Cuisinart Petite Gourmet Review

The Cuisinart Petit Gourmet is a solid, compact grill for optimal portability. This is a grill you choose to carry in your small vehicle when grilling on location for 2 people at a time. Though the design allows for versatility between a table top and stand alone option, we found the plastic legs to lack stability and durability if considering for uneven terrain or daily use. If you're grilling for a couple people while car camping or on a picnic, this is one option to consider.

Performance Comparison

Output Power

At 5,500 BTUs, the Cuisinart Petite Gourmet has one of the lowest amounts of claimed BTU outputs out of all the grills that we tested. The low setting on this portable grill is very low, and the highest setting isn't extremely high, but it does get the job done, even offering sear marks on veggies, meats, and tofu. With a full propane canister and a thorough warm-up, this grill is ready for searing a steak. The 5,500 BTUs are spread over a relatively small surface area, making for hot-enough grilling. When set on the lower setting, grilled vegetables or roasted garlic cooked without concern.

Control

We didn't experience any flare-up, though quite a lot of food stuck to the claimed “non-stick” porcelain enameled cast iron grate. While the limited cooking surface didn't cook the most amount of food, it was among the lighter and most portable models. It cooks evenly with a slightly warmer area directly over the burner head. The grill heats up rather quickly with the lid closed and uses a minimal amount of fuel compared to other full-sized grills. The Cuisinart Petite Gourmet's Piezo Ignitor works well enough, and the regulator is not in an area that gets in the way of cooking or transporting.

One nice feature of the temperature control is that when turning from high to low, there is no way to shut down the fuel accidentally — you have to push in the dial and twist it to turn it completely off. The Cuisinart Petite Gourmet has a tiny little grease drip tray that attaches to the bottom of the grill and is easy to take on and off. It does not leak grease when in the standing position and when cleaned regularly, though it could overflow if you do not clean it often enough. If transporting or storing the Petite Gourmet on its back with the handle up, make sure to remove and clean the tray first.

Portability

The Petite Gourmet is one of the lightest products that we tested, weighing in at a mere 17 pounds. It folds up small, making it convenient, super portable, and a good option for those with limited storage space.

Make sure to take the grease tray out when transporting this product on its back with the handle up - especially if it's a hot day, as the grease could melt and create a huge mess. You can either carry the Petite Gourmet by its handle or with two hands on each side of the folded legs. If carrying single-handedly, make sure that the lid latch is securely fastened. It is worth mentioning that this lock feature became finicky with only a few uses, rendering it useless and making it difficult to carry with one hand on its side. We found some luck with pressing down firmly on the lid to secure the lock, however, the limited durability with this feature was a cause for concern.

Cooking Area

The PG's porcelain-enameled 145 square inch cast-iron grate is easy to clean, especially with a sponge and hot soapy water, or in the dishwasher. Rest assured that it is easy to cook on and won't rust, though we do recommend oiling the surface or your food to prevent any items from sticking to the surface. Refrain from scrubbing it with a metal grill brush, which could damage the surface. This product has a smaller-than-average cooking area, providing just enough surface area for two people at a time. If you're cooking for a small group, prepare to eat in shifts.

Wind Resistance

This product performed just fine in high winds. All grills lose some heat to wind-borne convective cooling, and the smaller grills are certainly more vulnerable. Allowing for this, we had no problems with the Petite Gourmet. The single stainless steel burner is large and set down low so that even when opening the lid in high winds, the flame was not affected. That being said, be mindful of the plastic legs in the fully telescoped position on an uneven surface as they offer limited stability and can be affected by strong winds.

Should You Buy the Cuisinart Petite Gourmet?

The price tag on the Cuisinart Petite Gourmet is no joke, especially for such a tiny little grill. However, if you're after a free-standing grill that you can grab out of the closet or garage and practically toss into the trunk, or grab out of a tiny compartment in your RV easily without struggle or fuss, this is it. It's versatile, small, and lightweight design make it a more portable option though we do have concerns regarding the stability of the plastic legs along with the limited cooking surface if you plan to prepare food for more than two people at a time.

What Other Portable Grills Should You Consider?

The Cuisinart Petite Gourmet is a grab n go portable grill option that takes about two minutes to set up, once you get the hang of the versatile leg design. It can be a tabletop or stand-alone grill, or even be something in the middle if your unique grilling situation calls for it. If you're interested in a top-of-the-line portable grill that provides substantial cooking surface in addition to ease of use and high output power, check out the Weber Traveler. And if you're interested in one of our favorite portable options, check out the Eureka SPRK Camp Grill that isn't fully enclosed but is perhaps the easiest to use on the go.