For those with carts, this included how easy or difficult they were to move, pop up, and collapse. Then, we rated them on how easy they were to light, add charcoal (if applicable), and how long they took to reach a cooking temperature. The NOMAD portable grill sports a modern design, folding together like a briefcase for carrying, with heat dissipation in mind to keep the exterior cool while cooking. Like the PKGO, the NOMAD can function as a closed grill, or you can use each side independently as a hibachi-style cooker, doubling the cooking space.
(The Coleman RoadTrip X-Cursion, for example, excellent in direct and indirect heat cooking methods, making a good choice for searing steaks and baking fish alike). Some of the very attributes we loved most tie directly to the weaknesses of the Camp Chef Portable Pellet. Not only is the ignitor electric but so is the auger that feeds pellets from the hopper into the grill. If you’re at home, in an RV, or have a decent power bank, you won’t find this much of an issue. Yet for folks that like to go completely off-grid, this option is a no-go.
The design that keeps heat in and dissipates what heat does transfer to the exterior justifies much of the cost while making it a safer grill all around. It has side dampers to adjust airflow and regulate the temperature when it’s closed. The built-in thermometer skewed about 30 degrees lower than our test probes, but the heat retention was very good overall. That said, most of the time when I hit the road I grab Weber’s Connect Smart Hub ($100). It’s not as sophisticated as the SmartFire, but it’s more portable, and two probes is generally all I need on small grills. Keep in mind that this is a little different than normal grilling, since it cooks from the top and bottom, which means your food cooks faster.
The grills are all rated on heat control and retention, size, features, performance, ease of cleaning, and overall value. 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.
The dimensions and weight of a grill are key here — it’s best to opt for a model that you can comfortably pick up and store in your vehicle. However, there are certainly some downsides to using charcoal grills as opposed to other options. Now let’s look at why cooking with charcoal is an excellent choice for portable grilling. 300 Square inches of cooking space is enough to feed around four people at once, with smaller surface areas obviously being better suited for feeding smaller groups.
If you’re looking to cook a whole lot of food at once, you can’t top the Camp Chef Portable Pellet. Between the main grill and the upper shelf, this model offers 500 Expert Grill Combo Grills square inches of cooking space. If you like the idea of grilling large hunks of meat on one shelf while roasting veggies on the other, this is the grill for you.
All in all, it’s a fun alternative to the average grill if you’re looking to go beyond barbecue. For its Portable Charcoal Grill, Masterbuilt employed a simple version of technology it developed for its larger 560 Digital Charcoal Grill. With the use of a fan and a separate charcoal firebox, you can have this grill hot enough to cook in about the same time it takes to heat up a portable propane grill. Ultimately, it’s the RoadTrip X-Cursion’s versatility (it can transform into a steamer with an additional attachment) and high-heat capabilities that earned it top marks.
If you have the space, you’ll probably be happier with one of our full-size gas or charcoal picks. Our argument for cooking space goes hand in hand with our discussion of “how many people are you cooking for” below and the question of what size you’d like above. Most camping grills will give you space for at least 4 burger patties at a time, but our largest grill option (the Green Mountain Trek) gives you enough space for 12 patties. Look for a camping grill with the amount of space you want to cook on, whether for many people at once, or just one or two.