If you’re in need of a new grill this year, here’s our guide to the very best portable grills. We’ve researched and tested dozens of portable grills to see which can brat the best. As for the weight, the Q-series grills are a bit heavy for moving around often. If you prioritize portability over cooking performance, consider our runner-up pick. Grills equipped with an accessible coupling for 1-pound liquid-propane canisters are a must.
The Weber Traveler grill takes up minimal space in your garage and is designed to fit easily in the trunk of a car. Our top pick is the Weber Q2200 Liquid Propane Grill because of its quick and even heating and easy assembly. For an even lighter portable option, our tester loved the Cuisinart Petit Gourmet Gas Grill—and it’s cheaper than the Weber. Whether you’re an avid weber genesis 2 tailgater or off-roading enthusiast, the HitchFire Forge 15 is a worthwhile splurge for those who are always grilling on the go. This heavy-duty propane grill can be used on a table, but what makes it special is its included mount, which attaches to a 2-inch vehicle hitch. Once installed, you can drive, off-road, and cook with the grill mounted to the rear of your car.
After we preheated it for five minutes on high, the Grill2Go reached over 600 degrees Fahrenheit, while the Weber Q 1200 never broke 525 °F. Char-Broil claims its “TRU Infrared cooking system” eliminates flare-ups, but we still had to manage moderate flares while cooking burgers, chicken, and brats. They’re commonly constructed from thin porcelainized steel with thin wire-rod grilling grates.
Whether you’re headed camping or to a tailgate, or grilling out in your backyard, our portable grills have you covered. We were impressed with the high-heat grilling performance of the Weber Go Anywhere Charcoal Grill. But when the firebox got hot, the side vents that regulated airflow stuck in place, rendering us powerless when it came to heat control—critical for slow-cooking portable bbq things like chicken and sausages. The Weber Q series may be the best of the portable grills we’ve tested, but they also cost the most. But Weber’s warranty covers most of the unit for five years, so we think the price is justified. The grill is equipped with aluminum dampers which allow you to control the air-flow and thus regulate the temperature effectively.
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.
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.
Food grilled over charcoal has that coveted backyard-grill smoky flavor. Gas grills are better for people who want to grill more than once a week and can sacrifice a little heat and the classic taste of charcoal for convenience. On the whole, this is a very good portable bbq choice for those who are looking for a dependable and powerful grill for camping or tailgating. On top of it, the user-friendly design makes it a popular choice among grilling aficionados. Infrared grills can be a pain to clean, and the Grill2Go is no different.
If you live in California, you may also be able to bring in 1-pound canisters for free refills or exchange empty canisters for full ones. Perhaps the best thing about the FirePit is that when dinner’s over, you can lower the fuel rack and turn it into, well, a fire pit. And of course it can recharge your devices, but there’s something vaguely sacrilege about sitting around the fire charging your phone. We tested popular manual pasta machines to find the best one for home cooks who want to make lasagna, fettuccine, ravioli, and more.
Our bakeware is perfect for pleasing a crowd or spending quality time with your own little sous chef. Having a Char-Broil account allows you to track orders, register your products, provide reviews, and receive updates on products. That way you won’t run the risk of the trap overflowing and staining your patio or deck. Latches on the front of the Char-Broil Grill2Go make it easy to carry one-handed.