The Best Portable Grills 2022 Tested and Reviewed Do not operate the appliance with a damaged cord or plug or after the appliance malfunctions or has been damaged in any manner. If the cord, electric heating element, or controls are damaged or worn, do not attempt to repair them yourself. Use heat resistant gloves or mitts or a hot pad to remove or replace the cover during cooking. At less than 10 pounds and under 15 inches in diameter, the Smokey Joe was easy to carry and took up little space in the trunk of our car. However, it lacks any sort of mechanism to lock the lid to the base, which forced us to carry it in our arms, which gets messy. There’s also the potential for it to come apart in transit, dumping leftover charcoal bits and ash into the trunk. Weber does make a premium version of the Smokey Joe that has a lid-locking mechanism, but you’ll pay more for it. At 27 pounds and measuring 23 inches wide, it was manageable to lift and carry for short distances, and it fit easily into the trunk of our SUV. The two nonstick grill grates and the grease tray can be removed for cleaning in the kitchen sink, and the interior was fairly easy to wipe out. Some of the best portable grills also come in carrying cases or bags, making it simpler to transport them from a vehicle and store them neatly. Since the area of the basin exactly matches the surface area of the grill, we were then able to spread out those coals to create targeted heat zones. The George Foreman Indoor/Outdoor 15+ may offer a huge grilling surface, but can only be operated on a single heat-setting. Notice that while the onions were just beginning to nicely char, our burgers were over-browning to a crisp. Always use your grill—gas or charcoal—outside, in a well-ventilated spot. Combustion produces odorless carbon monoxide, which can kill in minutes without warning. Regularly cleaning your grill will ensure great-tasting food. There are quite a few different ways to power a portable grill. This section will outline some of the most common fuel sources and grill types, highlighting the pros and cons of each type as well as important considerations of each fuel source. Use these shopping tips and recommendations to pick the best portable grill for your next on-the-go barbecue.