Goldilocks’ grills: One is just right

One of the highlights of any camping trip is sitting down to a meal cooked over an open grill, the scent of flame-broiled vittles wafting through a pine canopy. To eliminate the hassle of hauling a bulky, heavy campfire grill into the backcountry, outdoor-gear makers offer various models of portable, collapsible grills -- some so small they can fit into a backpack. We tested three versions in a camp-like setting. OK, so we cooked burgers on them in the backyard.

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LIGHTWEIGHT

First look: The makers of the Grilliput say this portable grill is so small and light you can carry it in your backpack easily. That much is true. When disassembled, the grill fits into a 10-inch stainless-steel tube the size of a runner’s baton. The collapsible “fire bowl” that holds the charcoal briquettes folds to a disc about 6 inches in diameter. Together, the pieces weigh less than 2 pounds.

Likes and yikes: The advantages of this grill -- it is lightweight and small -- are also its greatest disadvantages. The grilling area is only 9 by 10 inches. The grill stands over the fire bowl on four spindly steel legs; finding a hard, flat surface to work on is crucial. Assembly can be tricky too. You have to fit 12 rods into two stainless-steel tubes. The trick is to insert the rods in the correct order. Sound complicated? It can be.

411: $29 for the grill and $12.95 for the fire bowl, sold separately. Available at www.grilliputusa.com; or REI, (800) 426-4840 and www.rei.com; and other major sporting-goods retailers.

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MIDDLEWEIGHT

First look: The Rebel campfire grill has a simple design: A grill and a charcoal pan clamp onto a steel spike that you hammer into the ground. Slide the grill a few inches above the hot charcoals and you’re ready to cook. Loosen the bolts that hold the grill to the spike and you can swing the grill away from the heat once your food is done. It all fits into a carrying bag and weighs about 7 pounds.

Likes and yikes: The Rebel is small enough to fit into a big backpack but might be too heavy to take on long hikes. Still, it is sturdy, with enough space on the 10-by-12-inch grill to cook for two or three people. The grill has a raised 1-inch edge to keep food from sliding off, a plus. We also liked how simple it was to assemble. Two minutes from the time we opened the package, we were lighting the charcoal.

411: $45 at www.campfiregrill.com; REI, (800) 426-4840 and www.rei.com; and other sporting-goods retailers.

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HEAVYWEIGHT

First look: The Volcano II joins the lineup in the heavyweight category of portable grills. This collapsible grill can burn charcoal, wood or propane. It needs practically no assembly. When it’s ready for cooking, the Volcano II looks like a 10-inch-tall black volcano, with a 12-inch diameter grilling area at the top. The grill collapses to a height of 5 inches and is 15 inches in diameter.

Likes and yikes: Unless you’re Hulk Hogan, this 22-pound grill is way too heavy and bulky to carry around in a backpack. Even when it’s collapsed, the Volcano II is still the size of a wheel rim. On the plus side, the grill was big enough to cook four patties with space to spare. After cooking, we could put chopped wood in the Volcano’s belly and enjoy an outdoor campfire, another plus. The holes in the side draw in air to make the fire burn like, well, a mini-volcano.

411: $129 (without the propane kit) at L.L. Bean, (800) 441-5713 and www.llbean.com; and other sporting-goods stores.

-- Hugo Martin