Best Portable Grills 2022

In fact most campsites in the UK and France forbid the use of charcoal and probably pellets, too. Now place it on a non flammable surface and stuff some wood or charcoal under it and, voila, instant campfire barbecue. This is a great grill weber charcoal grill for burgers, sausages and other fatty foods because most of the fats drip away and that means healthier eating. It also does steaks pretty well though it’s best to halt grilling until the heating element is up to its highest temperature.

Winner of the National BBQ Association’s product of the year award. This 8.5″ x 11″ magnet contains more that 80 benchmark temperatures for meats , fats and oils, sugars, sous vide, eggs, collagens, wood combustion, breads, and more. Although it is not certified as all-weather, we have tested it outdoors in Chicago weather and it has not delaminated in three years, but there is minor fading. This is one of the most versatile charcoal-fired mini barbecues on the market and one of the most efficient. Invented in South Africa, the sturdy, kettle-style Cobb is a small, portable cylindrical unit that can grill, fry, bake and even roast a whole chicken, albeit a small one.

One thing to love about this model, however, is the damper adjustments that allow you to control airflow and, in turn, the heat for more precise grilling. The Akorn Jr. charcoal grill got hotter than any other grill I tested, which is not surprising since charcoal grills often do. The shape and style of this grill make it very good for heat retention, heat distribution and evenness of grilling.

It’s also nice-looking with flare-out trays to hold your plates and grilling tools, plus an ergonomic design. Despite its sturdy build, the Q-1200 is still light and limber enough for a camping grill to take on a camping trip or for one person to carry with relative ease. This grill, like all on the list, can use any small propane tank sold at most portable bbq camping or hardware stores. Preventing grease and fire contact is especially important since the cooking grates on portable gas grills sit very close to the heating element (usually a 1- to 1½-inch clearance). Steel inserts that sit over the flame ports can help, as can a cleverly designed grilling grate that channels grease away from the fire.

We also had a few more flare-ups with the Grill2Go than with our other picks. However, this 40-pound portable grill isn’t lightweight by any stretch of the imagination. British thermal units are a measure of maximum heat output over the course of weber genesis 2 an hour. The output on portable gas grills ranges from 4,000 to over 13,000 Btu. But more heat alone doesn’t equate to better grilling performance, as a grill’s performance is based on a combination of output, design, and quality of materials.

portable bbq

The lid becomes a side shelf where you can prep food or use it as a cutting board. With the Grill Top in place, we tested the heat distribution and found that, at medium to low levels, it was fairly even—with the burner turned all the way up, it was hottest in the center. We were able to grill burgers with nice sear marks and cook chicken more slowly and evenly done throughout. There are a number of mounts and stands for the Magma Crossover. We tested the Quad Pod Stand with adjustable leveling feet, which lets you set up the grill virtually anywhere.

Solo Stove has been making fire pits for years, and they recently started selling cast-iron accessories to turn those fire pits into grills. If you’re not looking for a combo fire pit/grill, we recommend picking up the Solo Stove Grill Ultimate Bundle. At the end of the day, BTUs are simply an indication of how much heat your grill can produce, not how hot it will actually get inside your grill. So, look at the number if you like, but don’t put too much stock into it. Folds down to 17% of it’s volume, unfolds to become a complete grilling system WITH a lid.