A good BBQ grill pan keeps sliced vegetables, seafood, and other small foods from slipping between the grates while still letting them cook over the grill. The right choice depends on what you’re cooking, how much space you have, and whether you prefer a solid pan or a perforated topper. These five options include both styles, from a roomy non-stick skillet to compact stainless steel trays.
Quick Comparison
| Product | Style and material | Best suited for |
|---|---|---|
| Mr. Bar-B-Q 12-Inch Non-Stick Grilling Skillet | Solid non-stick skillet with removable wooden handle | Vegetables and other foods that need more containment |
| Weber Stainless Steel Grill Pan | Stainless steel pan with narrow slits | Small or delicate foods with juices that can drain away |
| Outset Stainless Steel Grill Topper Grid | Compact perforated stainless steel tray | Small portions and vegetables that benefit from airflow |
| RSVP International Porcelain-Coated Steel Grill Tray | Perforated porcelain-coated steel tray | Vegetables, seafood, and small cuts of meat |
| Tablecraft 12-Inch Stainless Steel Grill Pan | Stainless steel pan with handles | Shoppers looking for a larger stainless steel option |
Our Picks: Best Bbq Grill Pan For Vegetables reviews
Mr. Bar-B-Q 12-Inch Skillet: A Roomy, Contained Cooking Surface
This is the most skillet-like option in the group. Its 12-by-12-inch cooking surface and 2-inch-high sides help keep chopped vegetables, shrimp, and other small pieces together instead of scattered across the grill. The non-stick surface is intended to make food easier to release, while the sides offer more containment than a flat grill topper.
The clip-on wooden handle is removable, which can make the pan easier to place and store. The product description says it can be used on gas or charcoal grills as well as for indoor cooking setups. It also describes using the pan as a strainer basket for draining excess oil and juices. After cooking, the specified care is hand washing with soap and water.
The trade-off is that this is a solid pan rather than a perforated tray. Food won’t get the same direct exposure to grill smoke and heat through holes as it would on the Outset or RSVP options. The removable handle also needs to be attached or detached as needed, so this may be less convenient if you want a simple, lift-and-go tray.
Pros:
- Generous 12-by-12-inch cooking surface
- Raised sides help contain small pieces and juices
- Non-stick surface and removable clip-on handle
- Can be used on gas or charcoal grills, according to the product description
Cons:
- Hand washing is specified for cleanup
- Solid construction offers less direct airflow through the pan than a perforated topper
Verdict: Choose this skillet if keeping vegetables and other small foods contained matters more to you than cooking them on a perforated surface.
Weber Stainless Steel Grill Pan: A Durable Choice for Small Foods
Weber’s grill pan is made from stainless steel and designed for small or delicate foods. Its narrow, 1/8-inch slits allow juices to drain while helping keep food on the pan. That makes it a useful middle ground between a solid skillet and a more openly perforated grill grid.
The pan has wide carrying handles, a practical feature when you need to move it on or off the grill. Stainless steel is the main draw here: the product description highlights heat retention and durability, without adding a non-stick coating or care restrictions beyond cleaning with soap and water.
The supplied product details don’t give the pan’s dimensions, so check the listing if you need to confirm that it will fit your grill or hold a particular amount of food. Its slits are also narrower than the open perforations on the Outset and RSVP trays, so it may not give food as much direct contact with grill heat.
Pros:
- Stainless steel construction
- Narrow slits let juices drain while helping keep food in the pan
- Wide handles make it easier to carry
- Designed for small or delicate foods
Cons:
- Dimensions aren’t included in the supplied product details
- Does not have the open perforation pattern of a grill topper grid
Verdict: This is a strong option if you want a stainless steel pan with narrow drainage slits and wide handles, and you don’t need a listed size before buying.
Outset Grill Topper: A Compact Perforated Tray for Vegetables
The Outset is a small stainless steel grill topper with a perforated surface, raised edges, and side handles. Its grill surface measures 11 by 7 inches, and the full tray measures 11 by 7.25 by 2.25 inches, including the handles. The compact size suits smaller portions and can work well when you want a dedicated space for vegetables alongside other food on the grill.
The holes allow airflow over and under the food, while raised edges help keep pieces on the tray when you turn them. The product description lists vegetables such as onions, broccoli, asparagus, and potatoes, along with fish and other delicate foods. It can also be used in place of a vegetable grilling basket.
This tray’s smaller surface is both its main advantage and its main limit. It takes up less space than the 12-inch Mr. Bar-B-Q skillet, but may require cooking in batches if you’re preparing vegetables for a larger group. For cleanup, the product description says it can be scrubbed with soap and water or washed on the top rack of a dishwasher. Use a grill mitt or glove when handling the hot tray.
Pros:
- Perforations allow airflow around food
- Raised edges help contain food when turning it
- Side handles make the tray easier to lift
- Top-rack dishwasher-safe, according to the product description
Cons:
- Compact cooking surface may be small for larger batches
- Hot handles require protection when lifting the tray
Verdict: Pick the Outset if you want a compact, perforated stainless steel tray for smaller servings and easy cleanup.
RSVP Porcelain-Coated Tray: A Perforated Surface for Direct Grill Contact
This RSVP International tray pairs a perforated design with porcelain-coated steel. Its 13-by-7.5-inch surface is intended for vegetables, flaky fish, shellfish, and small cuts of meat that might otherwise fall through grill grates. The holes let heat and smoke reach the food while excess liquid drains away.
The product description recommends coating the tray with cooking spray to create a non-stick surface. It also says the tray is available in other sizes and as a set, which may help if you need more cooking area. For care, wash it with mild dish soap, rinse, and dry it right away. Avoid abrasive scrubbers, which the care instructions say not to use.
The surface area is between the compact Outset tray and the larger Mr. Bar-B-Q skillet by the listed dimensions, but it still has a relatively narrow footprint. The supplied data marks this item as unavailable, so check the Amazon listing before deciding on it. If it isn’t available, the Outset offers another perforated tray with a stainless steel build.
Pros:
- Perforations allow heat and smoke to reach food
- Porcelain-coated steel construction
- Listed for vegetables, seafood, and small cuts of meat
- Available in other sizes or as a set, according to the product description
Cons:
- Care instructions call for prompt drying and no abrasive scrubbers
- Product data indicates it may not currently be available
Verdict: Consider this tray if you want a perforated coated-steel surface, but confirm its availability and follow the specific care instructions.
Tablecraft 12-Inch Pan: A Straightforward Stainless Steel Option
Tablecraft’s BBQ122 is described as a 12-inch-diameter stainless steel grill pan with handles. That gives you a clear sense of its width and material, but the supplied product details don’t say whether the cooking surface is solid or perforated. They also don’t specify the pan’s depth or provide care instructions, so check the listing if those details affect your choice.
The stainless steel construction and handles make it a simple alternative to the non-stick Mr. Bar-B-Q skillet. It may suit shoppers who want a round pan and don’t need extra features such as a removable handle or a stated non-stick coating. Since the product data provides fewer cooking and care details than the other choices, it’s worth confirming the design before buying—especially if airflow through the pan is important to you.
Pros:
- 12-inch diameter provides a clearly stated size
- Stainless steel construction
- Handles are included
- Simple design for shoppers who don’t need a non-stick surface
Cons:
- Supplied product details don’t specify whether the surface is perforated
- Depth and care instructions aren’t provided in the supplied details
Verdict: Choose the Tablecraft if a 12-inch stainless steel pan with handles fits your needs, but verify its surface design and care instructions first.
How to Choose a BBQ Grill Pan for Vegetables
Choose between a solid pan and a perforated tray
A solid pan, like the Mr. Bar-B-Q skillet, keeps small pieces and juices contained. It can be handy when you’re cooking chopped vegetables or foods that might break apart. A perforated tray, such as the Outset or RSVP, lets heat and smoke reach the food through its openings. Consider how much direct grill contact you want and whether keeping food fully contained is your top priority.
Match the size to your grill and meal
Check the pan’s cooking-surface dimensions, not just its overall size. Handles can add width, as they do with the Outset tray. A compact pan can leave more room on the grill but may require cooking in batches. A larger surface can hold more food, but you’ll need enough grill space to place it securely. The products here range from a compact 11-by-7-inch surface to a 12-inch skillet and a 13-by-7.5-inch tray.
Think about how you’ll handle hot cookware
Handles make it easier to lift a pan, but they can become hot while cooking. The Mr. Bar-B-Q has a removable clip-on wooden handle, while the Weber, Outset, and Tablecraft descriptions mention handles. The Outset instructions specifically advise using a grill mitt or glove with the hot tray. Plan to use heat protection when moving any cookware from the grill.
Consider the surface and care instructions
A non-stick surface can help with food release, but the Mr. Bar-B-Q instructions call for hand washing. The Weber pan can be cleaned with soap and water, while the Outset is listed as top-rack dishwasher-safe. The RSVP tray requires mild soap, prompt drying, and no abrasive scrubbers. If easy cleanup is a priority, compare the care instructions with the routine you prefer.
Check the details that matter to your cooking
Look for the features you’ll actually use: side walls for tossing vegetables, narrow slits for draining juices, perforations for more airflow, or a handle that detaches for storage. Product details aren’t equally complete for every option. The Tablecraft listing data, for example, identifies its diameter and material but does not state whether the surface is perforated. Confirm missing details on the listing before making your choice.
FAQs
What type of grill pan is best for chopped vegetables?
A pan with raised sides helps keep chopped vegetables together while you stir or turn them. The Mr. Bar-B-Q skillet has 2-inch-high sides. If you prefer a perforated design, the Outset and RSVP trays are designed to hold small foods while letting heat and smoke reach them.
Do perforated grill pans let smoke reach vegetables?
Yes. The Outset and RSVP product descriptions say their perforations allow airflow or more direct contact with grill heat and smoke. A solid skillet offers more containment but doesn’t have openings across its cooking surface.
Can I use these pans on a charcoal grill?
The Mr. Bar-B-Q product description specifically says it can be used on gas or charcoal grills. The other supplied descriptions identify their products as grill pans or toppers but don’t name specific grill fuel types. Check the product listing if compatibility with a particular grill is essential.
Which option has the largest stated cooking surface?
The Mr. Bar-B-Q skillet is listed with a 12-by-12-inch cooking surface. The RSVP tray measures 13 by 7.5 inches, while the Outset has an 11-by-7-inch grill surface. The Weber and Tablecraft product details don’t provide a comparable cooking-surface measurement.
Are these grill pans non-stick?
The Mr. Bar-B-Q is described as non-stick. The RSVP product description says to coat its porcelain-coated steel surface with cooking spray to create a non-stick surface. The supplied details do not describe the Weber, Outset, or Tablecraft pans as non-stick.
Which pan is easiest to clean?
The Outset has the clearest easy-cleanup option in the supplied details: it can be washed with soap and water or placed on the top rack of a dishwasher. The Mr. Bar-B-Q calls for hand washing, and the RSVP tray requires careful drying and non-abrasive cleaning. The Weber can be cleaned with soap and water.
Final Recommendation
For a roomy surface and better containment, the Mr. Bar-B-Q 12-inch skillet is the most versatile pick in this group. If you’d rather have airflow through a perforated tray, consider the Outset for smaller portions or the RSVP for its coated-steel design, after checking availability. The Weber is a practical stainless steel option for delicate foods, while the Tablecraft is worth considering if its 12-inch size and simple handle design suit your needs.