Food tastes better outdoors, everyone says so, and it’s true – outdoor grills are great, and portable ones, even better. Whether it’s for a vacation, or your BOS, a portable grill is a must. But what do you look for when thinking of getting one?
Essentially there are two types – propane gas and the heavier charcoal burners.
Portable Gas Grill
Gas grills, attached to a propane gas tank, rapidly fire up with the push of a button, ready to cook instantly, at an easily controllable temperature.They’re also real easy to clean up after, having no messy coals to dispose of. However, propane tanks can be ridiculously dangerous, so it’s a case of careful storage or transport.
Charcoal Grill
Purists claim meat tastes better when cooked over coals, and to be honest, it does. However, having to wait while the coals heat up would make anything taste deliciously mouth watering. A charcoal grill can also be messy to use and to pack away afterwards, whilst dragging around heavy sacks of charcoal isn’t much fun.
Added Features
There are always going to be extra features available to make life easier, and some of the most useful we’ve found are wind breaks that allow for safe cooking whatever the wind strength, a warming rack to keep food hot as you prep the rest, and somewhere to hang your utensils in between turning the food.
We’ve taken the most popular portable grills and tried and tested them in a number of different conditions, with a mixture of foods – it’s a hard job, but someone’s got to do it, to find the best ones, the ones that we would be happy to rely on in the wilderness, or on a vacation.
1. Weber 10020 Smokey Joe 14-Inch Portable Grill
Overview
Do you want to own a barbeque grill without the commitment of big equipment that requires monthly maintenance and cleaning? Get a compact grill that you can move around and store easily. The Weber 10020 Smokey Joe 14-Inch Portable Grill is just the right size to make five burgers on the go.
The Good
It has a rust-proof porcelain coated lid and bowl which retains heat. It is a compact grill that will not take up so much space in your storage or backyard, but still plenty of cooking surface. You can grill with ease because its steel grates are easy to cook with and also easy to clean.
The Bad
There’s nothing bad with the grill except if you want a larger grilling area. It has 14 inch grilling area that might be too small for big company.
2. Coleman RoadTrip 285 Portable Stand Up Propane Grill
Overview
The Coleman RoadTrip 285 Portable Stand-Up Propane Grill is your best camping and outdoor buddy. You can now cook up your favorite burgers, barbeques, and sausages over the grill while enjoying the view outdoors.
The Good
It has three adjustable burners and a thermometer so you can get the perfect temperature for all your recipes. This propane grill is the most convenient equipment you can bring on your trip because you will not need a match to light it up with its matchless lighting feature. Just push a button and you can start preheating the grill to your preferred temperature and start grilling. Ample cooking space!
The Bad
We absolutely recommend this grill because we cannot find fault in its amazing button mechanism that makes grilling outdoors a breeze.
3. 17 inch Portable Gas Griddle
Overview
If you love grilling as much as going outdoors then you do not have to miss out on both by buying a portable griddle. Get the Blackstone Table Top Grill for your outdoor trips such as camping or fishing. It is a convenient stainless steel griddle that you can bring anywhere you go.
The Good
It has a 17-inch cooking area that is just ample enough for cooking several food items. It has built-in propane bottles for 1 pound of fuel and a grease catcher. For easy storing, simply put the top upside down and place it on top of the body after use. It is easy to carry and store. Char broil to perfection.
The Bad
The propane tank may feel flimsy and awkward because it just sits beside the grill (although this design helps with portability).
4. Go Anywhere Charcoal Grill
Overview
True to its name, the Weber 121020 Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill can go anywhere you go and serve the hottest sizzling grilled food. It is a rectangular charcoal grill that is easy to pack and transport.
The Good
It comes with lid locks that allow easy storage and transport. It can cook up to 6 burgers so you can cook up a lot in one batch. You will be saving time and money with this portable grill that you can bring anywhere at any time. What we love about this is it has dampers that make it easy to adjust and control the temperature while you cook.
The Bad
It feels durable and stable so there is nothing bad about this grill. It is compact yet spacious for several burgers.
5. Electric Indoor Searing Grill
Overview
If you are the indoor type rather than the outdoor type but still love barbecues and grilled burgers do not worry because there are several indoor grills available in the market. One we recommend is the Hamilton Beach Electric Indoor Searing Grill. It is a nonstick grill that is spacious and easy to cook with.
The Good
We love that we can achieve the nice grill flavor without having to slave away outdoors. It also comes with a huge drip tray that will catch all the grease for a healthier meal. You will also prevent burning or overcooking your food with its temperature dial.
The Bad
This is not an outdoor grill. You will need electricity to power up this grill. It is very convenient for indoor use.
