Overall, it’s a barebones but effective charcoal grill that will appeal to those who need a lot of cooking space. While the grill is hot, scrape the debris and stuck-on food from the hot grates with a wire grill brush. We prefer to do this when the grill is preheating and the embers are their hottest. Wipe the grates with a wet rag to remove the soot, and then brush them with vegetable oil. Of all the portable propane grills we tested, the Weber Q 1200 grilled foods the most consistently.
In spring 2017, Tim and Wirecutter writers Lesley Stockton and Michael Sullivan spent over 40 hours testing full-size gas and charcoal grills, as well as grill accessories. With all this knowledge in hand, Lesley and Tim spent 16 hours, over the course of two days, testing nine portable grills. Most portable grills are weber genesis 2 designed to be used with small 14- or 16-ounce propane tanks, which simply screw onto the side or bottom of the grill. However, if you’re planning to cook frequently with your grill, it might be beneficial to purchase an adapter hose, which will allow you to use a larger 20-pound propane tank with your portable grill.
This process keeps the grill temperature remarkably close to the chosen setting. If all this tech hasn’t impressed you yet, this model also has two digital meat thermometers so that you can watch temperatures in real time. With this grill, barring some sort of unexpected mishap, you will likely never overcook a tri-tip again. To test this I marinated some chicken in lemon juice and olive oil and laid it on the grills. Every grill flared somewhat, but the Q 1200 (and the Coleman below) have heavy enameled cast-iron grates that are closed over the burners, which helps keep the flaring under control.
Portability is definately an important feature if you like taking your grill on a camping trip. We actually have a whole post covering the best camping grills, as well as some tips on how to pick the one that is right for you. You get nearly 150 in.² of room to grill, and the grilling is aided by a thick-walled ceramic body that locks in heat and moisture very competently. It’s relatively easy to assemble and has two side handles for easy transportation. However the build quality and added features make for a bit more of a versatile grill. There are also some nice optional add-ons including Tel-Tru thermometer kit, cover and heavy-duty charcoal basket.
If you’re in the market for one, we’ve tested and picked out the best portable grills for every type of cook. Never use a portable grill in your kitchen or any other indoor space. Portable charcoal, gas, and wood pellet grills all emit carbon monoxide during the cooking process. Carbon monoxide is tasteless, odorless, and invisible, but when it accumulates in enclosed spaces, it can kill. Wood pellet grills cook food through the combustion of wood pellets that can also add flavor to your food. The heat and smoke from the burning pellets is directed into the cooking area.