Cuisinart CGG-200

The Cuisinart CGG-200 portable gas grill (*Est. $180) received high ratings from one of our most reliable review sources in 2011, but the same source ranked the CGG-200 near the bottom of the pack in 2012. Another expert reviewer has downgraded the CGG-200 by a few notches, but still ranks it near the top in its category, although he points out that this grill is designed more for use on the patio than the backwoods. The Cuisinart CGG-200 remains very popular with owners, although we found a number of complaints about its performance in windy conditions, along with a few comments about flare-ups and parts breaking or failing after a short time.

The Cuisinart CGG-200 has a porcelain-coated, cast-iron grate with a series of specialized grill surfaces suited to particular foods; a wok-like vegetable tray is included, while other surfaces must be bought separately. The CGG-200 weighs close to 40 pounds, which may make it difficult to carry for some. Its single burner is rated at 12,000 BTU, and the total cooking area is 240 square inches. Other features include a temperature gauge, drip tray, and stainless-steel hood and side tables. A foldable stand (*Est. $50) is available. The competitively priced Weber Q-100 (*Est. $150) gets more positive reviews than the Cuisinart CGG-200, and it comes with a longer warranty; for the ultimate in portability (but not looks or style), reviewers recommend the lightweight Weber Go-Anywhere Gas Grill (*Est. $60).

The Cuisinart CGG-200 is ranked alongside more than two dozen small or portable gas grills in ConsumerReports.org's latest round of testing. User reviews are available on Amazon.com, where nearly 130 people have written about it. The CGG-200 is also included in an About.com article briefly reviewing 10 portable grills.