There are two side tables where you can keep plates, tools, and condiments within reach. Brad has thoroughly tested many of the grills we recommend, using his personal experience and brand familiarity to carefully vet grills we haven’t had the chance to test yet. All of these grills work well in a backyard or garage, but those looking for travel options should skew toward our lighter picks.
This grill has a front shelf where you can place plates and condiments and a lower shelf for supplies, and it’s mounted on wheels that make it easier to move.
A front door allows easy access to the charcoal during cooking and the double-lined hood is a nice feature to help hold in heat. The Professional Cart Grill has an interesting rotisserie design, too, that uses a special charcoal basket across the back for a dedicated rotisserie fire. With charcoal grills, I test for effective air control by smoking low and slow at 225°F, roasting in the mid-range around 350°F, and letting ‘er rip with a blazing, red hot fire.
However, for about $200, we think a lot grillers will be happy with the Weber Original 22-Inch Kettle Grill. For five or more people, look for a grill with at least 550 square inches of cooking area. For one or two people, look for a grill with approximately 200 square inches of cooking area. It also has a rail system, letting users raise and lower its coal basket at nine different heights, and adjustable tripod legs to level it out on uneven surfaces.
Ribs cooked on the Napoleon grill came out tasty, though with bark that was a little dry. We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. These are the worst mistakes to make when grilling at a tailgate.
When you’re trying to decide what size Weber grill you need, think about the number of people you usually feed. It’s also important to consider the types of food you prepare most weber bbq often. Hot dogs and hamburgers take up less cooking space than racks of ribs. If you’re in the market for a Weber grill, the shopping process can get overwhelming in a hurry.
Toss in some wood chunks and smoke ribs low and slow on the opposite side over smokey, indirect heat. In addition to the enhanced performance for low-and-slow smoking, Slow ‘N Sear creates a super sear zone when filled with red hot charcoal. If the burners are deprived of oxygen, the flame goes out, but the gas fuel keeps coming, building up under the hood and creating a serious fire hazard.
You can get by grilling burgers and hot dogs with a compact, inexpensive charcoal grill. Interior temperatures had a greater swing, jumping up to 300 degrees F during periods of cooking. While its ribs came weber portable grill out tender and juicy overall, the exterior bark had a few burnt spots. None of the hood thermometers built into these grills mirrored the temperatures recorded by our own thermocouples and data software.
A culture and product journalist for over nine years, he’s covered everything from men’s fashion and sneakers to e-bikes and video games. He was most recently the style editor for a leading product-recommendation site, and previously covered the music and podcasting industries at Mass Appeal and The A.V. Club. In his spare time, he walks his perfect little dog, Cash, and reads graphic novels. Rachel Klein is a Senior Commerce Editor for Popular Mechanics, where she writes about everything from garden hose reels and patio furniture to mesh wifi systems and robot vacuums. Fast-forward another five years and her area of expertise includes home decor, appliances, tech, and outdoor adventure gear.
Cooking ribs low and slow on the Nexgrill required just 4 hours, 30 minutes. Its rack came out well too, though like the Napoleon, its bark was more pronounced than what the Weber produced. I also consider look, feel, functionality, durability, and price.