Along with the base, the starter package ships with a grill grate, legs, two elevation bars, and a seasoned cast iron pan. The Q2000 doubles the cooking area of the 1000 and 1200 with the same folding side tables. In our tests, the Jumbo Joe produced the best seared burgers, barbecued chicken, and grilled bratwurst. The two adjustable vents, in the lid and firebox, allowed the quickest and easiest temperature control of all the grills we tested. Even after loading the Jumbo Joe with a full chimney starter’s worth of red-hot embers , we could still tamp down the temperature to medium heat. We couldn’t do that with the 14-inch Weber Smokey Joe, where the one vent and the lack of airflow caused the coals to extinguish while we were cooking.
After giving the Grill2Go about 20 minutes to heat up, we recorded a surface temperature of 550 degrees Fahrenheit. Though not the extreme heat that’s advertised with infrared technology, 550 degrees Fahrenheit was more than enough to create a sear on our burger patty. The Grill2Go’s clamshell lid was easy to operate and created even heating when closed. Though the Grill2Go reached a good heat level and cooked well, we found that the food was not as flavorful as that which came off the other gas grills we tested. Choosing a portable grill can often come down to ease of use and the amount of heat produced.
But more heat alone doesn’t equate to better grilling performance, as a grill’s performance is based on a combination of output, design, and quality of materials. Think of portable gas grills as small, outdoor, weber charcoal grill propane-powered ovens. The push-button ignition and the temperature-control dial should be easily accessible and clearly marked so you can quickly start the grill and adjust the heat without fumbling.
Whether you want to slow cook ribs, fire up some burgers — or both — you can do it on a Traeger with the flip of a switch. Most portable charcoal grills have a very small cooking area, so they are only good for direct grilling of items like steak or burgers. To do any smoking, you’d need a 2-zone fire with the briquettes on one side and food on the other.
The powder-coated steel grill features removable silicone handles for comfy transport and a cork lid that doubles as a coaster for the grill while you’re cooking. You never have to worry about guests moving the grill around and scraping your expensive outdoor table again. Let’s closely portable bbq compare the smallest grills in our test regarding control. The Cuisinart Petite Gourmet and Eureka Gonzo are very similar in size and weight. The Petite Gourmet has an elongated burner beneath a rectangular grate, while the Gonzo Grill has a round burner beneath a round grate.