Two spacious tables provide extra space for prepping and serving, while the ergonomic side handles ensure easy transport. Because the grill has cast iron grates, our tester did think it was a bit heavy, weighing over 43 pounds, but it’s a small sacrifice if you want a grill that’s extremely reliable and simple to operate. The other thing you’ll notice about charcoal grills is that most of them have flimsy wire grates as opposed to gas grills’ heavy cast-iron grates. Before you bemoan the loss of grill marks, know that they’re entirely overrated.
With the Gizzo Grill Full Set making divinely grilled burgers, steaks and veggies is easy-peasy. Portable grills are also great for seasoned grill masters that can’t go a weekend without cooking over an open flame. Check out what you need to know about buying a Weber, then browse the selection of portable grills at Ace Hardware to get started. There’s nothing better than the ability to grill from anywhere; by the beach, as you enjoy the sunset, at a weekend-long camping trip, or even right in your backyard, you name it.
Try to get one with a cover for the best temperature control and to prevent burning thicker meats. Try to get enough surface area so you can set up for 2-zone cooking. On the flip side, we didn’t love the lid, which was heavy and felt like it was going to fall off if we didn’t open it carefully enough. The bottom vents were also really hard to access and hot coals fell weber charcoal grill out if you opened them during the cooking process. The grill also lacks an ash bucket; it does have two ash catches, but they were impossible to clean out without making a mess on my driveway. Unfortunately, while you can arrange the coals inside of it for indirect heat cooking, the Solo Stove’s lack of vents means that you can only use the grill at one temperature.
A top buy for alfresco table-top feasters, boaters and glampers. This is one of the most versatile charcoal-fired mini barbecues on the market and one of the most efficient. weber q Invented in South Africa, the sturdy, kettle-style Cobb is a small, portable cylindrical unit that can grill, fry, bake and even roast a whole chicken, albeit a small one.
None of our choices are poor options and all can facilitate memorable dining experiences. We are proud of the work we’ve done to hash out all the options and honored to be a small part of your transient culinary journey. The Cuisinart All Foods Roll-Away scored the lowest in wind resistance. We grew frustrated at the number of times we had to re-light this model in high winds. The Weber Q 1200 comes with a disposable aluminum drip tray insert that you can place in the more permanent drip tray. This is nice for aiding with cleanup, but it’s not very wind-resistant, so it usually ended up on the ground after flying away in windy conditions.
Some fold up and are light enough to carry on a long hike while others we’d define as semi-portable and though they can be moved, will have some heft and are probably best transported by car. Set up for charcoal cooking by removing the electric heating element and plug and position the metal cover over the plug hole in the base of the grill. Turn the temperature control dial to your desired heat setting and place the lid on to preheat the grill grate. If you want portable charcoal grilling in a truly portable package, this is the best grill to buy. The GoBQ® Grill is the world’s first and only portable grill made from fire/heat resistant fabric. It folds up to fit in a backpack and can be stored in a drawer.
But if you’re stuck with no way to cook over a flame, the Kenyon is well worth the money. Not everyone has a yard, and it’s increasingly common for apartments to ban open flame grills on balconies. It’s big enough for a family of four and strikes the best balance between ease of use and cooking performance. It has a thermometer and some side tables to hold your plates and tongs. It’s also a champ at keeping a constant, even heat in pretty much any weather conditions.
You can cook bacon, vegetables, eggs, bread, and more right alongside your grilling meat with this portable gas grill from Camp Chef. The three-burner grill includes a restaurant-style 16 x 24-inch steel griddle weber charcoal grill that increases its versatility, and the high-capacity 30,000 BTU burners cook food in a flash. This Cuisinart grill features a 5,500-BTU burner, electronic ignition, as well as a built-in temperature gauge.
Sure, they look great, but wire grates give your food better overall browning, crusting your burgers and steaks with extra caramelized flavor. Plus, the wire grates are lightweight and easy to move around when you want to rearrange the coals underneath. Gas grills are more convenient than charcoal grills, especially when it comes to portability. It’s much easier to lug around a one-pound propane canister instead of a huge bag of charcoal or pellets! They’re also significantly easier to clean (no ash!), and they heat up more quickly. Gas grills come equipped with electric starters or a spark wheel to ignite their gas burners, helping you get cooking faster than charcoal users can manage.