Read on to see why and view the rest of our picks in several key categories. To see how each model cooks, we wire the surface with thermocouples to record the temperature across the grates. We also perform these tests at low and moderate temperatures, and capture the range of temperatures at which every single model can cook. Sharon Franke has been testing and writing about kitchen equipment for over 30 years.
She’s a professional, trained cooked, recipe developer and grill aficionado. The summer is favorite season, mostly because she can put one of her many grills to the test nightly. Small it might be, but make no mistake about it, UNA Grill is big enough to fit a steak. Built around SnS Grill’s weber q patented Slow ‘N Sear charcoal kettle accessory, this 22-inch kamado is a premium ceramic grill that brings true 2-zone cooking to a kamado. Surely you know somebody who loves outdoor cooking who deserves a gift for the holidays, birthday, anniversary, or just for being wonderful.
Our Frying Dish allows you to make a variety of dishes from stews, paellas, stir-fry’s and curries to boiling water for rice and pasta. It is important to keep the Dome closed if possible at all times to ensure an even heat distribution. The Pioneer Woman participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.
We had a small issue with the Q 1200 unit we got for testing. The propane coupling sat a couple of millimeters too close to the body, and we had to flex the assembly away from the grill to get the canister weber genesis 2 to fit. 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.
The NOMADIQ Grill offers 226 square inches of cooking space across its two nonstick grates, which are heated by individually controlled stainless steel burners that deliver 9,200 BTU per hour. This means you can only turn on one burner if you are cooking for a smaller crowd or you can cook burgers on one side and warm up the buns on the other. For those who love the taste of wood pellet grilled and smoked food, the Frontier Series Traveler Country Smokers Wood Pellet Grill is a must-have. The portable model works as both a grill and smoker, and it can hold up to 5 pounds of wood pellets in its built-in hopper. The grill features 256 square inches of cooking surface, and it can be used to bake, seat, roast, braise, grill, and smoke all sorts of foods on the go. In terms of its cooking performance, the HitchFire runs on two small propane canisters, and it has two burners that can be controlled individually.
However, we also reviewed how convenient the grills were to use on the go. Our picks contain a selection of models for everyone from a hiker to a multiday camper. We relied on our experience both in developing recipes and cooking at our own picnics and camping trips to select our picks for the best portable grills. In addition, we checked review sites to see what other professionals recommend and read user comments to see what people like and dislike about using various models.
Charcoal grills give food a distinct smoky flavor that so many people love, which is why the Weber Smokey Joe Portable Grill is such a popular product. This compact grill is basically a miniature version of Weber’s cult-favorite charcoal grill, and it’s the perfect cooking device to take on the road with you. Despite being light and very portable, the Venture features a heavy-duty cast iron grilling surface that cooks evenly and sears well.
Where the Sea Island design is a bowl that sits on a stand, the Cowboy Cauldron is a bowl suspended from a tripod system on a chain. Both grills are similar in diameter, inches, while the Urban Cowboy is constructed of plate steel, weighing a fraction of the Sea Island at 75 pounds. The 72-inch tripod adds another 47 pounds to the equation, along with the considerations of packing 6-foot poles. Ask anyone to think of spring or summer, and many will turn to memories of cookouts. The smell of meat, sausages, vegetables, or fish charring on the grill goes right with warm weather.
But, if you want to prepare a gourmet meal at the beach or in the park, you’ll want one with a lid that’s tall enough to give you room to cook chicken or a small roast. All that now stands between you and mobile grilling is your final choice and a big pile of grillable grub. Crack that first tailgate can, ponder our comparative assessments, and pull the trigger on an excellent portable delicious-making machine. None of our choices are poor options and all can facilitate memorable dining experiences. We are proud of the work we’ve done to hash out all the options and honored to be a small part of your transient culinary journey.
The lid, cook box and cast iron grates are all porcelain enameled for added non-stickability, easier cleanup and good heat retention. A 16.4-ounce propane tank attaches to the back of the grill with a sturdy, easy-to-secure attachment. It has two plastic temperature knobs on the front of the grill; one knob controls in the inner flame ring and the other controls the outer. The cast iron grates are easy to scrub clean with a grill brush and the drip pan removes so you can wash it before storing.