Their capacity and their compact size aren’t ideal for cuts of meat that require slow or indirect cooking, such as roasts or pork shoulder. There is a built-in temperature weber genesis 2 gauge that helps you to adjust the flame intensity and is extremely accurate. In addition, the twist start automatic ignition makes starting up the grill a breeze.
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.
Since the Grill2Go comes almost completely assembled, setup was easy. Its box shape, large handles, and manageable weight make it easy to move into position on a tabletop, and it fit easily into the trunk of our vehicle. We also liked the clips that hold the lid securely closed for transport.
This grill is bulky compared to many other portable grills we’ve tested, and relies heavily on its wheels for transport. At 47 pounds, it’s not very fun to lift much further than in and out of a truck bed. The weight and bulk definitely detract from its overall portability. But this grill makes up for deficiencies in portability with top-tier grilling performance and easily earns our recommendation for a large-sized portable grill. One thing to love about this model, however, is the damper adjustments that allow you to control airflow and, in turn, the heat for more precise grilling.
One downside is that the space above the grill is limited to five inches. If you like the wood smoked flavors in your grilled items, then this pellet grill is a great choice for using on your next camping trip. The grill offers a polished black surface that looks classy and has a solid feel to it. The initial assembly will take some time, but the instructions are extremely well outlined. A classical charcoal grill is an inexpensive and easy-to-use choice that adds a unique flavor to the food. While I find the natural flavor a true delight, this grill will take some time to reach the highest temperature levels.
It also has built-in wind panels to keep your flame going on blustery days. The Cuisinart Petit Gourmet Portable Gas Grill stands out from the crowd thanks to its unique design, which converts from a freestanding model into a tabletop model in seconds. If you don’t want to shell out for our best overall option, this is a more affordable choice that also stood up to rigorous testing. Maybe you want to enjoy grilled meats or vegetables on your next camping trip or picnic, or you’re looking for that smoky flavor on your burgers at the next tailgate party.
For pellet grills, we studied the user interface and considered the details of the startup and shutdown process. We also considered if the grilling surface presents a consistent temperature throughout, whether it includes a thermometer or push-button ignition, and how well both perform. There are advantages and disadvantages to a grill surface that naturally presents different temperature zones. Portable grills are also great for smaller outdoor spaces that simply can’t fit normal grills. For instance, apartments that don’t allow gas grills may still accommodate portable electric grills. BBQGuys carries portable BBQ grills from some of the most popular grills brands such as Traeger, Solaire, and TEC, so you can rest easy knowing you’ve chosen a quality grill.
Often, we grill after hours on a Friday while we’re also trying to set up a tent, inflate a mattress, and wrangle hungry children. The Coleman Roadtrip 285 just felt flimsier than the Weber Traveler. And though it was on wheels, folding and unfolding the legs of the grill weren’t intuitive. The grates were also mostly closed, making it more like a grill pan than a grill. I tried to cover both the “portable” part and the “grill” part in my testing. For those grills with wheels, I walked them around a large, uneven lawn with plenty of divots to see how they rolled.
This smaller Weber kettle comes equipped with only one vent, located in the lid. The lack of airflow meant we couldn’t keep the coal bed lit throughout a single cook, leaving us with pale burgers and undercooked chicken. The Char-Broil Grill2Go’s best features are its compactness and its easy-to-carry design. Two clips in the front hold the whole unit tightly together, and you can effortlessly carry the whole thing with one hand . The Q 1200’s small fold-out side tables are handy for keeping grill tools within reach, though we wouldn’t feel confident resting a large tray brimming with meat or other heavy things on them. The thermometer in the dome lid is nice, but it isn’t necessary other than for letting you know when the grill is hot and ready.