If you prioritize portability over cooking performance, consider our runner-up pick. When the side tables are tucked inside the grill for transport, the Weber Q 1200 is about the size of a small carry-on suitcase. You need two hands to carry the Q 1200, because it doesn’t have a latch to hold the lid securely to the firebox. But the position of the side handles helps to evenly distribute its 30-pound heft and lessens the burden of hoisting and moving the grill. A temperature dial lets you control the heat easily and quickly, just as on a kitchen range.
And 435-square-inches of primary cooking space gives you plenty of room to do it. We included a burner and the Chef’s Delite tray to cook your most delicate foods. It’s easy to assemble and equipped with electronic ignition to ensure reliable starts. The side shelves integrate with Gear Trax™ accessories to organize your workspace. The Grill2Go has a maximum 9,500 Btu output, versus the Weber Q 1200’s 8,500 Btu.
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.
Weber’s segmented warranty covers the bowl and lid for 10 years, the “one-touch cleaning system” and plastic components for five years, and all other parts for two years. 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 . You need to return them to designated locations, such as big-box hardware stores, for disposal and recycling.
However, the Q 2200 is still an excellent grill for small backyard spaces. And unlike a full-size grill, it folds down small enough to stash in a garden shed or on a utility shelf. As for the weight, the Q-series grills are a bit heavy for moving around often.
This baby is a gem of a gas grill as it sat in the top spot across nearly every expert list we consulted. These gas grills are designed to cook your outdoor foods to perfection, but perhaps the best part is they’re built to last. While the grill is hot, scrape the debris and stuck-on food from the hot grates with a wire grill brush. We prefer to do this when the grill is preheating and the embers are their hottest. Wipe the grates with a wet rag to remove the soot, and then brush them with vegetable oil. We immediately ruled out collapsible models because they’re made from thin steel and probably not durable enough for regular use.
The Performance Burner’s cabinet is one feature you won’t find in many grills. It’s spacious enough for a propane tank and several cooking tools. But the best thing is that it will help to keep your tank safe from the snow or wind.
We grilled bone-in chicken to test for flare-ups and how well both the gas and charcoal grills could sustain a medium-low cooking temperature over 45 minutes. In spring 2017, Tim and Wirecutter writers Lesley Stockton and Michael Sullivan spent over 40 hours testing full-size gas and char broil performance charcoal grills, as well asgrill accessories. With all this knowledge in hand, Lesley and Tim spent 16 hours, over the course of two days, testing nine portable grills. The Char-Broil burner cabinet gas grill comes with porcelain-coated cast-iron grates which are rust-resistant.
While you’ll probably use the wheels to move it around, at 90 pounds, many people may even be able just to pick it up and move it. Once assembled, the Char-Broil Performance 475 is effortless char broil performance to use thanks to its well thought out design and features. In case you get stuck, there are several tutorial videos available online for help if you need it during the assembly process.