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Portable grills are designed for on-the-go grilling. Not only can you transport them easily but they are compact enough to be placed just about anywhere. Whether it’s a day out with friends or sunny weather from the beach, portable grills have your back! These types of grills are easy to operate, but trying to decide which portable grill is best for you isn’t always a simple process. However, we hope this guide helps you make up your mind, and if you need a good place to start, consider checking out the Weber Smokey Joe Portable Grill.
Buying Guide: The Best Portable Grills
Grills are available in large varieties and usually differ with respect to sizes, fuel types, designs, or extra add-ons. When your grill is portable, it means that you can place it anywhere in your house, indoor or outdoor, or even take with you while you’re traveling. Most portable grills are lightweight, secure, and easy to carry. They are usually available in two types; charcoal grills or propane grills. Buying the right portable grill means you have to consider your grilling requirements and the type of grill you need. We have analyzed a few factors in this section - to guide you on what to look for in a portable grill and how most of the grillsin the market different from each other.
Important Things To Consider When Scouring Through the Anatomy of Different Grills
Fuel
There are thousands of grills available out there, so it’s a must that you narrow down your search to a few options. Fuel is one of the most important factors that you should look for when selecting a portable grill.
Figuring out the type of fuel that is affordable and easily available for you will help you out in deciding the type of grill you need! Your cooking style, the way you want to grill your food, and the convenience of operating the grill will help you determine the type of grill you need. We have analyzed the benefits of different fuels for portable grills.
Gas
Gas grills are very popular, and they use natural gas or liquid propane gas. Natural gas is relatively cheaper as compared to liquid propane, which is costly and requires refilling. You may access natural gas easily from your home gas pipeline.
On the other hand, a liquid propane tank is attached to the grill, and it supplies the gas to the grill.
Many grills that use gas as a fuel provide you with an option to use either of the two. Gas grills give you an opportunity to control the heat of your grill and how much heat you would like to distribute to the surface. You can simply sear your food on high heat or cook it on low heat by controlling the gas supply.
Charcoal
Charcoal is the traditional fuel for grilling and charcoal grills are widely used - they’re famous for giving a smoky flavor to the meat and veggies.When charcoal is burned to produce flame and heat, the smoke from the briquettes is created because of oil drips from the food itself.
They are affordable and highly portable! The best part? It allows you to be free from the hassle of connecting a gas line with your grill and give you the freedom of using the grill anywhere you please!
Pellets
These grills use wood pallets for producing heat. They’re usually smart grills so controlling the heat of the pellets is a breeze!
You get to grill your food that has a wood-fired taste and aroma. Plus, pellets are famous and a frequently opted choice for cooking delicious meat, especially when it is cooked on low heat! However, pellet grills are a comparatively more expensive option compared to charcoal or propane.
Size of portable grill
Once you have decided on the type of available fuel, you need to determine what size is suitable for you to grill your food. Small grills or medium-sized grills are enough to grill food for a small number of people. If you have to cook for more than 3-4 persons, you should buy grills with a wider surface area for grilling.
For most people, a grill size that is 400 to 500 square inch, is enough for grilling food. Small or medium-sized grills have two burners, while large grills come with more than four burners. Make sure to weigh in the space required to place your grill and its weight as well!
Additional features
When you think of the portability of a grill, it means you want something that you can easily carry with you! Whether you’re planning on going to the nearest hill station for a weekend, need a grill for the RV, or want something to accompany you on your staycation, a portable grill will be your best bud!
So when you’re looking for one, try to pitch in one or more cool features in exchange for a few extra bucks. Some grills come with a side burner that you can use for heating the sauces or any of your sides that you want to serve. Some portable grills have wheels that make transportation more convenient, etc.
Top Picks
Best Overall:
Weber Smokey Joe Portable Grill
Most Secure:
Weber Go-Anywhere Charcoal Portable Grill
Unique Aesthetics:
Char-Griller Jr. Kamado Charcoal Portable Grill
Most Lightweight:
Weber Smokey Joe Premium Portable Grill
What should I look for when buying a portable grill?
When shopping for portable grills, the most important factor is the availability and affordability of the fuel that the grill needs. The second most imperative factors are the size and the type of grill. Make sure the grill comes with various temperature settings and ample space to grill. Last but not least, make sure the grill isn’t too heavy. That way, you'll be able to easily move it around.
Which type of portable grill is healthier for me?
Propane grills are considered the healthiest option, and they are safer to use than charcoal grills. Many people don't like when charcoal smoke enters their food because charcoal smoke emits carbon monoxide, which is unhealthy for the environment. Most propane grills and all electric grills come with the option to control the grill’s temperature. Charcoal grills, on the other hand, do not have this feature.
Which type of portable grill is best for me?
You'll need to assess what type of fuel options you are able to use when grilling. If you have easy access to gas, it is best to buy a gas grill. You can also buy liquid propane cylinders and place them next to your grill or connect them via a pipe. Charcoals are also easily available, though they must be preheated. You'll also end up with a mess of burned charcoals that will need to be cleaned when you're done grilling. Gas grills or electric grills are smokeless, so if you buy a grill like this, you can usually use them indoors.
