On the charcoal side, insulation plays a much more important role in output power and efficiency. The Cuisinart Portable Charcoal and Weber Go-Anywhere are very similar in terms of coal bed volume, but the Go-Anywhere scores much higher thanks to its cast iron construction. Our customer service reps are real people offering great service, backed by 8 weeks of hands-on training with all of our products.
There is a broad range of prices in this category, but a few of the lower-priced models stand out. After two rounds of thorough testing, we’ve found our favorites for folks who would prefer a portable gas grill. The sturdy Weber Q 2200 has a number of high-end features usually reserved for full-size grills, such as a built-in lid thermometer, electronic ignition, and infinite control burner valve. When it comes to the gas grill’s performance, it gets hot quickly, cooks food evenly, and is easy to clean when you’re done. The unit has a cast aluminum body and ergonomic side handles to make it easy to move from one place to another. It’s a bit heavy for a portable option, weighing in at over 43 pounds, but most of the weight is actually its cast-iron grates, which can be carried separately for easy transport.
We cannot guarantee that the Go-Anywhere will boast the same heat output as its gas-powered competitors — that’s up to you and your coal-stoking abilities. There is certainly a learning curve to mastering different heat zones, but cooking over charcoal potentially offers an accuracy that cannot be matched when cooking with gas. weber charcoal grill The tightly fitting vents are tough to adjust without gloves, and it takes time to manage these adjustments skillfully for perfect airflow. But we can assure you that with practice, this portable grill can allow you to master the art of cooking over an open flame and produce delicious food in the process, even on the go.
A swiveling metal arm holds the grill together for transport and doubles as a lid holder while you’re grilling. The comfortable plastic handle allows you to lift the grill with one hand, while a heat shield keeps it cool to the touch during grilling. The Q 1200’s weber charcoal grill design caused the fewest flare-ups of any model we tried, thanks to built-in channels in the porcelain-coated cast-iron grill grates. These helped keep grease and drippings away from the flames while still allowing ambient heat to brown between grill marks.
Whether you’re camping, tailgating, or picnicking, its sturdy, compact design makes for a seamless experience, from setup to storage. Savor the journey with backyard quality food, no matter where the adventure takes you. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident buying decisions. Whether it’s finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we’ll help you get it right (the first time).
The Weber Q 2200 is compact enough to take tailgating or to the beach, but this top-rated grill still offers a spacious cooking surface and powerful heating elements. If you plan on camping, the smaller Cuisinart CGG-750 Venture Grill has a convenient carrying handle and a cutting board top. The Travelq really does pack a lot of useful space into a small package.
Scores in this metric were determined by the size of the cooking surface, the surface material, and any coatings, whether the grill has any side tables or any other added features. Additional features and functions include a grill grate that can be turned over and made into a skillet or bonus features like a warming rack or smoker tray. We also took into account how simple or challenging each contender was to clean. For this metric, we had to consider how different methods of heat production compared among different grills across the board. For gas, we looked at the number of BTUs (British thermal units) each product generates. We also factored in the number of burners of each product, how well the grill body insulated heat, and the volume of the coal bed.
Upon delivery, the driver will take it off the truck for you but it is your responsibility to bring it onto your property. According to our years of testing, the best charcoal grill is the Weber Original Kettle Premium 22” Grill. The best gas grill according to our tests is the Weber Spirit II E-310—both mainstays by the Weber brand. For the charcoal options, I also smoked ribs, pork, and brisket, If you’re planning to smoke, I highly recommend investing in some kind of thermometer system. It has adapters based on your grill and offers one temp probe and three food probes.