However, there are certainly some downsides to using charcoal grills as opposed to other options. In addition, pay attention to the cooking grate material composition; some are made from stainless steel or plain cast-iron. Check to make sure that your grill of choice has a snug-fitting lid, as this will allow you to control airflow. If it has vents or dampers you can control temperature and airflow even further, giving you greater control over the status and quality of your food. It’s a decent pick if you like Kamado style grills, but with a weight of nearly 70 pounds it’s not the most portable of the grills we’ve looked at.
The charcoal tray is adjustable, hanging from a ladder rack that can quickly raise or lower the coals as needed. Packed up, Cuisinart’s Venture resembles a picnic basket, making it about as portable as a table-top grill can get. And it took us less than a minute to set up its three pieces, including a wood top, grill body with handle, and base. The top and base combine to form an attractive prep surface that clips alongside the grill.
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If you’re at home, in an RV, or have a decent power bank, this isn’t much of an issue. But for folks that like to go completely off-grid, this model isn’t going to work for you. Much like charcoal grills, pellet grills take some time before they’re ready portable bbq for cooking and the Camp Chef Portable Pellet takes a while to warm up. Lastly, this model is really heavy compared to most of the portable grills in our review. The wheels are helpful, but it’s not very fun to drag this grill very far from your vehicle.
That said, the nonstick grate didn’t stick, even to delicate fish filets, and was able to brown and crisp the skin nicely. The grill was simple to assemble and fire up, making it easy to attach a 1-pound propane tank; this was notably difficult with some of the other models we tested. Plus, we figured out the drip tray can be used as a water basin for steaming and could add a herbaceous quality by simply adding herbs or foraged greenery. But we also didn’t love the construction of the RoadTrip 225; it feels a little cheaply built, and the lid doesn’t have a lock to hold it in place when you’re moving the grill around. Make sure you have a stable tabletop to put this on, and don’t try to move it until it’s fully cooled. If price is your number one consideration, you may want to think about it.
The 189 square inches of cooking area is enough space for half-dozen burgers, with the cast aluminum lid and body retaining heat throughout your barbecue. When it’s time to move the grill around, a large grip handle and ergonomic side handles make it easy. Inside, the 1560-watt heating element is design to cover the entire cooking space, so you’ll experience even heat, and its temperature is adjusted via the infinite heat control settings. For a great portable grill that won’t break your budget or your back, the Weber Go-Anywhere Gas Grill should be at the top of your list. This affordable grill comes from one of the most well-known brands in grilling, and it has all the features you need to cook up delicious meals on the go. Even though it only produces 6,500 BTUs of power, it was able to heat up to 600 degrees fairly efficiently.
This rugged gas barbie uses a ridged plate to evenly distribute heat from the stainless steel burner below. Hit the ignition, latch the lid and your skewers should roast just right. Wood pellet grills, however, generate heat within a secure combustion box that is separate from the cooking area. With a wood pellet grill, you also get the benefit weber charcoal grill of precise temperature control and the versatility of being able to smoke, roast, bake, or grill all on one device. In addition, we promptly dismissed gas grills equipped with a coupling for a 20-pound propane cylinder. We prefer 1-pound liquid-propane tanks because they’re small and lightweight enough to stash in a backpack or tote bag.