They’re commonly constructed from thin porcelainized steel with thin wire-rod grilling grates. Charcoal grills’ simple construction is what makes them budget friendly. weber q British thermal units are a measure of maximum heat output over the course of an hour. The output on portable gas grills ranges from 4,000 to over 13,000 Btu.
Weber makes affordable covers for both the Q 1200 and Q 2200 , and we strongly recommend the investment. The carrying case for the Char-Broil Grill2Go isn’t weatherproof, but you can use a heavy-duty contractor-style garbage bag or a tarp for protection. A swiveling metal handle tightly holds the grill together for easy transporting. The propane coupling juts out the side, and attaching 1-pound liquid-propane canisters is easy. An adapter for the Char-Broil Grill2Go allows you to use a Type 1 tank connection for 20-pound propane tanks. Foods such as bone-in chicken pieces and thick steaks require surround heat to cook thoroughly.
Since you’ve come here looking for a portable grill, we thought it made sense to recommend one for those of you who prize portability above all other features. Everything but the grill grate on the GoBQ is made of flame-retardant fabric, and the whole thing weighs nine pounds and packs easily into something about the size of a knife roll. There are a few choices when it comes to the best portable bbq portable propane grill. Our top pick, the Weber Q1200 portable grill, is great for anyone looking for an all-around capable grill with plenty of built-in features. After evaluating each grill’s cooking ability, we determined how easy it was to clean the grill. We also looked at what additional features the grill offered, such as smart controls, integrated thermometers, and side tables.
It had the same solid construction, the same easy-to-work-with grates, and it even had a chimney vent on top that provided excellent temperature control. The charcoal basket was on adjustable hooks, so I could bring it closer or further from the grates depending on how hot I wanted them. It performed just as well in the indirect cooking test as the Nomad. But the things that made the Rambler a great grill are also the things that made it harder to move. Carrying it two blocks was not impossible but it required more exertion than any of the other charcoal grills. It also required more assembly of the wrench and screwdriver type, though it still only took about 30 minutes.
Like the Traveler, the Weber Q2200 can also accommodate a full-size propane cylinder with an adapter. The push-button ignition is battery powered, which I actually found slightly easier to use. The Q1200 arrives mostly assembled—we were able to get it ready for testing in less than 10 minutes. Lighting it was easy thanks to its battery-powered electric ignition that’s a welcome upgrade over the less reliable piezo ignitions found on many portable gas grills. Smaller grills can manage with 8,000 BTUs , while larger models might need 20,000 BTUs per burner. As a guideline, consider that heat output should be between 80 and 100 BTUs per square inch of cooking surface.
Find out which gas grill is the best fit for your space, and discover important details to look for before buying. As a heat source, this grill will accept briquettes, charcoal and wood pieces of all types. Ultralight and ultra-compact, this is the portable grill you want for your outdoor overnight excursions. The Petit Gourmet has telescoping legs that fold up neatly, and it’s easy to carry in one hand.
In our tests, this grill quickly cooked a steak and four chicken thighs, all of which were juicy and tender. I wanted a charcoal grill that did not rapidly lose heat because its materials were too thin. I wanted a gas grill that kept a nice even temperature once it was set.
Her expertise builds on a lifelong career in the culinary world—from a restaurant cook and caterer to a food editor at Martha Stewart. She is perfectly happy to leave all that behind to be a full-time kitchen-gear nerd. Keeping coals lit in the Weber Smokey Joe Charcoal Grill 14″ was a challenge for us.
This model was engineered with boaters in mind so if you’re setting sail this summer, you might give the pricey Magma a closer look. If you like the look of this and need a fire pit on top of a charcoal grill, I say go for it. But be aware that it might not last for as long as you want it to.
But, it’s less portable than the smaller 16.4-ounce propane bottle some other grills use. This is a small grill with a big heart; it had no problem when covered with hamburger patties and buns. The dual-burner Cuisinart is our favorite small gas grill, delivering nearly perfect heat distribution across its surface, portable bbq which is quite large for a portable appliance. A bottom vent and an aluminum top damper allowed us to dial in the airflow. Bring a little of that sizzling, smoky magic in tow wherever you go with a portable grill. We’re sharing the top portable grills to shop based on budget, fuel and lifestyle needs below.