It’s a standalone unit that rests on thin steel feet that are relatively stable, although they aren’t quite as dependable as the tripod feet from the previous Kamado Joe grill we looked at. The cart is one of the big upgrades over both the Jumbo Joe and the Go-Anywhere. With the PKTX you will be ready to grill, and there’s no need to find a safe surface.
This propane grill has a 280-square-inch porcelain-enameled, cast-iron cooking grate and delivers 12,000 BTUs of heat per hour when connected to a 14.1-ounce or 16.4-ounce liquid propane cylinder. It comes with a push-button starter and removable catch pan, and it’s even compatible with the 1000-series Weber griddle. Two spacious tables provide extra space for prepping and serving, while the ergonomic side handles ensure easy transport. Since the grill has cast-iron grates, it is a bit heavy, weighing over 43 pounds, but it’s a small sacrifice if you want a grill that’s extremely reliable and simple to operate. Portable gas grills are generally designed to be used with small 1-pound propane tanks, and with these, a regulator is not needed.
That’s why you’re probably on the hunt for one of the best portable BBQs. If you have questions related to barbecue or grilling, please post them to the comments section at the bottom of any page. If you have business or tecnical issues, please contact us with this email form. The FireBoard Spark is a hybrid combining instant-read capability, a cabled temperature probe, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi connectivity. Couple that with high standards of design and workmanship and it’s a “must own.” Click here to read our comprehensive Platinum Medal review.
Despite its portability, the Traveler has plenty of cooking space, with 320 square inches (enough for about 15 burgers at a time), plus a small prep table attached to the side. That whole grate has just a single burner to heat it up, but it was able to reach 660 degrees in testing, hot enough to get a good sear on larger weber q pieces of meat. The unit is designed to use camping-style 1-pound propane tanks, but it does include an adapter hose to accommodate the standard 20-pound cylinders, too. After testing this in our Lab and on an apartment patio, the Weber Q 1400 Electric Grill is one of the best tabletop electric grills around.
Foods cooked included steak and burgers, which do best with a hot sear. The fan did indeed cut down on smoke blowing in my eyes and both the charcoal and wood burned nicely giving me both food and then warmth after dinner as I sipped a nightcap. It also functioned well as a grill with good ventilation to keep the coals hot — although the cooking capacity is on the small side. The Coleman’s portability is both a pro and con since it’s made from thin metal and doesn’t have big hulking cast iron grill grates as some of the less portable models on our list do.
Gas (propane) 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. The NOMAD has few frills, but a design that keeps heat in and dissipates what heat does transfer to the exterior justifies much of the cost while making it a safer grill all around. It has side dampers to adjust airflow and regulate the temperature when it’s closed. The built-in thermometer skewed about 30 degrees lower than our test probes, but the heat retention was very good overall. He’s been grilling since being put in charge of the hot dogs at a family party when he was probably 7 years old, and he’s been writing professionally about food and drinks for nearly two decades. He lives in Los Angeles, where it’s feasible to grill just about every day of the year.
Our experts test thousands of products each year using thoughtful test plans that bring out key performance differences between competing products. And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. All that now stands between you and mobile grilling is your final choice and a big pile of grillable grub. Crack that first tailgate can, ponder our comparative assessments, and pull the trigger on an excellent portable delicious-making machine. None of our choices are poor options, and all can facilitate memorable dining experiences.
For one thing, when charcoal is lit it gives off an unpleasant odor and smoke that can’t be 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. If you want to really get into this age-old debate, we have a full guide to the differences between charcoal and gas grills. Now let’s look at why cooking with charcoal is an excellent choice for portable grilling.