Best Portable Grill of 2022 Tested by GearLab

Our team of editors cast a wide net to test several of the most popular small and portable charcoal and gas grills on the market. The ones we feature were assessed for everything from quality of materials weber q to temperature accuracy to ease of setup. Top brands like Cuisinart, Blaze Grills, Solo Stove, Weber and more have great go-anywhere grills that don’t take up too much space in your car or backyard.

Steel inserts that sit over the flame ports can help, as can a cleverly designed grilling grate that channels grease away from the fire. After testing five propane models, we’re confident that the Weber Q 1200 Gas Grill is the best portable gas grill. In our tests, the Q 1200 outperformed the competition at both high-heat searing and low-and-slow grilling, with the fewest flare-ups. It has a cast-aluminum firebox that evenly distributes heat across its 189-square-inch grilling grate.

Every grill flared somewhat, but the Q have heavy enameled cast-iron grates that are closed over the burners, which helps keep the flaring under control. Warm weather is still a ways off for many of us, but this is time of year when, like a groundhog, the weber q grill starts to poke out of the snow and show its rusty, neglected self. If you’re in need of a new grill this year, here’s our guide to the very best portable grills. We’ve researched and tested dozens of portable grills to see which can brat the best.

Higher BTUs produce more heat, but it is challenging to determine the heat output from the BTU rating alone. Grill size, construction materials, and design all contribute to how much heat will be produced on the actual grilling surface. Weighing pricing and the included accessories, the $2900 Sea Island base model includes the kettle and the boot rail stand.

portable bbq

Perhaps the best thing about the FirePit is that when dinner’s over, you can lower the fuel rack and turn it into, well, a fire pit. And of course it can recharge your devices, but there’s something vaguely sacrilege about sitting around the fire charging your phone. Fans have added thermometers, fastened knobs to make it easier to open and close vents, attached hanging ashcans, and come up with creative ways to cook taller items, like beer-can chicken. We scrubbed the two nonstick plates in a kitchen sink and removed the large oval shape to wipe out the grease trap.