Is Walmart's Budget Cooking Item Worth Buying? Campers' Honest Reviews Reveal The Verdict

Cooking fun meals while camping is a big part of the experience, but not everyone wants to build fires or splurge on expensive equipment. In that case, Walmart offers a simple charcoal grill for cooking up a quick meal away from home. The Ozark Trail Disposable Instant Charcoal Grill won't break the bank or require you to lug around heavy bags of charcoal. At under $20 for a two-pack at the time of writing, it sounds like a good option in a pinch. But how well does it work? Reviewers were clear in its benefits — it's compact, disposable, easy to use, and good for simple meals. But some drawbacks may have frequent campers wanting something with more heft and durability.

While you can use aluminum foil to clean nasty public grills, many reviewers, like TikTok's @donfromnj, avoid public grates by plopping this grill on top. That convenience and portability seem to be the grill's main upsides. One commenter on Don's video, @richardpepe6342," said, "I want to keep one in my car to catch and cook." Walmart reviewer Victoria also said it makes a "quick side grill," which is "perfect for when there's a vegan at the cookout!"

Reviewers generally agree that it "does what it claims," as Walmart reviewer Jessica put it. "I had low expectations, but it got the job done," she wrote, adding, "From a quality perspective, you could probably hack this and make it yourself." Another reviewer who goes by wendingroad said, "it is a small surface area. we used two, and one didn't get hot enough to cook the burgers. other times used was okay." All in all, the consensus seems to be that it works in a pinch, but it's not the best choice for culinary campers, large groups, or campers who grill often.

There are a few things people repeatedly point out about the Ozark Trail disposable charcoal grill. First, its fast setup for simple meals; most reviewers say you can get it assembled and cooking in minutes. It's small and light-weight, making it handy for car camping, tailgates, or beach trips where you don't want to haul heavy gear. It's disposable, meaning easy cleanup — you could hypothetically carry it on a hike and trash it at the nearest receptacle (after letting it cool completely). But it's not very sustainable, which is a negative for eco-minded campers.

This grill's uses are limited compared to portable camping stoves or regular grills. "You can't really control the heat," explained TikTok creator @chefnd, "so that's a downside." He mentioned there was a "lighter fluid-y" smell while cooking and that it took much longer to cook simple items than it would have on a traditional grill. However, some commenters on the video pointed out some specific uses, with @ugh_another_username saying, "This is perfect for the beach!" As for controlling the heat, user @lovepeachblessings69 said, "I punched holes in another aluminum pan that I use for a lid."

Overall, the grill is a hit for casual campers needing to make quick, small meals. If you only grill once in a while and want a budget option, this may be right up your alley. However, it's not ideal if you camp hard or often. Also, if you need longevity, better heat retention, or larger capacity, spending more on something meant for repeated use might make more sense. For example, camping foodies might prefer something like the Blackstone camping griddle, Costco's must-have for hassle-free cooking while camping.