They also often have heat deflector plates that prevent direct searing and grill marks. Heavy and not very portable, the Davy Crockett’s lack Flat Top Grills Gas Grills Pellet of wheels and handles made it difficult to move around. But our biggest complaint was that the grill was extremely noisy during use.
Unfortunately, the uncompromising high-heat cooking performance means there are tradeoffs. For instance, the small grill top only has enough space for one or two steaks at a time. Finally — and the most notable problem — the low-heat performance is practically nonexistent.
This 7.5” X 9.25” X 4” sleeve greatly improves the C4 grate temperatures with very little charcoal. The C4’s body includes dual intake dampers on both the front and back side of the grill. The airflow has been greatly improved by completely running underneath the charcoal grate and easy to control with its dual stainless damper covers. The 31-pound Weber Q 1200 is still surprisingly portable due to its useful handles. The Petit Gourmet has telescoping legs that fold up neatly, and it’s easy to carry in one hand. Models like this are easy to carry into the park to find your ideal picnic spot.
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. The ubiquitous disposable, green propane bottle is convenient, but it’s a huge source of pollution. It’s illegal in many jurisdictions to throw them in the trash, though that doesn’t stop many people, it seems, given how many of these end up in landfills every year. Fans have added thermometers, fastened knobs to make it easier to open and close vents, attached hanging ashcans, and come up with creative ways to cook taller items, like beer-can chicken.
It did a fantastic job of infusing smoky flavor into our burgers and bone-in chicken, and adding coals was as easy as tossing them in through the fire door built into the grill’s body. It was just as easy to control the heat with the sliding draft door located underneath the unit. However, the feature that really blew us away with the BioLite is its built-in battery-powered fan. The fan not only kept smoke from billowing up in our faces while we were burning with wood, but it also stoked the coals. This made it possible to light the Biolite grill in half the time of a traditional charcoal grill. This portable grill can be used with either wood or charcoal and, as its name suggests, if you remove its grill grates, it can be used as a firepit.
A basic, more affordable grill might get you through a backyard bash, but a more expensive product will tend to last longer, even under more rigorous or extensive use. Simple grilling, like burgers and dogs, can be done on any portable grill. But if you would like the option to sear a steak and slow-cook chicken on the same grate, you’ll likely only find such features on higher-quality models. Grills Portable Grills Similarly, the least expensive grills don’t offer the maximum heat output nor the control to cook more complicated foods. In general, gas or propane grills make for the best portable grills since they’re clean, easy and fast to get fired up. Charcoal is a fine alternative but the charcoal is heavier and messier than a small propane tank and charcoal generally takes longer to light.
The durable body is made from cast aluminum which just needs a simple wipe-down to get clean. There’s also a removable, disposable drip pan to catch grease and food debris for even easier cleanup. While this model doesn’t come with a stand, it’s ready-to-use on any flat surface or tabletop, but you can purchase the compatible Weber Q Folding Cart separately Expert Grill Combo Grills for more portability. 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 stainless steel grates take a little more work to clean than cast iron, but not a herculean effort by any means. The firebox pops out for easy emptying, but the handle bolts make removing it without tipping a little difficult. The grill has no lid for cooking, as the top consists of a storage compartment and cutting board.