The Nomad ships with a single grate, giving you 212 square inches of cooking space, slightly less than the Jumbo Joe above. I managed to smoke nine chicken breasts, and another time I fit two racks of ribs. If you need to grill for a crowd, pick up the second grill grate for $128, but even without it I never felt cramped while cooking for five (two adults, three ravenous children).
I love cooking pancakes, french toast, eggs, and bacon on my flat top while sleeping out in the woods of New Hampshire. Besides its high price, the two main complaints we have about this grill are that it heats somewhat unevenly Charcoal Grills Combo Grills when the lid is open and that it’s tough to clean. The first issue can be solved pretty easily by just leaving the lid closed while you’re cooking, especially at high temperatures, but the second one is kind of annoying.
We tested popular models side-by-side, assessing each one on everything from how easy it was to set up to cooking performance to the final cleanup. This portable gas grill from trusty kitchen brand Cuisinart has foldable legs and a twist start ignition. It has a decently sized 145 square inches of grilling surface with an easy-to-clean porcelain grilling grate (which is a lot handier than having to buy new grates).
If your grill doesn’t come with a lid, look at investing in a windscreen. If you can, set up your grill with some kind of protection from the wind. This protection can come from behind a vehicle, tent or shelter, or by blocking the grill from the wind with additional equipment. We admit the grill setup is a little funky; the grill plate balances on two legs after connecting with the stove base, which itself rests on a three-point stand. This feature makes the entire setup tricky to balance on uneven terrain.
The only downside, aside from having to buy multiple components, is its size. While the stove folds up and transports fairly easily, it’s much larger than your average tabletop grill. If you have the room and want a grill that makes you feel like you’re cooking in the backyard, it’s worth making room for in your car. The standalone stove is quite large, but features collapsible legs and two fold-out prep tables, so it packs down to a modest 36- by 15- by 10-inch package that tucks easily into your car’s trunk. With the attachments and propane tank, we’re talking about a lot of gear, but you have a portable kitchen at your disposal, so it’s great to have for long camping excursions. Having a portable grill, whether it’s a miniature tabletop model that’s easy to carry or something a little bigger to cook for a crowd, gives you the freedom to grill whenever you want.
There is a broad range of prices in this category, but two of the lower-priced models stand out. The Cuisinart Grillster has the power you need to sear steaks, but due to its lower-end price point, it lacks the overall control of better grills. The Char-Broil Grill2Go is slightly more expensive but cooks with the quality of an infrared burner Expert Grill Combo Grills and includes additional features like a thermometer built into the lid. If you’re looking for a larger propane grill, the Coleman Roadtrip 285 is more of an investment but performs on par with many non-portable patio grills. If you’re ready to jump into the pellet world, it’s going to cost you – these types of cookers are not cheap.
The comfortable plastic handle allows you to lift the grill with one hand, while a heat shield keeps it cool to the touch during grilling. Portable grills aren’t just great for toting to a campground, park, or tailgate. If you don’t have the space or budget for a full-size grill, they might also be the best option for your backyard.
In our tests, the Q 1200’s heavy-duty cast-aluminum firebox was the best at evenly absorbing and reflecting heat. That, along with the U-shaped burner, provided the most consistent grilling of all the portables we tested, with the fewest hot spots. The Jumbo Joe Charcoal Grill is lighter than our gas pick, weighing under 20 pounds, but it’s not smaller.