Char-Broil 06401206 Grill-2-Go Advantage Portable Outdoor Gas Grill Review

The design of the Char Broil portable grill places emphasis on functionality and convenience. The grill allows for open flame grilling with 16,000 BTU on two stainless steel burners with independent, precision control on a cooking surface measuring 308 square inches. The designers also thought it viable to add a nonstick, Teflon-coated griddle for cooking versatility. The porcelain-coated cooking grates are dishwasher-safe for convenience.

The Char Broil Grill-2-Go is compact, measuring only 33 x 21 x 20 inches when folded. The grill measures 21 x 56 x 34 inches when set up for grilling, and offers cooks the option of tabletop or standard use. "Standard" use refers to the dual locking legs system that can be unlocked for easy, wheeled transportation from the car park to the barbecue site. Tabletop use of the grill is possible due to the removable grill body. Cooks can grill at night or in low-light conditions with the detachable LED light that runs on four AA batteries.

Keeping tools organized while grilling becomes less of a chore - the folding side shelves contain tool hooks, and there is a bin for storage as well as a paper towel holder and trash bag holder for convenience. Read more

Things to Consider Before Buying a Gas Grill

Let's just say you know all the brands by heart and can quote manufacturers verbatim. Yet, you still don't know which grill to choose! You might want to consider the following points before buying a gas grill.

Price - you tend to get what you pay for. On the other hand, an expensive grill doesn't necessarily result in a good barbecue experience. A gas grill can be cheap (the Weber Go-Anywhere: about $60) or expensive (a Solaire InfraVection Cart Grill: almost $4000), so it can become mind boggling when checking out the range at a store.

You need to decide how much you're willing to spend on a grill. The larger the grill, the higher the price, so you'll also need to determine the following: what you intend to cook on the grill, how many people you're cooking for, and how much space have you allowed for the new purchase. Features like side burners and rotisseries can push up a grill's price too.

Fuel Type - gas grills can run on natural gas or propane; former costs more than the latter. For example, the Weber Genesis E-310 Natural Gas Grill costs $669 whereas the Weber Genesis E-310 Propane Gas Grill is $649.

While grills usually run on propane, natural gas is a cheaper alternative that won't run out in the middle of a cookout. Conversely, propane tanks are convenient and portable. Some gas grills can run on both or convert to run on natural gas. The conversion may be expensive initially, but if you only plan to entertain at home, the savings will add up in the end.

Material - once you've found a likely-looking grill, you should evaluate the material from which the body and frame. Cast aluminum and stainless steel are common materials. Stainless steel is more expensive (the Weber Genesis S-320 costs almost $840), although its quality may vary. A magnet sticks to lower grade stainless steel, which rusts more easily than that of a higher-grade. Stainless steel also tends to last a shorter time than cast aluminum. Beware of painted steel in grill frames, which can rust over time.

Timing - you'll probably pay less if you shop before the beginning of summer or during fall. Off-season is when gas grills are in least demand, and prices will dip as retailers attempt to lure potential buyers. Buying a grill off-season may also mean you will enjoy discounted or free shipping.

Heat - larger grills usually come with higher BTU ratings. A BTU rating (British thermal units) measures the heat generated by the burner(s) per hour. However, this doesn't directly translate into the heat generated by the grill itself. Rather, it indicates the amount of fuel a grill uses in an hour; a 40,000 BTU grill means you'll be running through propane tanks pretty quickly! Grill size, heat distribution and retention come into play for the actual heat a grill produces to cook food quickly and evenly. That's why smaller grills can outperform larger ones when you compare cooking temperatures and durations.

Grilling novices may be surprised to find that it isn't the grill, but the experience of the cook, that makes a cookout memorable. The grill is a medium through which a good cook channels his or her skills for the benefit of the guests. That said, a good grill makes cooking more enjoyable, while a bad one will have a hand in making a cookout a rare event in the household.

Features to Investigate When Buying a Gas Grill

If you've already budgeted a decent amount for it and picked out a likely spot to situate your new grill, congratulations! However, the search for a new grill isn't over even after you've decided how often you're going to grill; you'll also have to check out the following features to ensure you'll be happy using it summer after summer.

How Great Are The Grates?
The most preferable cooking grates are made from porcelain-enameled cast iron or thick, stainless steel slats. These incredibly durable materials provide fantastic heat conduction and retain heat well. One thing to remember is that stainless steel needs less maintenance than enameled cast iron. You should always oil the latter after using it to prevent the porcelain from flaking off and the iron beneath from rusting.

Where Are The Controls?
Many people gripe when the burner knobs are located on side tables, and not merely because they take up space that could be used to hold another dish. If you keep your grill outside, uncovered (which you probably shouldn't), you'll find that you'll have to clean off whatever has fallen onto the horizontal burner controls. It could be leaves, bird poop or worse, snow. Horizontally mounted controls can be a nuisance to access too, so you can save yourself the stress by getting a grill with front-mounted burner knobs.

How Hot Do The Burners Get?
You need to take into account the heat output rating when evaluating the burners on a grill. The more heat they produce, the higher the British thermal unit rating, or BTU, of the grill. More heat promises, but doesn't guarantee, quicker cooking and good sear marks, or that cooking surfaces will evenly heated.

In fact, smaller grills can sometimes compensate for lower BTU ratings with better heat retention and distribution qualities to supply more heat than larger grills. You can ignore the BTU ratings for side burners or rotisseries, as the heat output for the main grilling area is your chief priority.

What Add-ons Does The Grill Have?
The majority of hinge-lidded large grills come with warming racks to keep food warm or heat pre-cooked food. It comes in handy if you're cooking for a large gathering and want to keep guests happy. On the other hand, you might never use it, and its presence may be a hindrance if you need a clear cooking area.

Side burners and rotisseries can come in helpful for many cooks who intend to multi-task. These features can be great time savers and help avoid trips in and out of the kitchen, but also tend to push up the price of the grill. Tool hooks and side tables are useful too, but only as long as they're made from sturdy materials.

One thing to remember when you're shopping for a new grill is that you get what you pay for. A grill constructed from durable materials and a design optimized for grilling is likely to cost more than a flimsy grill that costs a third of the price but doesn't last beyond the summer and burns your food to a crisp to boot. It's also best to get a grill that meets your basic requirements instead of splashing out on accessories you may never use.

Weber Baby Q 100 Portable Gas Grill Review

It's hard to imagine a grill with only 189 square inches of cooking space could provide so much value for money, but that's exactly what the Weber "Baby" Q 100 does. Measuring 23.5 x 27 x 16 inches (height x width x depth) with the lid open, the Q 100 has a glass-reinforced nylon frame built to last and comes with push-button ignition for easy, dependable ignition.

The infinitely adjustable burner valve offers precision control over the 8500 BTU heat output, while a porcelain-enameled cast iron cooking grate promises even heating and a fuss-free cleanup process. The cast aluminum lid and body ensure that the grill is easily transported while the heat-resistant lid handle promises you'll never have to worry about burning yourself when checking on those burgers. Read more

Holland Companion Propane Portable BBQ Grill Review

Constructed from stainless steel to ensure durability, the Holland companion portable grill has a structure that is guaranteed to prevent flare-ups. The design is devilishly simple yet amazingly effective - the drip pan is interspersed between the cooking grate and burners, ensuring drippings don't come into contact with flame and that food will be cooked, not burnt. The sizzle that emanates from drippings hitting the pan adds and emphasizes the flavor of a good barbecue.

The Holland companion grill provides heat with three burner settings (low, medium and high) with outputs of 2600-4900 BTU. In addition, while the 212 square inch stainless steel cooking surface seems modest, the Holland is spacious and heats up enough to perfectly cook a whole (small) chicken, a few ears of corn and a Portobello mushroom or three.

The portable grill measures 21 x 16 x 14 inches (width x depth x height), which is about the same size as a pet carrier case, but provides all the heat and cooking space to feed a crowd. Read more

Coleman 9949-750 Road Trip Grill Review

The Coleman Road Trip grill is unlike other portable propane grills, which are relatively petite and designed for tabletop use - it is a full-sized grill accompanied by collapsible scissor legs that make it perfect for both travel and tabletop grilling.

When folded up, the grill measures 36 x 22 x 13 inches (width x height x depth), and is equipped with two burners, which are independently controlled for even heating and precise temperature management and lit with an Instastart electronic ignition, to provide a heat output of 10,000 BTU. Its 285 square inch cooking area makes it the ideal size for a small cookout party.

The cast iron cooking grates of the grill are designed for the best temperature conduction and are resistant to warping, while the porcelain coating makes them easy to clean. The twin burners easily heat the manageably sized cooking area, promising fast, even grilling.

Making prep work easy and convenient for the cook on the go, Coleman has included two side tables for extra storage/preparation space. These slide under the grill when everything is packed up, so there's no worry of hinges breaking off during travel. Read more

Weber Q 320 Portable Outdoor Gas Grill Review

The Weber Q 320 is a portable outdoor gas grill measuring 22 x 36.5 x 55.5 inches (depth x width x height) and has a main cooking area of 462 square inches. Powered by dual stainless steel burners rated at 21,700 BTU, the Weber Q 320 is capable of cooking two whole chickens at the same time while pita bread warms up on the 69 square inch warming rack above it. Ignition of the portable grill is electronic, making it a snap to startup any time and infinite control burner valves provide simple yet precise heat control.

The cooking surface of the Q 320 consists of two porcelain-enameled cast iron grates. A tall, cast-aluminum lid profile makes heating the grill a quick process and a center-mounted temperature gauge allows the cook to check the heat level easily. A removable catch pan makes disposal of grease an easy matter.

The grill, built with a nylon frame reinforced with glass for sturdiness, bolts to a stationary cart for portability. The Grill Out handle light aids with grilling at night or in dim conditions and two folding worktables provide extra storage for food and cooking utensils. Read more

Weber 3841001 Genesis E-310 Natural Gas Grill Review

The Genesis E-310 from Weber is a natural gas grill with a cooking system rated at 42,000 BTU. The electronic Crossover ignition system easily lights the Genesis' three seamless, stainless steel burners to provide quick, even heat within minutes to a main cooking area of 507 square inches. Add in a warming rack covering a 130 square inch area to toast buns and keep food warm and your cookout is ready to rock with 637 square inches of cooking surface.

Flavor never takes a backseat where Weber grills are concerned; the Genesis is equipped with Weber's porcelain-enameled Flavorizer bars. These bars are an important factor in reducing the flare-ups that can occur with the use of lava rocks or ceramic briquettes, while enhancing the flavor of your food. In addition to the generous cooking area, the Genesis E-310 comes with durable porcelain-enameled cast iron cooking grates featuring 7 mm stainless steel rods for the perfect sear marks.

With the lid open, the natural gas grill measures 64.5 x 60 x 30 inches (height x width x depth) and is equipped with a 10 foot flexible hose for adaptable usability. Read more

Coleman 9940-A55 Roadtrip Party Grill Review

The Coleman road trip grill is a propane-fueled standby for quick road trips or impulsive backyard cookouts. Not only can it be used to grill burgers, the Coleman also fills in as a boilerplate when the nonstick grill is removed. With an 8000 BTU burner control system, the Coleman adds variety to any camping trip, whether campers intend to heat coffee or grill burgers. Even better, the flat griddle section allows a cook to prepare modest servings of scrambled eggs and pancakes.

Being a portable grill, the Coleman measures 13 x 13 x 11.5 inches (height x width x depth) and the cooking surface is convex to prevent troublesome grease buildup. The grill's Instastart ignition ensures easy lighting and heats quickly thanks to its size, and the PerfectFlow regulator ensures consistent heat, whatever the ambient temperature, altitude or fuel level. The center of the dishwasher safe grill is perfect for searing meats while the outer edges finish off cooking efficiently.

The Grill That Can Go Everywhere

Thanks to the detachable legs that can fit inside the grill, one review of the Coleman grill was happy to note that transporting it was easy. Set up of the grill was simple too, once it reached it destination - all it needed was 10 minutes of assembly, which required no tools at all. The instructions provided are detailed for those who aren't technically inclined, but can be dispensed with once the cook has used the grill a few times.

Cooks appreciated the versatility that the grill offers as, for example, an entire breakfast can prepared at one go for a modest crowd of up to 5-6 people. A coffeepot can be perked on the burner with the grill removed, and sausages can sizzle on the grill once it has been replaced and heated, which happens exceptionally quickly despite its small size and lack of a cover. People who lived alone or rarely cooked found the Coleman an incredibly convenient appliance.

Heat Control at a Touch

Heat control is easy; cooking can be carried out at both high and low heat and cooks found the Instastart ignition lived up to its name by lighting the grill quickly and easily with a single push. Cleanup was also quick and easy as long as the basin below the burner is filled with water.

The burner adjusts well from off to low to high and is quick and easy to start by pushing the burner control knob in. The drippings collect in the pan below the burner for easy disposal. Users were gratified with the value-for-money choice of the Coleman, which is an affordable portable grill that travels well thanks to a heavy duty PVC coating that resists cracking and fading. It also comes with its own carrying bag and is small enough to fit into a suitcase.

Somewhat Uneven Heat Distribution

There was a review or two that observed heat distribution of the grill was less than optimal, although it was also pointed out that the water in the catch basin appears to help to distribute the heat. As the grill is much hotter in the center, it may be difficult to cook thick cuts of meats thoroughly. The Coleman also felt somewhat flimsy to some cooks.

Char-Broil Patio Caddie Gas Grill Review

If you're looking for a space saving propane gas grill, the Char-Broil Patio Caddie grill is an excellent candidate. The freestanding grill has a body constructed from porcelain-coated steel, which is the ideal element for rust resistance. The Thermsulate lining also ensures consistent grilling temperatures, which can be tracked by the lid mounted thermometer while thermostatic handles make handling the grill an easy matter.

Heavy-gauge porcelain cooking grids make up a cooking area of 187 square inches on the grill, which allows it to fit nicely on small spaces like patios or balconies. The compact size of the grill, coupled with a heat output of 10,000 BTU ensures that, once lit with the simple pushbutton ignition, the sturdy cooking grids heat to searing temperatures in a matter of minutes. The porcelain coating also makes the grids easy to clean. The Char-Broil grill measures 22 x 16.75 x 44 inches (width x depth x height) and can be used with 11.5 lb and 20 lb propane tanks. Read more

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