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.
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 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.
We asked Q 1200 owners on staff if they had this issue, and they confirmed that attaching the propane was easy on their grills. We’re chalking this up as a one-off problem unique to our test unit. Grills equipped with an accessible coupling for 1-pound liquid-propane canisters are a must.
Some people report that the handle gets a bit hot to the touch, but most users say the handle stays nice and cool. Assembly of this 4 burner gas grill is relatively simple and easy, though some users have expressed that the instructions can be confusing. The grill is maneuverable and features two wheels and two stationary legs. If you’re planning a cookout in another location, a portable grill that’s easy to maneuver can make things a lot more convenient. The burners feature stainless steel heat tents above them as well for safe grilling and to prevent juices from dripping onto the burners and causing flare-ups. A well-made and sturdy grill, the Char-Broil Performance series holds its own against the more expensive Weber.
Though cast iron adds an extra 5 to 10 pounds to the total weight of a grill, we think the flavorful dark crust on burgers and steaks makes it worthwhile. We also prefer an open grate design that allows ambient heat from the firebox to brown the areas in Blackstone Adventure between the grill marks. We found that stainless steel solid grates with small perforations don’t let enough ambient heat through to brown the food properly. Summers are meant for grilling, but you may not have the space or budget for a full-size grill.
A great portable grill offers consistent heat, minimal flare-ups, a generous cooking area, and an easily totable design. We think the ideal capacity on a portable grill is enough to accommodate a full meal for two or a main course for a small crowd. Grills that evenly distribute the heat across the entire grate cook food more consistently. Extreme hotspots cause patchy charring and require you to babysit your dinner, and flare-ups are annoying and can make food taste like burnt oil. The Performance burner grill works on liquid propane and has a cabinet for its tank.
You can simply turn on the gas and fire up the grill, thanks to the electronic ignition system, which is easy to light and requires the simple push of a button. The back of the grill was much hotter than the front, so we continually re-positioned the food to prevent it from overcooking. Overall, grilling on the Dyna-Glo was more hands-on and a less pleasant experience than it was with the Char-Broil and Weber. If you’re looking for an inexpensive grill, we recommend the far superior Char-Broil – Performance instead. There was almost no difference between the Spirit and the Char-Broil in cooking results.