We then back up those assessments with real-world cooking experience. We’ve tested these grills at tailgate parties, backyard BBQs, picnics, and on camping trips, cooking hundreds of meals to date. An experience-based, comprehensive review of the best portable grills on the market. Curious about which portable grills were worth buying, we tested seven popular models from trusted brands.
The Weber Q 1200 remains at the top of our list of tabletop gas grills because it packs the performance of larger grills into a small form. Assembly is simple thanks to the manual providing pictogram-style instructions, and the whole task took just 12 minutes for us to be ready to cook. Attaching the gas bottle took a little manipulation that sparked safety concerns but ultimately resolved once connected. After the easy task of lighting the grill with the pushbutton ignition, the grill grates came to cooking temperature in just eight and a half minutes — a tough task for most portable grill competitors.
Though the Weber Traveler does not feature a triple burner configuration, it does feature an accurate thermometer on the lid and a single adjustable dial that offers a wide range of settings. Very easy to fold up and move whether on the wheels or just by lifting the whole thing, folded or not; all the parts lock in place. I leave it set up and roll it into my garage when not in use to keep the bugs and critters out.
The grill is also attached to the cart so that you’re up and grilling in no time. Camryn Rabideau is a freelance writer and product reviewer specializing in home, kitchen, and pet products. In her 6+ years of experience as a product tester, she’s reviewed hundreds of items firsthand, and her work appears in publications such as PEOPLE, The Spruce, Homes & Gardens, and more. Camryn is also the proud owner of a small homestead in Rhode Island, where she spends her spare time gardening, tending her many animals, and working through a never-ending list of home improvement projects. On the flip side, the Traveler is less portable than the brand would have you believe in its flashy promotional videos. It’s heavier than any other portable grill I’ve tested and I would categorize the Traveler as a semi-portable grill and not a truly portable grill.
We also took into account how simple or challenging each contender was to clean. The Elite Gourmet measures only 17 inches at its widest point, and weighs only five pounds, making it one of the most compact options we tested. However, as an electric grill, it is still tethered to a power outlet (of some sort.) But if you have limited indoor space and still want to grill, this petite grill top is well worth your consideration. Once the grill is going, the Camp Chef Portable Pellet’s internal thermometer and the computer then take over to regulate the flow of pellets into the burner. This process keeps the grill temperature remarkably close to the chosen setting. If all this tech hasn’t impressed you yet, this model also has two digital meat thermometers so that you can watch temperatures in real-time.
But if you want a pellet grill for tailgating or base camping, this is still your best option. To illustrate this, we cooked plain white bread and photographed the result to help visualize the distribution of heat across these grill tops. We also took into consideration whether the lid was big enough for closed grilling, how easy the grease trap was to use, remove, and clean, and if the regulator provided a snug or loose fit. As one of the sturdier models we tested, one tested noted it was a good option for apartment dwellers and those looking to grill occasionally.
Even after loading the Jumbo Joe grill with a full chimney starter’s worth of red-hot embers (about 90 briquettes), we could still tamp down the temperature to medium heat. We couldn’t do that with the 14-inch Weber Smokey Joe Charcoal Grill, where the single vent and the lack of airflow caused the coals to extinguish while we were cooking. For one, the Grill2Go X200 has a maximum 9,500 Btu output, versus the Weber Q 1200’s 8,500 Btu. When we preheated it for five minutes on high, the Grill2Go X200 reached over 600 °F, while the Weber Q 1200 never broke 525 °F. As a result, we had to manage moderate flare-ups while cooking burgers, chicken, and brats. The push-button ignition and clearly marked heat-control dial make the Q 1200 easy to start and regulate.
It’s definitely on the hefiter side—we wouldn’t recommend strapping it to your back for a mountainside hike—but that makes it ideal for new and sometimes-grillers who don’t want to invest upwards of $1,000. After testing models for their portability, ease of use, safety, and (of course) ability to grill great food, we have favorites from Cuisinart, Weber, and more. The Q® grill sparked the growth of weber bbq a new category in the barbecue industry- portable grilling. Pair these grills with the portable grill carts and you have a fully versatile portable grill. The Q® grill can be found in backyards, patios, decks, tailgates and picnics all over the world. The refund issued will be for the total amount of the order minus original outbound shipping and any return shipping costs incurred by Spotix Inc.
We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs. At 1,300 BTUs, the Weber has a good punch of power for a portable grill. Our highly trained team is always prepared to help you with any questions you may have about grills and accessories. The freedom to go anywhere, curiosity to explore, and ambition to bring big taste to any adventure.
At various times throughout his career as a mountain guide, he has catered for groups of up to 20 hungry, adventurous clients. Adding more expertise in this category are Aaron Rice, Ross Patton, and Trish Matheny. Aaron has worked in and around kitchens for the better portion of a decade. As an outdoor educator, he has also taught many a hungry teenager the art of creating delicious meals with small stoves. A long time ago, Ross’s dad was the head chef at the Steak Pit, arguably the best place to get a perfectly seared filet mignon the state of Utah.