If your budget can stretch way past the Weber options above, PKTX offers the same classic PK design with a folding cart for easy transportation. When it comes to cooking with this grill, we’d recommend using only a few coals at first during a handful of test cookouts to really get a sense of how the grill performs. It can still hold up to six regular-sized burgers and comes with standing legs for flexible mounting options. Before putting the grill away for the season, give the inside a good scrubbing with lots of hot soapy water and rinse well.
The Lodge Cast Iron Sportsman’s Grill L410 was a longtime favorite of Wirecutter senior staff writer Lesley Stockton for its intense heat. The new design, the Lodge Cast Iron Sportsman’s Pro Grill, maintains the all-cast-iron build, but it features a new manual sliding ventilation mechanism. We haven’t tested this new version, but in her experience with the previous Lodge, Lesley found that the hibachi-style grill excelled at high-heat searing, making it ideal for steaks.
Portability is definately an important feature if you like taking your grill on a camping trip. We actually have a whole post covering the best camping grills, as well as some tips on how to pick the one that is right for you. You get nearly 150 in.² of room to grill, and the grilling is aided by a thick-walled ceramic body that locks in heat and moisture very competently. It’s relatively easy to assemble and has two side handles for easy transportation. However the build quality and added features make for a bit more of a versatile grill. There are also some nice optional add-ons including Tel-Tru thermometer kit, cover and heavy-duty charcoal basket.
Seasoned backyard chefs can discern temperature by eyeball alone, but you don’t need sorcery to assess the heat. When you make rubs at home we recommend you add salt first then the herbs and spices because salt penetrates deep and the other stuff remains on the surface. We put salt in these bottled rubs because all commercial rubs have salt and consumers expect it. You can still use these as a dry brine, just sprinkle the rub on well in advance to give the salt time to penetrate. Salt appears first in the ingredients list because the law says the order is by weight, not volume, and salt is a heavy rock.
It’s illegal in many jurisdictions to throw them in the trash, though that doesn’t stop many people, it seems, given how many of these end up in landfills every year.
In spring 2017, Tim and Wirecutter writers Lesley Stockton and Michael Sullivan spent over 40 hours testing full-size gas and charcoal grills, as well as grill accessories. With all this knowledge in hand, Lesley and Tim spent 16 hours, over the course of two days, testing nine portable grills. Most portable grills are designed to be used with small 14- or 16-ounce propane tanks, which simply screw onto the side or bottom of the grill. However, if you’re planning to cook frequently with your grill, it might be beneficial to purchase an adapter hose, which will allow you to use a larger 20-pound propane tank with your portable grill.
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, weber q 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.
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 weber q 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.
Whether you’re an avid tailgater or off-roading enthusiast, the HitchFire Forge 15 is a worthwhile splurge for those who are always grilling on the go. This heavy-duty propane grill can be used on a table, but what makes it special is its included mount, which attaches to a 2-inch vehicle hitch. Once installed, you can drive, off-road, and cook with the grill mounted to the rear of your car. We were truly impressed at how secure the HitchFire felt when mounted to a truck, and it never budged on a 350-mile drive. These grills require open air for proper ventilation, as they can give off carbon monoxide.