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 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. While the Weber Original Kettle may have taken the top spot in CNET’s list ofbest charcoal grills, this newcomer is my pick for the best portable charcoal grill. A smart and solid build allows you to take this small grill anywhere, including on a long hike. Setup was a snap — you simply unhinge the sides and the entire thing opens up like a clamshell.
Plus, it’s heavy , and it doesn’t have a lid, making it impossible to turn it into a mini smoker without jerry-rigging it with aluminum foil. Finally, for those that enjoy the ease of use, precise control, and smokey flavor that cooking or smoking with a pellet grill can provide, we recommend the Traeger Ranger Pellet Grill . Without a lid is known as grilling or direct cooking, and you’ll need to keep an eye on the food weber q as it’s hard and fast and there’s a danger of over cooking or burning the food very quickly. Indirect cooking under a lid is what purists call proper barbecuing – using convection currents and smoke to flavour and slow the cooking process. Gas and electric certainly have their place in terms of consistency and convenience when cooking outside, but they arguably also reduce the authenticity of the results to some degree.
The chicken took longer to cook, although it looked beautiful and tasted great when it did get there. All in all, the Traveler is a solid choice for anyone who cooks for five to six people, or for someone who wants to routinely use their portable grill on a deck or patio. When unfolded, the grill measures 43.6 inches tall, 23 inches deep, and 37.2 inches tall. Depending on the size of your balcony, it may be a good option there, too. It’s compact, powerful for its size, easy to use and clean, and can be fuelled by a lightweight fuel canister. The high score in this category goes to the Camp Chef Portable.
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. While all the grills on this list are portable to some degree, certain models are decidedly more portable than others.
Unless we were aiming for blackened chicken or blistered peppers, we rarely found ourselves using anything more than the lowest gas setting. Although it is compact and portable, there is a tradeoff with its smaller grilling space. Petite and sure-footed, the Grillster is the perfect companion for a picnic for two, no matter the location. We plan on testing a few other models for this guide in 2022.
With 189 square inches of grilling area (17 by 12½ inches), the Weber Q 1200 has enough space to grill a full dinner for two or the main course for a small party. We found that this Weber model is capable of grilling six large burger patties, a whole cut-up chicken, or 10 bratwurst links at a time. And the single-tube 8,500 Btu burner runs along three edges for better heat distribution, so all of that space weber q is usable. In spring 2017, Tim and then Wirecutter writers Lesley Stockton and Michael Sullivan spent over 40 hours testing full-size gas and charcoal grills, as well asgrill accessories. With all this knowledge in hand, Lesley and Tim spent 16 hours, over the course of two days, testing nine portable grills. This portable grill has a compact design and handy carrying case—so it goes anywhere the party is!
Regarding this gas grill’s performance, it gets hot quick, cooks food evenly, and is easy to clean when you’re done. It’s a little bit heavy for a portable option, weighing in at over 43 pounds, but most of the weight is actually its cast iron grates, which can be carried separately for easier transport. This propane grill has a 280-square-inch porcelain-enameled, cast-iron cooking grate and delivers 12,000 BTUs of heat per hour when connected to a 14.1-ounce or 16.4-ounce liquid propane cylinder. It comes with a push-button starter and removable catch pan, and it’s even compatible with the 1000-series Weber griddle .
Being able to control the airflow is important when cooking over charcoal; the bottom vents control the heat of the fire, while the top exhausts hot air and smoke out of the grill. And while it’s size may have made it bulky and hard to transport, Weber’s round, kettle design kept it from being intimidating. If you’re searching for a gas grill you can bring on all your adventures, look no further than the Weber Q2200 Propane Grill. With a large carry handle on the front and a compact design, this 2-burner grill is simple to transport from one place to another. The burners produce a total of 20,000 BTUs and are each independently adjustable. It has Piezo ignition technology for dependable lighting, as well as stainless steel flame tamers that are designed to distribute heat evenly through the firebox and minimize flare-ups.
It’s not the lightest grill at around 50 pounds, but two front-facing locks keep the lid secure, and there are tubular handles for transport. The grill works with 1-pound propane cylinders or a 20-pound tank with the included adapter. It also comes with a limited lifetime warranty for added peace of mind.