Portable BBQ Grills COBB Grill Cooking Systems While the Grill2Go comes with a special scraper, it was still a chore to get the grate clean. Use long-handled tongs to arrange the charcoal in a single layer across surface. To stop grilling, turn the temperature control dial to “off”, then remove the plug from the wall outlet. Insert the connection plug of the electric heating element from the inside through the opening. After preheating the grill, the Coleman registered temps approaching 600 degrees Fahrenheit on the surface despite having one of the largest cooking surfaces of any portable grill we tested. Coleman uses three burners, including a central circular burner that’s accompanied by two C-shaped burners on either side. This design allowed us to create three possible heat zones, which is impossible to do on most other portable grills. Portable grills come in a variety of shapes and sizes, including barrel-shaped and flat and rectangular. To get the best flavor from your first grilling and to remove any manufacturing oils, “break-in” your grill before cooking for the first time. Break in by following the charcoal lighting instructions to start approximately 40 briquettes of charcoal. When the flames go out and the charcoal begins to turn gray, place the lid on the grill with the vents opened. Let the grill cool completely, then properly remove and dispose of the ashes. The manufacturer will have preferred methods for cleaning the grill to avoid damage. But as a rule of thumb, you want to clean the grill grates of any food or grease buildup to prevent fires or avoid foodborne illness and clean the top, sides, and bottom for the same reason. Keep burner tubes clean to avoid buildup, which might cause fires or clog the gas jets. One can typically unclog jets by poking them with a pin or thin piece of wire. Finally, for charcoal grills, you want to ensure that the fire is completely out, then dump the ashes and either wipe or hose down the grill. Ashes are wonderful at collecting moisture, and it is essential to the life of your grill to remove them after cooking to prevent rust. On all that we currently include in the review, the knob and regulators allow a clearer and wider range of burner output. Control, then, is mostly a function of burner shape, grill shape, and the relative interaction of these two features. Large burners, relative to the grill size, distribute heat more evenly to the grill top. We found the u-shaped burner of the Camp Chef Portable BBQ to be one of the best single burners in our review. Weighing over 40 pounds , the Weber Q 2200 stretches the meaning of “portable” to its limits. However, the Q 2200 is still an excellent grill for small backyard spaces. And unlike a full-size grill, it folds down small enough to stash in a garden shed or on a utility shelf. When the side tables are tucked inside the grill for transport, the Weber Q 1200 is about the size of a small carry-on suitcase. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. BBQGuys does more than test and sell grills — we show you how to use them, too. Our experts provide the recipes and skills you need to be a grill master. Our customer service reps are real people offering great service, backed by 8 weeks of hands-on training with all of our products. And there are models are from major grill and home appliance brands, like Weber, Cuisinart, and Camp Chef, plus options across price points, from under $50 to upwards of $250 or more. A portable grill could be just mobile enough to load it in and out of your truck bed with a friend, or it might be compact enough to fit inside a large backpack. We then put ourselves in your shoes and put each model through an array of creative real-life cooking scenarios. 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. But 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. The Lodge Cast Iron Sportsman’s Grill L410 was a longtime favorite of Wirecutter senior staff writer Lesley Stockton for its intense heat. Steaks are prepared very, very nicely, but other foods are nearly impossible to cook well. If you need some help rounding out your camp kitchen, we've tested hundreds of products. We've tested everything from camping cookware and tables to the ideal coffee making devices for your outdoor forays. We've also tested camping stoves for car camping and lightweight, packable backpacking stoves for getting off the beaten path. Choose from barbecues of different sizes, as well as gas propane grills and charcoal burning grill options.