There’s a universal frustration that comes with loving the ritual of grilling but being constrained by space. For years, I associated outdoor cooking with sprawling backyards and massive, multi-burner grilling stations that looked more like outdoor kitchens. Living in a home with a modest patio, I felt left out of the quintessential summer barbecue experience. The options seemed limited to flimsy, unstable charcoal grills that were messy and unpredictable, or electric versions that never quite delivered that authentic flame-kissed flavor. The problem was simple: I needed the power and convenience of a full-sized gas grill packed into a footprint that wouldn’t dominate my entire outdoor living area. Not having a solution meant fewer impromptu weeknight dinners outside, more hassle, and a lingering sense of missing out on one of life’s simple pleasures.
What to Consider Before Buying a Propane Grill
A propane grill is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for unlocking spontaneous, flavorful, and convenient outdoor cooking. It eliminates the lengthy startup time and messy cleanup associated with charcoal, offering precise temperature control at the turn of a knob. This makes it possible to go from a craving to a perfectly cooked meal in minutes, transforming any patio, balcony, or campsite into a personal bistro. The main benefits are speed, control, and cleanliness, allowing you to focus on the food and the company, not the fire management.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing spatial constraints but unwilling to compromise on the quality of their grilling experience. This includes apartment dwellers with small balconies, homeowners with compact patios, or even RV enthusiasts and campers who want a reliable cooking station on the go. It’s for the small family that wants to grill burgers for four without firing up a massive six-burner beast. However, it might not be suitable for those who regularly host large parties or need extensive cooking surfaces for smoking large cuts of meat or cooking multiple different food types simultaneously. For those individuals, a larger 4- or 6-burner grill or a dedicated smoker would be a more appropriate investment.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: Measure your available area meticulously. Consider not only the grill’s footprint but also the “breathing room” required around it for safety and maneuverability. Look at the dimensions with side shelves up and down, as this dramatically affects its storage profile. The R.W.FLAME G20B 2-Burner Propane Gas Grill is specifically designed to maximize cooking area while minimizing this footprint.
- Capacity/Performance: Performance is measured in British Thermal Units (BTUs). For a 2-burner grill, a total of 16,000 BTUs is quite respectable, offering enough power to sear effectively. Also, consider the primary cooking area. Is it large enough for your typical meal? Dual independent burners are a must for creating different heat zones, allowing you to sear a steak on one side while gently warming buns on the other.
- Materials & Durability: Stainless steel is a popular choice for frames and lids due to its resistance to rust and corrosion, but the quality can vary. Look for solid construction and minimal plastic components. The most critical part for cooking performance is the grates; cast iron offers superior heat retention and creates beautiful sear marks, making it a premium choice over thinner, porcelain-coated steel grates.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: Features like push-button ignition, a built-in thermometer, and tool hooks add significant value to the user experience. For long-term care, consider the cleanup process. A removable grease tray or collection box is a non-negotiable feature for hassle-free maintenance. Easy access to the burners and internal components will make deep cleaning far less of a chore.
With these factors in mind, we were eager to see how a purpose-built compact grill would stack up. It’s one thing to read specs, but another to put a grill through its paces in a real-world setting.
While the R.W.FLAME G20B 2-Burner Propane 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 Impressions: Sturdy, Smart, and Surprisingly Premium
Upon unboxing the R.W.FLAME G20B 2-Burner Propane Gas Grill, our first impression was one of substance. In a market flooded with flimsy, lightweight portable grills, this one felt different. The stainless steel components had a reassuring heft, and the polished finish gave it a look that punches well above its price point. Assembly was remarkably straightforward. With clear instructions, we had the entire unit built and ready for its first propane tank in just under 30 minutes, a sentiment strongly echoed by user feedback. This quick, frustration-free setup is a major win. Once assembled, the grill stands solid and stable, with no unnerving wobbles. The knobs have a positive, tactile click, the lid opens smoothly, and the folding side shelves lock firmly into place. It immediately felt less like a temporary camping grill and more like a permanent, albeit compact, fixture for our patio.
Key Benefits
- Impressively sturdy stainless steel construction for its class
- Dual 8,000 BTU burners provide excellent, even heat distribution
- Compact footprint with clever, space-saving folding shelves
- Hassle-free assembly and very simple cleanup process
Potential Drawbacks
- Cooking area may be tight for gatherings larger than 4-5 people
- 1-year warranty is standard but shorter than some premium brands
A Deep Dive into the R.W.FLAME G20B’s Performance and Features
A grill’s true worth is only revealed when the flames are lit and the food hits the grates. We spent several weeks putting the R.W.FLAME G20B 2-Burner Propane Gas Grill through a variety of culinary tests, from high-heat searing to low-and-slow cooking, to see if its performance matched its promising first impression. We evaluated it on the core pillars of what makes a great grill: build quality, cooking power, design ingenuity, and ease of maintenance.
Assembly and Build Quality: Exceeding Expectations
From the moment we started assembling it, we knew this grill was built to a higher standard than many of its competitors. The process was intuitive, with well-machined parts that fit together perfectly. This experience aligns with reports from other users, including one particularly critical husband who was, to his wife’s surprise, thoroughly impressed with the unit’s construction. This is a crucial point; when a product can win over a skeptic who typically favors high-end, name-brand equipment, it speaks volumes about its quality. The frame is predominantly stainless steel, giving it a robust feel and excellent weather resistance. At 45.2 pounds, it has enough weight to feel stable and secure on the patio, yet it’s light enough for one person to move around comfortably using the integrated wheels. The folding side shelves are a standout feature; they aren’t flimsy afterthoughts but solid, useful additions that provide crucial prep space and lock securely. When folded down, they dramatically reduce the grill’s storage footprint. Even the smaller details, like the stainless steel handle and the built-in bottle opener, feel well-integrated and add to the overall sense of a thoughtfully designed product. To see its full feature set and detailed specifications is to understand the thought that went into its construction.
Cooking Performance: Power and Precision in a Small Package
The heart of any grill is its burners, and the R.W.FLAME G20B 2-Burner Propane Gas Grill delivers serious performance here. It features two independent stainless steel burners, each rated at 8,000 BTUs for a total of 16,000 BTUs of cooking power. This is more than enough heat to achieve a beautiful, deep sear on steaks and burgers. We were particularly impressed with the heat distribution across the cast iron cooking grates. There were no significant hot or cold spots, a common failing in budget-friendly grills. This even heating, a point of praise in numerous user reviews, ensures that everything from chicken thighs to vegetable skewers cooks uniformly without constant shuffling.
The independent control knobs are a game-changer for versatile cooking. We could crank one burner to high for searing a thick-cut ribeye while keeping the other on low to gently grill asparagus. The built-in thermometer, while basic, gave us a reliable general reading of the internal temperature, allowing us to roast a small chicken with the lid down with surprising success. The cast iron grates are the real star of the show. They retain heat exceptionally well, leading to prominent, professional-looking sear marks and contributing to the overall efficiency of the grill. The quick, reliable ignition system fired up on the first try, every time. For a family of two to four, the cooking surface is perfectly adequate to prepare a full meal in one go.
Portability and Smart Design
Where the R.W.FLAME G20B truly shines is in its blend of performance and portability. It’s designed for people who need flexibility. The two wheels make it effortless to roll around a patio, reposition for wind, or tuck it away for storage. As one user noted, it’s a “very cool little, versatile grill that you can take just about anywhere.” This versatility is further enhanced by its fuel compatibility; it easily connects to a standard 20 lb propane tank for home use but can also be adapted for smaller, 1 lb camping canisters, making it a viable option for picnics or weekend trips.
The smart design extends beyond its mobility. The integrated side racks, storage basket underneath, and tool hooks are incredibly practical. In a small space, every inch of storage counts, and these features prevent you from needing a separate prep table. You can keep your tongs, spatula, seasonings, and a platter all within arm’s reach. The fold-down design of the side shelves is the key to its space-saving prowess. This allows the grill to have a generous prep area when in use but shrink to a much more manageable size for storage, a feature that is essential for apartment balconies or tight patio corners. It’s this combination of thoughtful features that makes the grill feel so livable and convenient on a day-to-day basis.
Cleanup and Long-Term Maintenance
The joy of grilling can be quickly soured by a difficult cleanup process. Thankfully, R.W.FLAME designed the G20B with maintenance in mind. The “quick and hassle-free” cleanup mentioned by users isn’t an exaggeration. The core of this system is the removable food residue collector and the grease drip collection box. After cooking, any drippings and debris are funneled into these trays, which can be easily slid out, emptied, and wiped clean. This prevents the grease buildup within the main body of the grill that can lead to flare-ups and a much more arduous deep-cleaning process down the line.
The cast iron grates require a bit of care, as all cast iron does, but the process is simple. A quick scrape with a grill brush while they’re still warm, followed by a light coating of cooking oil, will keep them seasoned and non-stick for years to come. The stainless steel exterior is also easy to maintain; a simple wipe-down with a damp cloth and a stainless steel cleaner will keep it looking polished and new. By making the cleanup process so straightforward, the grill encourages more frequent use, turning a potential chore into a simple, two-minute task at the end of a delicious meal. This ease of maintenance is a a feature that really sets it apart in its category.
What Other Users Are Saying
Across the board, the sentiment from owners of the R.W.FLAME G20B 2-Burner Propane Gas Grill is overwhelmingly positive, confirming many of our own findings. A recurring theme is the surprise at the quality and sturdiness for a non-premium brand. One user stated they were “thoroughly impressed” and noted the “well-constructed” build and “excellent heat distribution.” Another highlighted its perfect size for a small patio, easily accommodating grilling for a family of four. The ease of assembly is another point of universal praise, with most reporting setup times of around 30 minutes. The grill’s versatility is also frequently mentioned, with one happy customer buying it for their son’s new apartment and praising its ability to use both large and small propane tanks. While direct negative feedback is sparse, any potential limitations center on its size; it is explicitly a compact grill, and those needing to cook for large crowds would naturally need a larger model.
How the R.W.FLAME G20B Compares to the Competition
The compact grill market is competitive, and while the R.W.FLAME G20B holds its own, it’s important to see how it stacks up against some popular alternatives. Each serves a slightly different niche, and the right choice depends entirely on your specific needs for power, portability, and features.
1. Masterbuilt MB20030819 Portable Propane Grill
The Masterbuilt MB20030819 is a strong contender, focusing heavily on portability with its folding legs. It offers a larger primary cooking surface at 288 square inches, which might appeal to those who often find 2-burner grills just a bit too small. It also includes a chrome-coated warming rack, a feature the R.W.FLAME lacks, which is useful for toasting buns or keeping cooked food warm. However, it operates with a single U-shaped burner, which means you lose the dual-zone temperature control that is a key strength of the R.W.FLAME G20B. This Masterbuilt is an excellent choice for tailgaters and campers who prioritize a single, large cooking zone and a warming rack over nuanced temperature control.
2. Cuisinart Petite Gourmet Portable Gas Grill with VersaStand
The Cuisinart Petite Gourmet takes portability to the extreme. With a much smaller 150 sq. inch cooking surface and a 5,500 BTU burner, this is the ultra-lightweight champion. Its telescoping VersaStand makes it incredibly easy to set up anywhere, from a tabletop to a freestanding position. This grill is not designed to be a primary patio grill for a family; rather, it’s the perfect companion for solo campers, couples on a picnic, or for those with the absolute smallest balconies. Someone might prefer the Cuisinart if their number one priority is minimal weight and maximum portability, and they are willing to sacrifice significant cooking power and surface area to get it.
3. ROVSUN 3 Burner Propane Gas Stove with Side Shelf
The ROVSUN unit represents a completely different approach to outdoor cooking. It is less of a grill and more of a high-power outdoor gas stove. With a staggering 225,000 BTU output across three burners, this is not for searing steaks but for heavy-duty tasks like turkey frying, homebrewing, or wok cooking with immense heat. It lacks a lid and grilling grates, making it unsuitable for traditional BBQ. A user would choose the ROVSUN over the R.W.FLAME G20B if their outdoor cooking involves large pots, fryers, or skillets and they have no need for the enclosed roasting and direct grilling capabilities that the R.W.FLAME provides.
Our Final Verdict on the R.W.FLAME G20B 2-Burner Propane Gas Grill
After extensive testing, we can confidently say that the R.W.FLAME G20B 2-Burner Propane Gas Grill is an exceptional value and a top-tier solution for anyone grilling in a limited space. It successfully bridges the gap between flimsy portable models and bulky, expensive stationary grills. Its sturdy construction, impressive dual-burner performance, and genuinely useful design features like folding shelves and easy cleanup make it a joy to use. It delivers the power needed for a great sear and the control needed for versatile cooking, all within a compact and mobile package.
We recommend this grill without hesitation to apartment dwellers, homeowners with small patios, and anyone looking for a reliable, high-performance grill that won’t dominate their outdoor area. It proves that you don’t need a massive backyard to enjoy the convenience and flavor of authentic gas grilling. If you’re ready to transform your small space into a personal barbecue paradise, the R.W.FLAME G20B is an investment that will pay dividends in delicious meals for years to come. You can check the latest price and find out more right here.