There is a broad range of prices in this category, but two of the lower-priced models stand out. The Cuisinart Grillster has the power you need to sear steaks, but due to its lower-end price point, it lacks the overall control of better grills. The Char-Broil Grill2Go is slightly more expensive but cooks with the quality of an infrared burner and includes additional features like a thermometer built into the lid. If you’re looking for a larger propane grill, the Coleman Roadtrip 285 is more of an investment but performs on par with many non-portable patio grills. If you’re ready to jump into the pellet world, it’s going to cost you – these types of cookers are not cheap.
The spacious dome lid has a built-in thermometer that lets you know when the grill is hot. And small fold-out side tables on either side are convenient for keeping grill tools within reach. We found the Weber Traveler intuitive and approachable — it’s a dream to assemble, light, and use. With a similar burner and grate design to the Q 1200 but a larger cooking area and an upgrade to 13,000 BTUs, the Traveler is more suited to family-size groups than the former.
These grills require open air for proper ventilation, as they can give off carbon monoxide. If you want to cook inside, you’ll want to look for an indoor grill, which are typically electric. The Cuisinart All Foods Roll-Away scored the lowest in wind resistance.
I love cooking pancakes, french toast, eggs, and bacon on my flat top while sleeping out in the woods of New Hampshire. Besides its high price, the two main complaints we have about this grill are that it heats somewhat unevenly when the lid is open and that it’s tough to clean. The first issue can be solved pretty easily by just leaving the lid closed while you’re cooking, especially at high temperatures, but the second one is kind of annoying.
Carrying it two blocks was not impossible (and considering the quality of the grill, it may be an effort worth undertaking) but it required more exertion than any of the other charcoal grills. It also required more assembly of the wrench and screwdriver type, though it still only took about 30 minutes. But, crucially, the GoBQ Grills Portable Grills also performed quite well during the cooking tests. The grill is bigger than it seems, with 196 square inches of grilling area. It was actually bigger than several other grills I tested that didn’t fold up nearly as compactly. This portable gas grill has been a Kitchen Appliances and Culinary Innovation Lab favorite for years.
The charcoal hangs in a mesh wire basket, and the ingenious grilltop rolls and unrolls. GoBQ says the fabric can withstand over 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit and should last through 50 or more cooks, making this a good choice for traveling, but not everyday use. And though it was on wheels, folding and unfolding the legs of the grill weren’t intuitive. It provided a great sear, but when combined with the thin material that also meant that the temperature gauge pushed 600 degrees if I didn’t keep an eye on it, and it felt harder to maintain heat control. The grates were also mostly closed, making it more like a grill pan than a grill. Cases can be hardcover or softcover, give you extra handles for transport, and add cushion for bumps in the road (or at the camp kitchen).
In our tests, the Q 1200’s heavy-duty cast-aluminum firebox was the best at evenly absorbing and reflecting heat. That, along with the U-shaped burner, provided the most consistent grilling of all the portables we tested, with the fewest hot spots. The Jumbo Joe Charcoal Grill is lighter than our gas pick, weighing under 20 pounds, but it’s not smaller.
If you like to get your grills extremely hot (600 degrees at the grate or more), we recommend going with the Polished Stainless Steel finish. Always start with a minimum amount of charcoal (12 briquettes or thin layer of small lump charcoal). In addition, there’s an ash collection been beneath the charcoal bed to help keep cleaning simpler than it already is, given the small size of the model as a whole. As well as being my favorite option on the go, I love using the Nomad at home as an extra grill for searing steak or smoking smaller quantities of food. The corners of rectangular grills have a tendency to collect ash and other residue, so you’ll probably have to spend a little more time than you like thoroughly cleaning this grill after each use.
This configuration is specifically designed so that the heat zones overlap. The result is top-notch control coupled with incredibly even heat distribution. The Roadtrip 285’s instructions are clearly written and all tools required for assembly are included, making this model a breeze to put together. It’s easy to convert between travel and cooking mode, and the large wheels and long handle make it our favorite wheeled model to move around. In our tests, the Grill2Go X200 produced intense heat that was ideal for searing steaks but had us battling some flare-ups when cooking chicken pieces.
We design objective tests to evaluate important features like output power and then back up those assessments with real-world cooking experience. We’ve tested these grills at tailgate parties, backyard BBQs, picnics, and on camping trips, cooking hundreds of meals to date. An experience-based, comprehensive review of the best portable grills on the market. Unlike most of the charcoal models reviewed here, the Masterbuilt features a charcoal hopper and fan to regulate its temperature, similar to a pellet grill. While it’s 52 pounds, it’s easy to move for such a heavy grill, thanks to its stand and wheels. Our tests showed it to be relatively consistent in its temperature, and while it didn’t give the best caramelization, the foods we cooked did have a satisfying crunch to their texture and good grill marks.