Charcoal, with its inherent messiness, may not be ideal depending on your portable grill needs but this is a workhorse that will get the job done and last you a good while. Plus, it clocks in at a budget-friendly $48 , making it my pick for the best cheap portable charcoal grill. Setup was a snap — you simply unhinge the sides and the entire thing opens up like a clamshell. The grilling space is large too with 226 square inches of ceramic-coated nonstick grates.
This dual-burner design comes in handy for cooking, say, burgers on one side and thin-cut veggies on the other. And despite all the power, the Cuisinart weighs just 22 pounds, making it fairly easy to throw in the trunk and carry around the campsite, beach or park. The grill is also probably the best looking portable option around, which is great for use in small homes as it’ll be an attractive feature instead of an eyesore. If you’re looking to upgrade your next outdoor adventure with better food, read on. We’ve rounded up eight of the best portable grills, including gas, charcoal and electric grills.
Finally — and this is the most significant issue — the low-heat performance is virtually nonexistent. The heat options are adjustable, but they would best be described as “High” to “Extremely High.” Further, the lid is only for portability; you cannot close it while cooking. Steaks are prepared very, very nicely, but other foods are nearly impossible to cook well. Lastly, whether you’re tailgating or having a picnic at the park, one thing is certain; you want a swift and easy cleanup, and our portable grills deliver just that. Most portable grills are designed to be used with small 14- or 16-ounce propane tanks, which simply screw onto the side or bottom of the grill.
Cast iron is extremely durable but will rust if not properly painted, and its weight can make transportation a bit of an issue. Some of these may be affiliate based, meaning we earn small commissions if items are purchased. Good Housekeeping participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our weber genesis 2 links to retailer sites. Shanon worked as the former Products & Reviews editor for the Good Housekeeping Institute covering the best deals and products across home, appliances, health, beauty and parenting. Lindsay D. Mattison is a professional chef, food writer, and amateur gardener. She is currently writing a cookbook that aims to teach home cooks how to write without a recipe.
We like the spacious dome lid, because it has a built-in thermometer that lets you know when it’s hot and ready to grill. The small fold-out side tables are convenient for keeping grill tools within reach. This Weber model’s long handles make this 30-pound grill comfortable for one person to carry, too. And Weber backs this model with a warranty that covers most parts on the grill for five years. These models are also great for smaller outdoor spaces that simply can’t fit normal grills. For instance, apartments that don’t allow gas grills may still accommodate portable electric grills.
It uses two of the green 1-pound propane camping propane canisters that nestle neatly under each side, and the grill is removable so you can use it on a picnic tabletop. “NOMAD is a briefcase-sized grill & smoker able to smoke two racks of ribs or 30 weber charcoal grill burgers.” It’s also perfect for small patios or as a second standby barbecue. Aside from camping use, the Ranger is absolutely ideal for balconies and patios. In fact, if you’re a family of four, it might just be the only barbie you’ll ever need.
The KettlePizza add-on kit ($200) is fun, but way more expensive than the grill itself; there’s a cheaper basic version, but it’s currently out of stock. If you’re looking for something simple and reliable to achieve a grill-like experience but while still using your stovetop as a heat source, I would recommend this cast iron griddle from Lodge. This griddle works wonders when you have steaks portable bbq and burgers to grill but no outdoor space to fire up a traditional grill. Cast iron gets scorching hot and retains heat exceedingly well, so you’ll be able to mimic the grill marks and sear of an open-flame situation. Weber still makes our favorite portable grill overall but with so many new models on the market, I wanted to test a few of the other players in the small grill game.
The Coleman does lack a thermometer and a latch on the lid to let you carry it one-handed, though these omissions don’t stop me from recommending it. That’s a lot of hype, and I was prepared to be underwhelmed, but the Takibi lives up to the hype and then some. It folds flat, leaving more room in your trunk; the grill top is a grid so small things won’t fall through, and when you’re done cooking it turns into a fire pit. There is an add-on cast iron coal bed ($26) that holds charcoal, but I don’t see it as necessary . No thermometer is included, and Weber does not make a storage cover for the Jumbo Joe.
Although it’s more expensive than most charcoal grills, we were extremely happy with the Solo Stove Grill’s performance on both direct and indirect heat cooking. Instead of using a traditional vent set-up, the Solo Stove uses their fire pit’s signature 360° Airflow technology to create convection airflow inside the grill. That surrounds the food on the grill with hot air, cooking it more quickly.