After the initial heat-up stage, the grill registered 555°F at the 30-minute mark, more than hot enough for a good sear. There is some heat variation, with a 10- to 20-degree difference in final temperatures during our burger tests, with the burgers on the front and sides cooking slower than those on the back row. The built-in ignition system is adequate, and the burners are responsive to adjustment.
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. The Q 1200 is a perennial favorite, repeatedly gaining high scores in our testing. A first glance leaves you wondering what the big deal is, but it’s pretty obvious after putting it through its paces. The nice cart covers your propane tank and keeps it out of sight. The warming rack can be taken off the grill and placed inside the cart for holding and storage.
They expected a smaller grill or did not like the fact they could not add lava rocks, a rotisserie, or thought the plastic parts felt a little cheap. Some people tried to compare it with a summit grill, but I think that is wrong.The summit is much higher priced and is a totally different grill. Most people give this grill very good ratings and are happy with it.
First, it will be difficult to wheel or drag a grill through sand, so opt for a compact model that’s light enough to carry. A grill with telescoping legs is ideal in this situation, but if you have a tabletop grill, consider whether there will be a picnic table or other suitable surface to place it on. Finally, the beach is often windy, so you may want to look for a grill that has a wind guard—otherwise, the grill may struggle to maintain its temperature. Additionally, these grills are all portable, but that doesn’t mean they’ll all fit your transportation needs. If you’ll be tossing the grill in the back of a pickup truck, any of these models will work. But if you’ve got a conventional car, make sure the grill will fit your trunk’s unique size and shape.
If you need or want a standalone model, the Nexgrill 4-Burner Propane Gas Grill with Side Burner is a close second choice. Eddie van Aken has run his own full-service restaurant for many years. Before that, he worked as a grill and buffet weber portable grill cook in some of the mainstream restaurants. With his experience using professional kitchen equipment, he is able to write expert reviews. Like always I recommend the use of a quality grill cover for a grill and the Q3200 is no exception.
For this list, we selected the top-performing grills under $300. Starting with assembly, we rated the difficulty of assembly and the clarity of the instructions on a scale of one to five. We then judged the sturdiness, evenness of heat distribution, and weber gas grill overall subjective impression on the same scale. Aside from the aforementioned grates, the Lumin Compact ships with two stainless steel trays – one for containing water for steaming or wood chips for smoking, the other for placing the ingredients.
Conversely, don’t plan on cooking slow and low with this; it’s a “sear things and be done” sort of grill. Finding a grill that fits your cooking style is essential, as is something that fits your available outdoor cooking space. A large grill in a small area presents dangers from heat contact and potential fire hazards and will ultimately become irritating for the user due to space occupied and working around the bulk weber charcoal grill of a larger grill. For a portable grill, consider weight, too, as transporting and carrying it can be an issue. The enamel-coated cast-iron grates add significantly to the grill’s overall weight, but they also contribute to minimal sticking throughout testing. There were a few flare-ups during the tests, mostly when first introducing oil or fat, but they extinguished quickly without adverse effects on the food.