Depending on your preferences for style for your outdoor space, the permanent design is ideal. When you have a permanent grill, it can also be a part of a larger outdoor kitchen. This could then include installing a BBQ island and a customized outdoor countertop. To get the best flavor from your first grilling and to remove any manufacturing oils, “break-in” your grill before cooking for the first time. Break in by following the charcoal lighting instructions to start approximately 40 briquettes of charcoal. When the flames go out and the charcoal begins to turn gray, place the lid on the grill with the vents opened.
Cast-aluminum fireboxes are durable, corrosion resistant, and excellent at evenly absorbing and reflecting heat, so you have fewer hotspots. This means you don’t weber q have to obsessively babysit your barbecued chicken to prevent excessive charring. Porcelain-coated cast-iron cooking grates are best at searing foods.
Portable grills cost anywhere from $50 for a simple Weber charcoal grill all the way up to $500 or more for fancier gas and propane grills with bells and whistles galore. My favorite portable grill, the Weber Q-1200, sits at about $259 but you can find it for less on sale. Most sturdy small grills weber charcoal grill should last you several years to a decade if the unit is cleaned, covered and cared for properly. The big drawback with this nifty portable oven is its cooking capacity. Since food has to be loaded into a tube, you can’t really cook many of the traditional barbecue meats such as ribs.
We calculated that one fully loaded hopper lasts well over an hour at about 200˚C – much longer if cooking low and slow ribs and brisket. There are many portable BBQs on the market – some more transportable than others – but this one is in a different league when it comes to functionality, practicality and efficiency. Remarkably for a Weber – and one with such a complex mechanism – the Traveler is very reasonably priced, too. And that makes it one of the very best portable gas barbecues you can buy right now. This exquisite folding model from Weber is, for our money here at T3, the best folding portable barbecue on the market.
The bread test confirmed that the Weber has good middle-of-the-pack heat distribution. But, because you can’t control that heat as well, you’ll need to either carefully monitor your food or save this one for burgers and dogs . A bottom vent and an aluminum top damper allowed us to dial in the airflow. Some grilling tools that are key to each and every grilling session include utensils like spatulas, tongs, skewers, and basting brushes.
It has a large grilling area of 285 square inches, and it delivers up to 20,000 BTUs when connected to a 16.4-ounce propane cylinder . After rigorous testing by our experts, the Weber Q 2200 Gas Grill is the clear overall winner due to its ease of use, large cooking area, and exceptional heat output. If you’re looking for a budget pick, go for the Weber Smokey Joe 14-Inch Portable Charcoal Grill, which is lightweight, sturdy, and offers a nice-sized cooking space. It’s big enough to roast a chicken, sear a couple of large steaks at a time, or fit about six 12-inch skewers.
A grill with telescoping legs is ideal in this situation, but if you have a tabletop grill, consider whether there will be a picnic table or other suitable surface to place it on. Finally, the beach is often windy, so you may want to look for a grill that has a wind guard—otherwise, the grill may struggle to maintain its temperature. Yes, these grills are all portable, but that doesn’t mean they’ll all fit your transportation needs. If you’ll be tossing the grill in the back of a pickup truck, any of these models will work. But if you’ve got a conventional car, make sure the grill will fit your trunk’s unique size and shape. Our top pick is the Weber Q2200 Liquid Propane Grill because of its quick and even heating and easy assembly.
Small electric grills are also an option and while they sound great, remember you might not always have access to power, especially if you’re camping or spending a day in the park. Plus, you won’t get any of that flame-grilled goodness since there’s no, well, flame. While all the grills on this list are portable to some degree, certain models are decidedly more portable than others. The NomadiQ portable propane grill folds up into a case the size of a small bag, with easy-grab handles. It also weighs just 12 pounds, making it the best truly portable gas grill I tested. The value of your portable grill depends on your cooking needs and and your intended usage.
And there are models are from major grill and home appliance brands, like Weber, Cuisinart, and Camp Chef, plus options across price points, from under $50 to upwards of $250 or more. Weber’s portable charcoal and gas grills offer the same grilling standard you get from your home models at a fraction of the size. This makes them easy to load into the car on game day, take backcountry camping or just change up your grilling spot at home. This Cuisinart grill features a 5,500-BTU burner and an electronic ignition, as well as a built-in temperature gauge.
If doing the initial conditioning inside, place the grill on a heat-safe surface near a hood. Never use the grill in electric mode outdoors in wet conditions, or when there is rain, sleet, or snow. When using electric grill, route the electrical cord away from paths of travel to prevent the cord from being tripped on. Use only the handle on a properly positioned and latched lid for movement of the grill after it has fully cooled.