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In-depth review

Cuisinart Petit Gourmet CGG-180T Review (2027)

The Petit Gourmet is a suitcase gas grill for two, with a dishwasher-safe grate and one-knob cooking. Our research-based verdict.

TGBy TrueGear Research TeamIndependent editorial teamLast updated How we researchResearch-based assessment · Portable Grills
Specs verified against manufacturer docs
No paid placements
Independently funded by readers
Updated 2026-11-02
Cuisinart Petit Gourmet CGG-180T Review (2027) featured graphic
Cuisinart Petit Gourmet (CGG-180T), Red

Cuisinart Petit Gourmet (CGG-180T), Red

The suitcase grill: 150 sq in, folding legs and a handle, built for two-person camping.

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Our verdict

The Petit Gourmet succeeds by being the grill that actually travels. Its suitcase shape, folding legs and carry handle mean it leaves the house for every trip, and its 150 sq in porcelain grate cooks properly for two. It will not feed a family or sear like a cast-iron Q, but buyers who cook for two and value portability above all will find it the most used grill they own.

What we like

  • 150 sq in of dishwasher-safe porcelain-enameled grate, sized for about eight burgers at a push
  • 5,500 BTU single burner with folding legs and a carry handle, so setup is unfold, connect and light
  • The whole grill travels like a small suitcase, fitting trunks and storage lockers that reject bigger grills
  • Simple controls suit beginners, with one burner knob and no zones or menus to learn

What to watch out for

  • 150 sq in is genuinely small, and larger cuts like a whole chicken crowd the grate
  • Heat runs uneven toward the edges, so food placement matters more than on bigger grills
  • The light build trades some sturdiness for weight, and the legs feel less planted than a cart grill

What owners report: Cuisinart Petit Gourmet (CGG-180T), Red

Synthesized from recurring themes in long-term owner feedback.

Most praised

  • Owners love the carry-anywhere size, calling it the grill that actually leaves the garage for every trip
  • Cleanup wins fans, with the porcelain grate going in the dishwasher after the cook
  • Beginners praise the one-knob simplicity after wrestling with bigger grills elsewhere

Common complaints

  • Uneven edge heat catches new owners out, with food near the rim cooking slower
  • The small grate frustrates buyers who pictured family cookouts on a couples-sized grill
  • Replacement burner availability worries long-term owners after years of use

Who it is for

Couples, solo campers and small-balcony owners who need the smallest real gas grill that still sears.

Portability that changes behavior

Most grills are portable in theory; the Petit Gourmet is portable in practice, because it carries like a small suitcase and stores where bigger grills cannot. Owners describe it joining trips that bigger grills skipped: the beach afternoon, the park picnic, the quick balcony dinner. That frequency is the product's real argument, since a grill cooked on ten times beats a better grill cooked on twice.

Cooking on 150 sq in and 5,500 BTU

The single 5,500 BTU burner and porcelain-enameled grate handle burgers, chicken breasts and fish for two, with about eight burgers as the practical ceiling. Heat runs uneven toward the edges, so placement matters, and thick steaks need a full preheat and patience. The dishwasher-safe grate is a genuine cleanup win, turning the worst part of small grilling into a machine cycle.

Limits that must be respected

The light build trades sturdiness for weight, and the legs feel less planted than a cart or a heavy tabletop. Long-term owners also raise burner replacement availability as a concern after years of use. And the headcount ceiling is absolute: a third or fourth guest turns dinner into shifts. Buyers who accept a two-person grill get a faithful companion; buyers who need more should not pretend this one stretches.

Key specifications

Cooking area
150 sq in (maker rating)
Output
5,500 BTU, single burner (maker rating)
Grate
Porcelain-enameled, dishwasher-safe
Design
Folding legs with carry handle
Fuel
1 lb propane cylinder
Model
CGG-180T

Also consider

Weber Q1200 Liquid Propane Grill (Titanium)

Weber Q1200 Liquid Propane Grill (Titanium)

The compact Q: the same cast-iron cooking in the smallest body Weber makes for the road.

Why consider it: A step up in searing and build for buyers who want small without the lightest construction

  • Cooking area: 189 sq in (maker rating)
  • Output: 8,500 BTU, single burner (maker rating)
Check priceAdd to cart
Coleman Fold N Go Portable Propane Grill

Coleman Fold N Go Portable Propane Grill

The lightest gas grill here: a folding horseshoe burner for solo and duo camping.

Why consider it: An even slimmer folding grill for solo campers whose packing space is tightest

  • Output: 6,000 BTU, single adjustable horseshoe burner (maker rating)
  • Ignition: Push-button starter
Check priceAdd to cart

Research-based assessment. TrueGear has not hands-on tested this product; this evaluation synthesizes manufacturer specifications, retailer documentation, and published expert reviews.

Questions, answered

Is the Petit Gourmet big enough for two people?

Yes, comfortably. Two steaks or several burgers with vegetables fit at once, which is the couples test. It also stretches to four small eaters in a pinch, but that is the ceiling, and regular four-person cooking deserves a larger grate.

Can I clean the grate in the dishwasher?

The porcelain-enameled cooking grate is described by the maker as dishwasher-safe, which owners confirm makes cleanup easy after a cook. Remove it, wash it, and dry it before storage, since damp storage rusts grates faster than cooking does.

What fuel does the Petit Gourmet use?

A standard 1 lb propane cylinder, which fits the grill's portable design and is easy to carry as a spare. For longer stays, an adapter hose and a larger tank are possible, but most owners keep it simple with small cylinders and a spare in the bag.

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