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.
Apart from that, you will also need to consider the number of burners that you will need. Some portable propane grills offer extra burner attachments for cooking multiple dishes at a time. Another aspect that you need to pay attention to is the design of the heating elements. As these elements are exposed to the greases and oils, their durability ensures a safer operation. The Q1200 arrives mostly assembled—we were able to get it ready for testing in less than 10 minutes. Lighting it was easy thanks to its battery-powered electric ignition that’s a welcome upgrade over the less reliable piezo ignitions found on many portable gas grills.
The Jumbo Joe’s 18-inch-diameter cooking surface is enough to grill a complete meal for two or the main course for a small party . We also like the Jumbo Joe’s tripod base, which automatically stabilizes on uneven terrain. The simple ash catcher is a nice touch and keeps hot embers from falling on the ground. And the heat-resistant lid handle stays cool enough to grasp without a towel or oven mitt.
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.
The 31-pound Weber Q 1200 is still surprisingly portable due to its useful handles. Special mention should be given to the fact that it can be purchased as a tabletop model or can easily be integrated into a separate wheelable, folding stand for enhanced parking lot weber charcoal grill convenience. Single-burner options, like the Cuisinart Grillster, often don’t afford the same amount of control over temperature zones as other multi-burner grills. On the charcoal side, insulation plays a much more important role in output power and efficiency.
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.
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.
A smaller version of Weber’s classic kettle grill design, the 14-inch Weber Smokey Joe continues to be one of the best and most affordable portable charcoal grills on the market. Smaller grills can manage with 8,000 BTUs , while larger models might need 20,000 BTUs per burner. As a guideline, consider that heat output should be between 80 and 100 BTUs per square inch of cooking surface. Propane offers a quick, easy way to fire things up—and cleanup is minimal once things have cooled down. Some propane grills even feature infrared heat, which heats very evenly and can be safer for tabletop models. The efficiency of propane is also pricier since grills that use this type of fuel are typically more expensive than their charcoal-burning counterparts.