I Bought & Tested the Best-Selling Portable Gas Grills. Here's Why TorchCamp is #1:
Written by Jake Thornton
After that disastrous Big Sur trip, I spent the next two months hauling five different grills up mountains, onto boat decks, and into windy campground pavilions, determined to never embarrass myself in front of hungry friends again.
I tried a bargain butane stove that took nine minutes just to boil water, a marine-rated grill that needed mounting hardware I didn't own, and a griddle so heavy it lived permanently in my trunk instead of my backpack. None of them solved the actual problem: consistent heat in unpredictable conditions.
A fellow trail guide mentioned a lesser-known brand that supposedly never lost its flame, no matter the gusts. Skeptical but desperate, I ordered one and built out a full side-by-side test against the four other units already sitting in my garage.
Here's what I found.
My Test Results
I ran all five grills through the same six-week gauntlet: coastal wind at Big Sur, a high-altitude campsite above 9,000 feet, a gravel tailgate lot, and my own backyard for controlled comparisons. Every unit boiled the same 16 ounces of water, seared the same cut of steak, and sat through a full evening of a box fan set to high.
I scored each grill on Thermal Efficiency, Build Durability, Portability, and Safety Features, using an infrared thermometer to track surface consistency and a kitchen scale to confirm advertised weights. Our team cross-checked every result twice before locking in a score.
TorchCamp's flame didn't waver once during the wind test, even at the fan's highest setting — a result none of the other four grills matched. Its enclosed burner housing was the clear reason, funneling air in without letting gusts reach the flame directly.
I was also surprised by how fast it recovered heat after flipping a full load of burgers. Where competitors dipped and took over a minute to stabilize, TorchCamp held within a few degrees the entire session, even after four weeks of near-daily use.
The only quirk I noticed was that the carrying case needs a firm push to latch shut after the accessories are packed inside — a minor annoyance, not a functional issue, and nothing that affected cooking performance in six weeks of testing.
The Results:
Across every scenario we threw at it, TorchCamp simply refused to fail — which is exactly why it's the model I now recommend to every camping friend who asks.
Value
Once I switched to this grill, I stopped buying backup butane stoves "just in case" and stopped paying for last-minute takeout when a burner died mid-trip. That alone eliminated a recurring hassle I hadn't even realized I'd normalized.
Sticking with an unreliable grill isn't actually the cheaper option — it's a slow drain of wasted fuel, ruined food, and cold dinners that chip away at every outdoor trip you plan. Every failed cookout eventually costs you more in frustration than a dependable grill ever would.
Build quality held up through six weeks of near-daily abuse with zero rust, warping, or ignition issues, and the included storage case shows no signs of wear. This is the kind of purchase that quietly pays for itself by simply not failing you.
Why It Fits Every Outdoor Lifestyle
On weekend trips, I no longer plan meals around whether the wind will cooperate. I just pack it, set it up in under a minute, and start cooking with the same confidence I'd have in my own kitchen.
It's not just for solo campers, either — my family uses it for tailgates, my sister brings it on boat trips, and it's become the default grill for every backyard gathering where reliability actually matters.
Customer Reviews
I backpack solo most weekends and needed something that wouldn't add bulk. This boiled water in under 4 minutes at 9,000 feet, which genuinely surprised me given how compact it is.
We tailgate every Sunday and this has handled three straight seasons without a single hiccup. The grease tray alone saves me so much cleanup time compared to what we used before.
Great on the boat, great at camp. It's the one piece of gear that goes everywhere with us now.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most portable grills run on either butane canisters or standard propane tanks. Dual-fuel models give you the most flexibility since you can grab whichever canister is available locally without hunting for a specific brand.
A standard butane canister typically powers 60-90 minutes of continuous high-heat cooking, depending on burner efficiency.
Grills with better air-intake systems stretch that runtime further because they waste less fuel on incomplete combustion.
Not all of them. Cheaper units with exposed burners lose their flame in moderate wind, while models with enclosed, windproof frames maintain steady heat even during gusty coastal or mountain sessions.
Yes, provided you follow standard grill safety practices. It includes overpressure protection and a locking canister system, features that reduce the risk of leaks or sudden flare-ups around curious little hands.
Look for models with a detachable grease tray and removable cooking grate. Both should be dishwasher-safe or wipeable with soapy water so you're not scrubbing baked-on residue at the campsite.
Griddles offer a solid cooking surface ideal for eggs, pancakes, and stir-fry, while grate-style grills allow drippings to fall away and produce classic char marks.
Some hybrid units let you swap between the two depending on the meal.
Yes, though thinner air affects combustion efficiency on lower-quality units. During testing, our top pick maintained a steady boil time even at elevation, while several competitors slowed noticeably above 7,000 feet.
At minimum, expect a carrying case, a grease tray, and a cooking grate or net. Higher-end kits also throw in a baking sheet and travel locks, saving you from buying add-ons separately.
Purchase and Delivery Process
Ordering is entirely online, which cuts out the retail markup you'd pay at a sporting goods store. The checkout process takes under two minutes from product page to confirmation.
I'll be honest — I had to wait almost two weeks myself before I could place my own order because it was sold out when I first went looking. Demand has consistently outpaced restocks since it launched.
Once your order does go through, shipping has been fast in my experience and in reports from other readers. If you see it in stock right now, I'd order today rather than risk another wait.
Where Can I Buy the TorchCamp?
Getting your own TorchCamp with a 50% discount is simple. Just follow these steps: