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.
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 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 Blackstone Adventure 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.
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 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.
The warming rack and main grates are also rust-resistant porcelain coated cast iron for better durability and easy cleanup. If you’re new to grilling or you’re looking to replace the grill you have, we recommend the Char-Broil – Performance series as the best gas grill for the money. We tested the five-burner, but the Char-Broil Performance is available in other sizes to suit your needs or space requirements. There’s no natural gas option on the grill, which is a shame for people who don’t like cooking with propane, but that’s really one of the only downsides to the grill. The storage space may get just a little tight with the propane tank, but I’m sure you’ll be able to manage.
“We enjoyed using the Weber Connect Smart Grilling app for notifications about when our food would be ready. This made it a lot easier to deliver that perfectly medium-rare steak,” adds Gardeningetc. You might also be surprised to learn that the same study found that Americans’ grilled food preferences have shifted to chicken over burgers. 56% char broil performance of respondents say they look forward to grilling chicken while 51% say they’ve experimented with grilling fruits and vegetables such as watermelon, corn, and pineapple on the grill. Always use your grill—gas or charcoal—outside, in a well-ventilated spot. Combustion produces odorless carbon monoxide, which can kill in minutes without warning.