For tabletop models, we like the Weber Q 1200 for its ease of use and heat management, which make it equally effective for cooking a burger or vegetables as it is for cooking more delicate items, like fish. For standing models, we recommend the Masterbuilt Portable Charcoal Grill and Smoker. We found the Weber Traveler weber bbq intuitive and approachable — it’s a dream to assemble, light, and use. With a similar burner and grate design to the Q 1200 but a larger cooking area and an upgrade to 13,000 BTUs, the Traveler is better suited to family-size groups. The stand is easy to operate, with clear indicators for raising and lowering it.
Though the Weber Q portable grills may be small, they’re powerful and their performance rivals that of many full-size grills. Although this portable powerhouse reaches top temperatures with ease, it is more difficult to learn how to harness the heat of the grill surface for foods that require more low-and-slow cooking. If portability is paramount to your decision, the Cuisinart Petite Gourmet is about half the size and weight of this grill and features extendable legs. That said, if you hope to regularly grill up delicious meals while on the road, the Weber Q 1200 is an accessible portable grill that is sure to appeal to both novice cooks and professional chefs alike. Curious about which portable grills were worth buying, we tested seven popular models from trusted brands. Weber’s portable grills offer the same grilling standard you get from their regular gas, charcoal or pellet models but at a fraction of the size.
Petite and sure-footed, the Grillster is the perfect companion for a picnic for two, no matter the location. If you love the size and portability of this grill but would rather cook over charcoal, it’s worth comparing the Grillster directly against the similarly-sized Weber Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill. If you’re interested in a tabletop grill—one with shorter legs that can be set up on a picnic table or bench—you can’t do better than the Weber Q1200 Gas Grill. It’s incredibly well-constructed and sturdy, thanks to its bowed legs. Its strong, intense flame combined with cast iron grates produced one the best sears in our test, although it’s heavier than other models we tested and slightly awkward to carry.
We had to give it a low performance score due to its poor heat distribution and lack of grill marks on the food, and we couldn’t overlook the flimsy build. In addition, we noticed that the lid handle gets extremely hot and requires a potholder or towel to open when in use. Carrying a dusty, dirty charcoal grill around isn’t usually an attractive proposition, but the creators of the GoBQ have mostly solved the issue through intelligent design.
Not only is the ignitor electric but so is the auger that feeds pellets from the hopper into the grill. If you’re at home, in an RV, or have weber charcoal grill a decent power bank, you won’t find this much of an issue. Yet, for folks who like to go completely off-grid, this option is a no-go.
It is easy to assemble, heats up quickly, cooks up to 4 burgers or steaks just like the Genesis. Love how it takes up little room on the patio and is so easy to clean. In no event will Free Delivery benefits be available to you if reside outside the delivery service area of a Participating Beta Test Program Retailer. Free Assembly & Delivery on grills & grilling accessoriestotaling $399+ for Ace Rewards members. Delivery dates subject to availability within local delivery areaonly. Certain product categories and brands are not eligible for promotional discounts or coupons.
If you’re intimidated by charcoal grilling, consider the gas-powered Cuisinart Grillster, which only costs a touch more than the Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill. Once you have attached the liquid propane tank correctly to the grill unit, most portable gas grills feature a “click and turn” button for igniting the grill. Some of the grills we tested featured just one knob, used for both igniting the grill and controlling the strength of the flame. (Of course, to properly ignite any gas grill, you must ensure the propane tank is open). That’s why we’ve teamed up again with the grillmasters at Weber to deliver the perfect portable grill solution for your Airstreaming life. The Airstream Weber Traveler Portable Gas Grill takes one of Weber’s most popular portable gas grills and adds everything you need to use your grill with your Airstream’s onboard propane system.
We started by loading the grates of each with 6-ounce burger patties (without crowding, of course) and assessed the evenness of the heat, the temperature control, the searing performance, and any flare-ups. The Jumbo Joe Charcoal Grill is lighter than our gas pick, weighing under 20 pounds, but it’s not smaller. Its cooking surface holds about seven burgers or one whole, cut-up chicken. If you want a lighter, more compact propane grill, the Char-Broil Grill2Go X200 Portable Gas Grill is designed for one-handed toting. It’s slightly larger than a briefcase and weighs 10 pounds less than our top pick, but it holds the same amount of food—about six burgers. The durable, easy-to-clean, plated steel cooking grate retains heat for even and consistent grilling.