The Best Portable Grills Tested and Reviewed

The Cuisinart All Foods Roll-Away scored the lowest in wind resistance. We grew frustrated at the number of times we had to re-light this model in high winds. The Weber Q 1200 comes with a disposable aluminum drip tray insert that you can place in the more permanent drip tray. This is nice for aiding with cleanup, but it’s not very wind-resistant, so it usually ended up on the ground after flying away in windy conditions. This can be remedied by doing away with this disposable part or just by putting a rock in it.

It has a thermometer and some side tables to hold your plates and tongs. 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. We barbecued for weeks to find the right charcoal and propane grills for road trips—or just for smaller homes. It’s also worth noting that you’ll be getting more of a broiled result versus a traditional grill since there is no actual flame so don’t expect char marks on your oblong burgers.

portable bbq

You’re also going to want other tools that make food prep and cleanup easy – tools like thermometers, grill brushes, and a wide range of grilling cookware. You can simultaneously fit a 12-inch pan and a 10-inch pan on this little grill. Two adjustable burners offer precise temperature control, and wind-blocking panels add to its camping-friendly appeal. With tens of thousands of positive reviews, it’s also one of the most highly recommended on our list. The wood pellet grill can get up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, and in addition to its main grilling area, it also has a removable upper rack. You can control the grill via its digital dial, and while the model is compact, keep in mind it weighs a substantial 42 pounds.

When I’m not writing about home products, I can be found putting them to the test, often with help from my two young children, in the 1860s townhouse I’m restoring in my free time. Whether you’re grilling on a deck, patio or small balcony, we found a storage solution for your grilling tools and more. When you click on links to buy products we may earn money to support our work. Learn how we create the world’s most carefully tested and objective gear reviews on our About page. The Char Broil Grill2Go is unique in that, for transport, you can carry fuel cans inside the lid.

This feature is ideal for foods that require different cooking temperatures, or for simply keeping food warm. Materials aren’t a big concern with portable charcoal grills. They’re commonly constructed from thin porcelainized portable bbq steel with thin wire-rod grilling grates. Charcoal grills’ simple construction is what makes them budget friendly. In addition, we promptly dismissed gas grills equipped with a coupling for a 20-pound propane cylinder.

Often, but not always, if you purchase a product after clicking a link on our site we get a finder’s fee. We recommend products based on quality and price, not on fees. These fees do not add to the price of purchase but they do help keep this site alive. Secondly, you need to look out for the grill size with these portable units – as well as how portable bbq much they weigh if you really are after something you can carry down to the beach. Equally, you don’t want something you can carry but you can’t cook what needs to be cooked – especially if it means you need to do two or three batches of cooking. For two-person picnics, this natty barbie-in-a-case is a better bet than the disposable variety.