Charcoal grills’ simple construction is what makes them budget friendly. Think of portable gas grills as small, outdoor, propane-powered ovens. The push-button ignition and the temperature-control dial should be easily accessible and clearly marked so you can quickly start the grill and adjust the heat without fumbling.
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 weber q 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.
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 weber q 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.
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.
We loved the novelty of George Foreman Indoor/Outdoor grill for its ability to cook an entire meal outside, and then move onto the table for a Hibachi-style fajita night. The Coleman Roadtrip 285 is not the easiest grill to move, but the large wheels and long handle certainly help. The Camp Chef Portable Pellet has two digital meat probes that display a live view of your food’s internal temperature. The heat distribution of the Char-Broil 240 grill is not particularly even, likely because the distribution cap does not extend to the farthest reaches at either the front or back. BBQGuys does more than test and sell grills — we show you how to use them, too.