Cuisinart CGG-306 Chef's Style Portable Review | Tested

Nov 05, 2024

The Cuisinart CGG-306 Chef's Style Portable is a grilling chef's dream. The high-quality stainless steel design features a substantial cooking surface that is perfect for small groups. Two separate burners provide 10,000 BTUs each, and two separate temperature control dials allow you to perfect the heat for searing meat and slow-grilling veggies all at once. If you like to grill for small groups and are after a high-performing tabletop grill that's available for a more affordable price, this grill is perfect for the budding camp chef.

After minimal assembly (roughly 15 minutes), the two-burner system of the Cuisinart CGG-306 fired up on the first try, thanks to a powerful electronic ignition with a twist start. The two independent burners feature settings ranging from low to high while boasting a combined 20,000 BTUs that are perfect for searing red meat or slow-cooking poultry and ribs. The simultaneous grilling options of the two separate burners also increase versatility within the design of this tabletop grill.

The Cuisinart CGG-306 is one of the more affordable grills that offers a thermometer to assist with monitoring temperatures while grilling. Though we can appreciate this feature, we still find ourselves utilizing a separate infrared thermometer to double-check the actual temperatures of the food within the grill. Our lead tester also works as a private chef and was quick to say, “I would happily bring this grill along on my next outdoor job,”, all thanks to the large grilling surface, high-quality stainless steel, and powerful two-burner system.

Not many grills offer the same amount of control as the Cuisinart CGG-306. The two independent burners feature adjustable knobs to control each individual side so that you can maintain separate heat zones with varied temperature settings. As previously mentioned, this grill is also one of the more affordable options to feature a thermometer on the lid. Though we can appreciate this option for general reference, our test team still preferred to use their own separate infrared thermometers to ensure an accurate final temperature reading.

Our “heat map” revealed hot spots along the backside of the grill as well as the section of the grate that was situated directly above the burner. The edges of the grill, as well as the section between the burners, were less hot. We found that once we identified and understood the nature of these heat zones, we were better able to cook without burning meat or veggies. We would often sear meat towards the back of the grill and then move it to a lower heat zone so that we could maintain heat without overcooking our food. Out of all the portable grills that we tested, the control features just do not get much better than the Cuisinart CGG-306.

The Cuisinart CGG-306 only weighs 22 pounds, which is minimal considering its double burner construction in addition to the 275 square inch grilling surface area it provides. The packed measurements of this grill are 22 x 14 x 18.5 inches (with its legs folded inwards), making it very easy to carry. However, the size is awkward enough that you wouldn't want to carry it very far. Cuisinart does advertise a tote carry to increase its portability, but this is sold separately, and we did not include it in our testing period. The design also includes a substantial carry handle, but we didn't feel confident in its strength, so we still primarily opted to carry it with both arms underneath the grill itself. The grill also has two simple latches that lock the lid into place for transport. We found these function well in sealing the lid effectively.

One pro tip we can recommend is to remove and clean the grease tray (included with purchase) before you load the grill into your car. This tip is especially important if you are grilling during the hotter months of the year, as fat can liquify at high temperatures and create quite a mess in your vehicle. Another detail worth mentioning is that the grill comes with foldable legs that can extend under the base of the grill for additional height above the picnic table. Though we appreciate the intent and didn't experience any specific issues during testing, we did find ourselves questioning the longevity of these legs. But that said, should they fail, the grill would still remain fully functional and portable. So, it's not a major concern, albeit still one we noted. Our final assessment was that the Cuisinart CGG-306 is not the most portable design among all grills tested, but it delivers excellent performance and is still relatively easy to transport, ranking it among our favorite tabletop designs.

The Cuisinart CGG-306 design supplies a 275 square-inch cooking surface — among the largest grilling areas that we tested. The cooking area is comprised of high-quality stainless steel that is not only appealing to the eye but also perfect for cooking large cuts of meat. This grill truly offers the high performance of a BBQ grill in a highly portable design.

The only downside to the cooking area of this grill is the large space between the stainless steel grate bars. While this design allows for more heat to reach the food that you are cooking, it is wide enough to allow smaller food items to drop in between the bars. Overall, our testing team appreciated the stainless steel cooking grate and the independent burners that allowed us to cook both meat and veggies at separate temperatures on one grilling surface. If you are after high-quality performance and enough cooking area to prepare a meal for a small group, the Cuisinart CGG-306 is at the top of the list.

The Cuisinart CGG-306 offers adequate wind protection thanks to a fully enclosed design that includes a large lid that effectively covers the grilling surface. The design also features vents along the back and sides of the stainless steel grill box. While these vents do have hoods over the top to help with wind resistance, we noted gusts can still affect the blue flames within.

While testing at high wind speeds during a spring storm outside of Moab, Utah, our testers found that they could position the grill so as to lessen the effects of any strong gusts. That being said, there are other top performers in the lineup that provide better protection under such circumstances. However, simply having a lid and minimal venting, paired with strategic placement away from direct winds, can help you maintain output power even amongst such unexpected seasonal storms.

If you're interested in a portable tabletop propane grill that offers great performance for a relatively affordable price point, look no further than the Cuisinart CGG-306. The high-quality stainless steel design, along with two independent burners that combine to create 20,000 BTUs over a large 275 square-inch grilling surface, tricked our testing team into thinking this grill was much more expensive than the modest price tag it reveals. If you're after the versatility of two independent high-powered burners that can sear meat on one side while cooking veggies low and slow, this is our favorite when it comes to grilling for small groups.

The Cuisinart CGG-306 Chef's Style Tabletop Grill is perfect for those seeking excellent quality and control with a ton of output power. The large grilling surface is perfect for small groups, and the tabletop design increases portability. If you're interested in a similar design that is more portable yet offers less output power and a smaller grilling surface area, check out the Cuisinart Grillster that's available for a more affordable price. Are you ready to invest in a top-of-the-line grill and okay with a bit less output power if it comes with more grilling surface area and a slick collapsible frame? Then definitely check out our favorite portable grill, the Weber Traveler. Or, if you're interested in another tabletop option that still receives high scores but comes with lower output power and a smaller grilling surface for smaller meals, check out the Weber Q 1200.