The UCO Flatpack presents a simplistic set-up that most say should take 30 seconds, and we believe it could take you 10 with a few uses. Unfold the base, which consists of two hinged sides and two sturdy legs, and place the grate over the top. “I’m excited to take this RV camping and up to our camp in Maine,” said one tester. It allowed them to take the grill inside in inclement weather but still grill outside with an extension cord out of their RV or electric hookup post in a campground. The Solo Stove provides enough warmth for hanging around when it’s cold outside.
In my testing, the Mini Big Green Egg has excellent heat control and, like the larger version, is extremely fuel-efficient. I wanted a charcoal grill that did not rapidly lose heat because Expert Grill Combo Grills its materials were too thin. I wanted a gas grill that kept a nice even temperature once it was set. I tried to cover both the “portable” part and the “grill” part in my testing.
From slow-smoked brisket to baked blueberry pie, Traeger grills can truly do it all. Since these grills are all easy to move, we’d recommend storing them somewhere covered between uses, if not in a shed or garage. (But make sure to let it cool down before moving it.) If you do leave it out in the open, consider using a weatherproof cover to protect it. One Popular Mechanics editor used it at her neighborhood block party to grill hot dogs and sausages. This roundup was originally written by Camryn Rabideau, product tester and grill expert for The Spruce Eats.
The Masterbuilt Portable Charcoal Grill and Smoker has an interesting design that makes it well-suited for both grilling and smoking meat. Instead of placing charcoal underneath the cooking grates, you place it in the side hopper, and the grill automatically regulates its own heat based on the temperature you select. It can be used for high-heat grilling or low-and-slow smoking, and as an added bonus, it’s mounted on a collapsible rolling cart for easy portability.
For those grills with wheels, I walked them around a large, uneven lawn with plenty of divots to see how they rolled. The only part about using the Nomad that I didn’t love was emptying it. Because it needs to be emptied while completely open, it was hard to lift when attempting Expert Grill Combo Grills to dump the ash into a bin. On its website Nomad suggests using a shop vac to get all the spent charcoal out. I have no doubt that that would do the trick, but if you’re off on an adventure an hour from an electrical outlet, a shop vac might not be practical.
This grill is the holy grail of versatile camping firepits-turned-grills. Solo Stove’s portable Bonfire fire pit design boasts rave reviews about its lightweight, dynamic airflow design that keeps your fire burning in an easily-contained and maintained fashion. The Solo Stove Bonfire Cast Iron Grill takes this design and adds a classic cast iron grill reminiscent of cowboying out West. The modification of the grill hub adds enough height to keep your food from burning in the intense heat of the fire pit (as our testers found out very quickly, don’t forget that hub!).
Portable gas grills are generally designed to be used with small 1-pound propane tanks, and with these, a regulator is not needed. However, if you want to use a larger propane tank—such as a 20-pound tank—with a portable grill, you’ll need an adapter and regulator. Most brands sell the appropriate attachment for their portable grill models.
It’s easy to assemble, with just a few parts, and once completed feels solid and sturdy, even when given a few vigorous shakes. The igniter works well and, once lit, the grill got hot, reaching its advertised 500 degrees Fahrenheit after just 15 minutes with the lid closed. The flame is easy to control and keeps a consistent temperature throughout cooking, even when grilling with the flame turned low. In the end, Weber still makes our favorite portable grill overall, but there are other models that may be a better fit depending on your grilling wants and needs.
We also have reviews highlighting the best camping stoves and much more. 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). Unlike Weber’s gas grills, the Grill2Go X200 latches tightly shut with two clips on the front. This allows you to effortlessly carry the whole thing with one hand (convenient if you need to lug it a few hundred yards). The Weber Q series grills are the most expensive portables we’ve tested. But the price is justified by the grill’s build-quality and Weber’s warranty and overall reputation for longevity.