Who doesn’t like the sound of sizzling strips of steak or dogs and burgers cooking away over a grill? Those intoxicating smells of juicy, fleshy meat cooking with the light breeze (it’s summer, dude) almost causing anyone within 100-yards to float through the air behind your nose as it heads in the direction of the food ala that well-used cartoon trope. The sight of the red beef turning brown through to grey and then that charcoal-esque black as the juices caramelize delightfully. Even as we write this in miserable old March, this is what’s getting us through the days, heading out of the dark and into the light again. This is our hope, man. BBQ season.
But wait, why would we deny ourselves of the pleasures of BBQ? Oh yes, the weather. Aside from that, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t enjoy the sheer pleasure of cooking outdoors on a nice hot fire, like a proper guy. What’s more, there’s no reason why anything or anyone should stop you doing it anywhere. Not without a warrant, anyway. That’s what brings us onto the subject of portable grill tables. Portable BBQs and grills, those miniature saviors of a boring day at the park on a sunny day, were fun at the time. But we wanted more.
Perhaps we were being greedy. Who thinks having adequate space to BBQ your weight in burgers and dogs is being greedy? Hands up at the back. You, yeah you. You can take a hike back out the way you came. The rest of you, you feel me, right? Grill tables come in various shapes and sizes, but we love them. They help to make the BBQ something more involved and experience that can be shared anywhere. Whether it’s that tailgate party, camping trip or just out back. So even though we are sat here waiting for summer, we can dream. If it gets too much, with one of the following 16 grill tables or grill prep stations in tow, you can take your meat wherever you want.
Update: We have now updated this list to show the best grill tables in 2024.
Okay, so the most portable thing about this is the wheels. It’s true that the Keter Indoor/Outdoor entertainment BBQ storage table is not exactly built for taking away on camping trips or to the local park. However, it is extremely beautiful, jam-packed with features and ideal for that decking or patio area where you tend to congregate when you tend to throw a BBQ. You can’t cook on it, but you can do just about everything else, as you’ll see as we lift the lid on it.
First things first, the top is constructed from durable 430-grade stainless-steel and provides excellent space for preparing and serving tasty grub. It works perfectly as a prep and serving station because it can be wiped clean between uses. Looking down and around it though, you’ll see there’s four handy S-hooks along with a bottle opener. The perfect place to hang those BBQ utensils, so that you never lose them again. Whereas on the opposite side, just down from the top, there’s a spice rack for all those flavorings and a paper towel holder, because we all get a bit messy when its BBQ time. Don’t we?
As well as the available space on top, directly below you’ll find space to store glasses, places and anything else you need close to hand. While even further down there’s a lockable storage area that can hold around 40-gallons of, well, whatever you want. While the top is made from sturdy stainless-steel, the paneling and body are made from a natural-looking weather-resistant resin with UV-resistance and the promise from the manufacturers that it wont dent, fade or peel. Wanna put it to the test? You’re not alone.
Next in our guide is a more simplistic, but nevertheless appealing design from Suncast. The outdoor grill station is a compact and portable prep cart that has been made from high quality, durable plastic. This is perfect solution if you already have a large BBQ and perhaps even a dining area and are looking for just a small area to prep ingredients.
Part of the magic of BBQs is the theater of it all and therefore, with this great table your guests can enjoy either being a part of it all by helping you out or watching you put on a show. With an exceptionally large worktop measuring 40-square-inches, there is more than enough room to keep all those herbs, spices and rubs that you need to make tasty grub. You’ll notice from the images that there are two side panels or leaves, that can collapse. So, when it’s not in use, you can flap them down and store it away neatly.
In addition to the robust countertop there is also two large cabinets full of space. These can be used to store all the crockery and cookware, crockery, cutlery, paper towels and condiments you need. That list isn’t even exhaustive. Put it this way, you can keep all you need and more in the cupboards. Suncast have really thought of everything. Its robust design means that it can be used all year long and is very easy to maintain. It comes unassembled, but as all the pieces simple snap together, there’s no need for tools.
Although the next item in our guide might resemble some kind of fold-out deckchair for quadruplets, this is a rather fine cook station from the geniuses at GCI Outdoor. The to-the-point design shouldn’t be a surprise when you consider it’s from the company whose founder invented a chair that could be used anywhere. The deckchair-design aside, the ‘everywhere, anywhere’ approach they took for their other products was obviously used in devising this outdoor piece of portable furniture.
With a power-coated and durable steel construction, and a countertop made from aluminum with heat resistance, this is built for rugged use outdoors. The company have used their own SLIM-FOLD Technology, which has a patent pending, which means it can be setup and folded back down in next to no time at all. Along with the worktop, it also has four robust plastic side tables that fold out. These tables have various features such as hooks, stem glass holders and other beverage holders. The hooks can even be used for hanging utensils and garbage bags.
Given its lightweight design, it only weighs 18.9-pounds after all, it can hold 48-pounds on the top and around 35-pounds on the lower storage rack. There’s also a handy wire storage rack, perfect for those just-out-of-the-oven ingredients. Although we obviously want to be unbiased, this is one of our favorites.
Camco are the manufacturers of this Deluxe Folding Grill Table. This is a perfect addition to your BBQ supplies, especially if you enjoy attending tailgate parties, going camping or partying on the beach. It has a high-strength and lightweight steel frame and is topped off with an aluminum counter. When it’s folded up, it slides into the accompanying bag for safe storage. Whenever you need to use it, you simple unfold it from the middle and allow the legs to extend fully. Then you just need to place it down and set the middle metal rack in place and the aluminum top and its ready for you to start prepping food for that tasty BBQ.
In terms of storage, there this a lot of space for just about everything you need. In addition to the generously-sized tabletop, there is also a lower shelf and 2 side shelves. You’ll also find the extra hooks and paper towel holder come in handy for ensuring that everything has a place, and everything is kept in place.
So, if you’re looking for a portable prep station for cooking alfresco that’s hassle-free and easy to store away when you’re done, the Camco Deluxe Folding Grill Table could be the right choice for you.
If you were to look at this KingCamp Foldable Prep Station in its folded state, you’d be forgiven for thinking that it was somewhat lacking. After all, it folds right down and fits inside a laptop-size bag. However, once it has been unfolded, that small and compact rectangle turns into a versatile cooking and prep table with 2 generous door-less cabinets.
The fairly simple design consists of a sturdy, but lightweight aluminum body with a bamboo cutting board/counter on top. It’s two layers of storage space can be used for everything you need to make outdoor dining a tasty experience and there’s even a windshield that can be erected on top to protect your food and ingredients and although there is no doors to the storage units, there is a fabric flap that provides some protection.
For keeping smaller items close to hand without having to bend and reach into the cupboard space, there’s a handy pocket built into the side of the prep station. All in all, this is a very functional and practical piece that would make it easier to enjoy some delicious food in the great outdoors, whether you’re at a city park, tailgating or out in the middle of nowhere on a camping or RVing holiday.
To look at, when it’s not in use, this BS outdoor cooking and prep station doesn’t look like much. However, looks can be deceiving and if you invest in this, you’ll get a lot more than you bargained for. Take the countertop for instance – it’s made from high-quality stainless-steel. With this you have a very easy to maintain and incredibly sturdy working area.
One major downside about this lovely thing is that it doesn’t fold down like most of the others in our guide. However, all is forgotten in that regard with the fact that it provides ample storage space. How much is ample storage space, we here you say? Does 78-gallons sound ample to you? It certainly does to us here at Men’s Gear. While one section of the storage space, the shelf directly below the countertop, is uncovered, the larger, roomier one below not only comes complete with a door but a lock too.
So, while you may want to use the upper shelf for plates and other items you need sooner rather than later, the lockable cabinet could be used for items you just want to have close to hand, just in case. If you think all this great prep station has to offer is a couple of cabinets and a fancy worktop, you’d be mistaken. There’s a total of four S-style hooks at one end of the table, suitable for oven gloves, spatulas, tongs and other BBQ must-haves. While on the opposite side, there’s a spice rack and handy paper towel holder. So, yes, it doesn’t fold down, but it does just about everything else!
Do you have any of the Weber Q 1000 and 2000 series grills and looking for a great place to keep it while you make those mouth-watering dogs and patties? Look no further than this great portable grill cart from Weber itself. That’s exactly what it was purposely made for. It’s what it lives and breathes to do. It’s goal in life is to become the transport for your hallowed Weber grill on great days when the sun is out, the beer is cold, and you just want to cook some meat.
The Weber branding is a good enough reason to get excited about this, but that’s not all we want to rave about. Although it has a very simplistic design it still has a lot going for it. With a front-loading design, you easily just slide your grill into place and then lock it, so it doesn’t jolt or move while it’s hot and cooking that bacon, sweet bacon.
As well as being tailormade for that trusty Weber grill, it also comes equipped with two handy hooks to hand a spatula and tongs from and the two tough and weather-ready wheels make it easy to wheel here, there and everywhere.
When the deed is done and the meat is gone and you’re feeling a little bloated, you don’t want to deal with a complicated disassembly process. That’s why Weber have made it incredibly easy to fold down. They’ve even taken into consideration your meat sweats and weary body with the wire transport handle built into it that means you can just pull it along using the wheels when you’re returning to your car, tent, maybe RV or just back into your house.
Why settle for one single and solitary table when you can have, oh, three units in total. That’s exactly what you get with the GigATent Pack n Go Prep Station. This features marble-style countertops and has a whole lot of storage space for everything you need to prepare and cook in an organized and clear manner. Because that’s one of the keys to great BBQing – organization. Well that, meat and some beer, but organization is way at the top of that list.
So, to keep things organized, in addition to the sturdy countertops, you get plenty of storage. We don’t use the word ‘plenty’ lightly here. As there’s fully enclosed fabric-lined storage shelves to hold ingredients, cookware and just about anything else you can think of. There’s also a wire rack below the main countertop in the central unit that, while uncovered, is still another bit of space you can use.
If you’re always begrudging your cooking utensils when you can’t find them and need them or at the same time when you don’t need them and they get in the way, then the GigaTent has the answer. There’s three handy hooks to hang them from. That way you always know where they are but don’t have to deal with moving them from side to side. What else can we say about this great prep station? Haven’t we mentioned already that it’s completely foldable? How absentminded of us! Well, it is!
Pros
Three separate worktops
Linen-lined storage space with flap for keeping bugs out
Foldable design
Cons
Storage space needs to be disassembled when folding it away
Cuisinart are known for their kitchen gadgets and appliances, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that as they’ve designed a portable grill table that we’re going to discuss it in this guide. Although none of the storage space on this nifty table is covered, it’s hard to argue with the actual amount of storage space you get for such an affordable price. As well as the main countertop, that can be used for your portable grill, there’s another two tables that flip up at either side.
That’s not all though, because rather than just featuring the obligatory three hooks and a paper towel holder, as some of them do in our guide, this top trumps them. There’s a total of six tool hooks, more than enough for oven mitts, spatulas, forks and the crucial tongs. There’s also six cup holders, giving you that hands-free cooking and eating experience that’s often missing when you’re BBQing alfresco.
It may not have covered storage, as we noted already, but it does have the capacity to hold a maximum of 35lbs. That’s more than enough for a reasonable sized cooler. Lightweight, foldable and utterly irresistible if you’re after a cheap alternative to some of the pricier options listed here, this is a winner.
If you feel as if many of the grill tables and prep stations in our guide so far do not provide enough covered storage space, then this great solution from CampLand may provide you with exactly what you need. It has a very sturdy construction, that comprises of an aluminum frame, MDF tabletop and 400D Oxford storage cartons. Between them, those storage units can hold a total of 30kg, meaning you can keep food and anything else away from the wildlife and bugs out there while your prepping and serving food.
It may not be an all-singing and all-dancing model like others, but for its price, we think it’s neat. As well as all that storage space and a generous work area, we also love the fact its height can be adjusted easily. So, if you’re a bit of a short ass, this will work just as well for you as it would someone who needs it extended to a proper height.
Okay, so you probably won’t fit your 35-pounder grill on top of it. If you’re looking to complement your grill station, though, this foldable table and storage unit is a worthy investment.
Pros
Durable and lightweight
600-Denier Oxford Nylon storage cartons
Height-adjustable
Cons
Carry bag could be better, has a funny chemical smell
Another stunning item in our guide is this Best Choice Products grilling table, consisting of three aluminum tabletops with weather-resistance and a sturdy steel frame. In just under a minute, you can have this unit erected and be ready to prep and cook that beautiful meat and other tasty grub for your awesome BBQ. Although it looks quite minimalist, in addition to the working areas, there’s plenty of storage space.
In fact, Best Choice Products have ensured that there’s a wire rack, four handy hooks for utensils and a paper towel holder so that everything you need is within reach, when you need it. When you have that hunger for some gently grilled meat and a nice salad slider, or whatever your favorite is, you don’t want to waste time. You don’t want to deal with a complex folded tabletop or anything requiring more than a quick assembly. That’s why you should invest in this prepping table.
At just under 16-pounds its incredibly lightweight. It also benefits from having an extremely streamlined build once it’s been folded down and slipped into the accompanying storage bag. There, it’s ready for action the next time you need it.
It’s fair to say that most of the prep stations and grill tables we’ve included up until this point have been quite big. Even if they’ve not been massive, they’ve still be family-sized. What if you’re looking for something a little smaller and more intimate? Preparing to go on a romantic BBQ-fueled trip to the beach with your significant other? Maybe you’re just looking to sit in the backyard, enjoying freedom from the stress of other people with a couple of bottles and a nice rib-eye steak. Either way, you’ll want to check out this special little accessory.
From CampLand, this is a smaller and even more compact brother to the table we featured further up the page. Despite its size though, it still provides just enough space to work on that tasty grub or to keep your plates and bottles, while you soak up the sun and listen to some tunes. It consists of a sturdy aluminum frame with an MDF tabletop and is waterproof, resistant to stains and very easy to clean when you’ve finished with it.
The already small table folds up even more compact, resembling a small and slimline briefcase. As you’d imagine, this is an exceptionally low-priced table. So, even if you think you’ll only use it occasionally, it’s still a better investment than some big hunk of an all-star quarterback-style grill table and prep station.
Coleman are one of the most well-known and popular brands discussed in our guide. They are known for making practical and user-friendly accessories for the great outdoors that help us all to get the most out of camping, BBQing and other similar pursuits. And they’re good name is reaffirmed with this unit. We say unit, when it’s more, as the name suggests, a portable kitchen.
Firstly, there’s a special stand for either your Coleman stove or cooler, depending on your BBQ setup. That’s not all because secondly, there’s a 32 x 24-inches countertop providing you with ample space to carry out any prep work you need and to serve those patties into some buns. We’d recommend brioche buns, always, every single time. That’s if you asked us. Even if you didn’t, there’s our five-cents for free.
On the work area, there’s also a frame with four hooks for hanging your crucial utensils, so their both out of the way and where you need them, when you need them. Ready to buy it now? Wait, there’s more, because high above the work station, there’s a special hook designed to hang a light from. Perfect for BBQing in the dark or the early morning if you’re bulking up on protein and energy before ascending a mountain or hunting a bear.
By the way, don’t hunt bears. That was just a joke. This Coleman portable kitchen is anything but a joke. Given just how cheap and lightweight it is, you’ll be the envy of all your friends when they roll up to that picnic or tailgate party and see you in your element. Working the grill, sizzling the bacon and dancing to Carly-Rae Jepsen in Gay abandon! Don’t even deny it, dude!
While many people may find the other, more expansive models appealing, if you’re looking for something more compact, even when it’s setup, this is the thing. This Timber Ridge foldable cook Station has a stunning amount of space for storing things away in. Like much of our list, its frame is constructed from durable aluminum and the tabletop is made from sturdy MDF. Despite its lightweight design though, at just 17.6lbs and compact layout, there’s still adequate space for everything you need to have a good BBQ and/or camping experience.
There’s a total of three shelves in the sealable cabinet space below the worktop and there’s also handy pockets to the side for smaller items, such as utensils and bottle openers. The kind of things you’d want close to hand but want to keep out of your way when you’re dealing with other things. A worthy contender for your next BBQ accessory purchase.
So, we’ve spoken quite extensively about the various options there are out there for prepping stations and places to setup your portable grills and BBQs. What does every BBQ need? We’ve mentioned it already a few times in the guide so far, but if you still don’t know – it’s beer! And, well other beverages too, we’re not going to be down on you if you just like a Sprite or Zero Coke (okay we might be with that, switch it up guys, seriously!)
Anyway, back to the cooler, this is an awesome, if very, catering kitchen-styled piece of equipment. Essentially a large ice chest with a handy shelf at the bottom set on wheels, it’s the perfect companion to your prep station or portable grill and ideal for camping, tailgating or just having a BBQ in your back garden.
It can hold a maximum of 80-quarts of ice and drinks and features two non-locking and two locking wheels for easy transportation from one place to the other. As if that’s not enough, there’s also a handy bottle opener and cap catcher, sop you don’t have to spend an hour and a half after the party dies down to tidy up.
If you felt the above cooler on wheels lacked color and a bit of pizazz! Then, hold on to your hats, boys, because this beauty has a very bright and vibrant red finish. It reminds us of a classic Ferrari or Mustang. It’s more or less very similar to the above model, with four wheels, two that lock and two that don’t to increase stability when maneuvering it, as well as when it’s stationary.
There’s not a lot else to say really, it can hold around 50 bottles or 70 cans and has a maximum capacity of 80-quarts. No BBQ or camping experience, with adults, is the same without beer or another fine chilled beverage.
What type of Portable Grill Table and Prep Stations are Available?
As you you’ve undoubtedly seen, there’s quite a few different types of grill tables and prep stations to choose from. While some are a simple as a folding table that looks like a wallpapering table, others incorporate several different compartments, shelves and countertops.
It’s easy to find the choice and variety bewildering and overwhelming, but look at it another way, because there’s so many different options to choose from, you’re bound to find the one that’s right for you.
What to Look for When Buying an Outdoor Portable Grill Cart?
The above answer leads us nicely onto this question of what you should look for when buying an outdoor portable grill. As there’s so many options out there, the easiest way to whittle them down to find that perfect one for you, is by working out what you want.
Try asking yourself the following questions –
Do you need a space to place your portable grill?
Are you looking for lockable storage space?
Do you want a table that folds or one that stands permanently assembled?
What available space do you have?
By looking for the answers to these questions, you’ll be able to identify the portable grill table that’s just right for you.
Let’s Have a Cook-Off!
There’s never enough space for all you need when BBQing your favorite types and cuts of meat. Well, that is, we hope, until you read our guide to the best prep stations and portable grill tables. We hope we’ve given you plenty of options to up your BBQ game. As we’re still technically in the tail-end of winter, you’ve still got time to WOW your buddies with a brand-new grill setup, that’ll ensure you’re the talk of the town.
Even if you’re not worried about what people think, if you’ve struggled with perfecting your BBQing and grilling, it could be that you’re not giving yourself enough space to work. That’s why you need a portable grill table. As we’ve been able to whittle down what’s available into 16 great options, you don’t have quite as much of a headscratcher to choose the right one for you.
Just as we all have things we like and things we don’t like at a BBQ, there’s a grill table and prep station for everyone. Some are fully-functioning mini-kitchens, while others are a simple folded table. There really is no wrong choice, unless that choice is ‘no more bacon please’.
The stainless steel LifeStraw Sip effectively destroys 99.9% of bacteria, including E. coli and salmonella, and 99.9% of parasites, including giardia and cryptosporidia.
The Lop Looop dish rack features an accordion-like design that stretches to its full 14" long size and shrinks down to just 1.2" long for compact storage and portability.
The heavy-duty Coleman 316 Series Hard Cooler comes with a fully insulated and easy to clean lid and shell that can hold ice for up to six days even in temperatures as high as 32.2°C.
