5 Best Portable Grills

Warm weather is here and most of us have been looking forward to having an outdoor adventure. Nothing brings people closer than a well-cooked meal. For outdoor lovers, it does not get better than having your meals prepared over an open flame. There is something about cooking in the open air that brings out the perfect taste in foods. There are several ways to do this, but we prefer exploring environmentally-friendly options. This is where a portable grill comes in handy. A grill will help you save time while preparing delicious meals. Portable grills come in all shapes, types, and sizes. Bigger does not mean it is better, or vice versa. Here are some of the best portable grills on Amazon that guarantee you value for your money.  

1. Weber 10020 Smokey Joe 14-Inch Portable Grill 

Weber is a household brand trusted for manufacturing high-quality outdoor products. The Weber 10200 Smokey Joe grill is one of the flagship budget products from this company.

At only 9.5 pounds, it is one of the lightest grills on the market. 

The 14-inch steel grate cooking surface gives you enough room to roast several burgers at a time. And it is easy to clean after use. The grill also comes with an ash-catching tray that conveniently prevents embers from getting to the ground. The grill has a short stand but you can easily place it on a portable picnic table or any other elevated surface. You can also buy a portable cart. Assembling the grill takes little time and you do not have to be a technician to do it right (They have included assembly instructions on the product).

The exterior is made of a porcelain-enameled lid which lends to its heat retention, durability, and efficiency. This also means that it can withstand heat at almost any cooking temperature. 

This grill is designed with ease of use in mind. The easy-start valve is pretty straightforward and since it is among the most affordable portable grills on this list, you are assured that you will be getting value for your money.   

Pros

• Has a big surface area for cooking
• Affordable
• Designed to last
• Decent heat retention and distribution
• Has a grease and embers management system

Cons

• Short stand  

2. Fire Sense 60508 Notebook BBQ Charcoal Grill 

If you are out looking for a lightweight, no frills, foldable portable grill , the Fire Sense Notebook BBQ Charcoal Grill is a great option. This grill is perfect for those that don’t have a lot of room to keep a grill, but who enjoy meals cooked over the coals. Weighing in at just 8 lbs, this lightweight grill is small and compact.  The grill body is constructed of high heat resistant painted steel. It includes a charcoal rack to contain the charcoal in the bottom and a metal cooking grate for the top. 

The grill is just 13 inches high and the cooking surface area is 17.34″x11.82″. You won’t want to use this grill to cook burgers for the whole baseball team, but it will handle a small dinner quite nicely.

Pros

• Lightweight
• Foldable
• Space Saving design
• Easy to assemble with no tools
• Bargain price

Cons

• Small size, not ideal for large families or gatherings
• It has no wheels which can restrain mobility

3. Weber Q1200 Liquid Propane Grill, Black 

People who do not want to cook with charcoal can explore the Weber Q1200 Liquid Propane Grill. It is easy to set up and offers great heat control. It comes in a sleek aluminum body that has porcelain-enameled, iron-cast cooking grates for durability. It is heavier than your regular charcoal grill, but you won’t have to haul bags of charcoal around if you purchase this grill.  

There is a pullout table on the side. You can fold the tables easily while moving around with the grill. It comes with a built-in thermometer that lets you monitor the temperature in the grill for the best cooking experience. The smart ignition system gets your fire started in no time. You can easily control the burner through the control burner valve.

There is a grease management system that redirects juices that drip from your meal to the ground. This grill has about 189 square inches of cooking space.

Pros

• Has a large surface area for cooking
• Built to last (with aluminum and cast iron surfaces)
• Great heat retention and absorption
• Has a grease and embers management system
• Stylish and sleek (and comes in different colors)

Cons

• Has a short stand 
• Heavy

4. Cook-Air EP-3620BK Wood Fired Portable Grill, Black 

This grill uses charcoal or wood to cook and it is a great tool for people in a hurry. It uses patented technology to get the heat up to 1000 degrees. It will heat up within 3-5 minutes and at increments of 200 degrees, you can control the heat as desired. It also cools down fast.

The grill works by pulling in cool air from the side vents. The fan pulls the air down along the grill’s side and this has two effects – it cools the exterior of the grill and preheats the air. The preheated air is then blown into the firebox to get the fire started. 

Since it is a charcoal/wood-powered grill, you do not need to worry about fuel spills when you are camping in the woods. You will, however, need a power source to run the fan. A 12V rechargeable battery will work just fine with this grill.

The only downside to this grill is that it was not designed to cook for longer periods at a time. If you are looking for something that will give you very hot, very fast cook-time, go for it. If you are looking to cook for long, consider purchasing another grill.  

Pros

• Lightweight design
• Heats up to high temperatures quickly
• Ample grilling space
• Easy to clean

Cons

• You need a power source to start the fan
• Burns quickly and not ideal for slow cooking or cooking for long periods 

5. Coleman RoadTrip 285 Portable Stand-Up Propane Grill  

The Coleman Road Trip 285 grill is built for people who love traveling. It is a compact grill capable of delivering over 20,000 BTUs of grilling power. This means that the cast iron grill grates can handle over 20,000 degrees. It is relatively heavy at 46.67 pounds but its compact design means it takes up less space in your vehicle.

It also comes with a large grilling surface and foldable legs. The company added 2 wheels to the legs to allow for easy movement. There are 8 adjustable burners (grates, pots, and pans) and 3 knobs that offer 3 different temperature zones and two small pull-out trays.

Pros

• Ample grilling space with a large hood
• Temperature monitoring thermometer
• Versatile and easy to use design
• Foldable pullout trays are a nice touch

Cons

• Pretty heavy for a portable grill
• Pricey
• The water tray is shallow
• Messy to clean with a water pan

Buyer’s Guide: Factors to Consider before purchasing a portable grill

If you are still on the fence about which portable grill to buy, examining your needs can help you narrow down your choices. Each grill has something unique to offer. For instance, while a Weber Q1200 lights fast and gets your food ready within no time, it is not as sustainable for long-period cooking as a Coleman Road Trip is. This quick buyer’s guide will help you pick the best portable grills with the right features and performance for your grilling needs

Different types of BBQ grills

Depending on your preferences, there are different types to choose from. They range from charcoal models to propane gas and wood-burning grills. Charcoal and wood grills are a decent option if you need a grill that will deliver even heat distributions to your meals for a long time. Propane gas grills get the work done fast and hence are more suitable for cooking fast meals. 

Grill material and quality

If you are going with a gas-fueled grill pick a grill with quality porcelain-coated steel or cast iron grilling gates to make sure your food gets heated evenly. A charcoal grill is a good option when you are on a budget. Most portable charcoal grills feature simple porcelain-coated steel and wire grates.

Portability

There is no point in calling it a portable grill if it is too heavy to carry around. In terms of weight, stick within the range of 15 to 50 pounds. The grill should not feel like a burden when you are trying to have fun camping or lounging by the beach.

Ease of assembly and disassembly

The best portable grills come with an easy assembly and disassembling process. Look for something that has clear instructions. You will also need to clean the grill once in a while, so be sure to pick a grill that is easy to clean.

Grilling surface area

Another important consideration is the grilling surface. If you are cooking for a large group you will need ample grilling surface to get the cooking done fast. Most portable grills come with a grilling space in the range of 120 to 350 square inches. Pick out a grill that has enough space to suit your needs

Final thoughts

This list is not exhaustive. There are still great portable grills out there and we will be updating the list as needed to ensure you have a good guide on the best grills to buy. Choose a portable grill that suits your needs and you will get value for your money in the long run.

Do you have a portable grill that you love that we don’t have listed here? Drop us a comment and tell us about it! 

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