Cuisinart Petit Gourmet Portable
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First Published
The Cuisinart Petit Gourmet proves you don't need to spend $200+ for a capable portable gas grill. At $55 and 13.5 lbs, it's the lightest full-featured propane grill worth buying — and it actually cooks well.
What We Love
- +$55 — cheapest quality portable gas grill
- +Only 13.5 lbs — genuinely easy to carry
- +Folds to a compact briefcase shape
- +5,500 BTUs is sufficient for small cooks
- +Porcelain-enameled grate
- +Legs fold out for stability on tables
Watch Out For
- −145 sq in cooking area — very small
- −Single burner limits heat zones
- −5,500 BTUs struggles in cold or windy conditions
- −Uses 16 oz propane canisters only
- −Thin construction won't survive rough handling
Specifications
Cooking Area
145 sq in
BTUs
5,500
Burners
1
Fuel
16 oz propane cylinder
Weight
13.5 lbs
Dimensions (open)
19" x 15" x 12"
Warranty
3 years
The Full Review
The Petit Gourmet is the grill you grab when you don't want to think about it. Picnic in the park? Throw it in the trunk. Weekend at the lake house? It fits in a backpack. Balcony too small for anything else? This fits.
The 145 sq in grate handles 4 burgers, 6 hot dogs, or 2 steaks at a time. It's a 2-person grill, maybe 3 if you cook in batches. The single 5,500 BTU burner gets hot enough for decent searing in calm weather but struggles on windy days — use a windscreen or position the grill in a sheltered spot.
The folding legs are clever — they flip out from the base and provide stable table-level support. The briefcase latch keeps everything secure during transport. The porcelain-enameled grate cleans up easily.
I've taken this on day hikes to lakeside picnic spots, beach cookouts, and apartment balcony sessions. It does exactly what it promises: puts a working gas grill in a 13.5 lb package for $55. Don't expect miracles, but do expect actual grilled food wherever you need it.
How Does It Compare?
At a glance against its closest portable gas grill rivals.
| Grill | Rating | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cuisinart Petit Gourmet Portable (this) | 4.2 | $55 | A 13. |
| Weber Smokey Joe Premium | 4.6 | $50 | The original portable Weber kettle — 14 inches, $50, and bulletproof. |
| Weber Go-Anywhere Charcoal | 4.3 | $45 | The original portable grill — folds flat, weighs 15 lbs, and actually grills well enough for real cooking on the go. |
Who Is It For?
Picnickers, beach-goers, and day-trippers who want hot grilled food. Apartment dwellers with tiny balconies. Anyone who wants the cheapest functional portable gas grill. Secondary grill for road trips.
Final Verdict
The Cuisinart Petit Gourmet at $55 is the easiest entry point to portable grilling. It won't replace your backyard setup, but it puts real grilled food in reach anywhere you can carry 13.5 lbs.
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