Though some things are inherently inconvenient about a charcoal-fueled portable grill, the Jumbo Joe has some design features that make it easier to travel with. The larger Q 2200 is a great choice for car camping and tailgating, or even for folks with very limited outdoor space that won’t accommodate a full-size grill. But it weighs 40 pounds and is quite bulky for one person to carry—we wouldn’t want to lug it very far on foot. We started by loading the grates of each with 6-ounce burger patties (without crowding, of course) and assessed the evenness of the heat, the temperature control, the searing performance, and any flare-ups.
Hold the match or the lit end of a lighter to the burner where the propane comes out. Once the burner has ignited, replace the grate and adjust the burner as you need. The Hamilton Beach electric grill works indoors and outdoors (at campsites with hook-ups or for RV camping) making it ideal for people who live in small apartments. Regardless, be cautious with kiddos, especially as the cast iron heats up.
For searing the honeycomb-shaped cast iron cooking grates produce fantastic sear marks. Whether you’re headed camping or to a tailgate, or grilling out in your backyard, our portable grills have you covered. In our tests, steak and chicken cooked Grills Portable Grills quickly and got nice char marks without any flare-ups. Ash falls through the coal holder holes onto the bottom of the grill for a neat grilling experience, and the stainless grill grate is small and easy to wash in your sink once you get home.
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 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.
That said, the Camp Chef Portable Pellet’s price is fairly reasonable considering its top-notch performance. Well-designed portable gas grills will produce evenly-cooked food with a solid sear and grill marks. During our testing, we even found some could rival standalone models for versatility.
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 Flat Top Grills Gas Grills Pellet 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.
I also took into account ease of assembly and how sturdy a grill felt once it was assembled (for those that required assembly). I also dug through verified purchase reviews to determine if any had any consistent or glaring wear-and-tear issues to be concerned about. Surely you’ve seen — and possibly owned — one of these little Grills Portable Grills guys in the past. The Weber Smokey Joe is a staple at park cookouts and on camping trips and that’s for good reason. Grill all the good stuff, no matter where this summer takes you, with a high-performance portable grill. All that now stands between you and mobile grilling is your final choice and a big pile of grillable grub.
The Cuisinart 14 inch portable charcoal grill is small and portable but fits a surprising amount of food inside. If you’re just getting started with charcoal grilling, the Americana Walk-A-Bout Portable Charcoal Grill is simple and inexpensive, making it well-suited for beginners. It has a large 332-square-inch cooking surface with a height-adjustable grate, and the grill is mounted on a handy folding stand, allowing you to cook just about anywhere. Portable charcoal grills are a great way to bring the joy of outdoor cooking to a campsite or sporting event. Look for ones that have an ash drawer or a similar receptacle to make cleaning after the cookout easier than ever. You’ll definitely want cooking grates that can stand up to some heavy weight; this allows you to put pans or other cooking implements right on the grates and widens your grilling options.