Of all the portable propane grills we tested, the Weber Q 1200 grilled foods the most consistently. Controlling the temperature in a charcoal grill is all about vent placement, since you can’t turn coal heat down. But vents are also important for the airflow required to keep your coals lit. We found that a vent in the top of the lid and another in the belly of the firebox created the best air circulation. Vents should remain easily accessible and swivel freely for fast temperature adjustments. In addition, you don’t want a grill with bottom vents that sit above the coal bed; this design reduces airflow and can extinguish the fire prematurely.
Pictured here are two Weber models — the Go-Anywhere and the Smokey Joe 14. The digital controller on the Camp Chef Portable Pellet grill is more akin to a kitchen oven than most portable grills. The clear champion of this section portable bbq of our assessment is the Camp Chef Portable Pellet. The digital controller goes far beyond the accuracy of any mechanical knob. If you can operate the controls of a modern kitchen oven, then this model is a no-brainer.
Camryn Rabideau is a freelance writer and product tester for The Spruce Eats who’s an expert on all things grilling. She’s personally tested several grills and smokers, including our top pick for a portable grill, the Weber Q2200 Liquid Propane Grill, and the splurge-worthy HitchFire Forge 15. While researching portable grills for this article, she spoke with Jess Pryles, grilling expert and author of “Hardcore Carnivore” for tips on grilling on the go. If you have access to an electrical outlet, you can also opt for an electric grill, like the Weber Q 2400 Portable Grill. This grill offers 280 square inches of cooking space and a 6-foot grounded cord, letting you cook for a crowd wherever you go. This grill will become a staple at sporting events thanks to its sliding side tables, three precise temperature zones, and improved burner technology.
For the fans of pit-cooking out there, we offer up the Weber Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill. This well-built barbeque is an innovative take on the manufacturer’s classic design, incorporating their enameled, cast-iron construction into a convenient, compact package. The rectangular basin can hold a coal bed that is both deep and evenly spread.
Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide using the slide dots. When purchasing a qualified Weber grill $399+ , Click here to Book Your Handy Appointment by choosing the date and time for your assembly, and then pay when you book. Good Housekeeping participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.
The grill can easily be packed along for a family trip, thanks to its innovative design and lightweight. Weighing just 13.5 pounds, it is one of the lightest grills that I used. The portable bbq best part is, it is versatile enough to be used on a tabletop or as a freestanding grill. Note that the highest temperature that a grill can deliver should ideally be around 600° F.
However, the clearance under the lid is limited and this grill is not suitable for grilling larger items like a whole chicken. On the other hand, you get a portable and efficient grill at an affordable price. To sum it up, this model from Weber is one of the top portable charcoal grills in the current market in terms of features and durability. Gas grills are a popular choice as they are inexpensive and allow you to control the flame temperature effectively. The grill uses a standard 16-ounce propane canister, which attaches to the side of the grill and lights with a piezo ignition. After giving the Grill2Go about 20 minutes to heat up, we recorded a surface temperature of 550 degrees Fahrenheit.
This multifunctional charcoal grill doubles as a wood-burning fire pit, and it even features a small fan attachment to blow smoke out of your face for comfort. You can also use the lower fan setting to help get charcoal going or kindling lit and save yourself some excessive fanning and blowing. This is the best option on this list for transitioning from a barbecue dinner to a post-meal fire pit session. I haven’t used the fancier models, but this basic four-serving one served me well for years. You can pull the grills out for easy cleaning, there’s a drip pan to catch all the grease, and if you’re not in the grilling mood, it doubles as a Panini press. If flavor is your only criterion, I would argue that charcoal is superior to propane gas.
This portable grill comes with two drip trays, a gas hose/regulator, and a carrying strap, and the brand claims it can be set up in as little as 45 seconds . It boasts an electronic ignition system for quick and easy start-up, and the grates are even dishwasher-safe, making it easy to clean up after a fun day at the beach or park. The Weber Q 2200 Gas Grill is our best overall choice because of its solid build, ease of use, and top-notch cooking performance during testing. If you’re looking to cook a whole lot of food at once, you can’t top the Camp Chef Portable Pellet.
So after a thorough test of all the top grills in this category, here is the most important part. In our opinion, the Weber Q 2200 is the best portable gas grill from all aspects. The fact of the matter is that this grill checks all the right boxes in terms of performance and quality. If you are looking for a compact grill that is ready to use right out of the box, this is a perfect choice. What’s more, in terms of the price to performance ratio it stays ahead of the other competitors in this category. The 145 square inches of cooking surface is sufficient for cooking a meal for 2 to 3 people.