She is perfectly happy to leave all that behind to be a full-time kitchen-gear nerd. While the high heat setting perfectly seared burgers without burning, the Q 1200 also outperformed Charcoal Grills Combo Grills the competition at steady medium-low heat for items such as bone-in chicken and sausage links. The Weber Q 1200 is flare-up resistant and excellent at maintaining consistent heat.
The Jumbo Joe handle doubles as a lid lock, making transport a lot safer. I wouldn’t recommend going over 40 pounds if you need one person to be able to carry the grill. The lid is made of stainless steel, which is resistant to corrosion and helps extend the grill’s lifespan. This will let you get used to the short space between Grills Portable Grills the charcoal and grates. Our team of barbecue experts has put these grills to the test to see how well they perform, and how portable they really are. Nicole Papantoniou is the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Kitchen Appliance and Culinary Innovation Lab where she oversees all kitchen appliance content and testing.
The push-button ignition and clearly marked heat-control dial make the Q 1200 easy to start and regulate. Weber’s propane coupling fits 1-pound canisters (best for using this grill on the go) but also accepts an adapter for 20-pound propane tanks. Grilling with charcoal does have some downsides that make it less convenient, especially with a portable grill. Briquettes are bulky and messy, staining anything they touch with soot and ash. Plus you have the added chore of snuffing out hot coals and emptying ashes after grilling. However, this 40-pound grill isn’t lightweight by any stretch of the imagination.
Attaching the gas bottle took a little manipulation that sparked safety concerns but ultimately resolved once connected. After the easy task of lighting the grill with the pushbutton ignition, the grill grates came to cooking temperature in just eight and a half minutes — a tough task for most portable grill competitors. Finally, there are other small, shallow charcoal grills that have a similar design to many portable gas grills. These typically perform the best in terms of portability, and they’re one of the best options for tailgating.
It’s constructed from quality materials, has some nice extra features, and is reasonably comfortable to carry (although heavy). Before testing, we pored over other professional reviews, such as those at Meathead’s AmazingRibs.com, and analyzed online customer reviews of dozens of models. This 20-pound propane grill folds up like a suitcase, and you can carry it with one hand. Though this 30-pound grill takes some strength to lift, its roomy handles make it comfortable for one person to carry. The Dyna-Glo scored highly for performance but was edged out for Best Value by its weight (40 pounds) and a more complicated assembly process that could require a second person to accomplish easily.
In our tests, it produced “nice golden-brown” steak with “defined grill marks” and a “good crust.” During one test, even a delicate fish filet did not stick to the grates. But if you’re not likely to grill frequently, a portable grill is a fine option. For one, it can be broken down or tucked away in storage (and it should be when not in use, to minimize weather-induced corrosion). Portable gas grills are also usually easier and more intuitive to set up, use, and keep clean, so they’re great for beginners, or anyone who doesn’t want to invest too much effort into cooking a few burgers.
If the controls weren’t precise enough, there are two digital thermometer probes so that you know exactly when your meat’s internal temperature has reached the perfect point. There’s no need for piezo buttons, a lighter, or starter fluid with this grill because the ignitor is electric. You can cook for a fairly large group of people using the Dyna-Glo Signature Series Portable Charcoal Grill.
As a volunteer firefighter, I take fire safety seriously when it comes to camping grills. If you’re looking for a portable camping grill that cooks well and is safe, read on. The cooking grates lift with the lid, giving you easy clearance to both the charcoal bed and the meat that you’re currently cooking. This is an excellent design and allows you to add more charcoal if you want to boost the cooking temperature in the middle of the cookout. 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. The two-piece grates are made of cast iron and coated with porcelain, covering three burners that yield 20,000 BTUs.