Stok offers some of the most eye-catching grills on the market. If you’ve ever seen one before, you’ll know what we’re talking about. But do they get the job done? In our Stok grill reviews, we’ll explore the features that make their portable models unique.
One of Stok’s claims to fame is the inclusion of an insert system. Unlike some grills, which offer standard cooking grates only, these units are designed to hold pizza stones, chicken roasters, grilling baskets, and much more.
The company has charcoal and electric grills in its lineup as well, but for now, let’s focus on the Gridiron and Tourist. These are gas-powered grills that are designed for camping, picnics, tailgating, and other outdoor adventures.
#1 Stok Gridiron 1-Burner Gas Grill
Pros
- Large wheels make it easy to maneuver
- Has a side table for storage
- Versatile model
- Cleans up easily
Cons
- May be too small for home use
- Most inserts are sold separately
#2 Stok Tourist Portable Gas Grill
Pros
- Compact and portable
- Attractive design
- Comes with its own customized carrying bag
- Has a great deal of power for a small unit
Cons
- Doesn’t offer any room for prep or condiments
- Minimal cooking space
Stok Grill Reviews: Features & Benefits
#1 Stok Gridiron 1-Burner Gas Grill
Design
As Stok models go, this one has a fairly traditional appearance. The flat, rectangular cookbox resembles the ones you would find on many other portable gas grills. It sits atop a collapsible stand equipped with two huge wheels, which makes it easy to move around the parking lot.
The unit also includes a side table, which is a great benefit. When it comes to portable units, you need all the extra space you can get. The table isn’t large, but it comes in handy for holding cold beverages or condiments while you’re grilling.
We especially appreciate the fact that the firebox lid can be locked when the grill isn’t in use. Listening to the lid clatter around in the trunk is one of the worst aspects of transporting a grill.
An integrated temperature gauge rests in the center of the lid. It can be hard to read, but that’s only a problem if you’re using one of the special inserts.
On that note, this grill comes with a pizza stone, but the rest of the inserts are sold separately. We’ll talk more about these components in the next segment.
The Gridiron is available in two colors. You can choose a customary black finish, or jazz things up with the bright orange selection.
Build Materials
Stok grills feature an enameled steel construction for the firebox. The cooking grates are made of porcelain-enameled cast iron, a superb choice for durability and easy cleanup.
The stand might look flimsy, but it’s capable of supporting the firebox’s weight. I especially love the oversized wheels, which are rugged enough to perform well on the beach. The legs on the opposite side have a good support system, so you don’t need to worry about your dinner rolling away.
In addition to the regular cooking grate, this unit comes with a ceramic baking stone for pizza and flatbread. Other optional inserts include a veggie tray, a smoker/infuser, a chicken roaster, a cast iron kettle, a griddle, a rack for holding ribs and shish kabobs, a grilling basket, and a wok.
Size
The Stok Gridiron measures 40 by 12.5 inches when the grill is folded up for transport. That makes it small enough to fit into the trunk–or even the backseat. Since portability is key for travel-sized grills, this is a major perk.
As for the cooking surface, it measures 348 square inches in all. Considering how easy this unit is to transport, that’s a generous offering. In any case, it’s larger than many portable gas grills.
Burner System
This grill comes with a single 15,000-BTU burner. That means it offers just over 43 BTUs per square inch of cooking space. In the past, people assumed that gas grills should crank out 80 to 100 BTUs per square inch. Fortunately for Stok, that’s no longer the case; the efficiency of the burner is more important than the BTU output.
So, how does the burner compare to the competition? It comes with a quick-start electric ignition system, which is convenient and reliable. The grill also heats up quickly. However, we’ve noticed that the cooking surface doesn’t distribute the heat well, so hot dogs and bratwurst might be burned on one end and underdone on the other.
If you’re using the grill for long cooking applications (say, using the insert to roast a chicken), make sure to keep the lid closed as much as possible. The quality steel construction should help to lock in the heat, giving you more consistent results.
Finally, note that this unit requires a 1-lb disposable LP tank, which is sold separately.
Care and Maintenance
One of the best things about the Stok Gridiron is the porcelain coating on the cast iron cooking grates. The enamel prevents food particles from sticking to the grates, so they can be washed easily under hot running water. Cast iron can last for generations if it’s treated properly, so make sure to take this step after each cook.
Because the rest of the grill is so small, cleanup is simple. The only components that might cause trouble are the rib and kabob rack, the chicken roaster, and the veggie tray. If these get messy, you’ll need a decent amount of elbow grease to get them clean again.
Ease of Assembly
This is another important consideration when it comes to travel grills. Again, the compact design and relatively simple layout make this an easy step. It sets up easily for the first use, and it folds up quickly when it’s time to go.
We should point out that while the portability of the Stok Gridiron is a major plus, it’s also suitable for home use. 348 square inches is a decent size for singles or couples, and the unit is compact enough to fit on a small balcony or patio.
Warranty
Stok offers a limited 2-year warranty for the grill as a whole, which is a fair offering. However, the burner system comes with a 10-year limited warranty. This indicates that the company is confident about the quality of their product, which is a great reason to consider the purchase.
#2 Stok Tourist Portable Gas Grill
Design
At first glance, you might mistake the Tourist for a charcoal grill. That’s understandable, as it has the same kettle shape that distinguished the earliest Weber models. However, a closer look reveals the gas burner beneath the firebox, as well as some other pertinent features.
The lid is outfitted with a coated handle, which is high enough to prevent you from burning your hands when you remove it. While the main body of the grill is black in color, this lid is a distinctive flame-orange. The company logo is prominently featured, but there’s no built-in thermometer.
The Tourist sits upon a tripod stand with broad rectangular legs. The design gives the grill a futuristic appearance. All of the legs have been supplied with “feet” to prevent the grill from slipping on unstable terrain.
Build Materials
Like the Gridiron, this model is constructed of enameled steel. The cast-iron cooking grates have the same porcelain coating for protection and easy cleanup.
Stok offers a ceramic pizza stone insert for this unit as well. The other inserts are sold separately, but they match the ones we described for the Gridiron.
Size
If you’re looking for a portable unit that can serve a hungry crowd, the Stok Tourist might not be your best bet. The grill features a scant 104 square inches of cooking space, making it one of the smallest offerings we’ve seen. For couples and small families, it should be fine, but you should rethink your options if you plan on using the grill to entertain.
However, as we pointed out with the Gridiron, this is a travel grill. That means that its diminutive size could be considered a perk. It won’t take up much room at the campsite, and it can be transported with ease.
On a similar note, the Tourist comes with its own customized bag. This makes it even easier to tote around when it’s in the collapsed position.
Burner System
Just like the Gridiron, the Tourist comes with a single burner. This one cranks out 5,000 BTUs per hour, or around 48 for every square inch of cooking space. It also runs off a 1-lb disposable LP tank, which you’ll have to purchase separately.
As far as performance goes, it’s a mixed bag. It takes a long time for the grill to heat up, and the food cooks slowly once it’s been added. We think it’s worth noting that Stok doesn’t offer a 10-year warranty on the burner, as it does with the Gridiron. This drawback makes it hard to recommend the Tourist.
Care and Maintenance
Because the porcelain-coated cast iron grill grate is such a small one, cleanup goes quickly. The same goes for the lid and firebox, as there isn’t much surface area to cover.
Once again, some of the optional inserts are harder to clean than the main cooking grate. Fortunately, the pizza stone (the only insert included with the purchase) isn’t one of them. You’ll need to season it before the first use and be careful not to use soap or submerge it in water. Otherwise, ceramic baking stones require little maintenance.
Ease of Assembly
As long as all the components are included, this grill doesn’t take long to put together. That said, the initial shipment may be missing some of the parts that are required for assembly. This can be a hassle, as you’ll have to wait several days for Stok to send along replacements. Make sure all the parts are in the box before you try to assemble the grill.
Warranty
Stok grills carry a limited 2-year warranty, as we mentioned in our roundup of the Gridiron. Unlike the Gridiron, however, the Tourist doesn’t come with a separate 10-year warranty for the burner system. That’s disappointing, especially when combined with the burner’s low performance overall.
Social Proof
Customer response to these units has been mixed. Most people are pleased with the simple setup and the portability of both units. On the negative side, the heat retention and distribution were cited as being poor. The Tourist, in particular, received low marks in the performance category.
Suggested Alternatives
If these Stok grill reviews haven’t convinced you to buy one, you have other options. Both the Gridiron and Tourist can be difficult to find through online retailers. Despite their positive qualities, they won’t do you any good if you can’t find them. As an alternative, try checking out one of these travel-sized gas grills.
#1 Coleman RoadTrip 285
This powerful 3-burner unit comes with plenty of storage and prep space. The quick-fold legs and attached wheels make it easy to transport, and it features a grilling surface that measures 285 square inches.
How they compare:
- Design and Construction-Coleman
- Size-Mixed*
- Performance-Coleman
- Maintenance-Stok
- Assembly-Stok
- Warranty-Mixed**
*The RoadTrip is smaller than the Gridiron, but larger than the Tourist
**The Gridiron’s burner warranty is more generous than Coleman’s, but it’s not included for the Tourist
Try the RoadTrip if you want a grill that can get dinner on the table in a hurry.
#2 Weber Q1200
The Weber name carries a lot of clout in the grilling industry. This ingenious and efficient little grill is one of the reasons why. This is a tabletop unit, so it’s a good fit for picnics and tailgating.
How they compare:
- Design and Construction-Weber
- Size-Mixed*
- Performance-Weber
- Maintenance-Weber
- Assembly-Weber
- Warranty-Weber
*The cooking surface measures 189 square inches, so it’s larger than the Tourist and smaller than the Gridiron
If you want a portable gas grill with a unique design, Weber’s Q1200 model fits the bill.
#3 Cuisinart CGG180 Petit Gourmet Gas Grill
An affordable travel-sized grill with a sawhorse chassis design, the CGG180 is ready to hit the road. It also comes with an effective grease management system.
How they compare:
- Design and Construction-Stok
- Size-Mixed*
- Performance-Cuisinart
- Maintenance-Cuisinart
- Assembly-Stok
- Warranty-Cuisinart**
*At 160 square inches, the cooking surface is smaller than the Gridiron’s and only slightly bigger than the Tourist’s
**Cuisinart’s grill carries a 3-year warranty, but no extended offer is in place for the burner system
Shoppers on a budget should take a look at the Cuisinart CGG-180.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Stok make a portable charcoal grill as well?
Stok manufactures several portable grills. In fact, there’s an electric version of the Gridiron, which offers an identical amount of cooking space. Except for the fuel source, the two grills are pretty much interchangeable.
The company’s flagship charcoal grill is the Drum unit. This grill measures 22.5 inches in diameter, and the cooking surface measures 363 square inches. While it’s on the smaller side, it doesn’t fold down the way the Tourist and Gridiron do. Buyers who are on the lookout for a portable charcoal grill should consider another brand.
What makes Stok grills special?
Stok prides itself on the insert system that helps to distinguish their grills from the traditional lineup. With these inserts, you can create memorable meals that can be difficult to prepare outdoors.
For example, you can easily roast a whole chicken using the designated component. Grilled pizza isn’t necessarily unusual, but the baking stone gives the crust a more authentic quality. The wok insert is particularly good for stir-fries and other Asian-inspired cuisine.
The design is another unique aspect of the Stok lineup. Sometimes, it can be difficult to tell one model from another, but that’s not the case with these state-of-the-art models. In particular, the Tourist doesn’t look like any other portable gas grill we’ve seen.
Does STOK cast iron cookware need to be seasoned before the first use?
When it comes to cast iron, seasoning is always recommended. To make the cast iron components ready for cooking, rub a small amount of canola oil all over the surface, then place it on a sheet of aluminum foil. Make sure the oil is spread out in a thin layer, with no visible pooling.
Heat the component in a 350 degree oven for one hour. Allow it to cool completely before you remove it from the oven.
Are Stok grills expensive?
Stok’s gas grills aren’t any pricier than the comparable models we listed here. In fact, they’re more affordable than some. Even if you’re on a budget, you shouldn’t be overwhelmed by the cost of the Gridiron or the Tourist.
That said, the grills can be hard to find, as we pointed out earlier. When you consider the fact that the heat retention is spotty anyway, this is a difficult drawback to overcome.
Final Thoughts
When we first put together these Stok grill reviews, we were impressed by many aspects of the Tourist and Gridiron. Upon closer inspection, though, we learned that the grills don’t always deliver upon their promise. That’s why we would suggest investing in the Weber Q1200 instead.
The Q1200 is small enough to be taken anywhere, and it can be set up on a picnic table or truck bed. Though it doesn’t feature a great deal of cooking space, the heat retention is top-notch. It also cooks the food evenly, something that the Stok grills have a hard time with.
Click here to check out the Weber Q1200.
