One thing to love about this model, however, is the damper adjustments that allow you to control airflow and, in turn, the heat for more precise grilling. The Akorn Jr. charcoal grill got hotter than any other grill I tested, which is not surprising since charcoal grills often do. The shape and style of this grill make it very good for heat retention, heat distribution and evenness of grilling. With 189 square inches of cooking surface, this grill was not the biggest on the list, but it’s plenty big enough to cook burgers, chicken, fish, and veggies for a group of six hungry people.
“Nomad’s charcoal grill suitcase is modern ingenuity combined with classic cooking.” For two-person picnics, this natty barbie-in-a-case is a better bet than the disposable variety. To use, simply unclip, fill the titchy charcoal grate with a very small amount of charcoal and a couple of firelighters, and rest the steel grill on top. This barbie in a stainless steel tube is just the ticket for the picnicker, beach bum, hiker, climber, Bear Grylls wannabe or anyone with very little room in the backpack. This is a great grill for burgers, sausages and other fatty foods because most of the fats drip away and that means healthier eating.
This allows for heat control which, as every great outdoor cook knows, makes for fabulous outdoor cooking. The locking lid really put it over the top, giving us an easy handle to transport the grill. We felt safe enough moving the grill while it was still hot, but you’ll want to close down the bottom vents to prevent coals from spilling out, just in case.
The George Foreman Indoor/Outdoor 15+ may offer a huge grilling surface, but can only be operated on a single heat-setting. Notice that while the onions were just beginning to nicely char, our burgers were over-browning weber q to a crisp. Yes, these grills are all portable, but that doesn’t mean they’ll all fit your transportation needs. If you’ll be tossing the grill in the back of a pickup truck, any of these models will work.
It was just as easy to control the heat with the sliding draft door located underneath the unit. This folding GoBQ is a novel, innovative portable grill unlike any other. It packs up in a tube eight inches in diameter and 14 inches in length, and carries easily by the handle weber genesis 2 on top or with the included shoulder strap. Made of silicone-coated fiberglass fabric with a collapsible metal frame, it can withstand temperatures up to 2,200 degrees. We enjoyed the ease of set up, and once we were familiar with the grill, we could open it up in seconds.
Our Frying Dish allows you to make a variety of dishes from stews, paellas, stir-fry’s and curries to boiling water for rice and pasta. It is important to keep the Dome closed if possible at all times to ensure an even heat distribution. Popular Mechanics participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.