If your idea of fun is an afternoon barbecue on the beach or at a camp with family and friends, then you might want to purchase a portable gas grill.

Portable, campsite gas grills are great investments since they can come with you anywhere, even on a camping trip. They are light and portable enough to go with you on short trips such as picnics, barbecues and other similar activities. They are very versatile - you can use them in many ways to come up with great tasting food that is full of flavor. What's more, they are light enough so that you can store them indoors when the weather is bad.

You need to consider many factors when buying a portable gas grill. Among them are:

Weight. The whole point of a portable gas grill is its handiness - why would you buy a heavy model? As a general rule, portable gas grills should not exceed 40 pounds in weight. Anything heavier might as well be a permanent fixture.

Cooking surfaces. Look for a portable gas grill with as many cooking surfaces as possible - there are models that have a BBQ surface, a flat grill, and a ribbed grill. Make sure that these surfaces are all nonstick so that you can cook fries, prawns, vegetables and even pancakes without hassle. There are even portable gas grill models that throw in wok tops so you can cook pasta and rice dishes.

Surface area. Most portable gas grills are so handy that they have very small surface areas. Unless you only plan to cook for one or two, it would be better to invest in bigger grills. Expect to spend anywhere from $100 to $200 for portable gas grills with 280-square inch surface areas.

Extras. Little add-ons such as an attachable pot stand for boiling water, a condiments tray, etc. come a long way. Some models even have hoods big enough to grill a whole chicken or large roast, and some even have optional rotisserie kits.