Best portable BBQs 2023 travel, bucket and tabletop

If you are not happy with your purchase, feel free to return the unused product within 30 days of your order date for a refund. The high tech design of the plated steel charcoal basket elevates the coals above the side vents for excellent air flow. It portable bbq folds open and closed while attached to the base so no tools are required, the GoBQ is ready to go right our of the box. Either way, dragging a heavy clunky grill through sand sucks, so bring your GoBQ, some kabobs, a 6-pack of Corona, and enjoy life.

If you’re not the camping, beachgoing, or apartment-dwelling type, you may see little value in a portable gas grill. Portable grills will inevitably be smaller than typical backyard grills, but they still come with enough space for a cookout (though you might need to do a couple of rounds of cooking). If you’ll need to carry the grill a few hundred yards or more, a lighter grill (or one that can be easily wheeled) might work better. The RoadTrip 225, unsurprisingly, offers 225 square inches of cooking space and is great for a road trip. The grill is compact and lightweight but has two separate burners that put out 11,000 BTUs of heat. But, crucially, the GoBQ also performed quite well during the cooking tests.

If you already live in paradise, then you probably want to grill your meal in peace and tranquility as far away as you can from those annoying tourists. If you ARE an annoying tourist, follow that local who’s trying to get away from you and chances are you’ll find an amazing spot with a spectacular view. If you live in California, you may also be able to bring in 1-pound canisters for free refills or exchange empty canisters for full ones.

portable bbq

Well-designed portable gas grills will produce evenly-cooked food with solid sear and grill marks. During our testing, we even found some could rival standalone models for versatility. (The Coleman RoadTrip X-Cursion, for example, excellent in direct and indirect heat cooking methods, making a good choice for searing steaks and baking fish alike).

We tried it out at home and on the road to grill hot dogs, steaks, and veggies and were impressed with the final results each time. The Weber Q 1200 is another solid model in this category due to the adjustability of its control knob and a sound electronic ignition system. We appreciate the naturally non-stick porcelain-enameled grilling surface and that the cast iron grates distribute a consistent temperature across the entire cook surface. Although this portable powerhouse reaches top temperatures with ease, it is more difficult to learn how to harness the heat of the grill surface for foods that require more low-and-slow cooking. If portability is paramount to your decision, the Cuisinart Grillster is about half the size and weight of this grill, features a lid latch, and still packs a punch in terms of output power.

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 portable bbq with the flame turned low. Cuisinart’s Venture portable gas grill looks like something Apple would make, if Apple got into grills. It’s really a two-part grill that packs up into a lightweight, easy-to-carry package. The base comes off and features a flip-out propane bottle holder (we discourage you from using those; see why below) as well as serving as a place to cut.

Additionally, an excessive BTU rating on a propane grill might be an effort to compensate for poor craftsmanship. Look for models that have heavy-duty lids that seal tightly around the primary cooking area. Grills with high-quality grates for the cooking surface, and well-constructed vents that can help control airflow, will produce better results for your backyard barbecue. Camp Chef’s Barbecue Grill Box add-on includes convenient features such as a built-in thermometer, hinged lid, and easy to clean cast iron grate. In our test, the grill ran hot and quickly cooked chicken and steaks.

Both Weber gas grills I tested were effective and easy to cook on, but the nod goes to the Traveler here for its passionate embrace of portability. When folded up, the legs become a handle that you can pull behind you as if you’re walking with a nice roller bag. The legs on one side of the grill become a sort of handle when the grill is folded up; you can walk with it, kind of as if you’re pulling a nice roller bag.