But the position of the side handles helps to evenly distribute its 30-pound heft and lessens the burden of hoisting and moving the grill. Grills equipped with an accessible coupling for 1-pound liquid-propane canisters are a must. One-pound canisters are lightweight, inexpensive, and available at most hardware stores. Lugging around a 20-pound propane cylinder isn’t our idea of portability.
We like the spacious dome lid with a built-in thermometer that lets you know when it’s hot and ready to grill. The small fold-out side tables weber q are convenient for keeping grill tools within reach. And its roomy handles make this 30-pound grill comfortable for one person to carry, too.
If you wind up wanting to use a larger tank, you can purchase an adapter with a Type 1 connector for a 20-pound refillable propane tank. Full sized grilling capabilities in a portable package – cook anything from roasts to burgers. What makes this grill special is that the telescoping VersaStand holds the grill at ideal cooking height, yet shrinks down for easy transport and storage.
Our tester was truly impressed at how secure the HitchFire felt when mounted to her truck, and she said it never budged on a 350-mile drive. She’s an expert on all things home, including kitchen appliances, grills, and portable bbq other cooking gadgets. And vegetables on each to see how the portable grills performed in their most critical of duties. I haven’t used the fancier models, but this basic four-serving one served me well for years.
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. There are a few sizes, including this mid-size GoSun Goand the larger GoSun Survival if you’re planning on cooking for a group. My only complaint about the Venture is that the grease tray is small and therefore prone to spilling if you aren’t careful when you slide it out. Despite that, this is a clever, fun, well-designed grill that’s perfect for searing on the go. 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.
With the lid in place, Jumbo Joe’s bulbous kettle shape created an ideal roasting environment for our kabobs. As with the smaller Joe, the vents on the lid and base do an excellent job of controlling oxygen flow into the cooking chamber, which allowed us to control temperature. Though, like the regular Joe, wear a grill mitt to adjust the metal vents to avoid burns. The Jumbo Joe’s wide base gives it a stable, sturdy feel even when cooking on an uneven lawn. Many gas-powered grills feature an electronic push-button ignition to fire up the fuel source quickly.
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. The Green Mountain Trek is a combination smoker and grill, equally suited for a couple of slabs of ribs or steaks for the group. It features an auger-fed pellet system with a hopper that can accommodate up to nine pounds of wood pellets, which is enough fuel for small smoking tasks without the need to refill. Before or after each use, crank it up to high for five or 10 minutes to incinerate all the drippings and stuck-on food. Scrape the hot grates with a grill brush, wipe them with a wet rag to remove the soot, and brush them with vegetable oil.
Whether you’re hosting a 4th of July party at home or picnicking in a park, you can fire up a delicious feast from anywhere with a portable grill. The best time to buy a portable grill is right now while the summer is heating up. For our favorite portable grills, we consider the grill’s size and durability to be easily packable and withstand the weather. The Camp Chef has a stable cooking surface that weber charcoal grill prevents any wind from getting through to the grilling grate. Scores in this metric were determined by the size of the cooking surface, the surface material, and any coatings, whether the grill has any side tables or any other added features. Additional features and functions include a grill grate that can be turned over and made into a skillet, or bonus features like a warming rack or smoker tray.
Choose from barbecues of different sizes, as well as gas propane grills and charcoal burning grill options. Portable charcoal grills are, for the most part, just smaller versions of backyard charcoal grills. The smaller size means they weigh less and are easier to transport.
Camp Chef claims it puts out 12,000 BTU, but it’s uneven—our bread test revealed comparatively cool corners at the front edge, owing to the coverage of one burner. Otherwise, that’s a lot of heat available to a relatively small grill surface. From indoor grilling to cooking pancakes for the whole family, this compact appliance can do it all. Plus, check out a clever tool for whipping up creative pancake shapes on the griddle kids will love. They deliver an ultra-satisfying sizzle when you throw your burger, steak or hot dog on the cooktop.