If the controls weren’t precise enough, there are two digital thermometer probes so that you know exactly when your meat’s internal temperature has reached the perfect point. There’s no need for piezo buttons, a lighter, or starter fluid with this grill because the ignitor is electric. You can cook for a fairly large group of people using the Dyna-Glo Signature Series Portable Charcoal Grill.
The stainless steel components mean this camping grill is in it for the long haul; it’s easy to clean, set up, pack up, and transport nearly anywhere. Testers loved the airflow that the fire pit design provided the grill, which made lighting up the fire a breeze. They also remarked on the clean design of the firepan baseplate and how a quick scrub got the grill top back to spotless shape. In addition to the actual dimensions of the grill, you’ll want to take its capacity into account.
“This thing could be priced even higher and I would buy it,” a tester noted, although at under $300, it’s attractively priced as-is. Portable gas grills will always be fueled by a portable propane gas hookup. Propane will need to be procured separately at your favorite home improvement or outdoor store.
Attaching the gas bottle took a little manipulation that sparked safety concerns but ultimately resolved once connected. After the easy task of lighting the grill with the pushbutton ignition, the grill grates came to cooking temperature in just eight and a half minutes — a tough task for most portable grill competitors. Finally, there are other small, shallow charcoal grills that have a similar design to many portable gas grills. These typically perform the best in terms of portability, and they’re one of the best options for tailgating.
Unlike a lot of portable charcoal grills, the Nomad makes an excellent compact smoker. In our tests we smoked pork belly burnt ends and a whole pork butt, and it did a great job. The beauty of this pick is it functions as a portable fire pit and Flat Top Grills Gas Grills Pellet charcoal grill, which makes it great for camping. It has two oversized handles for carrying and its legs fold up to make moving it even easier. It can be used with firewood or charcoal – just slide on the included grill grate to use as a grill.
Without worrying about food falling through the slats of a grill, your options open up; you can stirfry and hibachi in the woods or griddle up veggie burgers and fry up eggs in the morning. If your desired grill doesn’t already come with a griddle option, you could opt for an additional griddle plate (like this option for round grills or this rectangular option). However, griddles aren’t always the best option for portability’s sake.
There is an add-on cast iron coal bed ($33) that holds charcoal, but I don’t see it as necessary (nice to have perhaps, but not necessary). This is time of year when, like a groundhog, the grill starts to poke out of the snow and show its rusty, neglected self. If you’re in need of a new grill this year, here’s Charcoal Grills Combo Grills our guide to the very best portable grills. We’ve researched and tested dozens of portable grills to see which can brat the best. Each tester put these grills through a series of criteria to determine their rating. The Weber portable grill can fit a lot of burgers on one surface, ideal for bigger groups.
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 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.