This model was engineered with boaters in mind so if you’re setting sail this summer, you might give the pricey Magma a closer look. If you like the look of this and need a fire pit on top of a charcoal grill, I say go for it. But be aware that it might not last for as long as you want it to.
A 12,000 BTU tube burner under the grill is perfect to grill up some burgers, steaks, or whatever is on the menu. Nickel plated grill grates, a porcelain coated base, and a removable grease drip tray make clean up easy. A locking lid and a convenient carry handle are perfect for when it’s time to go.
That’s because the RoadTrip folds flat and has wheels on one end, allowing it to roll behind the user like a piece of airline luggage. However, we should note that lifting it into the car trunk and converting it from cart form to grill form can be awkward without two people. Portable grills pack the basic functionalities of their standard counterparts into a more compact design, but reduced size and price tag don’t necessarily indicate reduced quality. Whether you’re craving juicy burgers, hot dogs, seasoned vegetables, or some other barbecue favorite, there’s a portable grill to meet your needs.
It has two large carrying candles and latches on either side to hold all of the pieces in place. The bamboo lid doubles as a cutting board that rests on top of a plastic container where you can store grilling accessories. To test this I marinated some chicken in lemon juice and olive oil and laid it on the grills.
For the most part, the scoring of the heat output follows manufacturer claims, but we made some exceptions based on our observations. For instance, while the Weber Q 1200 only claims 8,500 BTUs, in practice it operates at hotter temperatures and maintains that heat over a larger cook surface compared to other similar models. The infrared-cooking capability of the Solaire Everywhere puts out 14,000 BTUs, and confidently sears a steak faster than anything else.
Despite its sturdy build, the Q-1200 is still light and limber enough for a camping grill to take on a camping trip or for one person to carry with relative ease. This grill, like all on the list, can weber genesis 2 use any small propane tank sold at most camping or hardware stores. The grill uses a standard 16-ounce propane canister, which attaches to the side of the grill and lights with a piezo ignition.
We set the burner on low for the 100 percent beef burgers we grilled, flipped them once, and then turned up the heat to imprint sear lines from the cast-iron grate. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a portable grill that’s easier to tote around town than the Weber Go-Anywhere Gas Grill. The top-rated design weighs 13.5 pounds and features push-start ignition as well as porcelain-enameled grates specifically designed to combat flare-ups while grilling. Each Go-Anywhere grill also features a glossy porcelain-enamel lid and bowl to ensure durability on all your adventures. Time Magazine called the COBB portable BBQ grill one of the best inventions of the year. Our ranking of heat output also considered each manufacturer’s BTU reporting, grill surface area, and lid sealing and construction.
Three grills were competing for Best Overall, and they were all in the Weber Q Series. Bahr owns a Q1000 that he came to almost by accident, receiving weber charcoal grill it from his mother, who won it as a prize. Lesley Stockton is a senior staff writer reporting on all things cooking and entertaining for Wirecutter.