Best Portable Grill of 2022 Tested by GearLab

We learned that the coal bed can be adjusted for better temperature control — a useful feature that we find highly important in charcoal grill tests. The grill grate is narrow, especially compared to other portable grills we tested, but can still fit about four to five chicken thighs side-by-side, or two large steaks. We tried this grill out along with the brand’s grilling kit , and found the accessories to be good quality and useful. However, it isn’t a weber genesis 2 grill that you can travel with because it must be connected to a gas line. Charcoal grills are more suited for people who enjoy the grilled flavor of food. The smoky aroma comes from charcoal, so it takes a while to heat the grill.

The summer is favorite season, mostly because she can put one of her many grills to the test nightly. That said, most of the time when I hit the road I grab Weber’s Connect Smart Hub ($100). It’s not as sophisticated as the SmartFire, but it’s more portable, and two probes is generally all I need on small grills. Not everyone has a yard, and it’s increasingly common for apartments to ban open flame grills on balconies.

Experience the evolution of fire with Traeger’s next generation of wood pellet grills. And because wood pellet grills don’t have an open flame, you won’t need to worry about dangerous flare-ups ruining the party. Read on for the pros and cons of these types of lightweight grills. Generally, we found it relatively easy to grill thinner foods—this is ideal for cooking burgers, hot dogs, boneless chicken, or fish at an intimate meal some place special or tailgating at the game. What’s more, the stylish Venture is a social media post waiting to happen every time you fire it up. The larger fuel supply is more ideal than a smaller one when cooking for a group, because it makes it less likely that you’ll have to swap out the fuel container before you’re finished cooking.

It should be easy to get underneath those burgers and flip them over. All products featured on Epicurious are independently weber charcoal grill selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Whether you’re headed camping or to a tailgate, or grilling out in your backyard, our portable grills have you covered. At under 10,000 BTUs, it didn’t get quite as screaming hot as my top pick — the Weber Q — but it is decidedly more compact and easier to transport. A few of the portable grills we tested to find the best in 2022. Before a game or concert, you’ll want a smaller, portable grill to keep the gang fed. Some, like the $549 Hitchfire Forge 15, are even designed to fasten to the back of your car, making your next pregame buffet as seamless as if you were home. There are also great small grills under $125 if you’re tailgating on a budget and other extremely portable grills that you could probably sneak into the stadium — although we don’t recommend it.

portable bbq

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Although we wouldn’t want the Grill2Go as a primary patio grill, it’s a decent dedicated portable for camping and tailgating. Char-Broil’s five-year warranty covers the burners, lid, and firebox. While all the grills on this list are portable to some degree, certain models are decidedly more portable than others. The NomadiQ portable propane grill folds up into a case the size of a small bag, with easy-grab handles. It also weighs just 12 pounds, making it the best truly portable gas grill I tested.

This convenient feature can send a near-constant spark until the grill lights, unlike striker-style ignitions that take repeated pressing. Use these shopping tips and recommendations to pick the best portable grill for your next on-the-go barbecue. No matter how gorgeous or secluded your camping spot, a terrific meal will make the experience that much more memorable. You want the wood-fired flavor of food hot off the grill — not a bag of trail mix or freeze-dried eggs.

And although gas grills do not deliver that smoky, charcoal flavor, some models come with side fireboxes to mimic the smoke of a charcoal grill. Although this portable powerhouse reaches top temperatures with ease, it is more difficult to learn how to harness the heat of the grill surface for foods that require more low-and-slow cooking. But if you hope to regularly grill up delicious meals while on the road, the Weber Q 1200 is an accessible portable grill that is sure to appeal to both novice cooks and professional chefs alike. One-pound propane cylinders take up very little space for transport. Charcoal is bulky and heavy, but open fire does provide flavoring from the terpenes in the wood.

This grill folds up like a suitcase, and you can carry it with one hand. We stand behind our products and ensure every NOMAD interaction is a great experience. The Spruce Eats uses only high-quality sources, weber genesis 2 including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.