Good Housekeeping participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. With a body made from two powder-coated sheets of carbon steel, it turns from a closed form to a grill in seconds. Also, when you buy with links on our site we may earn a finder’s fee. VICE may receive a commission if you buy products through the links on our site. Derek specialises in home and outdoor wares, from coffee machines, white appliances and vacs to drones, garden gear and BBQs.
We loved the novelty of George Foreman Indoor/Outdoor grill for its ability to cook an entire meal outside, and then move onto the table for a fajita night. The Eureka Gonzo Grill on the right, with close competitor Cuisinart Petite Gourmet in red. For cooking, the difference doesn’t seem as profound as it looks. The heat distribution of the Char-Broil 240 grill is not particularly even, likely because the distribution cap does not extend to the farthest reaches at either the front or back. The nomadiQ should be cleaned only after allowing it to cool. The inside can be cleaned by using water, mild detergent and a soft sponge or towel.
To determine scores in this metric, we loaded each product into vehicles, took them to picnics and campsites, and grilled gratifying culinary concoctions. When on these excursions, we took into account things like overall size, weight, construction materials, and availability of wheels, stands, or lid latches. We also evaluated how secure or not secure they were, noisiness during transport, and cleanliness on the ride home. Building an intensely hot coal bed, that can later be spread out to create individual heat zones, is a critical skill in mastering the art of charcoal grilling.
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. 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. We love how compact it is and how it can be used nearly anywhere. It has two large carrying candles and latches on either side to hold all of the pieces in place.
Gas grills feature quick start-up and easily adjustable temperatures, but many will argue that nothing beats the flavor from charcoal grilling. For those with limited space, an electric grill can be a convenient option. Check out our quick list of pros and cons to find out what type of grill suits your needs. If you’re heading out into the great outdoors, make sure to pack this versatile gas grill, which heated up quickly and cooked food evenly in our testing.
Being a single-burner grill, the Venture made it a little tricky to manage heat when cooking thicker meats like bone-in chicken, as it’s hard to get away from the heat for longer, indirect cooking. We set the burner on low for the 100 percent beef burgers we grilled, flipped them once, and then turned up the heat to imprint sear lines from the cast-iron grate. Since you’ve come here looking for a portable grill, we thought it made sense weber genesis 2 to recommend one for those of you who prize portability above all other features. Everything but the grill grate on the GoBQ is made of flame-retardant fabric, and the whole thing weighs nine pounds and packs easily into something about the size of a knife roll. It would probably even fit in a purse, if you had a big purse. Like the Q above, Weber’s Traveler uses a single burner that wraps around the entire bottom of the grill.
It also comes with a limited lifetime warranty for added peace of mind. Camryn Rabideau is a freelance writer and product tester for The Spruce Eats who’s an expert on all things grilling. She’s personally tested several grills and smokers, including our top pick for portable bbq a portable grill, the Weber Q2200 Liquid Propane Grill, and the splurge-worthy HitchFire Forge 15. While researching portable grills for this article, she spoke with Jess Pryles, grilling expert and author of “Hardcore Carnivore” for tips on grilling on the go.