These helped keep grease and drippings away from the flames while still allowing ambient heat to brown between grill marks. In our tests, burgers from the Q 1200 had the most seared surface area of all the burgers we grilled, and more browning means better flavor. Porcelain-coated cast-iron cooking grates are best at searing foods, though cast iron does add an extra 5 to 10 pounds to the total weight of a grill. We also prefer an open grate design that allows ambient heat from the firebox to brown the areas in between the grill marks. Another tabletop option, this portable gas grill from Weber was a standout for our testers, who named it the winner of the group, and even noted its performance rivaled standard-size grills. “This thing could be priced even higher and I would buy it,” a tester noted, although at under $300, it’s attractively priced as-is.
But at least there’s a barrier to keep hot embers from falling on the grass or your deck. At 20 pounds, the Grill2Go X200 is also 10 pounds lighter than the Weber Q 1200, even though it fits the same amount of food (six burgers, or a whole cut-up chicken). While the high heat setting weber bbq perfectly seared burgers without burning, the Q 1200 also outperformed the competition at steady medium-low heat for items such as bone-in chicken and sausage links. Finally, we enlisted fresh bratwurst links to gauge each grill’s ability to handle a grate full of fatty meat.
The cast-aluminum firebox evenly distributes heat across a grilling grate big enough to fit six large burgers or a whole cut-up chicken. The spacious dome lid has a built-in thermometer that lets you know when the grill is hot. And small fold-out side tables on either side are convenient for keeping grill tools within reach. As one of the sturdier models we tested, one tested noted it was a good option for apartment dwellers and those looking to grill occasionally. It packs up efficiently, and when fully assembled has two wing-like side tables that are helpful for prep and tool storage. We particularly liked the nonstick coating inside the firebox, which made it easier to clean (a removable drip tray did, too).
They’re commonly constructed from thin porcelainized steel with thin wire-rod grilling grates. This simple construction is what makes them budget friendly and lighter weight. And with proper care, a charcoal grill should still last for many years. The Jumbo Joe Charcoal Grill is lighter weber portable grill than our gas pick, weighing under 20 pounds, but it’s not smaller. Its cooking surface holds about seven burgers or one whole, cut-up chicken. If you want a lighter, more compact propane grill, the Char-Broil Grill2Go X200 Portable Gas Grill is designed for one-handed toting.
The freedom to go anywhere, curiosity to explore, and ambition to bring big taste to any adventure. With your Go-Anywhere gas grill in the trunk and map in hand, there are no limits to the open road. After that, I loaded the grill up with bratwurst links to weber bbq see where the heat zones were. You can do this same test with bread, but I’m not much for carbs. Cleaning the grill and the grates is painless, but having the grates seasoned properly is key to preventing all that grease and gunk from sticking to them.