Of all the portable propane grills we tested, the Weber Q 1200 grilled foods the most consistently, with a cast-aluminum firebox that evenly held and reflected heat throughout. It had the fewest hotspots of all the grills we tried, due in large part to the U-shaped burner, which evenly heated the grate. With 189 square inches of grilling area (17 by 12½ inches), the Weber Q 1200 has enough space to grill a full dinner for two or the main course for a small gathering. We found that this Weber model is capable of grilling six large burger patties, a whole cut-up chicken, or 10 bratwurst links at a time. And the single-tube 8,500 Btu burner runs along three edges for better heat distribution, so all of that space is usable.
But at least there’s a barrier to keep hot embers from falling on your patio or deck. A swiveling metal handle tightly holds the grill together for easy transporting. Latches on char broil performance the front of the Char-Broil Grill2Go make it easy to carry one-handed. We enlisted fresh bratwurst links to gauge each grill’s ability to handle a grate full of fatty meat.
Think of portable gas grills as small, outdoor, propane-powered ovens. The push-button ignition and the temperature-control dial should be easily accessible and clearly marked so you can quickly start the grill and adjust the heat without fumbling. However, this 40-pound portable grill isn’t lightweight by any stretch of the imagination. The cooking area is about 300 square inches primary and 100 square inches on the warming rack. Try the Blackstone 36 Stainless Steel Griddle for something bigger. But what’s great about the Char-Broil is that it comes with a stainless steel lid and side shelves and enclosed storage which add up to extra space for your tools and a hidden LPG tank.
We did notice, however, that the Spirit was slightly hotter in the back of the grill and less hot on the left side. We accommodated this discrepancy by shifting food towards the center or far right, when we wanted to sear the steak. We spatchcocked a whole chicken, cut it in half and seasoned each half with Kosher salt and black pepper. Then we turned off two or four burners, depending on how many burners each grill had, and cooked the chicken with indirect heat by putting the chicken on the unlit burners for 30 minutes. When the leg and thigh were cooked through, we transferred the chicken to the lit burner and crisped up the skin until it was golden brown. Have a rusty, old, or damaged handle on your gas grill that needs replacing?
A great grill for camping and tailgating, and for apartment dwellers with limited outdoor space. We are convinced a few things like its lack of color options and BTU ratings could improve. Nevertheless, there’s no taking away the fact that the Char-Broil Performance 300 grill is great for cooking and grilling. The Char-Broil Performance 300 is undoubtedly an easy grill to use. Although Char-Broil states that you can light it up with a matchstick, the entire unit starts up well without one.
Alternatively, you could light this Char-Broil grill with a matchstick. My name is David and I’m the founder and primary writer for this site. This grill is great value for those working with a budget and who are looking for a big grill to accommodate large family cookouts.
The Spirit also has a unique device that attaches to the propane tank and indicates the level of propane gas inside the tank. The temperature gauge is located on the front of the hood, so it’s easy to see the grill’s internal temperature even from across the patio. The five-burner Char-Broil also has a side burner with 10,000 BTUs, which can be used for sauteing onions or peppers or making a pan sauce for your grilled meats and vegetables. Despite being classified as a budget grill, the Char-Broil actually offers many benefits not normally found on budget Monument grills. Aside from being very affordable, the grease pan is larger than the ones you will find on even higher-end barbeques.
We also would have liked the unit more if it had stainless steel grates. Just below the cooking grates, this grill has two heat deflectors. But the Char-Broil Performance Burner Grill is the model that’s on many grillers’ lips. Though this is shorter than some other grill options, this grill is designed well with quality materials and should last a long time with regular use and proper maintenance and cleaning. The grill’s grease pan is porcelain-coated like the grates and pulls all the way out, making cleanup a breeze.