A good portable BBQ earns its space in the boot. A bad one gets packed once, cooks unevenly, and spends the next three summers in the shed.
We stock a small, tested range instead of a wall of options: the STOV flatpack gas BBQ, the COBB grill, and the charcoal trays, fuel and accessories that go with them. Every one of them has been used by our staff on real trips, from Snowy Mountains campsites to Helensburgh backyards. If you want a straight answer on which suits you, read our portable BBQ buying guide or call the shop.
Gas or charcoal?
Gas wins on convenience. It lights instantly, holds a steady temperature, and there's nothing to dispose of afterwards. The STOV runs off a standard EN417 threaded isobutane cartridge and gives you around 200 minutes of cooking from a 460g canister, which covers most weekends.
Charcoal wins on flavour. It burns hotter, sears better, and gives you the smoke that gas can't fake. If you want both, the STOV Charcoal Tray converts the same BBQ into a hibachi-style charcoal grill, which is useful when you're low on gas or cooking something that deserves the char.
Size, weight and pack-down
Packed size usually matters more than cooking area. A grill that folds to 4cm thick slides down the side of a drawer system or into a suitcase. A round kettle does not. The STOV packs flat at 47 x 29 x 4cm and weighs 3.6kg, with a 660cm² grill that handles six burger patties or eight corn cobs. The COBB packs into its own carry bag and roasts, smokes and bakes as well as grills.
If you're cooking on a balcony rather than a campsite, weight matters less and footprint matters more. Both work well in small outdoor spaces.
Fire bans and campground rules
Rules differ by state and by park, and they change through the season. As a general guide, gas appliances with a controllable flame are more widely permitted than solid fuel during elevated fire danger, but this is never guaranteed. Always check the current declaration with your state fire authority and the specific rules for the park or campground you're heading to before you light anything.
Why buy from PAST Outdoors
We're a family-owned Australian business with a retail store in Helensburgh, NSW, and we've been selling camping and hiking gear online since 2020. We carry the fuel and spares for everything we sell, we honour manufacturer warranties directly, and we donate 1% of revenue to environmental charities through 1% for the Planet. If something isn't right, you'll be talking to the people who chose the product.
