(The Coleman RoadTrip X-Cursion, for example, excellent in direct and indirect heat cooking methods, making a good choice for searing steaks and baking fish alike). Some of the very attributes we loved most tie directly to the weaknesses of the Camp Chef Portable Pellet. Not only is the ignitor electric but so is the auger that feeds pellets from the hopper into the grill. If you’re at home, in an RV, or have a decent power bank, you won’t find this much of an issue. Yet for folks that like to go completely off-grid, this option is a no-go.
For those with carts, this included how easy or difficult they were to move, pop up, and collapse. Then, we rated them on how easy they were to light, add charcoal (if applicable), and how long they took to reach a cooking temperature. The NOMAD portable grill sports a modern design, Grills Portable Grills folding together like a briefcase for carrying, with heat dissipation in mind to keep the exterior cool while cooking. Like the PKGO, the NOMAD can function as a closed grill, or you can use each side independently as a hibachi-style cooker, doubling the cooking space.
If you have the space, you’ll probably be happier with one of our full-size gas or charcoal picks. Our argument for cooking space goes hand in hand with our discussion of “how many people are you cooking for” below and the question of what size you’d like above. Most camping grills will give you space for at least 4 burger patties at a time, but our largest grill option (the Green Mountain Trek) gives you enough space for 12 patties. Look for a camping grill with the amount of space you want to cook on, whether for many people at once, or just one or two.
Whether it’s finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we’ll help you get it right (the first time). Weber has a great reputation for reliability, and when we surveyed Wirecutter readers about their grills, Weber owners were overwhelmingly satisfied with their choice. As long as you clean your grill properly and shield it from the elements, it should last many years. Weber doesn’t make a grill cover for the Jumbo Joe, but a contractor garbage bag or a woven poly tarp should do the trick if you want an extra barrier from the elements. And since the spacious firebox fits a full chimney starter’s worth of coals, you can get two or three rounds of grilling per load.
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.
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, Flat Top Grills Gas Grills Pellet 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.