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For some, rising temps mean it’s time to bust out the kiddie pool and whip up a batch of your famous margaritas. For others, it’s time to pack the linen pants and head to the Amalfi Coast. For me, it’s time to hit the road and fire up the grill. Whether you’re flipping burgers under some pine trees next to a lake or hanging out in the parking lot of Citifield, you are going to want to have the right portable grill for the occasion.
Over the past several years, portable grills have really upped their game. “There is a kind of revolution happening, and it’s been really interesting to see where it’s coming from and where it’s going,” says Shane McBride of Pig Beach. To help you sort through the growing variety of options out there, I tested a number of portable grills and spoke to chefs and home cooks who fire them up frequently. Then I focused on a few things: how much effort is involved in the setup and transport of the grill, how the grill distributes heat, and how consistently it provides heat for even cooking. After a day of fun in the sun, nothing shatters good vibes like getting covered in grease and ash, so I also made sure to find grills that are easy to break down and clean up. Here, you’ll find my guide to a proper summer setup (and if you’re looking to up your grill game all around, I’ve also rounded up guides to grilling gifts and accessories, tools, grilling in winter, and grills for your city apartment).
What we’re looking for
Cooking-surface size
How much you’ll be able to cook on your portable grill will depend on the size of its cooking surface. Aim for at least 150 square inches for small gatherings, and for larger groups or a variety of dishes, opt for 250 or more square inches. For this list, I sought models that balance size and portability without compromising cooking capacity — and you’ll see the cooking-surface measurements indicated for each option.
Weight
Optimal portability is achieved by balancing sturdiness with ease of transport. I looked for grills made from durable materials that kept weight low without compromising performance. You’ll probably want to choose a lighter option if you’re trekking into nature, but if you’re, say, car camping, you might consider a heavier, feature-rich grill.
Fuel source
I prioritized efficient fuel sources like one-pound propane tanks or charcoal for versatility. If you’re after that classic smoky flavor, then charcoal is the way to go. Just note: It takes some time to get your coals hot and ready, and you’ll need to pack in and out more equipment. On the other hand, if you prefer a more convenient option, then a portable grill that uses small, one-pound propane tanks may be a better choice. With gas, your grill will heat up and be ready to use much faster. However, propane does compromise on the superior flavor that charcoal provides.
Design
Secure lids with sturdy latches are essential for safe transport and heat retention. I also considered features like collapsable legs or handles, which ensure convenience without compromising performance, and noted when a grill had any of these.
Best overall portable grill
The Nomad is a beast in the best possible way. It’s all about functionality, portability, and flavor, and I found that the utilitarian briefcase design made transporting its 28 pounds more manageable than I would have guessed. Yes, the price tag may be high, but the Nomad, with its cast aluminum construction and lightweight stainless-steel cooking grates, is made to last. “A good friend of mine packed up during COVID with a conversion travel van, and he cooked on a Nomad every day for three months, and it didn’t fall apart,” says McBride. Add in the carbon-steel plancha or flat-top plate, and there isn’t much this grill and smoker can’t do.
When I tested this one, I assembled a breakfast of eggs, bacon, and hash browns using the plancha add-on. After cooking several Nomad meals, I found it hits that sweet spot between form and function. It offers a more than generous cooking surface when opened to its full size. Most impressive to me, the Nomad functions as both a grill and a smoker, providing the flexibility to experiment. “It’s perfect for getting some smoke on pork chops or chicken wings,” says grilling and barbecue expert Steven Raichlen.
I put some restaurant-quality grill marks on a couple of steaks, and by creating cooking zones through charcoal arrangement, they finished at a perfect medium rare. A big plus for me was how quickly the Nomad cooled down. I dumped my ashes and packed up my gear before the sun set, making working with it exceed my expectations.
Best less-expensive portable grill
I was consistently floored by how much space the 14-inch-diameter cooking surface on the Smokey Joe provides for grilling. It truly delivers despite its compact size, and at $45.99, it really punches above its weight class. I’ve used it for picnics and tailgates, and it’s perfect for hot dogs, veggies, and other small items. “I like pineapple chopped up with some small pieces of pork on skewers with al pastor seasoning, and you have a taco, a whole dish right off the grill,” says Christine Rosa, executive chef at Blue Smoke, who also owns this grill. It’s contained enough to fit in a reusable grocery bag, durable enough that you don’t have to be precious with it, and gets the job done time after time.
It would be useful as a more permanent setup in smaller spaces, too — I even wish I’d had this grill when I lived in my junior one-bedroom in Brooklyn. It’s the perfect mix of ease and nostalgia. Much like its classic 22-inch big brother, it provided exceptional heat retention and no-nonsense setup and operation.
Best portable gas grill for small spaces
I was surprised by this little tabletop gas grill. It has such a high level of compact, cutesy appeal that I figured there was no way it could crank out a meal. After firing it up, I was impressed with how quickly it reached cooking temperature and the evenly distributed heat the 9,000 BTU burner put out. The 154-square-inch cooking surface isn’t huge, but it was enough to cook a few burgers and some sausage.
This tiny powerhouse showed off with vegetables, too. The porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grate provided excellent heat retention, which made short work of some zucchini, corn, and tomatoes. Transporting and cleaning it was easy. Of all the grills I tested, the Cuisinart was the easiest to pack in, set up, get cooking, and pack back out. Bonus: The wooden lid doubles as a cutting board.
Best portable charcoal grill
When working with a tabletop charcoal grill, take note from chef and restaurant owner Nick Perkins: “You want simplicity. When you are out on the move, you want as few moving parts as possible.” The PKGo portable charcoal grill checked those boxes for me and then some. Its practical design and durable construction made it an ideal companion for packing in the car. Once I freed it from its very secure packaging, this grill was surprisingly easy to set up and heat up. The PKGo is crafted from cast aluminum, and the unique capsule shape allows for reasonable airflow control.
Like the Nomad, the PKGo surprised me with how much cooking area it provides, as the lid can double as a second grilling surface when fully opened. Just one thing to note when working with a compact portable charcoal grill: Be aware of getting your coals too close to your grill grate. “Many portables don’t give you much space between charcoal and the grill grate. You want to create cooking zones with your charcoal,” advises Raichlen. Using the zone method, I quickly prepared burgers and corn for four people with everything cooked perfectly, including toasted sesame buns.
Best stand-up portable grill
Do not let the size of the box scare you: The Weber Traveler Portable Gas Grill’s appeal becomes apparent once it’s unpacked and assembled. The wheeled frame easily collapses, and transport is more effortless than rolling a suitcase through the TSA line. And yes, this grill will also fit in the overhead bin. With 320 square inches of cooking space, it has the feel and capabilities of a full-size grill. It’s effortless to ignite and very easy to create clear grilling zones.
“The great thing is the circular burner design,” says Raichlen. “It gives you options for direct or indirect heat.” I found that, too — I had no trouble searing and finishing steaks with a good crust and an even cook using this grill. I was confident that this Weber would be able to provide a crowd with various options no matter where I popped it up. “I was at what was supposed to be a private tailgate at Ohio State, and we had to open it to everyone. We cooked hundreds of hamburgers on it, so it has durability,” says McBride. This one would also be ideal if you are dealing with a small outdoor space at home and want something that you can tuck away when grilling season comes to an end.
Best single-use portable grill
The Casus is perfect for impromptu urges to grill or cook outdoors when you don’t have a traditional grill handy. Crafted with eco-friendly materials, it’s highly portable and requires barely any setup or cleanup. Its body utilizes sustainable materials such as bamboo charcoal and cardboard and is 100% disposable. I had it out of the packaging, set up, and heated up within eight minutes. I had some small zucchini marinating in the fridge and grilled them to a very appealing golden brown in ten minutes. The Casus would also work well for hot dogs, vegetables, or other pre-cooked items. Just an hour after I started, the bamboo charcoal ran its course, and the Casus was disassembled and headed for the recycling bin — its job was complete.
Our experts
• Shane McBride, director of operations and partner at Pig Beach BBQ
• Nick Perkins, chef and co-owner of Cervo’s, Hart’s, and the Fly
• Steven Raichlen, grilling expert at Barbecue Bible, writer, TV host
• Christine Rosa, Executive Chef at Blue Smoke
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