Our experts test thousands of products each year using thoughtful test plans that bring out key performance differences between competing products. And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. The design of the Camp Chef Portable Pellet is practically unaffected by wind.
It would be very difficult to beat the white bread heat distribution test results produced by the Coleman Roadtrip 285. The heat distribution of the Char-Broil 240 grill is not particularly even, likely because the distribution cap does not extend to the farthest reaches at either the front or back. Beneath those head-sized ribeyes you can see the glowing orange Solaire heating element. BBQGuys does more than test and sell grills — we show you how to use them, too.
The Roadtrip 285 produced better results from our white bread heat mapping test than any other grill we’ve tested. Our ranking of heat output also considered each manufacturer’s BTU reporting, grill surface area, and lid sealing and construction. For the most part, the scoring of the heat weber charcoal grill output follows manufacturer claims, but we made some exceptions based on our observations. For instance, while the Weber Q 1200 only claims 8,500 BTUs, in practice, it operates at hotter temperatures and maintains that heat over a larger cook surface compared to other similar models.
The infrared-cooking capability of the Solaire Everywhere puts out 14,000 BTUs and confidently sears a steak faster than anything else. Soaring in popularity, they come in a vast assortment of fuel types such as gas, pellet, electric, or charcoal. You can also take your pick from modern options that range from infrared grills to pizza ovens, all of which come in a myriad of sizes and shapes. The Cuisinart Petite Gourmet is one of the smallest grills in our tests, and the size does affect control. While we couldn’t rely on BTU-ratings for charcoal grills, our reviewers utilized an infrared thermometer to accurately test the temperature of these grill surfaces.
Not only is the ignitor electric, but so is the auger that feels pellets from the hopper into the grill, which means that this grill needs to be plugged into an AC outlet. If you’re at home, in an RV, or have a decent power bank, this isn’t much of an issue. But for folks that like to go completely off-grid, this model isn’t going to work for you. Much like charcoal grills, pellet grills take some time before they’re ready for cooking and the Camp Chef Portable Pellet takes a while to warm up. Lastly, this model is really heavy compared to most of the portable grills in our review. The wheels are helpful, but it’s not very fun to drag this grill very far from your vehicle.
Charcoal grills and barbecues can also be used as a barbeque in the garden to keep friends and family warm. Time Magazine called the COBB portable BBQ grill one of the best inventions of the year. The Grillster is great at searing steaks and other high-temperature cooking, but it is tough to control the overall range on this rip-roaring grill. Unless we were aiming for blackened chicken or blistered peppers, we rarely found ourselves using anything more than the lowest gas setting. Although it is compact and portable, there is a tradeoff with its smaller grilling space.
This grill can be set from “low smoke” to “high smoke”, and for temperatures ranging up to 550 degrees. If you’re cooking only one type of food that covers the entire grilling surface, then you will want to have consistent heat throughout. If you are cooking a variety of foods all at once, you might prefer different temperature zones.
The COBB is a compact, portable, versatile, energy-efficient cooker that perfectly complements the lifestyle of an outdoor enthusiast or a home entertainer. Easy, convenient and efficient grilling without the hassle of gas or charcoal. All that now stands between you and mobile grilling is your final choice and a big pile of grillable grub. Crack that first portable bbq tailgate can, ponder our comparative assessments, and pull the trigger on an excellent portable delicious-making machine. 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 are honored to be a small part of your transient culinary journey.
This configuration is specifically designed so that the heat zones overlap. The result is top-notch control coupled with incredibly even heat distribution. The Roadtrip 285’s instructions are clearly written and all tools required for assembly are included, making this model a breeze to put together. It’s easy to convert between travel and cooking mode, and the large wheels and long handle make it our favorite wheeled model to move around. A portable grill could be just mobile enough to load it in and out of your truck bed with a friend, or it might be compact enough to fit inside a large backpack. We then put ourselves in your shoes and put each model through an array of creative real-life cooking scenarios.