The 10 Best Portable Charcoal Grills of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

We tasked long-time OGL review editor Jed Porter with heading up our analysis of portable grills. When you ask Jed’s friends what his favorite food is, they’ll likely answer either “chips and salsa” or “meat.” Jed regularly cooks 1-2 meals a day outside over an open flame, near and far, rain or shine. At various times throughout his career as a mountain guide, he has catered for groups of up to 20 hungry, adventurous clients. Adding more expertise in this category are Aaron Rice, Ross Patton, and Trish Matheny. Aaron has worked in and around kitchens for the better portion of a decade.

If you want to cook inside, you’ll want to look for an indoor grill, which are typically electric. If it’s hard to move, it isn’t actually a portable weber genesis 2 grill; it’s just a grill that’s smaller than you’d like it to be. The Cuisinart All Foods Roll-Away scored the lowest in wind resistance.

portable bbq

We particularly liked the nonstick coating inside the firebox, which made it easier to clean (a removable drip tray did, too). This grill is refreshingly easy to light, with an indicator button on the knob. Scores in this metric were determined by the size of the cooking surface, the surface material, and any coatings, whether the grill has any side tables or any other added features. Additional features and functions include a grill grate that can be turned over and made into a skillet or bonus features like a warming rack or smoker tray. We also took into account how simple or challenging each contender was to clean. The Elite Gourmet measures only 17 inches at its widest point, and weighs only five pounds, making it one of the most compact options we tested.

Why you can trust Real Homes Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Adjust your cooking temperature with precision by simply turning the SteadyTemp dial. This roundup was originally written by Camryn Rabideau, product tester and grill expert for The Spruce Eats. She’s done firsthand testing of the Weber Q2200, which took the overall spot on this list, as well as the Masterbuilt Bluetooth Digital Electric Smoker and more. Our R&D department develops high-quality, fairly priced grilling equipment.

After cooking for a little more than an hour, I noticed fraying in the piece of fabric immediately below the charcoal basket where I had used a firestarter. portable bbq If food drips on to the coals, causing a flare-up, I’d also expect some fraying. The company suggests covering that piece of fabric with aluminum foil.

With this grill, barring some sort of unexpected mishap, you will likely never overcook a tri-tip again. Well, it is and these GoSun solar-powered grills actually work pretty well. When I tested it, it got scorching hot and cooked chicken thighs, sausage, fish and veggies all in under 25 minutes or less.