However, the feature that really blew us away with the BioLite is its built-in battery-powered fan. The fan not only kept smoke from billowing up in our faces while we were burning with wood, but it also stoked the coals. This made it possible to light the Biolite grill in half the time of a traditional charcoal grill. The fan has several settings, so you can turn it on low to weber q preserve the coal bed when cooking chicken over indirect heat or crank it up to high to get a hard sear on burgers and steaks. That high heat was useful for searing vegetables when using the grill with its included cast-iron griddle, too. With its 22-inch diameter and 360-square inches of cooking surface, the Grill Ultimate Bundle is as large as a full-sized charcoal grill.
This compact grill is basically a miniature version of Weber’s cult-favorite charcoal grill, and it’s the perfect cooking device to take on the road with you. Of all the charcoal grills I tested, the Weber Jumbo Joe strikes the best balance of affordability, features, and ease of use. We’ve looked at full-size gas and charcoal grills before, but we also wanted to find weber charcoal grill the best ways to get your grill on wherever you are, whatever your living situation might be. We researched and tested a dozen new portable grills to see which can brat the best. Check out our other buying guides, like the Best Grilling Accessories, to get the most out of your purchase. Plus, they are much easier to keep clean thantheir charcoal-based brethren.
We slid each grill out of the box, and while it was still new and clean, looked over its workmanship and build quality, checking every nut and bolt and the neatness of its manufacturing. Check out quick reviews of five of the top models below—from homeowner-grade appliances to gourmet options—then scroll farther for more in-depth reviews of these and others, plus buying advice. The Good-One Open Range is dramatically different from a traditional offset smoker. This is the first propane smoker with a thermostat, making this baby foolproof. Set ThermoTemp’s dial from 175° to 350°F and the thermostat inside will adjust the burner just like an indoor kitchen oven. All you need to do is add wood to the tray above the burner to start smokin’.
We had some trouble with the griddle-like design in the middle of the cast-iron grates; the flat portion transferred more heat than the spaced grates, creating an uneven heating pattern. The removable water pan is designed to catch grease, but it was a complete mess after our tests. The gas-powered Q2200 pumps out 12,000 BTUs on a 280 square inch cooking space, which should be sufficient for grilling anything in a reasonably short time. It’s very easy to assemble and use thanks to a minimal setup, fold-out side tables and electronic ignition.
This portable gas grill comes with commercial-grade components and cast stainless steel burners and cooking rods. This is perfect timing for me as I’ve recently decided to get a portable gas grill. I don’t have the space for a full-size model at my present location but I really hate using charcoal. I didn’t realize all the factors that go into choosing a grill so this article really gave me food for thought.
Portable grills rarely give you that much control over your cooking. One of the most satisfying rituals of being in the outdoors is scouring the woods for downed branches and logs to build a fire. Flames that you brought to life are then only naturally followed by grilling up a succulent meal, whether that’s on a skewer of charred veggies or a few links of split-open sausages. The Weber Q 1200 is one of the highest-scoring in this category due to the adjustability of its control knob and a sound electronic ignition system. We appreciate the naturally non-stick porcelain-enameled grilling surface, and that the cast iron grates distribute a consistent temperature across the entire cook surface. The fan did indeed cut down on smoke blowing in my eyes and both the charcoal and wood burned nicely giving me both food and then warmth after dinner as I sipped a nightcap.
Our top pick is the Weber Q2200 Liquid Propane Grill because of its quick and even heating and easy assembly. For an even lighter portable option, our tester loved the Cuisinart Petit Gourmet Gas Grill—and it’s cheaper than the Weber. Whether you’re an avid tailgater or off-roading enthusiast, the HitchFire Forge 15 is a worthwhile splurge for those who are always grilling on the go. This heavy-duty propane grill can be used on a table, but what makes it special is its included mount, which attaches to a 2-inch vehicle hitch. Once installed, you can drive, off-road, and cook with the grill mounted to the rear of your car. Our tester was truly impressed at how secure the HitchFire felt when mounted to her truck, and she said it never budged on a 350-mile drive.
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. Of course, living on the road comes with certain challenges, which meant whatever we picked would have to check a few important boxes. Space is limited, so any camp grill worthy of the rare real estate in the truck bed would need to pack up small. Cleanup also has to be simple, because when your vehicle is full, even small greasy messes can create big problems. And we often dry-camp, so we don’t have a ton of water to spare for cleaning. Last but not least, any portable grill worth using should still cook food efficiently and evenly.
You will need to carefully manage indirect heat when cooking thicker things like chicken on the bone—we kept it over the open grates around the edges of the grill. The 25 x 12-inch cooking surface will hold a lot of burgers, dogs, or whatever your preference. And, if you want to mix things up, the grill grates swap out for griddle or stove grates . The Ranger’s 176 square inches of cooking space fits about six burgers, which isn’t enough to feed a crowd but is more than enough space to feed two to four people.