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Cuisinart Petite Gourmet Portable Gas Grill

Portable GrillsResearch review

Cuisinart Petite Gourmet Review 2026: Tabletop Grill for Two

One 5,500 BTU burner, a 150 sq in enameled grate and folding legs in a briefcase-size case. A research-based look at a small, now-discontinued grill for one or two people.

By Tom BrickerLast updated:7 min read

Good fit

Ranked #6 · 7 portable grills reviewed

Best for: Solo cooks and couples car camping or grilling on a small patio

  • Build and Materials7.5
  • Features7.5
  • Capacity7.0
  • Portability (by design)9.5
  • Warranty and Support8.0
  • Value8.5

Research scoreHow we score

4.0

Our verdictGood fit

A briefcase-size, 1 lb cylinder propane grill for one or two people; discontinued, so buy only at a good clearance price.

Portable Grill · Propane · research review

Brand
Cuisinart
Cooking area
150 sq in
Fuel
Propane

What we liked

  • Folding legs, a lid lock and a carry handle make it one of the most compact lidded propane grills.
  • Runs on 1 lb cylinders, and Cuisinart's QG-012B hose adds 20 lb tank use at home.
  • Porcelain-enameled grate is dishwasher-safe, per Cuisinart.

What could be better

  • Discontinued, so stock and parts will thin out.
  • One 5,500 BTU burner means no two-zone cooking and slow recovery after the lid opens.
  • The 150 sq in grate limits you to a few burgers per round.

Buy it if

Solo cooks and couples car camping or grilling on a small patio

Skip it if

You cook for three or more, want two-zone heat, or need long-term parts support

Read the full verdict Check Current Price

This Cuisinart Petite Gourmet review covers the CGG-180T, a tabletop propane grill sized for one or two people. Its design favors packability over power, and Cuisinart now lists it as discontinued, so it makes sense only at a clearance price.

Cuisinart Petite Gourmet portable gas grill on a wooden picnic table near a tentFolding legs out on a picnic table: the car-camping setup the Petite Gourmet is designed for.

For bigger travel grills and griddles, see our portable grill reviews hub.

How We Reviewed

SmokyHQ did not test the Petite Gourmet hands-on. This review is based on Cuisinart's product listing and CGG-180T manual, its warranty terms, retailer listings and owner feedback. The score is a research score for design, capacity, features, warranty and value. Tom Bricker wrote it and Marcus Reilly checked the facts.

Research score · category ranking

How it ranks against rivals

#5 of 7

portable grills rank

4.0/5

avg 4.2 in category

0 of 3

categories above avg

Where it ranks

Overall score out of 5

  1. 1Napoleon TravelQ PRO285XNapoleon TravelQ PRO285XPortable4.5
  2. 2Weber Smokey Joe 14"Weber Smokey Joe 14"Portable4.5
  3. 3Blackstone 2364 Camping Griddle with Side BurnerBlackstone 2364 Camping Griddle with Side BurnerPortable4.3
  4. 4Cuisinart Portable Propane GrillCuisinart Portable Propane GrillPortable4.3
  5. 5Cuisinart Petite Gourmet Portable Gas GrillCuisinart Petite Gourmet Portable Gas GrillThis review4.0
  6. 6Coleman Triton 2-Burner Propane StoveColeman Triton 2-Burner Propane StovePortable4.0

Also ranked among portable grills: Megamaster Tabletop 1-Burner Gas Grill (4.0).

Key Specs

SpecCuisinart Petite GourmetWhat it means for you
ModelCGG-180T (discontinued)Search this number for parts
Cooking area150 sq in (Cuisinart); 145 sq in on some retailer listingsA few burgers or two steaks per round
Burner1 x 5,500 BTUOne heat zone across the whole grate
GratePorcelain-enameled, dishwasher-safeEasy to clean; protect the coating from chips
IgnitionBuilt-in igniter, match-light portBackup lighting is designed in
Fuel1 lb cylinder; 20 lb tank with QG-012B hoseLight to carry; cheaper fuel with the hose
WeightListings range from about 13.5 to 19 lbLight enough for one-hand carry
Folded sizeAbout 22.5 x 17.5 x 9.75 inFits a trunk, not a backpack
ThermometerNoneBring an instant-read probe
Warranty3-year limited, parts; enamel damage must be reported within 30 days (Cuisinart terms)Original buyer only

What One 5,500 BTU Burner Means for Cooking

A single small burner under a small grate is simple and frugal, but it shapes what you can cook. There is one heat zone, so thick cuts that need a cool side are awkward; our direct vs indirect grilling guide explains why that matters.

Two burgers with grill marks on the Petite Gourmet's black enameled grateTwo burgers take up about half the grate, which is why groups cook in rounds.

Low output also means slow recovery after you open the lid, so keep it closed and preheat fully. A hot, clean grate is the best defense against sticking; our guide to why food sticks to the grill covers fish and lean chicken. Burgers, sausages, thin steaks, chops and vegetables suit this grill best.

Setup, Lighting and Placement (From the Manual)

Cuisinart's manual lists two assembly steps: extend the legs until they click, then slide the lid lock open and remove the packing.

Woman unfolding the legs of a red Cuisinart Petite Gourmet on a park picnic tableExtending the legs and opening the lid lock is the whole setup.

  1. With the knob off, push a 1 lb cylinder into the rear regulator and turn it clockwise, hand-tight only.
  2. Leak-check every connection with soapy water (one part dish soap to three parts water); bubbles mean reseat or swap the cylinder.
  3. Open the lid, push the knob in and turn it to HIGH. If it hasn't lit within 5 seconds, turn it off and wait 5 minutes.
  4. On first use, run it on HIGH with the lid closed for about 15 minutes to burn off factory residue.

If the igniter fails, the manual's backup is a long match through the hole on the left side of the firebox, then push and turn to HIGH. Our gas grill ignition troubleshooting guide covers electrode and wiring checks.

The manual's placement rules: outdoors on a hard, level surface; at least 24 in clearance at back and sides with no overhead cover; at least 25 ft from flammable liquids and 10 ft from other gas cylinders. Let it cool to 115°F before packing. Check building rules before buying for a balcony; our best grills for small patios covers alternatives.

Fuel Use, Cleanup and Parts

A 1 lb cylinder holds about 21,600 BTU of propane, so the 5,500 BTU burner can run roughly 4 hours on high (a spec calculation; preheats and lid-open time cut real cooking time). A 20 lb tank holds about 20 times as much, roughly 78 hours on high with Cuisinart's QG-012B 4-foot adapter hose. Our guide to how long a propane tank lasts compares the two.

Cuisinart's care instructions: the grate can go in the dishwasher, the drip tray is hand-wash only, and the burner gets no cleaner or liquid. Check the venturi screen after storage, since insect nests are a common cause of weak flame on any small gas grill.

Cuisinart labels the CGG-180T discontinued. Its parts store has listed items such as the drip tray and regulator, but supply may thin, so a spare regulator is worth buying while it's easy to find.

Who Should Buy the Cuisinart Petite Gourmet (and Who Shouldn't)

Buy it if you

  • cook for one or two on car-camping trips or a small patio

  • want a lidded grill that packs like a briefcase

  • find one on clearance well below the Cuisinart Portable Propane Grill's price

Look elsewhere if you

  • regularly feed three or more people

  • want two heat zones for thick steaks or chicken

  • want a model with long-term parts support

Match two or more points on either side and you have your answer.

Hiker grilling burgers on the Petite Gourmet set on rocks at a mountain overlookBurgers for one at an overlook; the manual calls for a hard, level surface, so a flat rock or table is a must.

Cuisinart Petite Gourmet vs. Alternatives

If you'd rather cook in pans than on a grate, the Coleman Triton 2-burner stove is the better fit. If the Petite Gourmet is sold out, the Megamaster and the Cuisinart Portable are the closest replacements; see our best portable grills for more.

When to pick an alternative instead

Common Problems and Fixes

ProblemLikely causeFix
Igniter won't sparkDirty electrode or loose cylinderClean the electrode, reseat the cylinder, or use the match port
Weak or lazy flameCold or near-empty cylinder, blocked venturiSwap the cylinder; check the venturi screen for insects
Gas smell at the connectionCylinder not seatedReseat hand-tight and repeat the soap-water leak check
Rust spots on gratePacked wet or chipped enamelDry before packing; use a nylon brush
Wobbly legsLoose hinge screws or uneven groundTighten screws; set it on a flat table

Is the Cuisinart Petite Gourmet Worth the Money?

Value verdict

At clearance prices it's reasonable for one or two people; at full list, the in-production Megamaster offers more grate for less.

  • A compact lidded grill that packs like a briefcase

    Room for more than a few burgers

  • 1 lb cylinder or 20 lb tank flexibility

    Two-zone cooking

  • Tool-free setup and a match-light backup

    Long-term parts supply

  • 3-year parts warranty

    A lid thermometer

Final Score

SmokyHQ score

Good fit

Best at Portability (by design)
Weakest at Capacity

  • Build and Materials7.5/10
  • Features7.5/10
  • Capacity7.0/10
  • Portability (by design)9.5/10
  • Warranty and Support8.0/10
  • Value8.5/10

Scores settled? See today’s price on the Cuisinart Petite Gourmet Portable Gas Grill.

Compare alternativesCheck Current Price

A neat, packable grill for two that's worth buying only on clearance, because it's discontinued and the Megamaster gives more grate for less.

Ranked in our buying guides

Durability

What to watch over time

Porcelain-enameled grate
Chips expose bare metal that rusts; dry it before packing and avoid metal scrapers.
Folding legs
Hinged legs loosen with repeated setup; check and tighten screws each season.
Regulator
Inspect the cylinder connection and O-ring before trips; with the grill discontinued, a spare is cheap insurance.

Based on the manufacturer’s listed materials, design and warranty, plus patterns in documented owner feedback. This is guidance, not a long-term ownership test.

Frequently Asked Questions

01

Is the Cuisinart Petite Gourmet worth it?

For one or two people, at a clearance price, yes. Groups of three or more should look at a two-burner grill.

02

How many people can the Cuisinart Petite Gourmet feed?

One or two per round. Cuisinart rates the grate at 150 sq in, about a few burgers or two steaks at once.

03

Can you connect the Cuisinart Petite Gourmet to a 20 lb tank?

Yes, with Cuisinart's QG-012B adapter hose, sold separately.

04

Is the Cuisinart CGG-180T discontinued?

Yes, Cuisinart lists it as discontinued. Some retailers still have stock, and some parts are still sold.

05

How do I light it if the igniter stops working?

Push a long match through the hole on the left side of the firebox, near the burner, then push and turn the knob to HIGH.

06

Is it small enough to backpack?

No. It's a briefcase-size car-camping grill.

Written by

Tom Bricker

Consumer Research Analyst & Editor

Tom Bricker has 10+ years of grilling on every fuel type and a consumer-research background. He researches and writes SmokyHQ’s gas, portable, electric and flat-top coverage, so if you’re weighing price against how long a grill will last, his reviews compare specs, materials and warranties to show which ones look worth the money.

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Every grill is scored on the same research scorecard, from verified specs and documented owner feedback. How we research