Cleanup is easy using a top-down approach of wiping the inside of the lid with soapy water, cleaning the grates with a grill brush, and emptying the grease collector. No thermometer is included, and Weber does not make a storage cover for the Jumbo Joe. If you want to do any indirect-heat cooking, you’ll want to buy the hinged grill grate for $35 so you can feed in fresh fuel without removing the top grill, and the $23 charcoal basket is also useful.
It’s made for use with a small propane tank (and does not come with an adapter for larger tanks), which can be stored underneath the firebox when packed up. One tester noted that the cast iron grates produced enviably golden-brown sear on a steak, although the surface of the grill did not produce consistent heat, which resulted in burning in some places. This may be one of the most expensive portable grills available, but you’re paying for quality, both in terms of performance and design. We even found the built-in thermometer to be pretty accurate, something that’s rare in grills of all kinds. Of the one-burner grills, the mid-sized models offer a wide range of control options.
For one, the Grill2Go X200 has a maximum 9,500 Btu output, versus the Weber Q 1200’s 8,500 Btu. When we preheated it for five minutes on high, the Grill2Go X200 reached over 600 °F, while the Weber Q 1200 never broke 525 °F. As a result, we had to manage moderate flare-ups while cooking burgers, chicken, and brats. The Q 1200’s small fold-out side tables are handy for keeping grill tools within reach, though we wouldn’t feel confident resting a large tray brimming with meat or other heavy things on them. The thermometer in the dome lid is nice, but it isn’t necessary other than for letting you know when the grill is hot and ready.
Take your culinary skills to the next level on the trail, at the campsite, or on your next weekend BBQ with a portable grill. In addition, pay attention to the cooking grate material composition; some are made from stainless steel or plain cast-iron. The PKTX offers more temperature control than any other grill we tested with four air vents.
Whether you’re camping, tailgating, or enjoying a day on the boat, a portable grill makes it easy to enjoy delicious grilled food on the go. From compact tabletop models to our modular cooking system – the Crossover, we have something Grills Portable Grills for everyone. Whether you need a portable charcoal grill or you prefer the convenience of gas, we have you covered. Use the filters below to sort by size, fuel type, or price, and find the right grill for your next adventure.
These helped keep grease and drippings away from the flames while still allowing ambient heat to brown between grill marks. In our tests, burgers from the Q 1200 had the most seared surface area of all the burgers we grilled, and more browning means better flavor. They’re commonly constructed from thin porcelainized steel with thin wire-rod grilling grates. This simple construction is what makes them budget friendly and lighter weight. And with proper care, a charcoal grill should still last for many years. First, assembly is a non-issue, as it consists of lining up the grates after taking the grill out of the box, and it took longer to unpack than to make it ready to cook.
If you can operate the controls of a modern kitchen oven, then this model is a no-brainer. This grill can be set from “low smoke” to “high smoke”, and for temperatures ranging up to 550 degrees. We were impressed with the high-heat grilling performance of the Weber Go Anywhere Charcoal Grill. But when the firebox got hot, the side vents that regulated airflow stuck in place, rendering us unable to control the temperature—critical for slow-cooking things like chicken and sausages.