Every grill flared somewhat, but the Q 1200 (and the Coleman below) have heavy enameled cast-iron grates that are closed over the burners, which helps keep the flaring under control. Full sized grilling capabilities in a portable package – cook anything from roasts to burgers. It has two magnetic vents which, when set to half open, allow the grill to stay at 250°F for an hour. I checked the grill every 20 minutes and was able to keep it at that temperature on less than a full chimney of charcoal. Our camping grills were tested from the Mojave Desert to the pine forests of Maine, from warm summer nights to snowy winter evenings—during afternoon grills and by camping lantern at night.
However, charcoal is available in smaller or larger bags, depending on your needs. Choose what works better for your taste buds and the space in your car. The UCO Flatpack won us over for its price ($50 compared to the $100-$400 range of other camping grills we reviewed). We’re fans of its low weight (3.3 lbs), its spaciousness relative to its size (you could fit 6 burgers easily!), and its ease of packability (down to 1.5 inches thick). We also love that it works well in various circumstances, terrains, and grill-skill levels. However, with the killer reviews and outstanding tester notes for the Snowpeak Takibi Grill, we couldn’t quite give it the top winning spot.
The C4’s body includes dual intake dampers on both the front and back side of the grill. The airflow has been greatly improved by completely running underneath the charcoal grate and easy to control with its dual stainless damper covers. Portability is definately an important feature if you like taking your grill on a camping trip. We actually have a whole post covering the best camping grills, as well as some tips on how to pick the one that is right for you.
These helped keep grease and drippings away from the flames while still allowing ambient heat to brown between grill marks. In our tests, burgers from the Q 1200 had the most seared surface area of all the burgers we grilled, and more browning means better flavor. They’re commonly constructed from thin porcelainized steel with thin wire-rod grilling grates. This simple construction is what makes them budget friendly and lighter weight. And with proper care, a charcoal grill should still last for many years. First, assembly is a non-issue, as it consists of lining up the grates after taking the grill out of the box, and it took longer to unpack than to make it ready to cook.
In her 6+ years of experience as a product tester, she’s reviewed hundreds of items firsthand, and her work appears in publications such as PEOPLE, The Spruce, Homes & Gardens, and more. Camryn is also the proud owner of a small homestead in Rhode Island, where she spends her spare time gardening, tending her many animals, and working through a never-ending list of home improvement projects. Having a foldable cart means you won’t have to worry about finding a safe and stable spot to place your grill at your destination. Then you should look at what portability features the manufacturer has included. Along with the larger size, this is the main difference compared to the Smokey Joe. Included meat probe lets you check on your food without lifting the lid.
It also has a built-in thermometer that’s reasonably accurate, but I still suggest getting a separate instant-read thermometer. The author having a tailgate party with the local volunteer fire department she serves on. They’re using the Weber Q1200 portable gas grill, which can fit a lot of burgers. Admittedly, this isn’t the easiest Expert Grill Combo Grills camping grill to hike a few miles down the trail to your campsite simply because of its rotund design — or to fit in a compact car. And at only $40, you won’t feel guilty if it gets a little dented by enthusiastic grillers in the process. Overall, the bang for your buck can’t be overstated with this tiny powerhouse of a grill.