Speaking of grease, it has a slide-out grease trap that’s easy to empty. It also has a built-in thermometer that’s reasonably accurate, but I still suggest getting a separate instant-read thermometer. Portable grills cost anywhere from $50 for a simple Weber charcoal grill all the way up to $500 or more for fancier gas and propane grills with bells and whistles galore.
The Grillster is great at searing steaks and other high-temperature cooking, but it is tough to control the overall range on this rip-roaring grill. Unless we were aiming for blackened chicken or blistered peppers, we rarely found ourselves using weber q anything more than the lowest gas setting. Although it is compact and portable, there is a tradeoff with its smaller grilling space. Petite and sure-footed, the Grillster is the perfect companion for a picnic for two, no matter the location.
Often, we grill after hours on a Friday while we’re also trying to set up a tent, inflate a mattress, and wrangle hungry children. 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 weber charcoal grill 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. You will need a proper hitch to attach it, however, and I’d suggest taking a short test drive to ensure it’s properly installed.
If you want portable charcoal grilling in a truly portable package, this is the best small grill to buy. The Cuisinart gas grill is definitely lighter and a bit more portable than the Weber. It also feels slightly less sturdy while grilling, but is not flimsy by any means. At just over $100, it is the best portable grill on a budget — especially if you don’t plan to use it more than a handful of times per summer.
It should be easy to get underneath those burgers and flip them over. If you live in California, you may also be able to bring in 1-pound canisters for free portable bbq refills or exchange empty canisters for full ones. The ubiquitous disposable, green propane bottle is convenient, but it’s a huge source of pollution.