Shield your grill from the elements to keep it from rusting or prematurely aging. If you lack an indoor storage option, keeping the grill covered and off the ground is the best line of defense against harsh weather. Weber makes affordable covers for both the Q 1200 and Q 2200 (sold separately), and we strongly recommend the investment. The carrying case (sold separately) for the Char-Broil Grill2Go isn’t weatherproof, but you can use a heavy-duty contractor-style garbage bag or a tarp for protection. This larger version of our pick offers more cooking area and higher heat output.
The Grill2Go latches tightly and keeps the lid, firebox, and grate from jostling during transport. Like the Weber models, this Char-Broil grill has a thick cast-aluminum body for even heat weber q distribution. But unlike its Weber competitors, the Grill2Go is incapable of searing food beyond grill marks, because its perforated grate blocks a lot of ambient heat from the firebox.
The 189 square inches of cooking area is enough space for half-dozen burgers, with the cast aluminum lid and body retaining heat throughout your barbecue. When it’s time to move the grill around, a large grip handle and ergonomic side handles make it easy. Inside, the 1560-watt heating element is design to cover the entire cooking space, so you’ll experience even heat, and its temperature is adjusted via the infinite heat control settings. For a great portable grill that won’t break your budget or your back, the Weber Go-Anywhere Gas Grill should be at the top of your list. This affordable grill comes from one of the most well-known brands in grilling, and it has all the features you need to cook up delicious meals on the go. Even though it only produces 6,500 BTUs of power, it was able to heat up to 600 degrees fairly efficiently.
An electric push-button ignition and easy-to-read heat-control dial make the Q 1200 simple to start and adjust. Though the grill weighs a hefty 30 pounds, the comfortable side handles make it easy to carry. We learned that the coal bed can be adjusted for better temperature control — a useful feature that we find highly important in charcoal grill tests. The grill grate is narrow, especially compared to other portable grills we tested, but can still fit about four to five chicken thighs side-by-side, or two large steaks.
After grilling 65 burgers, 30 pounds of chicken, and 25 pounds of bratwurst on nine portable grills, we found the best ones for both small backyards and outdoor adventures. The Weber Q 1200 Gas Grill is our pick for the best portable gas grill because of its no-fuss convenience and stellar grilling performance. For charcoal purists, we recommend the Weber Jumbo Joe Charcoal Grill 18″. It’s just as capable as a full-size kettle at searing and grilling food to perfection. The grill runs a little hotter with the lid down than the temperature indicated on the built-in thermometer, and there were minimal flare-ups in cooking. Cleanup is easy; using a grill brush on the grates and wiping down the inside of the lid to prevent grease buildup did the job.
It’s also a champ at keeping a constant, even heat in pretty much any weather conditions. A storm blew in one afternoon, but it just kept on cooking despite the high wind and rain. Ahead, find the perfect portable grill for your next adventure this spring and summer. Vent holes in the base and lid provide ample air flow to keep the fire hot. Bottom vents are positioned on the sides so embers and ash don’t spill out of the grill while cooking.
Either way, dragging a heavy clunky grill through sand sucks, so bring your GoBQ, some kabobs, a 6-pack of Corona, and enjoy life. Easily transport the grill after use without having to dispose of ashes on site. Weber, Brinkman, PBC,
No need for budget breach,
They cook great food, just ask me dude,
‘Cause I have one of each. Selection, weber genesis 2 prep, and cook techniques,
Marinades and such,
Rubs and brines and temps and times,
And how to use the Crutch. All of the products below have been tested and are highly recommended. Millions come to AmazingRibs.com every month for high quality tested recipes, tips on technique, science, mythbusting, product reviews, and inspiration.
In my testing, the Mini Big Green Egg has excellent heat control and, like the larger version, is extremely fuel-efficient. That’s a lot of hype, and I was prepared to be underwhelmed, but the Takibi lives up to the hype and then some. It folds flat, leaving more room in your trunk; the grill top is a grid so small things won’t fall through, and when you’re done cooking it turns into a fire pit. There is an add-on cast iron coal bed ($26) that holds charcoal, but I don’t see it as necessary (nice to have perhaps, but not necessary). I wanted to love this model because the concept is great but it does have some flaws. For one, it feels a little bit cheap and I read in several reviews that it can rust and peel over time.
If you like cooking with charcoal, the Masterbuilt Portable Charcoal Grill and Smoker with Cart has everything you need and is easy to move. And though it was on wheels, folding and unfolding the legs of the grill weren’t intuitive. The grates were also mostly closed, making it more like a grill pan than a grill.