Disposable grills are small and compact units that are perfect for on-the-go grilling. They are not to be confused with portable grills, though. Portable grills are also small and compact, but they are made of durable materials and can be used multiple times.
Disposable grills are usually made of light materials like aluminum. Simply put, these are foil pans with charcoal inside and grill grates on top. They are conveniently designed for one-time usage only.
If you don’t always grill at home and only do it on trips, a disposable grill would be perfect for you. It’s small and portable. And you don’t have to worry about the cleanup after.
Where to Buy a Disposable Grill
Disposable grills are readily available in stores. Check the outdoor lifestyle or homeware section of any store and you’d probably find them there.
These are also available online. If you’re worried about going out, especially during these times, you could also look for disposable grills in online stores like Amazon. Stay tuned to this article for some of the best disposable grills you can buy online.
6 Best Disposable Grills on the Market
Oppenheimer USA Disposable Charcoal Grill
The Oppenheimer USA Disposable Charcoal Grill is one of the cheapest options on the market. For only $12.99, you can already enjoy a picnic or beach barbecue with your loved ones.
It works best for marshmallows, hotdogs, hamburgers, and other standard-cut meat. It’s a little flimsy for thick-cut meat. It could also get quite hot, so make sure you put it on a durable surface.
TOBIG Disposable Grill
The TOBIG Disposable Grill is made of tin steel instead of aluminum. Tin steel is the same metal used for canned goods, making it safer for your health.
The grill also has two legs which make it more sturdy. It can handle even thick-cut meats. The natural coconut charcoal it uses is harmless and can burn for more than 90 minutes.
This $23.50 grill is perfect for camping, fishing, and backyard parties.
Tiger Specials Easy Light Instant Barbecue
The Tiger Specials Easy Light Instant Barbecue uses all-natural charcoal that lights up easily. It could last for about 90 minutes and is perfect for a small picnic or camping trip.
It tends to pick up the slight taste of the charcoal lighter, though, since the grates are a bit close to the charcoals. But despite that, the food cooked on this grill is delicious and has the same quality as regular grills.
It comes in a pack of two for only $23.99.
CasusGrill Single Use Biodegradable Grill
The CasusGrill Single Use Biodegradable Grill is an eco-friendly disposable grill with up to 50% less carbon dioxide emissions.
Its body is made of cardboard. The grill grates are made of bamboo. It also uses lava stone that provides thermal insulation. The grill heats up quickly and burns for the right amount of time to get your food cooked well.
Make sure to watch your food carefully when grilling as the cardboard may catch on fire.
For only $23.49, you get a more guilt-free outdoor grilling experience.
Sparklen Disposable Grill BBQ
The Sparklen Disposable Grill BBQ is a small grill that’s perfect for picnics and beach trips. It’s made of aluminum and only weighs 1.4 pounds. It also has a wire stand that you could prop the grill on.
The grill is easy to set up and light. It could cook 8 hotdogs or 4 burgers at the same time. It might also be able to cook steaks, although the grill tends to bend inwards.
It only costs $14.97 on Amazon.
Zip Instant Light Disposable Grill
The Zip Instant Light Disposable Grill uses 100% natural briquettes. It’s safe to use and doesn’t cause harmful chemical emissions that could taint food.
The grill heats up in about 45 minutes and burns for about 1.5 hours. It can cook steaks and other types of meat, although the grates could be a little flimsy. Follow the instructions carefully to avoid having flare-ups with your meat.
This small grill only costs $14.99 on Amazon.
Why You Would Want a Disposable Grill
Convenience
The main selling point of disposable grills is that they are convenient to use.
Disposable grills come in a complete package. You wouldn’t have to worry about the grill grates or the charcoal because they’re already included in the package. They also have a starter sheet, so you can light them up as is.
Some grills even come with a stand which makes them sturdy enough to be placed on the ground or table.
They’re also easy and pretty straightforward to use. Just light them up, wait for them to heat up, and you’re good to go.
And as for the cleanup? Just pour water or sand on the charcoal. Wait for the grill to cool down for an hour or two. And then, you can dispose of them in the proper trash can after. It’s that easy!
Portability
Because disposable grills are small, they can easily fit in the back of your car or even on your backpack. You won’t have to assemble them since they come ready to use.
They’re made of lightweight materials, too, so you barely feel their weight. This makes them perfect to bring with you on your hikes.
Disposable grills are also portable enough to use in picnics or short camping trips with a small group of people.
Versatility
You can cook anything in a disposable grill the same way you do with other grills. These units might be small, but they are just as powerful. They are still charcoal grills, after all—just cheaper and more convenient.
Using lump charcoal also gives food that distinct smoky flavor that you wouldn’t get in gas or infrared grills. The temperatures can also reach just as high as a normal charcoal grill.
Disposable grills can also be used for boiling water. It’s perfect for when you want to enjoy a cup of coffee but forgot to bring a thermos or a water heater.
Price
Disposable grills are the cheapest option on the market. For only $15–$30, you can grill meat, fish, or vegetables as you would with other types of grills.
You also won’t have to pay extra for fuel since the charcoal is already included in the package. Apart from the meat and accessories, disposable grills have all the essentials you’d need for a small outdoor grilling session.
Why You Might Not Want a Disposable Grill
Cooking Area
Disposable grills are made to be small and compact. Of course, this compromises your cooking area as well.
A standard disposable grill is enough for 2–3 people. But if your party is bigger than that, you might want to buy a larger disposable grill or buy multiple standard-size grills to accommodate everyone.
Impracticality
A disposable grill might prove to be impractical for the people who grill a lot or who grill frequently.
Sure, they are convenient and portable. But if you’re grilling for 8–10 people or going on trips every other week, it might be better to invest in a portable grill instead. The costs will add up, and you might end up spending more with disposable grills.
Time
Time is a little bit of an inconvenience when it comes to disposable grills. A standard grill only burns for about an hour and a half or two. It’s not ideal for slow-cooking dishes.
The time it burns already includes the pre-heating. So, if you’re looking to cook food at high temperatures, make sure the food is meant to be cooked in only under an hour. Otherwise, you might run out of charcoal in the middle of cooking and make your food inedible or unenjoyable.
It’s also a little hard to maintain a certain temperature with disposable grills. After it reaches the maximum temperature, it only goes downhill from there. You could tap the grill to make the fire stronger, but it would only last for a couple of minutes before the temperature goes down again.
Environmental Effects
Since disposable grills are designed for single usage, they’re not the most eco-friendly option out there.
So far, these aluminum grills cannot be recycled yet. They’re also non-biodegradable. You’ll be disposing of a lot of non-recyclable foil for these single-use grills.
How to Choose the Best Disposable Grill
Size
Disposable grills come in different sizes. Consider the grill size while keeping in mind how much you’re planning to grill or how many people you’re with.
Also, will a single large grill be more efficient than multiple standard-size grills? Think about this in terms of cooking time and price.
Price
Price is also important to consider when choosing disposable grills. You might want to go for the cheapest option, but will it serve the purpose you intend it to? Similarly, you might want to go for the most expensive option since it most likely has the best quality. But will it not be too much for you? If you’re only planning on simple meal preparation for the grill, a regular-priced grill will work just fine.
Durability
Disposable grills are designed to serve their purpose as single-use grills, but not every grill is the same. Some grill grates have a weaker quality than others.
If you’ll be grilling some thick-cut meats, make sure that the grill grates can handle their weight. If not, you might as well just be throwing it directly into the fire.
Safety Measures When Using Disposable Grills
Make sure you’re grilling in a well-ventilated area to avoid fires. But also, make sure it’s not too windy. Disposable grills, especially those that don’t come with a stand, could easily be toppled over by strong winds. Keep this in mind when choosing the spot to use your grill.
Place your grill on a brick or concrete surface. Placing it on the lawn or a piece of wood might cause damage to these surfaces.
Always have water or sand with you when grilling. Keep an eye on your grill at all times to avoid accidents. You might also want to bring an extra lighter fluid in case the starter sheet doesn’t work.
When disposing of the grill, make sure it has completely cooled down first. It usually takes an hour or two after pouring water on the grill, but it could take more if you’re using sand instead.
Bottom Line
Disposable charcoal grills are perfect for occasional grillers. If you’re rarely grilling on picnics and short trips, a disposable grill would be right for you. But if you want a proper grill to cook your food on, portable grills might be a better choice.
Again, here are the best disposable grills on the market:
- Best Disposable Grill: Oppenheimer USA Disposable Charcoal Grill
- Most Durable: TOBIG Disposable Grill
- Best Value-for-Money: Tiger Specials Easy Light Instant Barbecue
- Most Eco-Friendly: CasusGrill Single Use Biodegradable Grill
- Most Compact Grill: Sparklen Disposable Grill BBQ
- Best Briquette Grill: Zip Instant Light Disposable Grill
Hi, I’m Adam and I’m a HUGE fan of Food and Cooking.
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