This smaller Weber kettle comes equipped with only one vent, located in the lid. Before putting the grill away for the season, give the inside a good scrubbing with lots of hot soapy water and rinse well. We carry Outsunny, Americana, Char-Griller and more. Lugging around a 20-pound propane cylinder (which actually weighs 35 pounds when full) isn’t our idea of portability. The Lodge Cast Iron Sportsman’s Grill boasts all the benefits of seasoned cast iron—durability, flavor, and versatility—but in charcoal hibachi grill form, so you can take it tailgating and camping. We found that stainless steel solid grates with small perforations don’t let enough ambient heat through to brown the food properly. Materials aren’t a big concern with portable charcoal grills. The lack of airflow meant we couldn’t keep the coal bed lit throughout a single cook, leaving us with pale burgers and undercooked chicken. Propane doesn’t burn as hot as charcoal, and the ambient heat in a gas grill can’t match that of a charcoal model. This rugged, charcoal hibachi style grill is perfect for picnics, tailgating, camping or patio. It makes a great travel grill or compact at-home charcoal grill, is easy to transport and clean, and will last for years. We were able to cook both vegetables, and meats on it at once. It’s easy to hide the grill in his bedroom when his landlord comes to inspect his apartment. There are a number of different options to consider if you’re in the market portable charcoal grill, but one stands out among others: Weber’s Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill. The initial setup only required a few nuts and bolts to lock the fire bowl into the footed base. Of all the portable propane grills we tested, the Weber Q 1200 grilled foods the most consistently. The Cuisinart CGG-200 All Foods Gas Grill failed every test. In our tests, the Jumbo Joe produced the best seared burgers, barbecued chicken, and grilled bratwurst. A temperature dial lets you control the heat easily and quickly, just as on a kitchen range. After testing more than 90 tools from spatulas to tongs to grill gloves and more, we have recommendations for everything you need to have an amazing barbecue. We found that a vent in the top of the lid and another in the belly of the firebox created the best air circulation. Additional features include a stable tripod base, an ash catcher, and a comfortable heat-resistant handle for carrying. But that also means you’re going to burn through propane canisters faster on the Q 2200 than on the Q 1200. We enlisted fresh bratwurst links to gauge each grill’s ability to handle a grate full of fatty meat. It had the fewest hotspots of all the grills we tried, due in large part to the U-shaped burner, which evenly heated the grate. We tested five propane models, and the Weber Q 1200 Gas Grill is the best portable gas grill for most people. Unlike the Lodge we tested, the Go-Anywhere Grill has a steel grate and Porcelain-enameled lid and base. In 2018, he established Wirecutter’s ongoing collaboration with The New York Times’s Smarter Living. Don’t use water to extinguish the coals—because, you know, lye. The Jumbo Joe’s 18-inch-diameter cooking surface is enough to grill a complete meal for two or the main course for a small party (about eight burgers). Keeping your charcoal grill clear of ashes and sheltered from rain and snow is adequate protection. Sold and shipped by Entrotek. by Lesley Stockton, Michael Sullivan, and Tim Heffernan. We had a small issue with the Q 1200 unit we got for testing. But the lidless design limits its ability to tackle slow-cooking tasks. Small.