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, weber genesis 2 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.
Both Weber gas grills I tested were effective and easy to cook on, but the nod goes to the Traveler here for its passionate embrace of portability. When folded up, the legs become a handle that you can pull behind you as if you’re walking with a nice roller bag. The legs on one side of the grill become a sort of handle when the grill is folded up; you can walk with it, kind of as if you’re pulling a nice roller bag. It has some other nice design touches, like the ability to transition the grill from folded to cook-ready with one hand, and a lid that locks automatically for transport and storage. The Weber Traveler heated up quickly, and I met no resistance when turning food on the porcelain-enameled cast-iron grates. Of all the grills I tested, the Traveler was the easiest to set up and use.
Skip the neck and back pain and treat yourself to a portable grill that meets you where you are. The Weber Traveler Portable Outdoor Grill stands tall and collapses with ease on folding legs; you can set up and break down the grill with just one free hand. Rubberized all-weather wheels make transport easy across all terrains, while a generous 320-square-inch cooking area provides ample space to prepare for a crowd. The built-in lid thermometer helps you achieve the perfect grill every time and an integrated side table makes the perfect resting spot for your fresh-grilled goodies. The Char-Broil Portable Liquid Propane Gas Grill is a fan favorite with over 4,200 raving customer reviews. The top-rated, 10-pound grill earns its glowing reputation honestly with an impressive 11,000 BTU burner and a 187-square-inch cooking grate designed to grill eight burgers at one time.
Find out how each of them performed in our tests and why they’re considered some of the best portable grills on the market. This section will outline some of the most common fuel sources and grill types, highlighting the pros and cons of each type as well as important considerations of each fuel source. Read on to determine what to expect from the best portable grill models, and check out specifics that just may suit your preferred fuel source, travel style, and budget. A wood pellet grill is the best option for living spaces with small yards, patios, or balconies — often, it is the only permissible option. Even if you don’t have your own outdoor space, a portable grill can let you turn a campground or parking lot into your personal outdoor kitchen. One of the best parts of tailgating is avoiding a meal of overpriced, over-processed stadium food .
And the simplicity of wood pellet combustion and total temperature control means your food will cook perfectly; just like it would on your stove or oven at home. No need to worry about disposing of hot charcoals or gas canisters. Unlike gas or charcoal, wood pellet grills don’t have an open flame. You don’t need to worry about dangerous sparks or flare-ups that could spread fire.
If you’ve decided you want a portable charcoal grill, there is nothing like the Nomad—it’s expensive but worth it. Not only is it easy to pack and carry, it excelled at every cooking task I gave it. If you prefer a portable propane grill, Weber’s Traveler combines the quality Weber grills are generally known for with a smart design that is ready to take on the road. In a world where the Nomad didn’t exist, the Oklahoma Joe’s Rambler would be the top charcoal choice here. This grill feels like Oklahoma Joe’s just hit one of their full-size grills with a shrink ray.
The Smokey Joe Portable Charcoal Grill is 14 inches wide and has 147 square inches of grilling surface on its steel grate. There are four vents to regulate airflow, as well as an aluminum ash catcher down below. This portable grill comes with a 10-year warranty, and it’s the clear choice for anyone who loves Weber’s full-size kettle grill. It’s only nine pounds — the lightest of any on this list — and with the fitted carrying case can be slung right over your shoulder and taken out for grilling on the go. This take-anywhere charcoal grill is probably the most portable of all the grills I tested and is perfect for campers or hikers who need a small, portable grill while on the move. In our tests, its built-in thermometer confirmed it reached 600ºF in less than 10 minutes.
The bread test confirmed that the Weber has good middle-of-the-pack heat distribution. But, because you can’t control that heat as well, you’ll need to either carefully monitor your food or save this one for burgers and dogs . Now the largest membership-based BBQ and grilling community in the world, the Pitmaster Club is sure to step up your outdoor cooking game.
It’s also worth noting that you’ll be getting more of a broiled result versus a traditional grill since there is no actual flame so don’t expect char marks on your oblong burgers. There are a few sizes, including this mid-size GoSun Goand the larger GoSun Survival if you’re planning on cooking for a group. My only complaint about the Venture is that the grease tray is small and therefore prone to spilling if you aren’t careful when you slide it out. Despite that, this is a clever, fun, well-designed grill that’s perfect for searing on the go. Keep in mind that this is a little different than normal grilling, since it cooks from the top and bottom, which means your food cooks faster.