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. A great portable grill offers consistent heat, minimal flare-ups, a generous cooking area, and an easily totable design. We think the ideal capacity on a portable grill is enough to accommodate a full meal for two or a main course for a small crowd.
Two spacious tables provide extra space for prepping and serving, while the ergonomic side handles ensure easy transport. Because the grill has cast-iron grates, our tester did think it was a bit heavy, weighing over 43 pounds, but it’s a small sacrifice if you want a grill that’s extremely reliable and simple to operate. But, crucially, the GoBQ also performed quite well during the cooking tests.
This may be the closest thing you can get to a stationary, at-home grill setup while on the go. The Weber Propane Travel Grill has a side tray, hooks for your BBQ tools, a large cooking area, and a built-in thermometer. Unlike those other grills, however, this one collapses and travels on its own set of wheels. First of all you’ll need to decide if you want to use charcoal, gas, wood pellets or electricity. Gas and electric certainly have their place in terms of consistency and convenience when cooking outside, but they arguably also reduce the authenticity of the results to some degree. That said, if camping or barbecuing in the wilderness, then gas is far and away the safest option.
This portable grill comes with a 10-year warranty, and it’s the clear choice for anyone who loves Weber’s full-size kettle grill. Gas grills are extremely convenient, as they’re easy to start, heat up quickly, and hold a steady temperature, and the Weber Q2200 Propane Gas Grill is our top choice for a portable option. Our tester found this model easy to use, conveniently designed for cooking at a tailgate or camping, and worthy of everyday home grilling as well. Burgers, hot dogs, steaks, and veggies all turned out great and our tester experienced no flareups.
In our tests, burgers from the Q 1200 had the most seared surface area of all the burgers we grilled, and more browning means better flavor. This superior grate is one of the big differences between the Q 1200 and our runner-up pick, the Char-Broil Grill2Go, whose perforated stainless-steel grate produced mostly lackluster browning. Of all the portable propane grills we tested, the Weber Q 1200 grilled foods the most consistently. Char-Broil’s Grill2Go x200 is a super-portable, fun little sizzler made of heavy, rust-proof cast aluminum. Char-Broil’s TRU-Infrared design produces searing heat while reducing fuel consumption. A 16 ounce LP gas canister is enough to keep you flipping burgers for hours.
After cooking for a little more than an hour, I noticed fraying in the piece of fabric immediately below the charcoal basket where I had used a firestarter. If food drips on to the coals, causing a flare-up, I’d also expect some fraying. The weber genesis 2 company suggests covering that piece of fabric with aluminum foil. That will undoubtedly extend the life of the material, but is something to be aware of before use. All in all, the GoBQ really shined for something in such a small package.
The manufacturer claims that set-up and breakdown is quick, and the included drip tray makes for easy clean-up, too. The versatility that these handy gadgets usher in is unmatched. Barbeques Galore stocks up on portable grills from a barrage of trusted brands such as Weber, weber charcoal grill Turbo, Green Mountain, American Muscle, Broil King, Blaze, and Twin Eagle. So, you can rest easy knowing you’re getting value for your money. Some grills, such as the Weber Q 2200, have electronic ignition, in which case you simply push the button to ignite the gas.