Eureka SPRK Camp Grill Review

The Eureka SPRK Camp Grill is a compact portable grill that features a lightweight design and an included carrying case that not only protects the grill during transport but makes it easy to transfer from the tailgate to the picnic table. This grill provides enough BTUs to sear red meat and enough temperature control to slow-cook veggies with soft skin. Although limited in output power and wind resistance, this grill is one of the most packable of all the grills that we've tested.

Performance Comparison

Output Power

When considering the 1,200 to 20,000 range of BTUs offered by the grills that we tested, the 7,250 BTUs offered by the Eureka SPRK grill run about average. Other options of the same size range average about 8,000 BTUs; however, they are not as easy to use or packable at the SPRK. After minimal setup, installing the butane canister into the separate compartment, and locking the canister into place via the mechanism near the temperature control dial, the auto-ignition fired up on the first try every time.

Once cranking the burner, our testers achieved peak heat in about 15 minutes across the entirety of the grilling plate. While this grill doesn't offer the maximum output power and BTUs of its heavier and full-sized competitors, it does allow for enough power to sear red meat and leave grill marks on veggies without burning the exterior and removing the nutritional content within. This grill prioritizes ease of use and packability over the ultimate output power.

Control

The Eureka SPRK design features a single burner construction with one external temperature control dial. The dial offers an excellent range of temperatures from low to high heat. After our “heat map” test revealed the center of the grill as our “hot spot,” our testers often utilized the hottest spot located above the circular burner to sear meat and then moved the meat to the exterior edges of the grilling plate to maintain heat without burning.

Our testers appreciated the ability to crank the dial to get the grilling plate super hot for searing and then follow that with a turn of the dial to a lower setting, allowing them to accommodate vegetables with thinner skins. It is almost comparable to an electric grill plate that prioritizes convenience and ease of use. Once you adjust to the temperature range available, it becomes increasingly easier to dial in the perfect setting based on the food you're attempting to grill. In grill designs like this that don't come with a built-in thermometer to gauge the temperature, we prefer to use our own infrared thermometer to make sure we are adequately grilling red meats and poultry to perfection.

Portability

Portability is a metric where the Eureka SPRK truly shines among the competition. The grill weighs a mere 8 pounds, 8 ounces, and comes equipped with a large plastic briefcase that resembles a letterbox design, just at a fraction of the weight. The briefcase-style carrying case, sliding lock mechanism, sturdy handle, and lightweight construction make this an easy selection for those who are excited to grill on the go.

While the grill does provide a separate compartment for the butane canister while the grill is in use, we highly recommend carrying the butane fuel canister disconnected and separated from the grill itself, as it is highly unsafe to transport a grill with the fuel canister engaged. It is also worth mentioning that butane is lighter in weight than propane, which further increases the packability of this grill. Butane can sometimes be a little more difficult to find in average shops, although it is often available in outdoor stores, and our testers found a 4-pack of canisters at a nearby market that caters to outdoor enthusiasts. If you're interested in the most packable, simple design that's lightweight and easy to use, this one doesn't disappoint.

Cooking Area

While the Eureka SPRK doesn't supply the largest cooking area compared to the full range of grills we've tested, it is perfect when you find yourself grilling for 2-3 people at camp. The lightweight rectangular grill measures 13.5 x 11 inches and features a non-stick ceramic cooking grate that actually works, preventing food from sticking and making it easy to clean up. Rather than a full grilling grate with bars, it is more of a grilling plate with an open section centered above the flame, meaning that it doesn't have as many spaces for food to fall into the flame. The grilling plate also helps more evenly distribute the heat from the flames below.

Another notable feature of this simple grill is the adjustable legs at the base, which help ensure an even cooking surface even if the table you may be positioned on is not fully level. Our testing team enjoyed the simplicity of this easy-to-use grill, especially when cooking for a party of two at the campsite or on the tailgate.

Wind Resistance

The Eureka SPRK is not a grill that offers a ton of wind resistance. The open design of this grill exposes the flame to the wind without any option to cover the surface with a lid to prevent the effect of the gusts. The base of the grill also has lots of ventilation panels along the sides that allow wind to reach the flames.

Our testers were able to position blocks around the grill, and that helped to block the wind and prevent the flame from going out, but there's no doubt about it: this grill is not built to withstand major gusts. Although wind did affect the grilling temperatures of this open design, the flame never went out entirely during testing.

Should You Buy the Eureka SPRK Camp Grill?

If you're interested in a grill that prioritizes portability within a simple, user-friendly design, the Eureka SPRK Camp Grill should be at the top of your list of considerations. Powered by butane to further maximize portability and offer 148 square inches of grilling surface within an 8.5-pound design, this grill makes it easy to cook on the tailgate or at your favorite campsite. This grill offers great performance for a relatively affordable price.

What Other Portable Grills Should You Consider?

The Eureka SPRK Camp Grill is a super portable grill that's lightweight and easy to set up anywhere you'd like to cook. If you're interested in another more affordable option that features propane gas rather than butane, as well as a lid to offer better control and wind resistance, check out another favorite of our testing team, the Cuisinart Grillster. Need a larger cooking area to grill for a small group? Check out the [Cuisinart CGG-306 Chef's Style Tabletop Grill], which features two independent burners for excellent control along with a combined total of 20,000 BTUs making it perfect for grilling large cuts of meat. And finally, if you're ready to invest in a top-of-the-line propane grill, the performance of the [Weber Traveler] simply can't be beat.