The design that keeps heat in and dissipates what heat does transfer to the exterior justifies much of the cost while making it a safer grill all around. It has side dampers to adjust airflow and regulate the temperature when it’s closed. The built-in thermometer skewed about 30 degrees lower than our test probes, but the heat retention was very good overall. Expert Grill Combo Grills That said, most of the time when I hit the road I grab Weber’s Connect Smart Hub ($100). It’s not as sophisticated as the SmartFire, but it’s more portable, and two probes is generally all I need on small grills. Keep in mind that this is a little different than normal grilling, since it cooks from the top and bottom, which means your food cooks faster.
Our Lab testers grilled and seared steak, salmon, onions, hamburgers, and hamburger buns on each model to thoroughly analyze the features and performance. Additionally, the grills were carried around our Birmingham, Alabama, campus to test portability. Our home reviewers spent weeks assessing how these grills stood up to everyday cooking and cleaning. They were also able to offer additional insights to using these during typical weather conditions.
Unlike a lot of portable charcoal grills, the Nomad makes an excellent compact smoker. In our tests we smoked pork belly burnt ends and a whole pork butt, and it did a great job. The beauty of this pick is it functions as a portable fire pit and charcoal grill, which makes it great for camping. It has two oversized handles for carrying and its legs fold up to make moving it even easier. It can be used with firewood or charcoal – just slide on the included grill grate to use as a grill.
The push-button ignition and clearly marked heat-control dial make the Q 1200 easy to start and regulate. Weber’s propane coupling fits 1-pound canisters (best for using this grill on the go) but also accepts an adapter for 20-pound propane tanks. Grilling with charcoal does have some downsides that make it less convenient, especially with a portable grill. Briquettes are bulky and messy, staining anything they touch with soot and ash. Plus you have the added chore of snuffing out hot coals and emptying ashes after grilling. However, this 40-pound grill isn’t lightweight by any stretch of the imagination.
If you’re looking to cook a whole lot of food at once, you can’t top the Camp Chef Portable Pellet. Between the main grill and the upper shelf, this model offers 500 square inches of cooking space. If you like the idea of grilling large hunks of meat on one shelf while roasting veggies on the other, this is the grill for you.
All in all, the GoBQ really shined for something in such a small package. We tested the most comfortable sleeping pads to find the best mattresses for camping. From the best self-inflating to the best for couples, see our top picks. Feed pellets or twigs into the top of the stove (the metal lid with the Grills Portable Grills upside down Biolite logo opens up). Looking for a camping grill that can be used inside on a chilly day, out in your camper, or at the next work function? We think an electric grill is the way to go for versatility and the Hamilton Beach Electric Searing Grill is our winner for best electric grill.
All in all, it’s a fun alternative to the average grill if you’re looking to go beyond barbecue. For its Portable Charcoal Grill, Masterbuilt employed a simple version of technology it developed for its larger 560 Digital Charcoal Grill. With the use of a fan and a separate charcoal firebox, you can have this grill hot enough to cook in about the same time it takes to heat up a portable propane grill. Ultimately, it’s the RoadTrip X-Cursion’s versatility (it can transform into a steamer with an additional attachment) and high-heat capabilities that earned it top marks.
Look for grills that have these features, as they’re better suited for portable, spur-of-the-moment grilling adventures. Some portable grills have removable or foldable legs that make them easy to pack up and transport. It’s a sturdy portable grill that rests Expert Grill Combo Grills on stable legs, perfect for placing on a table or bench. The biggest flaw is the thinness of its grates, which don’t allow for a ton of weight to be stacked upon them, and which sometimes results in the grate flipping if too much meat is placed on one side.