Attaching the gas bottle took a little manipulation that sparked safety concerns but ultimately resolved once connected. After the easy task of lighting the grill with the pushbutton ignition, the grill grates came to cooking temperature in just eight and a half minutes — Grills Portable Grills a tough task for most portable grill competitors. Finally, there are other small, shallow charcoal grills that have a similar design to many portable gas grills. These typically perform the best in terms of portability, and they’re one of the best options for tailgating.
But at least there’s a barrier to keep hot embers from falling on the grass or your deck. Be sure to clean your grill thoroughly to keep it working as long as possible. If you use the grill only occasionally, you may need to wipe down the burner tubes to make sure they light effectively. First, the setup was challenging as the Flat Top Grills Gas Grills Pellet legs were difficult to install properly. Next, the heat distribution was very uneven, where a uniform layer of coals still resulted in a hot spot in the center. My gear expertise stems from 6 years of gear reviews for Backpacker Magazine, 8 years of guiding, years of camping adventures, and a plethora of gear-head friends.
The stainless steel components mean this camping grill is in it for the long haul; it’s easy to clean, set up, pack up, and transport nearly anywhere. Testers loved the airflow that the fire pit design provided the grill, which made lighting up the fire a breeze. They also remarked on the clean design of the firepan baseplate and how a quick scrub got the grill top back to spotless shape. In addition to the actual dimensions of the grill, you’ll want to take its capacity into account.
In our tests, it produced “nice golden-brown” steak with “defined grill marks” and a “good crust.” During one test, even a delicate fish filet did not stick to the grates. But if you’re not likely to grill frequently, a portable grill is a fine option. For one, it can be broken down or tucked away in storage (and it should be when not in use, to minimize weather-induced corrosion). Portable gas grills are also usually easier and more intuitive to set up, use, and keep clean, so they’re great for beginners, or anyone who doesn’t want to invest too much effort into cooking a few burgers.
We grew frustrated at the number of times we had to re-light this model in high winds. The Weber Q 1200 comes with a disposable aluminum drip tray insert that you can place in the Grills Portable Grills more permanent drip tray. This is nice for aiding with cleanup, but it’s not very wind-resistant, so it usually ended up on the ground after flying away in windy conditions.
There is an add-on cast iron coal bed ($33) that holds charcoal, but I don’t see it as necessary (nice to have perhaps, but not necessary). This is time of year when, like a groundhog, the grill starts to poke out of the snow and show its rusty, neglected self. If you’re in need of a new grill this year, here’s our guide to the very best portable grills. We’ve researched and tested dozens of portable grills to see which can brat the best. Each tester put these grills through a series of criteria to determine their rating. The Weber portable grill can fit a lot of burgers on one surface, ideal for bigger groups.