The 6 Best Portable Grills of 2023 Tested by GearLab

I suggest keeping a backup gas lighter during outdoor trips as the ignition may not work well in windy conditions. Lastly, I have to say that the unit is very well balanced and is very stable once you place it on a flat surface. Cast-iron grates are durable but require frequent cleaning and oiling.

Food and char tended to get caught between the V’s on the grill grate and clog up holes. While the Grill2Go comes with a special scraper, it was still a chore to get the grate clean. Size and weight don’t necessarily correspond, either, so it may be possible to end up with a small, heavy grill or a large, lightweight one. Do your research and know your limits if you want to keep things comfortable for the long haul. Low-to-high temperature range provides the perfect heat to sear steaks, grill juicy chicken, and even make fluffy pancakes for breakfast.

A temperature dial lets you control the heat easily and quickly, just as on a kitchen range. This control helps to mitigate flare-ups, excessive charring, or undercooking. Portable grills aren’t just for camping, picnicking, weber genesis 2 and tailgating; they’re also great for city and apartment dwellers with limited outdoor space. Grills in this category should be light, small, and comfortable enough to carry from a car into a park or campground.

portable bbq

However, the surface area of the grill also plays a significant role in uniform heat distribution. In fact, most modern grills optimize the ratio between the two for the best performance. Also, do keep in mind the amount of food that you will be cooking and choose the cooking surface area accordingly. There are a few choices when it comes to the best portable propane grill. Our top pick, the Weber Q1200 portable grill, is great for anyone looking for an all-around capable grill with plenty of built-in features. Setting up the Davy Crockett took more time than a standard portable grill but still wasn’t difficult.

We couldn’t do that with the 14-inch Weber Smokey Joe, where the one vent and the lack of airflow caused the coals to extinguish while we were cooking. Note that the use of cast iron makes the grill weigh slightly above 40 pounds, so it is not lightweight. To make the cleaning process easy, there is a removable drip tray at the bottom.

It’s compatible with 1-pound propane tanks, but there is an adapter for 20-pound tanks. We sent popular models to our expert home reviewers for testing, with them assessing each model on everything from how easy it was to set up to cooking performance to the final cleanup. Some weber genesis 2 of the things we love the most about the Camp Chef Portable Pellet tie directly to its weaknesses. Not only is the ignitor electric, but so is the auger that feels pellets from the hopper into the grill, which means that this grill needs to be plugged into an AC outlet.