Many HOA or other property regulations prohibit the use of open flame grills which can cause dangerous flare-ups and spread to other units on the property. Portable charcoal and gas grills are both open-flame cooking methods. Propane gas is tasteless, so you won’t be adding any extra flavor to your food by cooking with a portable gas grill. Some of the best portable grills come with carrying bags as part of the cost, too. Look for grills that have these features, as they’re better suited for portable, spur-of-the-moment grilling adventures. You can make use of 153 square inches of cooking space and rest assured that everything across its surface will be cooked to the same degree.
With the use of a fan and a separate charcoal firebox, you can have this grill hot enough to cook in about the same time it takes to heat up a portable propane grill. When shopping for a portable, the same rules apply as when you are shopping for other grills. You need to consider price, temperature control, ease of cleanup, ability to smoke foods, high heat, durability, safety, and, of course, size and weight. 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.
We appreciate the naturally non-stick porcelain-enameled grilling surface and that the cast iron grates distribute a consistent temperature across the entire cook surface. These point you in the direction of a small, sheet-metal kettle or 16.4-ounce propane model. If durability is your sole criteria and not weight, look at the grill’s build and features that contribute to longevity. Perhaps a cast-iron hibachi is your best choice or maybe it’s a simple charcoal grill built from sheet metal. As you might expect with this trusted brand, the Q1200 portable gas barbecue is easy to use and cooks well, albeit without the fancy features of larger models. Despite using a small C500 gas cartridge, it heats efficiently, but the temperature quickly drops if the lid is opened for any length of time.
With 189 square inches of cooking surface, this grill was not the biggest on the list, but it’s plenty big enough to cook burgers, chicken, fish, and veggies for a group of six hungry people. It’s also nice-looking with flare-out trays to hold your plates and grilling tools, plus an ergonomic design. 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 weber q one person to carry with relative ease. This grill, like all on the list, can use any small propane tank sold at most camping or hardware stores. This sleek portable gas grill from Weber is superior in almost every category and was a fairly clear winner as the best portable grill overall. It’s easy to assemble, with just a few parts, and once completed feels solid and sturdy, even when given a few vigorous shakes.
The base and lid structure is made from durable yet flexible silicone-coated fiberglass fabric, which can withstand very high temperatures. This type of fabric is already used in the food and restaurant industry for oven conveyor belts and grilling mats, so it’s safe for cooking. The GoBQ® Grill is the world’s first and only portable grill made from fire/heat resistant fabric. portable bbq No longer must you be confined to grilling within the boundaries of your backyard, or steps from your SUV. Your mileage may vary depending on what you cook, but you shouldn’t notice a huge difference between a portable and a full-size grill if you’re just cooking the basics for a few people. As with other “full-size” options, the Traveler’s biggest flaw is… Traveling.
The KettlePizza add-on kit ($250) is fun, but way more expensive than the grill itself; there’s a cheaper basic version, but it’s currently out of stock. Do yourself a favor, throw away your lighter fluid and get a charcoal chimney portable bbq starter ($27). Most grills performed about as well as advertised, with some topping out at as much as 100 F hotter than others. The better grills also generally ended up reading out a more consistent temperature throughout cooking.