Megamaster 820-0065C 1 Burner Portable Gas Grill Review: Your Go-Anywhere Grilling Powerhouse?

There’s a special kind of disappointment that sets in when you’re enjoying a perfect day outdoors—at a campsite, the beach, or a tailgate party—and the thought of a freshly grilled meal is soured by the reality of the equipment. I’ve been there more times than I can count. Lugging around a bulky, heavy grill that’s overkill for two people, dealing with the messy, unpredictable nature of charcoal, or worse, settling for cold sandwiches. The dream is simple: a grill that’s light enough to carry without a second thought, powerful enough to put a perfect sear on a steak, and simple enough that you’re cooking in minutes, not struggling with assembly. This gap between the desire for authentic outdoor cooking and the cumbersome reality of most grills is where the search for the perfect portable gas grill begins. It’s not just about convenience; it’s about unlocking the freedom to have a great, hot meal wherever your adventures take you.

What to Consider Before Buying a Portable Propane Grill

A portable propane grill is more than just a compact cooking appliance; it’s a key solution for adventurers, apartment dwellers, and anyone who wants the joy of grilling without the commitment of a full-sized backyard behemoth. The main benefit is freedom. It allows for spontaneous cookouts at the park, provides a reliable cooking source on a week-long camping trip, and turns a small balcony into a personal steakhouse. Unlike charcoal, propane offers instant, controllable heat, which means less waiting and more precise cooking. This solves the problem of messy cleanup and inconsistent temperatures, making the entire grilling experience more enjoyable and accessible.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone who prioritizes mobility and convenience. Think RV owners, campers, tailgaters, or individuals living in condos with limited outdoor space. They need a grill that is lightweight, has a small footprint for storage, and is quick to set up and tear down. On the other hand, this type of grill might not be suitable for those who regularly host large parties. If you need to cook for 10 or more people consistently, the limited cooking surface of a portable model will become a bottleneck. For those users, a larger, multi-burner stationary grill or even a versatile flat-top griddle would be a more practical investment.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: Pay close attention to the grill’s dimensions, both when it’s set up for cooking and when it’s folded for transport. Measure your car trunk, RV storage bay, or balcony space to ensure a good fit. Look for features like foldable legs and a locking lid, which significantly reduce the storage footprint and make carrying it much easier and safer. The Megamaster 820-0065C 1 Burner Portable Gas Grill excels here with a compact, thoughtful design.
• Capacity/Performance: Performance is measured in British Thermal Units (BTUs) and total cooking area (in square inches). For a portable grill, a single burner with 10,000-15,000 BTUs is plenty powerful for searing and general grilling. A cooking surface of 200-400 square inches is a versatile range, capable of handling burgers for a small family or a couple of large steaks.
• Materials & Durability: The longevity of your grill depends on its construction. Look for a stainless steel burner, as it resists rust and corrosion better than other metals. The body is often made of painted or powder-coated steel, while the cooking grates can be porcelain-coated steel or cast iron. Porcelain-coated grates are easier to clean, but cast iron retains heat better for superior searing.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: Your grill should simplify your life, not complicate it. Features like a push-button ignition (Piezo lighter), a built-in thermometer, and an accessible grease management system are crucial. A removable drip tray makes cleanup significantly faster. Consider how easy the entire unit is to wipe down after use to prevent grease buildup and maintain its appearance.

Understanding these factors will help you choose a portable grill that not only meets your immediate needs but also proves to be a reliable companion on countless adventures to come.

While the Megamaster 820-0065C 1 Burner Portable Gas Grill is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Look: Unboxing and Assembling the Megamaster 820-0065C

Upon opening the box, my first impression of the Megamaster 820-0065C 1 Burner Portable Gas Grill was one of pleasant surprise. Often, products in this price range can feel flimsy or overly complicated, but the Megamaster felt solid yet surprisingly lightweight. The bold red lid and black firebox give it a classic, appealing look that stands out. What truly impressed me, and what many users have celebrated, is the assembly process—or rather, the lack thereof. There are no bolts to tighten or confusing diagrams to decipher. You simply unfold the legs until they click into place, set the heat shield and cooking grate inside, slide in the grease tray, and attach the regulator hose. The entire process took less than five minutes, a refreshing change from the hour-long builds required for many other grills. The locking lid and multiple carry handles (front and sides) immediately signal that this grill is designed with genuine portability in mind. For anyone who has ever been overwhelmed by a box full of parts, this grill’s straightforward setup is a massive selling point.

Deep Dive: Performance and Real-World Testing

A grill can look great and be easy to assemble, but the real test is how it performs under fire. We put the Megamaster 820-0065C 1 Burner Portable Gas Grill through its paces over several weeks of testing, from backyard burger nights to a weekend camping trip, to see if its cooking power matched its convenient design. The results were consistently impressive, though with a few important caveats that every potential buyer should understand.

Cooking Performance: A Pint-Sized Powerhouse

The heart of this grill is its single U-shaped stainless steel burner, which pumps out a formidable 11,000 BTUs. In practical terms, this means one thing: this grill gets hot, and it gets hot *fast*. From ignition to a searing temperature of over 450°F took just a few minutes, a performance trait that we, and many other users, found remarkable. One user noted it was “perfect for steaks, burgers, ribs,” because the high heat is outstanding for achieving a beautiful crust and sear. During our tests, we grilled filet mignon, and the Megamaster delivered a deep, flavorful sear that you’d expect from a much larger, more expensive grill. This intense heat is its greatest strength and also its primary challenge. As another experienced griller wisely advised, “ALL small grills like this will cook very hot if you turn it up all the way… Keep the gas turned low.” We found this to be critical advice. Cooking chicken or fish required dialing the control knob to its lowest setting and paying close attention to avoid flare-ups. This isn’t a “set it and forget it” grill, but one that rewards an attentive cook with fantastic results.

The 360 square inches of cooking space is another headline feature, and it doesn’t disappoint. The manufacturer claims it can hold 17 burgers, which might be a stretch, but we comfortably fit six large patties with room to maneuver, plus a few sausages on the side. This ample space makes it far more versatile than many other portable options, allowing you to cook a full meal for a family of four in a single go. We grilled lamb chops, chicken wings, and corn on the cob simultaneously, and everything came out perfectly cooked. The porcelain-enameled firebox does an excellent job of retaining and distributing that heat, ensuring consistent cooking across the grate. For those seeking maximum performance, the combination of high BTUs and a large surface area is hard to beat in this category.

Portability and Design: Built for Life on the Move

Megamaster clearly designed this grill with the traveler in mind. Weighing in at just over 14 pounds, it’s genuinely easy to carry. The foldable legs snap securely into place for stability during use and fold up neatly underneath for transport. The addition of a strong front latch to lock the lid shut is a simple but brilliant feature, preventing the grates and heat shield from rattling around or falling out in your car. We also appreciated the dual carrying options—a main handle on the front and two smaller integrated handles on the sides—which make it easy to lift and position. This thoughtful design was perfectly encapsulated by one user’s story of strapping it to their kayak for a picnic on a river island. It’s that level of portability that sets it apart.

However, there is one significant design choice that prospective buyers must be aware of. As one user pointed out after making an incorrect assumption, this grill “cannot be stored sideways.” When the legs are folded, the unit is designed to rest on its base. Attempting to store it vertically like a briefcase isn’t feasible and could lead to damage. For those with extremely limited storage in an RV or apartment, this could be a dealbreaker. Additionally, while the build is generally solid for the price, we did note some user feedback about the cooking grate feeling a bit flimsy. One resourceful owner even used wire to better secure the upper warming rack. These are minor issues in an otherwise stellar design, but they are important considerations for long-term use.

Ease of Use and Maintenance: Grill More, Clean Less

From the moment you take it out of the box, the Megamaster 820-0065C 1 Burner Portable Gas Grill is designed to be user-friendly. The picture-based instructions make the minimal assembly foolproof, a feature praised by users who felt “like a professional” putting it together. In daily use, the Piezo ignition system fired up on the first or second push every single time, eliminating the need for matches or lighters. The built-in thermometer on the lid, while not perfectly precise, gives a good general indication of the internal temperature, helping you know when it’s ready for searing or when you need to lower the heat.

Cleanup is often the most dreaded part of grilling, but Megamaster has made it relatively painless. The porcelain-coated cooking grate is easy to scrub down, and the firebox can be wiped clean. One user made an interesting observation, noting that they initially wished the lid was hinged but found that the fully removable lid was “much easier to clean.” We agree; being able to set the lid aside provides unobstructed access to the entire cookbox. The grease management system consists of a small, removable drip tray that slides in from the front. It works well for leaner meats like chicken or steaks. However, as one reviewer noted, if you’re cooking a lot of fatty burgers, the tray “is not big enough to catch a lot of dripping grease” and may require emptying mid-cook. To make cleanup even simpler, several users recommended using a grill mat, which we found to be an excellent tip that virtually eliminates scrubbing the grates themselves. For those who want a powerful grill without a punishing cleanup routine, this model strikes a fantastic balance.

What Other Users Are Saying

Across the board, user feedback for the Megamaster 820-0065C 1 Burner Portable Gas Grill is overwhelmingly positive, with most praise centering on its exceptional value. Many, like the user who called it the “Best Grill, Ever!” after owning a dozen others (some costing close to $1000), are shocked by its performance given the affordable price. People consistently highlight the easy, tool-free assembly and the grill’s surprisingly large cooking area. One happy customer noted it “fits great in my tiny balcony but it still feels like a huge grill.”

However, the feedback also provides a balanced view. The most common critical point is the grill’s tendency to run extremely hot, which requires a learning curve to manage. A few users have pointed out potential durability issues. One user reported that the welds on the legs broke after only a couple of weekends, while another found the top grate was prone to falling off until they secured it with wire. Another practical critique is the small size of the drip pan, which can be easily overwhelmed when cooking fatty foods. These comments confirm our findings that while the grill is a fantastic performer, it’s a budget-friendly option and may have some trade-offs in long-term robustness compared to premium brands.

How Does the Megamaster 820-0065C Compare to the Competition?

While the Megamaster 820-0065C holds a strong position in the portable grill market, it’s important to understand how it stacks up against different types of outdoor cookers. Depending on your primary cooking style, a different type of appliance might be a better fit. Here’s a look at a notable alternative.

1. BESTFIRE 36″ 3-Burner Propane Griddle

Comparing the Megamaster grill to the BESTFIRE Griddle is less about which is “better” and more about which tool is right for the job. The Megamaster is a classic grill, using direct heat and grates to produce sear marks and that signature smoky flavor. It excels at cooking steaks, burgers, chicken, and hot dogs. The BESTFIRE, on the other hand, is a flat-top griddle. Its massive 36-inch solid cooking surface and three burners make it incredibly versatile for cooking things a traditional grill can’t handle, such as pancakes, eggs, bacon, fried rice, and smash burgers. It’s a full outdoor kitchen station, complete with side shelves. The trade-off is portability. While foldable, the BESTFIRE is a much larger, heavier unit designed for a patio or backyard, not for being thrown in the trunk for a day trip. Someone should choose the BESTFIRE griddle if they host larger groups and want maximum cooking versatility at home. The Megamaster is the clear choice for the adventurer who needs a compact, powerful, and truly portable grilling solution.

Final Verdict: Is the Megamaster 820-0065C the Right Portable Grill for You?

After extensive testing and analysis, our verdict on the Megamaster 820-0065C 1 Burner Portable Gas Grill is overwhelmingly positive. It is a standout product that delivers exceptional power, a surprisingly large cooking surface, and true portability at a price point that is hard to beat. It is the perfect solution for campers, tailgaters, RV enthusiasts, and anyone with a small patio who refuses to compromise on the quality of their grilled food. Its ability to heat up quickly and deliver a powerful sear rivals that of much larger grills.

The trade-offs are manageable: you must be an active cook to manage its high heat, the drip pan is small, and its long-term durability might not match that of a premium-priced model. However, for its intended purpose, these are minor compromises. If you’re looking for a reliable, easy-to-use, and powerful grill that you can truly take anywhere, this little red and black powerhouse is an absolutely fantastic choice. For those ready to elevate their outdoor cooking adventures, we wholeheartedly recommend you check the latest price and see if the Megamaster 820-0065C is the right fit for you.