Flattop grills operate like traditional portable gas grills without lids, but their stainless steel tops act like griddles. They don’t provide the flame-kissed flavor of a charcoal grill, but temperature adjustments are pinpoint. It’s even possible to use some electric grills indoors, but of course they need to be plugged into an outlet, generator, or vehicle’s 12V outlet. Those who host frequent backyard cookouts tend to have firm opinions about what kind of grill keeps mouths watering. Picking the right portable grill to satisfy taste buds on the go—like for a camping trip or in a parking lot before the big game—means considering the same variables and then some.
This grill can be set from “low smoke” to “high smoke”, and for temperatures ranging up to 550 degrees. The George Foreman Indoor/Outdoor 15+ may offer a huge grilling surface, but can only be operated on a single heat-setting. Notice that while the onions were just beginning to nicely char, our burgers were over-browning to a crisp. Higher BTUs produce more heat, but it is challenging to determine the heat output from the BTU rating alone. Grill size, construction materials, and design all contribute to how much heat will be produced on the actual grilling surface. U-shaped burners, as found on the Weber Q 1200, are the design of choice to efficiently deliver heat across the extent of a grill surface.
Portable grills with frames that unfold or stands that extend make transport easy while still allowing the user to grill from a comfortable height. Use these shopping tips and recommendations to pick the best portable grill for your next on-the-go barbecue. Sign up to receive new product news, exclusive offers, grilling tips & recipes, and more from Weber and its affiliates / subsidiaries! Nicole Papantoniou is the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Kitchen Appliance and Culinary Innovation Lab where she oversees all kitchen appliance content and testing. This is her third season testing grills for Good Housekeeping and has had her hands on at least 35 grills and counting.
And vegetables on each to see how the portable grills performed in their most critical of duties. It’s also worth noting that you’ll be getting more of a broiled result versus a traditional grill since there is no actual flame so don’t expect char marks on your oblong burgers. There are a few sizes, including this mid-size GoSun Goand the larger GoSun Survival if you’re planning on cooking for a group.
The wood pellet grill can get up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, and in addition to its main grilling area, it also has a removable upper rack. You can control the grill via its digital dial, and while the model is compact, keep in mind it weighs a substantial 42 pounds. Among the charcoal models, the Weber Go-Anywhere scores top marks for control. Thanks to a relatively deep basin, we were able to build and stoke a substantial volume of coals to achieve the exact heat we desired.
Lesley Stockton is a senior staff writer reporting on all things cooking and entertaining for Wirecutter. Her expertise builds on a lifelong career in the culinary world—from a restaurant cook and caterer to weber genesis 2 a food editor at Martha Stewart. She is perfectly happy 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.
Everything but the grill grate on the GoBQ is made of flame-retardant fabric, and the whole thing weighs nine pounds and packs easily into something about the size of a knife roll. Great quality product, I’ve been cooking on it ever since we got it. If you have the space for something bigger, check out our guide to full-size charcoal grills. For more backyard-grilling options, check out our guide to full-size gas grills. In general, a charcoal grill and bags of briquets cost less than a gas grill and propane canisters. If you have enough space for a full-size grill, you’ll probably be happier with one of our full-size gas or charcoal picks.
The good news is, Coleman has provided two adjustable burners with this grill and you also get the option of using only one burner if needed. Another advantage is the variable controls that allow you to cook two different types of food side by side. The Instastart ignition button is a nice addition and it performed flawlessly during my tests. Coleman has made the cast iron grill grates interchangeable, adding to the versatility of this grill. This Weber grill is a mini version of the brand’s well-loved charcoal kettle.