In our tests, the well-placed vents in both the lid and the firebox provided precise temperature control that no other portable charcoal grill we tried—including two other Webers—could match. Portable grills aren’t just great for toting to a campground, park, or tailgate. If you don’t have the space or budget for a full-size grill, they might also be the best option for your backyard. After grilling 65 burgers, 30 pounds of chicken, and 25 pounds of bratwurst on nine portable grills, we have recommendations for both gas and charcoal options. The frame is made of a really tough fiberglass that will resist heat. The burner is made of stainless steel, and the cast iron grill grate has a porcelain coating.
One of the major selling points of this grill is its two fold-out side tables, which are each 12.5 x 13.5 inches. They’re the perfect spot to place a plate, condiments, and grilling tools, and I used them pretty much every time I grilled. The Weber Q 2200 Gas Grill makes it easy and convenient to grill on the go, but it’s spacious enough for everyday home use, as well. GearLab is founded on the principle of honest, objective, reviews.
It can fit up to 10 large burger patties, two cut-up chickens, or 16 large bratwurst links at a time. The Jumbo Joe Charcoal Grill is lighter than our gas pick, weighing under 20 pounds, but it’s not smaller. Its cooking surface holds about seven burgers or one whole, cut-up chicken. In our tests, the Grill2Go X200 produced intense weber charcoal grill heat that was ideal for searing steaks but had us battling some flare-ups when cooking chicken pieces. Although we wouldn’t want to use it as a primary patio grill, it’s a decent dedicated portable grill for camping and tailgating. One of the benefits of this gas grill – and others like it – is that size doesn’t matter.
As a portable gas grill that will likely appeal to novice cooks and experienced chefs alike, the accessibility of the Q 1200 is a major selling point. The battery-powered electronic ignition is the same you will find on a high-end, full-size grill. The integrated thermometer — available from 150°F to 600°F — allows you to accurately monitor internal temperatures without having to lift the lid and lose critical heat. The regulator is integrated into the body and employs an infinite controller that is easily adjusted between clearly marked low, medium, and high settings. The weber q 1200 is a unique portable grill option, mainly in terms of design.
The Weber Q 2200 has the same features as the Q 2000, but also has the additional feature of the built-in thermometer. I also like that there is a built in thermometer – a hood mounted thermometer, in fact. As with most of these, you do have to be wary of them – they tend to be off by a few degrees in either direction. I have been using grills since I was in my teens and have had my fair share of experiences with a wide varieties of brands and models.
Once the grill cooled down a bit after cooking, I used my wire brush to clean food and grease off the grates. Everything came off the porcelain-enameled cast iron easily, especially because the grates were still a bit warm. Porcelain-coated cast-iron cooking grates are best at searing foods, though cast iron does add an extra 5 to 10 pounds to the total weight of a grill. We also prefer an open grate design that allows ambient heat from the firebox to brown the areas in between the grill marks. With an MSRP of $269, the Weber Q 2200 Gas Grill is definitely one of the more expensive portable gas grills you can buy. However, it’s also one of the largest and most powerful on the market.
But the price is justified by the grill’s build-quality and Weber’s warranty and overall reputation for longevity. Gas grills ignite with weber genesis 2 a press of a button and preheat in minutes. A temperature dial lets you control the heat as easily and quickly as on a kitchen range.
While this measurement objectively lands in the middle of the grills we tested, it tends to be plenty of room for most travel-cooking needs. If you are just grilling up the meat portion, it is enough to cook 3-4 servings; if you are cooking just for two, it is ample room to grill up both meat and veggies. While 13 extra pounds may not seem like a lot on paper, it could feel that way if you have to lug a grill over uneven ground to get to your campsite. By sacrificing the extra cooking space, you gain a lighter grill that’s more suited to travel – and still offers great performance. Combine that with the aluminum materials of the grill’s body, and you have a portable gas grill that’s rustproof and weather resistant. If you’re looking for a bigger portable grill, the Weber Q 2200 Gas Grill has the same features, performance, and build as our pick, but with almost 50% more grilling capacity.