Then updates editor Michael J Kennelly used the Weber Q 1200 we tested to grill on his roof in Brooklyn from 2019 to 2020. They said the two-part grate was a little more annoying to deal with than the one-part grate on older Weber Q models, but it made up for it in ease of cleaning. They also noted that the burner tubes needed to be wiped down occasionally to make sure the grill would light effectively, especially if it’s only used occasionally. It was easy to clean out the grease tray underneath, and they found they didn’t need to buy Weber’s specialty tins—instead, they just lined the catch pan with aluminum foil and pulled it off when done. But, they said, investing in the bonnet cover and the collapsable cart were both well worth it.
But Weber’s warranty covers most of the unit for five years, so we think the price is justified. We enlisted fresh bratwurst links to gauge each grill’s ability to handle a grate full of fatty meat. You have the added chore of snuffing out hot coals and emptying ashes after grilling. Gas grills are better for people who want to grill more than once a week and can sacrifice heat and the classic taste of charcoal for convenience. A great grill for camping and tailgating, and for apartment dwellers with limited outdoor space. UNA Grill comes with a leather strap handle for easy carrying.
In terms of its cooking performance, the HitchFire runs on two small propane canisters, and it has two burners that can be controlled individually. Plus, our tester found the grill easily reached high temperatures with both burners running, delivering plenty of heat for cooking all types of food. This Cuisinart grill features a 5,500-BTU burner, a twist-start electric ignition, and a temperature gauge. The grate gives you 145 square inches of cooking space, accommodating four to six people at once.
While it doesn’t come equipped with any handles to help move it from place to place, the AS3000 folds down into a compact enough package to carry from one space to another, when it’s cool. Although the Weber Smokey Joe did a fantastic job of grilling our food, it lacked a few features that would have bumped it up in our rankings. You can get a premium version that has a lid lock, but the basic version provides no way of carrying the grill. That means when it’s full of hot coals, it stays where it lies until it cools down.
But it is expensive to run a website with more than 2,000 pages and we don’t have a big corporate partner to subsidize us. When the time came to clean up, we found the ashes were hard to remove from the GoBQ. There’s no ash basket, so you have to wait for the grill to cool down, remove the grill grate, and turn the whole grill over to remove any ashes. Solo Stove has been making fire pits for years, and they recently started selling cast-iron accessories to turn those fire pits into grills. If you’re not looking for a combo fire pit/grill, we recommend picking up the Solo Stove Grill Ultimate Bundle. The Traveler comes built into a rolling cart that stands at the perfect height for most grillers.
This grill folds up like a suitcase, and you can carry it with one hand. Care InstructionsWipe surface clean with mild dishwashing detergent or baking soda. For stubborn surface stains use a citrus based degreaser and nylon scrubbing brush. With a body made from two powder-coated sheets of carbon steel, it turns from a closed form to a grill in seconds.
Do not attempt to extinguish a grease fire with water or other liquids or by closing the lid. It is recommended that you have an ABC fire extinguisher nearby at all times. Either way, dragging a heavy clunky grill through sand sucks, so bring your GoBQ, some kabobs, a 6-pack of Corona, and enjoy life. Protect your grill from the elements and keep it looking like new — shop our full selection of durable grill covers from top brands. When you buy something using the retail links in our stories, we may earn a small commission.
Sure, they look great, but wire grates give your food better overall browning, crusting your burgers and steaks with extra caramelized flavor. Plus, the wire grates are lightweight and easy to move around when you want to rearrange the coals underneath. Gas grills are more convenient than charcoal grills, especially when it comes to portability. It’s much easier to lug around a one-pound propane canister instead of a huge bag of charcoal or pellets! They’re also significantly easier to clean (no ash!), and they heat up more quickly. Gas grills come equipped with electric starters or a spark wheel to ignite their gas burners, helping you get cooking faster than charcoal users can manage.
Once the desired temperature is reached, the auger’s rotation slows, dropping fewer pellets into the pot to maintain the heat. The grill’s heat deflector plate acts as a physical barrier to keep the food from being exposed to the flames. The barrier also keeps cooking grease from creating weber q flare-ups. The grill’s internal fans disperse the heat and smoke created by the burning pellet fuel around the grill, surrounding your food and heating the inside of the grill similar to a convection oven. For the price, you really can’t go wrong with this portable charcoal grill.