Our burger turned out juicy with plenty of charcoal-infused flavor. That alone makes the Cuisinart a great ultra-light, budget-priced grill, despite its shortcomings, of which there are a few. Setting up the Davy Crockett took more time than a standard portable grill but still wasn’t difficult.
You can control the grill via its digital dial, and while the model is compact, keep in mind it weighs a substantial 42 pounds. Most grills performed about as well as advertised, with some topping out at as much as 100 F hotter than others. The better grills also generally ended up reading out a more consistent temperature throughout cooking. This multifunctional charcoal grill portable bbq doubles as a wood-burning fire pit, and it even features a small fan attachment to blow smoke out of your face for comfort. You can also use the lower fan setting to help get charcoal going or kindling lit and save yourself some excessive fanning and blowing. This is the best option on this list for transitioning from a barbecue dinner to a post-meal fire pit session.
Her expertise builds on a lifelong career in the culinary world—from a restaurant cook and caterer to a food editor at Martha Stewart. She is perfectly happy weber genesis 2 to leave all that behind to be a full-time kitchen-gear nerd. Keeping coals lit in the Weber Smokey Joe Charcoal Grill 14″ was a challenge for us.
But, it’s less portable than the smaller 16.4-ounce propane bottle some other grills use. This is a small grill with a big heart; it had no problem when covered with hamburger patties and buns. The dual-burner Cuisinart is our favorite small gas grill, delivering nearly perfect heat distribution across its surface, which is quite large for a portable appliance. A bottom vent and an aluminum top damper allowed us to dial in the airflow. Bring a little of that sizzling, smoky magic in tow wherever you go with a portable grill. We’re sharing the top portable grills to shop based on budget, fuel and lifestyle needs below.
Despite these issues, the end result of our smoking effort was nothing short of divine. The Davy Crockett produced juicy pulled pork with a healthy smoke ring and plenty of hickory flavor. Protect your grill from the elements and keep it looking like new — shop our full selection of durable grill covers from top brands.
With a top-notch portable grill, you can fill your tailgating zone with the irresistible aroma of low and slow ribs, grilled steak, or smoked chicken. Charcoal grills can be a good choice for wide-open spaces, but in any confined space charcoal isn’t ideal. For one thing, when charcoal is lit it gives off an unpleasant odor and smoke that can’t be weber genesis 2 easily controlled. And charcoal briquettes are prone to flare-ups that could cause a dangerous situation whether you’re in the woods or on a friend’s small deck. A good portable grill gives you the flexibility to cook in confined spaces like balconies or small patios, and also brings your grill to outdoor parties, tailgates, and camping trips.