You're standing in the middle of the seasonal aisle. It's May, or maybe it’s a random Tuesday in July, and the smell of charcoal is basically calling your name from the garden center. You need a small outdoor grill walmart sells for a balcony, a truck tailgate, or maybe just because you're tired of cleaning a massive four-burner beast for two chicken breasts. But here is the thing. Most people just grab the first $30 black kettle they see and wonder why the legs wobble by August.
Buying small doesn't have to mean buying junk.
I’ve spent years hovering over hot grates. I’ve seen the "Value" brands rust out in a single humid week, and I’ve seen the hidden gems that actually hold heat like a pro. Walmart’s inventory is a weird mix of legendary names like Weber and their house brands like Expert Grill. It’s a minefield if you don't know what to look for. Honestly, the difference between a great burger and a grey, sad piece of meat often comes down to the airflow of the grill, not just the price tag.
Why the Small Outdoor Grill Walmart Sells is a Gamble
Let's talk about the Expert Grill 14.5-inch Portable Charcoal Grill. It’s usually under twenty bucks. It looks like a steal. But you’ve gotta look at the porcelain coating—or lack thereof. If the steel is too thin, you can’t maintain a steady temperature. You're basically fighting the wind every time you try to cook.
Cheap grills lose heat through the lid. If you can feel the heat radiating six inches away from the closed dome, your charcoal is working overtime. That’s why the small outdoor grill walmart stocks can be frustrating for beginners. You want something that seals. When you look at the Weber Smokey Joe—which Walmart almost always has in stock—the price jump feels steep for "the same size," but the heavy-gauge steel and the glass-reinforced nylon handles are there for a reason. It’s about thermal mass.
The Portability Trap
Most people buying small are thinking about portability. You want to throw it in the back of a Ford F-150 and head to the lake.
Watch out for the legs. I can't stress this enough. If the legs are held on by tiny wingnuts without locking washers, they will vibrate loose during a thirty-minute drive. There is nothing worse than arriving at the campsite only to realize your grill is missing a foot. If you're going the budget route, go to the hardware aisle first. Buy some Loctite. It’ll save your sanity.
Gas vs. Charcoal in the Small Category
The Blackstone 17-inch Griddle has basically taken over the world. It’s technically a small outdoor grill walmart offers, but it’s a totally different beast. You aren't getting that smoky flavor. You’re getting a diner experience.
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If you want the char, stick to the charcoal kettles. If you want to cook pancakes, bacon, and smash burgers without flare-ups, the tabletop Blackstone is the king. The 17-inch model is surprisingly heavy, though. It’s "portable" in the sense that it has a handle, but it’s a workout if you’re trekking more than fifty yards from the car.
The Heat Retention Secret Nobody Mentions
Most reviews talk about the "surface area." They say, "You can fit six burgers!"
Who cares?
If the outer two burgers stay raw because the thin metal shell is leaking heat, that surface area is a lie. When you’re looking at a small outdoor grill walmart display, knock on the lid. If it sounds like a soda can, walk away. You want a dull thud. That thud means thicker steel. Thicker steel means you can actually sear a steak instead of just steaming it.
Ventilation is Everything
You need oxygen to make fire. Some of the ultra-cheap portable grills have terrible vent placement. If the vents are on the very bottom and get clogged by ash within twenty minutes, your fire is going to die.
The Weber Go-Anywhere is a cult favorite for a reason. It’s rectangular. It fits in a trunk better than a round kettle. More importantly, the vents are on the sides. You can create a "two-zone" setup even in a tiny space. You put the coals on one side for searing and leave the other side empty for indirect cooking. Most round portable grills make two-zone cooking nearly impossible. It’s just one big hot spot.
The Pit Boss Factor
Lately, Walmart has been pushing the Pit Boss Tabletop Pellet Grill. This is a game-changer if you have a power source. It’s a small outdoor grill walmart sells that actually acts like a smoker.
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But here’s the reality check: it needs a plug.
If you’re at a tailgate with a power inverter, you’re the hero. If you’re at a park without a battery bank, you have a very expensive paperweight. It uses an electric auger to feed wood pellets into a fire pot. It’s precise. You can set it to 225°F and walk away. Just don't expect it to be a "throw and go" solution like a bag of Match Light charcoal and a $20 kettle.
Cleaning and Longevity: The Ugly Truth
Small grills get dirtier faster.
Because the food is so close to the coals or the burner, grease buildup is aggressive. The Expert Grill models often use chrome-plated wire grates. These are fine for a season. Then the chrome starts to flake off. You don't want chrome flakes in your hot dog.
If you buy a small outdoor grill walmart carries with wire grates, plan on replacing them with cast iron or stainless steel later. Or, honestly, just keep them oiled. Treat that grate like a cast-iron skillet. Wipe it down with a bit of vegetable oil while it’s still warm.
Rust is the Enemy
Walmart’s "budget" grills aren't always built with the highest grade of stainless steel. If you leave a $40 gas grill out in the rain, the "flavorizers" (the metal tents over the burners) will turn into orange dust by next spring.
- Buy a cover. Even a cheap one.
- Store it in the garage.
- Empty the ash. Ash holds moisture, and moisture creates lye, which eats through the bottom of a charcoal grill faster than you’d think.
Navigating the Walmart Seasonal Aisle
When you go in, don't just look at the boxes. Usually, they have floor models.
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Give the handle a shake. If the whole unit wobbles, imagine it with five pounds of hot meat and glowing coals on top. Safety matters. I’ve seen some tabletop models that get so hot on the bottom they’ll melt a plastic folding table. If you’re buying a small outdoor grill walmart offers, check if it has a heat shield under the ash tray. If it doesn't, you need to put it on a concrete surface or a dedicated grill mat.
The Hidden Costs
The grill is $30. Great.
But then you need:
- A chimney starter (Don't use lighter fluid. It tastes like chemicals. Just don't.)
- Long-handled tongs.
- A wire brush (or a wooden scraper to be safe).
- A cover.
Suddenly, your "cheap" hobby is $80. That’s okay, but just be ready for it. The chimney starter is the most important part. Especially for a small outdoor grill walmart setup where space is tight, a small chimney starter gets those coals grey and glowing in 15 minutes without making your backyard smell like a gas station.
Making the Final Call
If you want something that lasts five years, buy the Weber Smokey Joe or the Go-Anywhere. They are the gold standard for a reason. The porcelain enamel is baked on at 1500°F. It won't peel.
If you just need something for a single weekend at a music festival and you might leave it behind? The Expert Grill 14-inch is your best friend. It’s disposable. It’s not "eco-friendly," but it gets the job done for the price of a couple of pizzas.
For the serious cook who wants to do more than just hot dogs, the Blackstone 17-inch or the Pit Boss Tabletop are the way to go. They offer more control. They let you cook "real" food—delicate fish, veggies, or even breakfast.
A small outdoor grill walmart purchase is basically a rite of passage. It represents freedom. It means you can cook outside whenever you want without the massive footprint of a backyard kitchen. Just remember: you get what you pay for in steel thickness and vent quality. Check the welds. Feel the weight. And for heaven's sake, keep the lid closed while you're cooking if you want to keep the heat inside.
Actionable Next Steps
- Measure your storage space: Before you drive to the store, measure where the grill will live. A 17-inch griddle sounds small until it’s taking up your entire hall closet.
- Check the box weight: Heavier usually means better heat retention. If one box feels significantly heavier than another of the same size, that's the one you want.
- Grab a cover immediately: Don't wait until the first rain. Walmart sells universal small covers that fit most tabletop models for under $10.
- Test the assembly: If you buy a model that requires complex assembly, do it at home, not at the campsite. You don't want to be hunting for a lost screw in the grass at dusk.
Whatever you pick, just get it hot before you put the food on. A cold grate is the fastest way to ruin a good piece of meat. Let it preheat for at least 10 to 15 minutes. Even the smallest grill needs time to find its rhythm.