Best Camp Stove Grill Combo Reviews of 2021 [Top 3 Picks for Outdoor, Camping]
A camp stove is a great tool for outdoor cooking, regardless if you're at a tailgate or cooking out while camping. But you may feel bad being away from your grill at home, and while cooking up stews or pancakes on a camper stove is nice maybe you want to enjoy your evening throwing some franks on a grill in the great outdoors.
For those of you who like cooking but don't want to have to leave your grills at home when traveling, there is a compromise. The best camping stove and grill combo! As their name would imply, these devices are a combination of a camper stove and grill so you don't have to worry about dragging a separate stove or grill. One of these and all your cooking needs are met!
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Editor's Choice
Top 3 Best Camping Stove Grill Combo Reviews
Our top three recommendations are below so you can grill and cook together as you go!
1. Coleman 2 Burner Grill Stove Combo
Coleman is an instantly recognizable brand when it comes to outdoor gear. If you need tents, lights, sleeping bags, air mattresses, or grills you can trust that Coleman has you covered. The 2 burner stove and grill weighs in at fourteen pounds, which makes it light enough to be carried and its assembly means it's easy to fold it away when it's not in use.
Made out of a combination of stainless steel and aluminum, we found that this stove grill combo is durable so no need to worry about it getting damaged during travel. As for the functional aspects, it's very easy to operate. The controls to both the stove and grill are separate knobs which will allow you to use both at the same time.
The grill is the largest component present, with the stove component being quite smaller. You can use a ten-inch pan with the stove, but that's about it.
A nice aspect of this stove and grill combo is the presence of wind screens on the side that can protect your food, and the fire, from sudden gusts of wind. Because they fold out, you can also use them to rest your spatula or drink if it's not windy.
Other features include a pull-out grease tray and non-skid feet. This model uses a one-pound propane tank as it's fuel source, and both burners can run on high for about one hour before the tank is depleted. Each burner produces around 10,000 BTU, total 20,000 BTUs of heat so cooking is going to be a breeze! Finally, ignition is automatically done. Turn it on and the fire starts without a problem!
For the price, this is a fantastic stove and grill combo! We really like that both burners can be kept running at the same time, meaning you can prepare more food in less time than with traditional camping stove or grill. The windscreens are a nice extra touch, as is the auto-ignition. Our stove and grill combo came with a three-year warranty, which we found very generous.
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Camp Chef is a well-known manufacturer in outdoor grills, smokers, and stoves. So, of course, we would expect nothing but the best from their Rainier Camper Combo. Out of the box, and this model is meant to impress as not only do you get the lovely red stove and grill combo, but you get a carrying bag to go with it and a non-stick aluminum griddle!
The Rainier Camper Combo features a 10,000 BTU burner stove and an 8,000 BTU grill. It's fed by the standard one-pound propane tank and if the burner and grill are left on high it will last an hour before needing more fuel. While the cooking temperature is a bit on the low side, the Rainier Camper Combo makes up for this by being very durable and very easy to clean.
Being made of stainless steel and aluminum, cleaning was a breeze. The drip tray at the bottom of the stove section was a very nice addition which we always appreciate. Construction-wise, it's a solid stove and grill combo that has a carrying handle built in to make this model very easy to carry. Another feature we're happy to see is the auto-ignition button, so no need for matches or lighters.
Rainier Camper Combo also has windscreens at the sides to protect against sudden gusts of wind and the entire thing folds up nicely without a problem. What we liked the best was the carrying bag it came with. Not only will the bag carry the grill, but also the griddle and two propane tanks. And weighing in at sixteen pounds means this little stove and grill combo should give you trouble when on the move.
Finally, both the stove and grill are controlled by two separate knobs so each can be working simultaneously. We found that a ten-inch pan or pot will fit snugly on the stove, but nothing larger than that. Overall, the Rainier Camper Combo is a wonderful stove and grill combo that's built to last and built to be taken with you.
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The final stove and grill combo on our list is the Outfitter series by Stansport. They cater to the outdoor crowd, so we expect that their stove and grill combo would be up to their standards.
Now, the Outfitter series does come in a two-burner or three-burner variant, but we, of course, chose the one with the griddle as we're reviewing combos. Not standard camper stoves.
Cast in a lovely blue, the Outfitter is constructed of stainless steel and aluminum and features a built-in drip pan. So you know that cleaning is going to be a breeze and that the Outfitter is durable.
While there was no carrying bag or carrying handle, the Outfitter only weighs in at fourteen pounds so carrying it or setting it up provided us with no trouble.
When you open the Outfitter, you'll notice the two oversized stainless steel burners, each protected by a windscreen. In the center, you have a small griddle which is perfect for side dishes like cornbread. The burners provide 25,000 BTU while the griddle has an output of 5,500 BTU. We found that the burners could fit a nine-inch pan or pot without any problem.
The Outfitter is fed by a one-pound propane tank and if the burners are left on high the propane tank will last one hour. If only the griddle is used, the tank will last for up to three or four hours on high. The Outfitter has three knobs on the front for controlling the burners and griddle individually, which means you can have all three running at the same time! This also means it'll eat through your propane faster, but if you have a hungry crowd why wait?
Best of all, the Outfitter has an auto-ignition switch which we expect all great stove and grill combos to have! So, with two oversized burners and a griddle, the Outfitter is a fantastic stove and grill combo that is lightweight, affordable and has a quality brand name behind it. It was easy to carry, setup, cook, clean, and then fold back up again. Everything we look for in a good stove and grill combo we found here!
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That's our top three list, and you can tell why these three stove and grill combos made our list. They're quality products that are durable and affordable. We recommend that if none of these models interest you, try to find a combo model that has their features. You won't regret it when you can cook beans and grill franks at the same time!
What to Look for When Choosing the best camp stove grill combo
You know a camp stove and grill combo set is right for you when you want to be able to grill hot dogs while cooking up some baked beans. Or maybe you don't want to deal with carrying both a portable stove and grill. Regardless of the reasons as to why you want a stove and grill combo, we've put together this handy guide to walk you through what you should look for.
Stove and grill combos are perfect for when you want to pack light but don't want to leave the stove or the grill behind. And many models have dual-burners that will run both the grill and stove at the same time!
Output:
One of the first things you'll look at when considering a stove and grill combo is the heat output. Like many outdoor utilities that use propane, stove and grill combos measure their heat output by the British Thermal Unit, or BTU for short. BTUs are measured by how much heat it takes to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit.
As a general rule of thumb, the grill section of the combo isn't going to have as high of an output as the stove section. Exceptions exist, of course, but when it comes to BTUs the truth of the matter is you don't want a model that's too hot. Higher outputs lead to the entire model being hot to the touch which can cause accidental burns.
If you are concerned with BTU, try to find a model where the grill has a range between 10,000 to 20,000 BTUs while the burners have an output of 20,000 or more BTUs.
Portability and Durability:
The idea behind a stove and grill combo is that they're supposed to be portable. Always keep this in mind when looking for the right model. It needs to be comfortable for you to handle and pack. If you're planning on buying one at a camping store, ask if you can handle it before buying or if there is a floor model that you can examine. If you're buying online, expect to do some guesswork.
Some stove and grill combos also feature built-in handles to allow a better grip. While we don't recommend that you hunt down a model that specifically has this feature, it certainly can't hurt. Some models come with carrying bags or the option to buy carrying bags separately, and we do recommend to purchase one if you have the chance. It makes storage all the easier.
On top of being portable, you want your grill and stove combo to be durable. To that end, most stove and grill combos are made of stainless steel and aluminum and tend to hold their own against the elements and bumps just fine. Faulty models still exist, so always look up the warranty: most will come with a one-year warranty.
Tank Size:
As a standard, stove and grill combos will be fed by a one-pound propane tank. With the burners turned on high, your stove and grill will run for about one hour before the fuel runs out. While this might be enough for some, others may want more fuel, so we recommend checking to see if your model can use a five or ten-pound propane tank or if there is an adaptor that comes with it or is sold separately.
If your stove and grill combo is able to use larger tanks, it's up to you if you want to take larger tanks or just the single one-pound propane tank. The general rule of thumb is the longer you're outdoors, the more propane you'll want to bring so it'll be better to take a larger tank in this scenario.
Grill Size and Burner Size:
Because of the combination of nature don't expect the burner and grill to be the same size. Some models favor a larger grill and other larger burners. The model you want will depend on your needs, and if you like grilling you'll want a model with a large grill. As for meeting hungry demand, a regular stove and grill combo can cook enough food at once for four people, six people if you get creative with arranging the food.
If like us, you prefer the grill portion then you'll be pleased to hear that the largest grill sizes for combos tend to be around 130 square inches. Larger models do exist, but remember that the bigger you want the grill or burners, the bigger the model is going to be. Space has to be sacrificed so the stove and grill combo can be portable.
How Many Burners?
Commonly, stove and grill combos will come with two burners. You will see models that have three or four burners, and likely question if that model is right for you. As mentioned, more burners will mean more space and in turn a larger stove and grill combo. If you're expecting to cook a lot of food during your outdoor trip, buying a model with three burners isn't a bad idea at all.
But if you're going on your own or with one or two people, two burners is more than enough.
Accessories:
Some models will feature accessories like grates, griddles, or even bags to carry your stove and grill in. Other times, accessories are sold separately. We recommend that if you have the space, a few accessories like a griddle can't hurt and as previously mentioned a carrying bag is always a must-have if available.
Ignition:
When it comes to ignition, the two modes you'll find are manual ignition or automatic ignition. With a manual ignition, you'll need a lighter or matches to get the flame started while with an automatic you flip a switch and the flame turns on itself. Usually, the preferred models come with the automatic ignition as they tend to be safer, but at the same time, they have the risk of the lighter breaking.
Safety:
Outside durable construction, most stove and grill combos lack built-in safety features. This means you'll need to be in charge of ensuring your safety and the safety of others when using your stove and grill combo.
Price and Value:
Unlike their larger cousins, stove and grill combos tend to be cheap with some models going for as low as fifty dollars and others as high as two hundred dollars. A good quality stove and grill combo should cost you around one hundred or so dollars. Some recognized names in the market include Coleman, Camp Chef, Stansport, and Blackstone.
While there are plenty of other companies on the market, these four are well known for their quality products and customer services if something goes wrong. They also provide plenty of models with competitive prices, so looking at their products and comparing them to other companies is a good way to start your research.
Cleaning:
Due to their construction, stove and grill combos are easy to clean. Some models even feature drip trays which we highly recommend as they'll make cleaning for you a breeze.
Best Camping Stove FAQs:
How portable are stove and grill combos?
Very. Many are designed to be sleek and fit safely in your bag, while others come with carrying cases of their own. Weighing in at only ten to twenty pounds, they don't take up much space and are easy to carry.
Which brands are the best on the market?
Blackstone, Stansport, Coleman, and Camp Chef are all excellent companies with a variety of stoves and grill combos to pick from.
Are stove and grill combos too hot to touch when cooking?
Yes, they are. One of the biggest hazards is the heat they produce. Always set them up in a clear, flat area away from anything flammable.
Is it better to buy a model without automatic ignition?
We would say no. While a manual ignition model means you don't have to worry about the lighter breaking, you will have to carry your own lighter or matches. This could create a potential hazard with a wayward spark starting a fire.
Why are these better than a separate stove and grill?
Because they take up less space and cost less than having to buy a separate grill and stove plus separate fuel tanks. While they might not be able to have the full accommodations like a specialty grill or stove, combining both makes for a unit that's nice and portable!
How expensive will a stove and grill combo be?
Usually, a good model will be between ninety to one-hundred-and-thirty dollars. Expect at minimum to pay eighty dollars for a good stove and grill combo.
Are stove and grill combos easy to clean?
Yes! Because they're made of aluminum and stainless steel, cleanup should be a breeze. Some models have drip trays to aid you, even more, when you need to clean up.
Can a stove and grill combo use natural gas?
Without an adaptor, no. They're made to be used with propane tanks.
How does a stove and grill combo protect their open flame?
Most stove and grill combos use windscreens on the sides and back to protect against sudden gusts of wind. Some of these windscreens can even fold down to allow you to place your utensils or drink aside.
