Sturdy, Smokeless Portable BBQ Grill for Outdoor Party

We had a small issue with the Q 1200 unit we got for testing. The propane coupling sat a couple of millimeters too close to the body, and we had to flex the assembly away from the grill to get the canister to fit. We asked Q 1200 owners on staff if they had this issue, and they confirmed that attaching the propane was easy on their grills. We’re chalking this up as a one-off problem unique to our test unit.

Not only is it easy to pack and carry, it excelled at every cooking task I gave it. If you prefer a portable propane grill, Weber’s Traveler combines the quality Weber grills are generally known for with a smart design that is ready to take on the road. 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.

(I was able to get up to 592 degrees off a digital thermometer.) There’s very little smoke, though I do suggest using it in a well-ventilated area if you’re indoors. I grilled everything from pork chops to asparagus and was quite happy with the results. If you want to expand the City Grill’s weber q capabilities, you can buy a flat top surface for $135 that you can use to cook up a pancake breakfast. You get a lot of convenient features with this portable grill — there are two side tables to rest your spatula and beverage of choice, and, just like the stand, they fold up for traveling.

However, we also reviewed how convenient the grills were to use on the go. Our picks contain a selection of models for everyone from a hiker to a multiday camper. We relied on our experience both in developing recipes and cooking at our own picnics and camping trips to select our picks for the best portable grills. In addition, we checked review sites to see what other professionals recommend and read user comments to see what people like and dislike about using various models.

portable bbq

Even though the Weber Q 1200 neatly folds up (albeit into a not-so-compact package), the lack of a lid latch is perhaps more annoying than anything when considering the portability of this grill. Lining up grills side-by-side to test the backyard ultra-classics, hamburgers and portabella-burgers. The electronic portable bbq ignition system ensures fast and reliable start-ups with just the push of a button, so that you can begin grilling right away. The grill comes with a comfortable carrying strap that allows you to conveniently tote it with you anywhere you go, whether it’s via car, bike, train, boat, or even skateboard.

From lightweight grills that are ideal for camping to larger models perfect for a tailgate, we list our picks for the best portable grills to help you decide. The Big Green Egg is a Kamado-style portable bbq cooker (Kamado is a Japanese word that roughly means “stove”), which makes it much more than a grill. The ceramic construction retains heat and turns it into a portable oven as well.