance. A flimsy plastic table can flex under its weight and become unsafe when the grill is hot.

Best for a small patio: Roll-Away CGG-240

The Roll-Away occupies the middle ground between a portable tabletop unit and a full-size backyard grill. Its approximately 240-square-inch cooking area is suitable for routine meals for three or four people, and the wheeled stand avoids the need to provide a separate table. It is a stronger fit for a small patio where the grill will move occasionally, not for frequent car transport.

The single burner is the important limitation. A larger grate does not create separate heat zones, so indirect cooking and simultaneous high-and-low cooking are less convenient. It is best for burgers, steaks, vegetables, and other foods that can be managed over one consistent temperature.

Best for frequent family cooking: a four-burner Cuisinart gas grill

A four-burner model such as the CGG-7400 makes sense when the grill stays assembled and gets used several times per week. Its roughly 443 square inches of primary cooking space can handle a family meal with room to separate foods by temperature. Four controls also make it easier to light only part of the grill for a small meal, potentially reducing fuel waste.

The trade-off is ownership space. Measure the grill with side shelves extended, then add clearance from walls, railings, vinyl siding, and overhead structures according to the manual and local code. A cover protects the lid and shelves, but it does not replace cleaning; moisture trapped beneath a poorly ventilated cover can accelerate rust.

For a household that grills only a few times each summer, this size may be unnecessary. A medium portable or two-burner model takes less floor space and has fewer components exposed to weather.

Fuel, cooking surfaces, and heat control

Propane versus dual-fuel convenience

Most Cuisinart gas grills use propane. A 1-pound cylinder is convenient for travel but can empty quickly during long, high-heat cooks. Larger refillable tanks reduce the cost per use and are more practical for patio grills. Some portable Cuisinart models support a larger-cylinder connection, but the hose and regulator arrangement must match the model; never improvise fittings.

Dual-fuel labeling can also be confusing. It usually refers to compatibility with different propane-cylinder sizes, not automatic switching between propane and natural gas. Natural-gas conversion should be considered only when the grill is specifically designed and approved for it.

Porcelain-coated versus stainless or cast iron

Porcelain-enameled grates generally release food well and clean up quickly when brushed while warm. Their weak point is chipped coating: once the underlying metal is exposed, corrosion can spread. Stainless-steel grates tolerate scraping better and are less vulnerable to chipped enamel, but they still need degreasing. Cast-iron grates retain heat effectively and can produce strong searing, though they require drying and a light oil coating to limit rust.

Assembly and cleanup realities

Small tabletop grills usually require less assembly, but “portable” does not mean ready to cook immediately. Before the first use:

• Confirm that every burner, heat shield, grate, lid hinge, and propane connection is seated correctly.
• Perform a soapy-water leak test on the connection with the gas turned on and the burners off. Bubbles indicate a leak; shut off the gas and correct the connection before lighting.
• Run the grill empty for the time stated in the manual to burn off manufacturing residue. Keep the lid open or closed as instructed.
• Check that burner flames are mostly blue and even. Yellow, lifting, or irregular flames can indicate blocked ports or a regulator problem.

After cooking, scrape loose residue while the grate is still warm, then let the grill cool fully before emptying the grease tray. Do not pour water onto a hot porcelain or cast-iron grate. Remove accumulated grease before it reaches the burner area; grease fires are more likely when trays and shields are allowed to fill.

A simple cost-per-use check

Capacity can prevent overspending. Suppose a four-burner grill costs $400 and you expect 80 uses over four years: the grill itself costs $5 per use before fuel and maintenance. If you grill only 20 times, that becomes $20 per use. A $180 portable model used 60 times costs $3 per use. The portable option may therefore be the better value even if its purchase price is not the lowest, provided its cooking area fits your meals.

Bottom line

Choose the Petit Gourmet when carrying weight and storage dominate the decision. Choose the Chef’s Style CGG-306 or Dual-Fuel Portable when you need a genuinely useful cooking area on a table. Choose the Roll-Away for a compact patio without a permanent full-size footprint. For frequent cooking and multiple foods at different temperatures, a four-burner Cuisinart grill is the most capable choice—but only if you have the ventilation, clearance, storage, and maintenance routine to support it.