Ever found yourself craving grilled food away from home? Whether you’re planning a camping trip, picnic, or a tailgate party, or simply preparing for unexpected grilling needs, a compact grill is essential. Full-size grills aren’t practical in these situations, but portable electric, charcoal, and gas grills offer versatile solutions. From lightweight options perfect for camping to larger models ideal for tailgating, there’s a wide range to choose from. Consider your preferred fuel type and where you’ll use the grill most before making a decision. To assist you, we’ve researched and tested several top models in real-world settings to guide your purchase of the best portable grill.
Best Charcoal Splurge
Nomad Grill & Smoker
Pros:
The NOMAD features a compact and stylish design with impressive heat control and retention.
Cons:
While generally effective, the dampers on the NOMAD could offer more precise heat control. Additionally, the slightly domed grill grates may cause minor temperature variations at the center.
Description:
The NOMAD portable grill boasts a modern, briefcase-like design that prioritizes heat dissipation for a cool exterior during cooking. Similar to the PKGO, it can function as a closed grill or each side can be used independently as a hibachi-style cooker, effectively doubling the cooking area. The magnetic grates securely stay in place during transport and can be inverted for use as a vegetable cooker basket.
Features:
The NOMAD emphasizes functionality over luxury, ensuring safety with effective heat retention and dissipation. It includes side dampers for airflow adjustment and temperature regulation when closed. While its built-in thermometer registers about 30 degrees lower than independent test probes, it demonstrates solid overall heat retention. For a comprehensive review, explore our detailed NOMAD grill review.
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 20 x 14 x 10 inches
- Weight: 28 pounds
- Cooking Area: 212 square inches per side (approximately 10 burger patties in total)
Best Gas Tabletop
Weber Portable Gas Grill
Pros:
The Weber Q 1200 combines the rapid, even heating typical of larger grills with a compact size that easily fits into most car trunks, leaving ample space.
Cons:
Although effective, it’s relatively heavy and required some adjustment when attaching the gas bottle, initially raising safety concerns.
Description:
The Weber Q 1200 maintains its position as our top choice for tabletop gas grills, delivering the performance of larger models in a portable format. Assembly is straightforward with pictorial instructions, taking only 12 minutes to set up for cooking. Connecting the gas bottle required careful handling initially, but this was swiftly resolved. The push-button ignition quickly brought the grill grates to cooking temperature in just eight and a half minutes, outperforming many competitors.
Performance:
Despite its compact size, the circular 8,500-BTU tube burner ensures even heat distribution across the enamel-coated cast iron grates. During our tests, all food cooked evenly without excessive charring or undercooking. With the lid closed, the grill operates hotter than indicated by the built-in thermometer, and there were minimal flare-ups during cooking. Cleanup is straightforward, involving a grill brush for the grates and wiping the lid interior to prevent grease buildup. This dependable compact grill functions equally well indoors and outdoors.
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 16 x 41 x 17 inches
- Weight: 31 pounds
- Cooking Area: 189 square inches (approximately four burger patties at once)
Best Gas Standing
Weber Traveler Portable Gas Grill
Pros:
The Weber Traveler features wheels for easy mobility and performs like larger grills, providing rapid, even heating with no uneven hot spots.
Cons:
Cleaning the grates can be challenging; the grill shakes during brushing, requiring a steady hand to maintain control.
Description:
The Weber Traveler impressed us with its user-friendly design—it’s straightforward to assemble, ignite, and operate. Similar to the Q 1200 in burner and grate design but offering a larger cooking area and upgraded to 13,000 BTUs, the Traveler is ideal for family-sized gatherings. The stand operation is intuitive, featuring clear indicators for height adjustments. While the included base ensures a stable cooking surface without needing additional support, it does require extra storage and trunk space.
Performance:
The Traveler cooks food evenly across its grates without developing hot or cold spots. Although it’s one of the heavier grills tested, the integrated wheels facilitate easy maneuverability. Cleanup is efficient using a top-down method: wiping the lid interior with soapy water, brushing the grates clean, and emptying the grease collector.
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 23 x 44 x 37 inches
- Weight: 47 pounds
- Cooking Area: 320 square inches (approximately six burger patties at once)
Best Gas Value
Cuisinart Venture Gas Grill
Pros:
The Cuisinart Venture is highly portable, easy to set up, and use, delivering consistently satisfactory cooking results.
Cons:
It exhibits hot spots along the edges, and removing the top can be cumbersome.
Description:
Resembling a picnic basket, the Cuisinart Venture is an excellent choice for beginners or as a budget-friendly gift for grill enthusiasts. Designed primarily for direct-heat cooking, it lacks a lid for controlling humidity during low and slow cooking methods. Nevertheless, it performed admirably in our tests, powered by a 9,000 BTU burner beneath enameled cast iron grates, ideal for cooking in small groups. The grill heats up quickly, although we noted some uneven heat distribution, particularly towards the outer edges where charring was more pronounced compared to the slower-cooking center.
Performance:
During testing, the Venture produced evenly cooked food with appealing grill marks. Heat adjustment is straightforward with a single control knob. Setting up the grill is a quick task that can be completed by one person in under five minutes. With generally good cooking outcomes, it’s an accessible model for anyone new to gas grilling.
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 13 x 16 x 11 inches
- Weight: 21 pounds
- Cooking Area: 154 square inches (suitable for about three or four burger patties at a time)
Best Charcoal Value
Everdure Cube Portable Grill
Pros:
The Everdure CUBE is highly portable and well-suited for cooking meals for one to two people.
Cons:
It lacks a lid, restricting its use to direct heat cooking, and the firebox could be easier to empty.
Description:
When it comes to portable charcoal grills, Everdure collaborates with chef Heston Blumenthal to create premium designs that stand out. The CUBE features sturdy handles for easy carrying and setup, making it foolproof to prepare for grilling. The grill grate provides ample space for serving two people comfortably. During our test, which included two burgers, two brats, and two ears of corn, the grill utilized most of its surface area without overcrowding the food or overwhelming the grill.
Performance:
Cleaning the stainless steel grates requires more effort compared to cast iron but remains manageable. The firebox is designed to be removable for easy cleaning, although the handle bolts make it slightly challenging to remove without tipping. As there’s no lid for cooking, the top serves as a storage compartment and cutting board, emphasizing direct heat grilling. This aspect should be considered when planning meals.
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 14 x 17 x 9 inches
- Weight: 15 pounds
- Cooking Area: 104 square inches (approximately three burger patties at a time)
Best Charcoal Tabletop
PK Grills PKGo Grill Grilling System
Pros:
The PKGO is impressively sturdy, heats up quickly, and ensures even heat distribution.
Cons:
It’s quite heavy, and incorporating hinges for the cast iron cooking grates would improve convenience.
Description:
The PKGO earned top marks in our evaluations for good reason. Assembly is straightforward—simply align the grates after unboxing, making it ready to cook faster than it takes to unpack. Crafted from durable cast aluminum and featuring cast iron grates, both the body and top are built to endure. The included Flipkit transforms the grill into two hibachi-style units, effectively doubling the cooking space.
Performance:
One minor issue we encountered was ensuring proper grate positioning. Nevertheless, the grill quickly reaches cooking temperature, ready to use within 10 minutes of adding lit charcoal from a chimney. Adjustable side vents offer control for lower-temperature cooking. During tests, meats and grilled vegetables achieved excellent caramelization and even cooking, with heat concentrated at the grill’s center.
Cleanup:
Cleaning up is straightforward; disposing of ash is effortless, followed by a quick wipe-down with soapy water to remove residue.
Versatility and Specifications:
Weighing 40 pounds, this grill is best suited for car camping or picnics where cooking is nearby. It also serves well as a supplementary grill for larger gatherings in your backyard.
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 15 x 21 x 13 inches
- Weight: 40 pounds
- Cooking Area: 204 square inches per side (approximately five burger patties per side)
Best Charcoal Standing
Masterbuilt Portable Charcoal Grill and Smoker with Cart
Pros:
The Masterbuilt offers excellent heat control with its hopper and fan system, and despite its size, it’s remarkably easy to move around. Bonus points for the convenient cupholders!
Cons:
Setting up the grill requires careful attention and time, and achieving a deeper sear on food could be improved at higher temperatures.
Description:
Unlike other charcoal models we’ve tested, the Masterbuilt incorporates a charcoal hopper and fan system similar to that of a pellet grill. Weighing 52 pounds, it remains highly maneuverable thanks to its stand and wheels. Our tests revealed consistent temperature performance, although it didn’t achieve the deepest caramelization, the food we grilled featured a satisfying crunch and appealing grill marks.
Setup:
Assembly took less than 20 minutes, though the detailed instructions necessitate careful attention for a successful first attempt. Attaching the shelves posed the greatest challenge due to limited clearance for hand maneuverability. However, once assembled, the components fit securely for transport. The grill’s size is ideal for cooking meals for three to four people, and its versatility as a smoker adds extra value.
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 19 x 45 x 36 inches
- Weight: 52 pounds
- Cooking Area: 200 square inches (approximately enough space for five burger patties)
Our Favorite Portable Grills
When it comes to tabletop models, we prefer the Weber Q 1200 for its user-friendly design and efficient heat management, making it equally adept at grilling burgers or vegetables as it is at delicately cooking fish. As for standing models, we recommend the Masterbuilt Portable Charcoal Grill and Smoker. It excels in maintaining consistent temperatures and offers superb portability.
How We Tested Portable Grills
Assembly: To evaluate assembly and portability, we conducted initial tests tailored to the type of grill—gas-fueled or charcoal.
Assembly: Our first task was assembling each grill. We assessed clarity of instructions and ease of setup, focusing on how quickly we could start grilling.
Portability: Next, we examined each grill’s portability. We noted ease of movement and stability of lids and grates. For models with carts, we evaluated maneuverability, ease of setup, and collapsibility. We also tested lighting ease, charcoal loading (where applicable), and time to reach cooking temperature.
Heat Retention and Distribution: We tested heat retention and distribution by cooking a standard set of items. Gas grills grilled onions and burgers and toasted buns, with temperature measurements before and after cooking to assess recovery times. Charcoal grills cooked a different lineup: two bratwursts, two burgers, and two ears of corn. We evaluated browning, grill marks, and overall doneness.
Cleaning: After cooking, we evaluated cleanup. We rated grills on ease of cleaning, including ash disposal and unused charcoal removal for applicable models.
Overall Assessment: We scored each grill in these categories and compared performance against retail prices. Using a scale of one to five for each area, we averaged scores to determine the final rating for each grill.
Factors to Consider
Construction
When selecting a portable grill, the choice of materials is crucial. Opt for construction that can withstand outdoor elements, especially if it will be stored outside. Sturdiness is paramount for safety and ease of use, particularly with tabletop or pop-up models. A stable grill is essential; wobbling or rocking can make cooking challenging. Generally, grills with thicker construction tend to distribute and retain heat better than those with thin walls and bases, although there are exceptions. For instance, the Everdure CUBE features thinner construction but is engineered to ensure even heat distribution.
Prep and Cooking Area
Consider the size of the group you’ll regularly be cooking for:
Take into account the typical size of your cooking group. Smaller grills ranging from 100 to 150 square inches are ideal for one to two people, possibly stretching to three. Larger grills are more suitable for groups of three or four. While a portable grill isn’t designed for feeding a large crowd efficiently, a larger model can reduce cooking time for more people. However, it might be larger than necessary if it’s mostly just you and one other person.
Consider the prep area, too:
Also, think about the preparation area. In our evaluations, grills with side tables, stands, and additional prep space received higher rankings. A well-designed grill with ample workspace makes outdoor cooking more convenient and efficient.
What Didn’t Make the List
Overall Performance:
We tested numerous grills, but not all of them met our expectations. While striving for excellence can be challenging, some grills fell short of their brand’s reputation. Several exhibited portability issues, such as lids and grates coming loose during transport.
Specific Examples:
For instance, the Weber Smokey Joe 14-Inch Charcoal Grill, lacking a lid lock handle, proved less than ideal for portability. Despite Weber’s stellar reputation with gas grills, both the Smokey Joe and Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill failed to impress, resulting in unappealing food. These grills struggled with heat distribution to the grate and failed to maintain temperature after opening to place food.
Other Issues:
The Napoleon 14-Inch Portable Charcoal Kettle Grill, for example, concentrated heat toward the center of the grate, leaving the edges cooler and food unevenly cooked. Some grills couldn’t accommodate all our test food without overcrowding. Certain features, like ineffective dampers for temperature control, also impacted performance. Assembly posed challenges in some cases, particularly with attaching legs.
What to Look for in a Portable Grill
Size
Cooking Space and Fuel:
When it comes to portable grilling, ensure you have enough cooking space to prepare sufficient food before running out of fuel. Allocate approximately 72 square inches of cooking area per serving. On smaller grills where multiple cooking rounds may be necessary, ensure you have an adequate supply of fuel before heading out. A 1-pound propane canister typically provides about one to one-and-a-half hours of cooking time.
Cooking Advice:
“Don’t overcrowd your portable grill when cooking!” advises Jess Pryles, grilling expert and author of “Hardcore Carnivore”. “Overcrowding can extend cooking time as your food competes for space. It’s better to cook in batches to achieve optimal flavor results. Don’t hesitate to use enough charcoal to achieve a perfect sear.”
Transportation Considerations:
Additionally, while these grills are all portable, their fit for your transportation needs may vary. If you plan to transport the grill in a pickup truck, any of these models will suffice. However, if you have a standard car, ensure the grill fits your trunk’s unique size and shape.
Fuel Type
Charcoal:
Each fuel type offers unique advantages and drawbacks. Charcoal is typically readily available en route to your destination. However, it requires lighting the fire and having necessary tools on hand, as well as managing cooled ashes afterward.
Propane:
Propane may necessitate a special trip to a home improvement or camping store to obtain sufficient canisters. Yet, it offers the convenience of igniting the grill with the push of a button and eliminates the need to dispose of ashes after barbecuing.
Electric:
Electric grills eliminate the need to allocate space for heavy bags of charcoal or ensure adequate fuel supply. However, depending on your destination, finding a functional outlet when it’s time to cook may pose a challenge.
Cleaning
Maintenance:
Maintenance is essential for all portable grills. Safely dispose of grease and regularly wipe down the grill grates to prevent any mishaps (dirty grills and grease traps can attract wildlife, including bears). Ensure you have the appropriate grill brush for your grates, as cleaning warm grates is easier.
Portability Considerations:
If you’ll be transporting your grill, consider how easy it is to pack up. Pay attention to whether you need to clean it thoroughly on-site or if you can close it up to contain any mess until you return home.
FAQs
How do you attach a propane tank to a portable grill?
Propane Tanks:
Many portable grills are designed to operate with small 14- or 16-ounce propane tanks, which easily screw onto the side or bottom of the grill. However, if you intend to use your grill frequently, consider purchasing an adapter hose (such as this one), which enables you to connect a larger 20-pound propane tank to your portable grill.
Can you boil water on a portable grill?
Boiling Water on a Grill:
You can boil water on any type of grill using a pot or kettle without wooden or plastic parts. Place the pot over the grill’s burner and set it to high heat. If you can close the grill’s lid, it will expedite the boiling process. Without the lid closed, boiling will take considerably longer, but the water will eventually reach its boiling point.
What grills are best for the beach?
Choosing a Grill for a Beach BBQ:
When planning a beach BBQ, consider several factors when selecting a grill. Firstly, maneuvering a grill through sand can be challenging, so choose a compact model that is lightweight and easy to carry. A grill with telescoping legs is particularly suitable for this environment. If using a tabletop grill, ensure there is a picnic table or suitable surface available.
Additionally, beaches are often windy, so look for a grill equipped with a wind guard to help maintain temperature stability. Without a wind guard, the grill may struggle to retain heat effectively.
