When you’re ready to pack the grill, you can store your tools and propane hose under the grill’s lid and lock it all up with the latches on the side. Use the lengthwise handle to carry the portable grill wherever you need to store it. This gives it a leg up over other portable gas grills, that are often heavy and bulky. Most portable charcoal grills have a basic, no-frills design, but there are certain features that can make them more convenient to use.
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. A plated steel top grate settles securely into place thanks to deep-seated insets cast into the grill frame, so you can easily adjust heat zones without fear of dropping your whole meal into the coals.
It also has a built-in thermometer that’s reasonably accurate, but I still suggest getting a separate instant-read thermometer. The author having a tailgate party with the local volunteer fire department she serves on. They’re using the Weber Q1200 portable gas grill, which can fit a lot of burgers. Admittedly, this isn’t the easiest camping grill to hike a few miles down the trail to your campsite simply because of its rotund design — or to fit in a compact car. And at only $40, you won’t feel guilty if it gets a little dented by enthusiastic grillers in the process. Overall, the bang for your buck can’t be overstated with this tiny powerhouse of a grill.
The C4’s body includes dual intake dampers on both the front and back side of the grill. The airflow has been greatly improved by completely running underneath the charcoal grate and easy to control with its dual stainless damper covers. Charcoal Grills Combo Grills 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.
The fact that the carrying handle doubles as a lid holder is also useful for keeping an eye on the food when cooking. Once you have attached the liquid propane tank correctly to the grill unit, most portable gas grills feature a “click and turn” button for igniting the grill. Some of the grills we tested featured just one knob, used for both igniting the grill and controlling the strength of the flame. (Of course, to properly ignite any gas grill, you must ensure the propane tank is open). Two separate burners allow for multiple types of cooking (like searing and indirect heat), as with a standard-size grill. It gets hot and has, as one tester noted, “highly responsible” temperature control.
We loaded the firebox with charcoal from The Good Charcoal Company, which was a consistent medium size and perfect for the small, 1.5-pound-capacity firebox. We lit the charcoal with a torch for about 60 seconds, turned the fan to medium, closed the firebox, and in 15 minutes we were grilling burgers. The fan is electric, of course, Expert Grill Combo Grills but that doesn’t mean you have to be tied to an outlet—it can also be powered by four AA batteries. And if your home or apartment features a small outdoor space, there are small grills made for city dwellers and those who have small balconies. A portable grill is essential for a great tailgate before the next game or concert.
For one, the Grill2Go X200 has a maximum 9,500 Btu output, versus the Weber Q 1200’s 8,500 Btu. When we preheated it for five minutes on high, the Grill2Go X200 reached over 600 °F, while the Weber Q 1200 never broke 525 °F. As a result, we had to manage moderate flare-ups while cooking burgers, chicken, and brats. The Q 1200’s small fold-out side tables are handy for keeping grill tools within reach, though we wouldn’t feel confident resting a large tray brimming with meat or other heavy things on them. The thermometer in the dome lid is nice, but it isn’t necessary other than for letting you know when the grill is hot and ready.
No matter how you measure it, the Traveler’s 13,000-BTU burner gets plenty hot and really shines when searing. The 320-square-inch grilling surface is big enough to grill for a crowd. It’ll still fit in the trunk of most cars, but it definitely takes up a considerable amount of space. The packable, rollable GoBQ is unlike anything else listed here—it’s made of a fire-proof, non-stick, non-toxic silicone-coated fabric, essentially the same stuff that’s used in baking mats.
However, charcoal is available in smaller or larger bags, depending on your needs. Choose what works better for your taste buds and the space in your car. The UCO Flatpack won us over for its price ($50 compared to the $100-$400 range of other camping grills we reviewed). We’re fans of its low weight (3.3 lbs), its spaciousness relative to its size (you could fit 6 burgers easily!), and its ease of packability (down to 1.5 inches thick). We also love that it works well in various circumstances, terrains, and grill-skill levels. However, with the killer reviews and outstanding tester notes for the Snowpeak Takibi Grill, we couldn’t quite give it the top winning spot.
Similar to charcoal grills, pellet grills take some time before they’re ready for cooking, and this model takes a while to warm up. Lastly, the Camp Chef Portable Pellet is very heavy compared to the majority of portable grills we tested. Although the wheels are helpful, it’s not super fun to drag this grill very far from your vehicle.