Here are our selections of best ideas, all Platinum or Gold Medalists, listed by price. It is absolutely positively without a doubt the best bargain on a smoker in the world. This baby will cook circles around the cheap offset sideways barrel smokers because temperature control is so much easier. Heavy and not very portable, the Davy Crockett’s lack of wheels and handles made it difficult to move around. But our biggest complaint was that the grill was extremely noisy during use. The auger made a high-pitched screeching noise when in use, and it kicked on every two to three minutes when used at high-heat searing temperatures.
On the plus side, your asparagus won’t drop through into the coals. The Big Green Egg is a Kamado-style cooker (Kamado is a Japanese word that roughly means “stove”), which makes it much more than a grill. The ceramic construction retains heat and turns it into a portable oven as well. The MiniMax Big Green Egg is identical to its larger cousin in nearly every way, but smaller. It weighs 75 pounds, making it by the far the heaviest grill I tested, but the double-handle carrying system makes it easy for two people to carry it. The problem is that the 13-inch grilling surface of the MiniMax can only grill for about four people.
The Q 1200’s design caused the fewest flare-ups of any model we tried, thanks to porcelain-coated cast-iron grates with built-in channels that helped keep grease and drippings away from the flames. An electric push-button ignition and easy-to-read heat-control weber q dial make the Q 1200 simple to start and adjust. Though the grill weighs a hefty 30 pounds, the comfortable side handles make it easy to carry. Portable grills are also great for smaller outdoor spaces that simply can’t fit normal grills.
This will ensure that your food doesn’t stick to the grill plates. I haven’t used the fancier models, but this basic four-serving one served me well for years. You can pull the grills out for easy cleaning, there’s a drip pan to catch all the grease, and if you’re not in the grilling mood, it doubles as a Panini press. Post-pandemic summer wasn’t portable bbq as crazy as you expected it to be. But don’t let Delta get you down—autumn evenings provide plenty of opportunities for outdoor socializing. We have plenty of al fresco dining options, whether it’s a small, portable grill you can use to start something sizzling on a small apartment balcony or a larger one to lug to the beach or pool.
Let the grill grate preheat for about 5 minutes before cooking. Do not lean over the charcoal grill when lighting, or while the coals are hot. The electric heating element is not designed to be used in contact with charcoal or as a charcoal starter, as it may cause permanent damage to the electric heating element. When the red light is off, the heating element may still be hot. To prevent burns make sure that the control is turned to off and the grill is unplugged and completely cool before touching the heating element.
If your need for portability is limited to moving your grill from storage to the patio, a larger option might be best since you’ll have more grilling capacity. If you’re planning on taking your grill on a camping trip, though, a smaller model might make the most sense. There’s a grease pan to catch drips while cooking, and it’s removable for cleaning. You also get push-button ignition and 11,000 BTUs of propane grilling power.