The 3 Best Portable Grills of 2023 Reviews by Wirecutter

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While we loved the impressive power of the grill, it was still pretty ferocious, even when cooking at lower temperatures. Experience the evolution of fire with Traeger’s next generation of wood pellet weber genesis 2 grills. Charcoal grills can be a good choice for wide-open spaces, but in any confined space (like the parking lot at the football stadium or a small deck or patio) charcoal isn’t ideal.

The grill has no lid for cooking, as the top consists of a storage compartment and cutting board. As such, you’re grilling with direct heat and should keep that in mind when meal planning. The Venture, with its picnic basket appearance, is a good entry-level grill for the uninitiated and a value model for more experienced grillers. It’s a model intended for direct-heat cooking, as there’s no lid to control humidity for “low and slow” cooking. The burner packs 9,000 BTUs under enameled cast iron, providing adequate heat for small-group cooking.

They’re built with #8 high polished 304, 18-8 stainless steel, which is ideal for resisting the extra corrosion brought on by saltwater exposure. Unlike most of the charcoal models reviewed here, the Masterbuilt features a charcoal hopper and fan to regulate its temperature, similar to a pellet grill. While it’s 52 pounds, it’s easy to move  for such a heavy grill thanks its stand and wheels. This portable gas grill has been a Kitchen Appliances and Culinary Innovation Lab favorite for years.

This can be remedied by doing away with this disposable part or just by putting a rock in it. If you’re looking for a larger model, the best way to get the weight off your back is by going with a wheeled model. The Coleman Roadtrip 285 has large wheels that handle fairly rough terrain and a long handle, so you don’t have to hunch over while hauling it.

We found the u-shaped burner of the Camp Chef Portable BBQ to be one of the best single burners in our review. The large surface of the Cuisinart All Foods Roll-Away gives the cook multiple heat zones to work with while grilling. The infrared burner of the Solaire Everywhere heats the entire grill surface to about the same temperature.

That might seem a tad heavy, but it has cast iron grill grates and is fabricated from thick-gauge steel, instead of cheap stamped sheet metal. It’s built to last, though we wouldn’t suggest hiking into the woods with it. The single 9,000-BTU burner is fueled by a 16-ounce propane canister that conveniently stores in the base.

portable bbq

If you can’t face the prospect of going without your Big Green Egg for a weekend, the MiniMax Big Green Egg is much smaller, but it still isn’t terribly portable. However, if you want to smoke, grill, and bake outdoors, this ceramic cooker is a strong choice. 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. Whether it’s the salty sweetness on that lightly charred corn or the rich smoothness of smoked meat, warm weather begs us to get outside and light a fire. Note, that you should remove as much grease as possible before burying the grill.

Lined with enamel and clad in lightweight steel, the Cube’s built-in heat shield should also protect inquisitive fingertips while you fry. And because wood pellet grills don’t have an open flame, you won’t need to worry about dangerous flare-ups ruining the party. One of the best parts of tailgating is avoiding a meal of overpriced, over-processed stadium food (that you have to wait 30 minutes in line to buy). With a top-notch weber q portable grill, you can fill your tailgating zone with the irresistible aroma of low and slow ribs, grilled steak, or smoked chicken. You’ll definitely want cooking grates that can stand up to some heavy weight; this allows you to put pans or other cooking implements right on the grates and widens your grilling options. Some portable grills have removable or foldable legs that make them easy to pack up and transport.