The Grill2Go’s cooking grate can grill up to six large burger patties at a time. 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.
In this guide we’re looking at portable gas, charcoal, pellet and electric barbecues in a variety of sizes and price ranges, so chances are there’s a model just for you. Controlling the temperature in a charcoal grill is all about vent placement, since you can’t turn coal heat down. But vents are also important for the airflow required to keep your coals lit. We found that a vent in the top of the lid and another in the belly of the firebox created the best air circulation. Vents should remain easily accessible and swivel freely for fast temperature adjustments.
One grill we’re looking at is the Napoleon TravelQ 285, which has strikingly similar specs and body design as the Weber Q2200. We also want to look at a couple of fancier-looking portable grills like the BioLite FirePit+ that, as the name suggests, can be used as a grill portable bbq and a fire pit, and burns wood and charcoal. It’s on the pricier side, but this model folds up into a suitcase for portability, and it can be used open as a high-heat grill or closed as a smoker. We’re curious if its build and functionality could be worth the cost.
The ceramic construction retains heat and turns it into a portable oven as well. The MiniMax Big Green Egg is identical to its larger cousin in nearly every way, but smaller. It weighs 75 pounds, making it by the far the heaviest grill I tested, but the double-handle carrying system makes it easy for two people to carry it. The problem is that the 13-inch grilling surface of the MiniMax can only grill for about four people.
The 320-square-inch grilling surface is big enough to grill for a crowd. It’ll still fit in the trunk of most cars, but it definitely takes up a considerable amount of space. Finally, for those that enjoy the ease of use, precise control, and smokey flavor that cooking or smoking with a pellet grill can provide, we recommend the Traeger Ranger Pellet Grill .