If you’ll need to carry the grill a few hundred yards or more, a lighter grill (or one that can be easily wheeled) might work better. Another standout model in this category is the Coleman Roadtrip 285 that features – as the name suggests – 285 square inches of grilling surface. Though the cast iron grate is not as smooth as the Traveler and therefore causes food to stick even when preheated, the bottom of the grill’s interior is easy to wipe clean thanks to an even surface. The Coleman Roadtrip 285 tops the list of our favorite propane models when it comes to grill control and temperature regulation. There are three dials that control the different zones, but all of those heat zones overlap.
When the side tables are tucked inside the grill for transport, the Q 1200 is about the size of a small carry-on suitcase. It weighs about 30 pounds, and you need two hands to carry it, because it doesn’t have a latch to hold the lid securely to the firebox. But the position of the side handles helps to evenly distribute its 30-pound heft and lessens the burden of hoisting and moving the grill. The Q 1200’s small fold-out side tables are handy for keeping grill tools within reach, though we wouldn’t feel confident resting a large tray brimming with meat or other heavy things on them.
The packable, rollable GoBQ is unlike anything else listed here—it’s made of a fire-proof, non-stick, non-toxic silicone-coated fabric, essentially the same stuff that’s used in baking mats. The charcoal hangs in a mesh wire basket, and the ingenious grilltop rolls and unrolls. weber charcoal grill GoBQ says the fabric can withstand over 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit and should last through 50 or more cooks, making this a good choice for traveling, but not everyday use. Nomad does offer some custom charcoal ($36 for 10 pounds), and it is very nice, but it’s expensive.
It can fit up to 10 large burger patties, two cut-up chickens, or 16 large bratwurst links at a time. In our tests, the Q 1200’s heavy-duty cast-aluminum firebox was the best at evenly absorbing and reflecting heat. That, along with the U-shaped burner, provided the most consistent grilling of all the portables we tested, with the fewest hot spots. Then we grilled bone-in chicken to test for flare-ups and how well the gas and charcoal grills could sustain a medium-low cooking temperature over 45 minutes.
For instance, while the Weber Q 1200 only claims 8,500 BTUs, in practice, it operates at hotter temperatures and maintains that heat over a larger cook surface compared to other similar models. The infrared-cooking capability of the Solaire Everywhere puts out 14,000 BTUs and confidently sears a steak faster than anything else. The ability to regulate and control how much heat is being produced can be critical for the type of cooking you plan on doing. If utilizing a gas or electric grill, identifying how many burners, along with how many temperature adjustments are available, is important.
When deciding on your next portable grill, these considerations will help improve your overall grilling experience. While we carry a wide selection of impressively large grills, some of our most popular items are smaller tailgating and camping grills. These compact, portable BBQ grills provide a degree of utility and convenience that many customers find vital.