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

• List Price: $199.99
  

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.

Generous Heat That Doesn't Blow Out

More than one review pointed out it was good to have a relatively small, portable grill that provided generous heat. The open flame concept of the grill means that cooks and hungry campers or tail-gaiters don't have to stand around for very long, as they would while waiting for lava rocks in a grill to heat up. One of the best things about the grill is that the wind never blows the burner out.

Other cooks loved the options presented to them by the griddle. More than one camper was happy to report that they were able to cook pancakes and eggs outdoors, which added a new dimension to the camping experience. The foldable shelves on either side of the grill provided more than enough storage space for extra food and implements, and the storage bin added to the overall organization. In addition to being lightweight and portable, the grill is quick to assemble, set up and break down.

Cooks As Quickly As a Large Grill Does

Though portable, the grill is by no means stingy where the cooking area is concerned. Cooks were delighted to find it was more than capable of serving a hungry party of 10, while another cook used two of the grills and grilled enough hamburgers to feed 120 people, and in the same time needed for two "full-sized" grills to boot! The porcelain-coated cooking grate ensures that flare-ups don't occur while cooking, and cleanup afterwards, whether by hand or in a dishwasher, is easy. The grill is also fuel-efficient, needing less than a bottle of gas to cook 70 hamburgers. Users also have the option of adapting the grill to use a 20 lb tank instead of a 1 lb cylinder.

Potentially Annoying Set Up

A somewhat disgruntled review mentioned that setting up the grill for standard use isn't as easy as perceived. The grill has to be lifted off the frame before the legs are extended, then replaced in order for grilling to proceed. The same process has to be repeated when breaking down the grill after use. It can also be difficult to monitor fuel usage, as the grill doesn't have a propane gauge to inform cooks of the remaining gas level.

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.

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 (Q 100) Portable Gas Grill

• List Price: $149.00
  
• Sale Price: $149.00
  

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.

Incredibly Easy Assembly for Quick Grilling Fun

One of the first things any review of the Weber Q 100 is sure to mention is how easy it is to assemble. Compared to larger grills, the only assembly this portable grill needed was to have the handle attached to the lid, the lid attached to the grill, the regulator capped and the grease pan slotted into place! Ten minutes of work and a cook was free to grill anything he or she wanted after that.

As promised, the grill is easy to light and heats up quickly, and cooks were pleasantly surprised to find that surface beneath the grill stayed cool throughout the cookout. Cooking on flammable surfaces is inadvisable, of course, but keeping the support surface cool is testament to the insulating qualities of the sturdy nylon frame.

Perfect Searing and Thorough Cooking

Despite its size, it comfortably fits up to 12 chicken thighs or 4 steaks on the cast iron cooking grate. Its size makes it a good grill to cater to a small gathering of 2-4 people. Cooks found the Weber quality evident in how quickly the grill heated up to create fantastic grill marks on their food, with some comparing the sear marks to "those in the magazines". Food also cooked evenly thanks to the complete lack of hot or cold spots on the cooking grates.

Even though the grill is small, its design is by no means shoddy - grills that produce virtually no flare-ups are a distinct Weber trademark, and that is no different for the Q 100. One cook deliberately tried to induce a flare-up with chicken thighs that had a lot of fat on them but to no avail.

The Q 100 also stands up to the most slapdash cleaning methods and remains rust free for years. Additionally, its size makes it easy to pack and transport, taking up a minimum of space whether in a trunk or on someone's small deck.

Drip Tray May Be Too Easily Removed

One review mentioned that the rather wide space between the drip tray and the bottom of the grill allowed the tray to be blown out of the base, thereby creating a huge, unwanted mess, on a windy day. Fortunately, securing the drip tray is just a matter of taping it down.

Most cooks found it difficult to determine if the grill was lit when they used it in the open. The flames are virtually invisible in bright sunshine, so cooks either have to wait for the smell of propane (to determine that the burner is unlit) or half-cover the grill to shade the area in order to view the flames.

Holland Companion PROPANE Portable Grill, No Flare-up BBQ Grill

• Sale Price: $267.95
  

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.

Expect Stress-Free Cooking

One of the features of this portable grill that almost every review mentions is how evenly it cooks food. Cooks gush over how burnt food is a thing of the past when the Holland grill comes into play. While an indelible part of the grilling experience is to stand in front of a grill to flip the meat and make sure it doesn't burn, the Holland companion grill takes the headache and guesswork out of grilling thanks to its cooking grate design. After placing meat on the Holland grill, all a cook needs to do is sit back and wait for his or her timer to ring.

Cooks are enthusiastic about having to flip food only twice for a crisp, brown color before covering the grill and "forgetting" it to allow food to cook to thorough, juicy perfection. There has not been a single complaint that the Holland portable grill burns food, and it has been deemed a good grill for thick portions of meat like a roast, and even baking biscuits. Another plus for the stainless steel material is that it's easily cleaned.

Ensures Even Heat with Flavor-Enhancing Capabilities

The flavor produced when drippings vaporize on the drip pan also came in for praise in more than one review. Not only does the drip pan prevent flare-ups and food from becoming burnt, the moisture in the drippings provide a smoker-like environment for the food being cooked, ensuring it doesn't dry out and provides a juicy bite every time. The size of the drip pan also helps in radiating heat all through the compartment.

Thanks to its size, cooks found the Holland grill easy to pack transport for road trips, camping trips or tailgating parties. The ingenious carrier case shape and lightweight materials also ensured that it was never a pain to carry by hand over long distances.

Can Be a Lukewarm Concept for Some

As the grill utilizes the principle of convection heating, cooks who like their steaks seared were disappointed. In addition, despite the effective heating circulation of the grill, the low heat output meant that cooking could not be carried quickly, i.e. this is not a grill for the impatient cook.

Coleman 9949-750 Road Trip Grill LXE

• List Price: $179.99
  
• Sale Price: $154.98
  
• Used From: $93.62
  

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.

Outsized Heat Output for Fast Grilling

Although rather powerful for a portable grill, an output rating of 10,000 BTU still seems modest on paper. However, more than one review discovered that it was more than sufficient when it came to grilling a well-seared steak. The open-flame cooking concept of the grill meant that heating it on "medium" heat for 10 minutes with the lid down provided more than enough heat (500 degrees Fahrenheit) for those all-important sear marks and enough residual heat for even, thorough cooking. One observation, in addition to the fact that the grill was quick to light, was that this portable grill cooked faster than a larger gas grill.

The Coleman is also ideal for small backyard barbecues, as cooks have found that they could fit up to twelve hot dogs fit perfectly in between the slats of the cooking grate. Moderation is the name of the game where the Coleman is concerned, as cooks found that leaving the food to cook on medium with the lid down is the key to tasty food that is caramelized and crisp on the outside, and remains tender and juicy on the inside.

A Great Camping Companion

The design of the grill was praised in more than one review. The Coleman Road Trip's compact size made it easy to pack, store and transport quickly. Additionally, it also cools quickly, allowing travellers to pack it up after a meal is finished. Not a single review mentioned the issue of flare-ups that can crop up with open flame grilling - the cooking grate was such that it prevented grease and dripping from falling directly onto the burners, thus preventing flare-ups or clogging while still being close enough to the burners to conduct sufficient heat for quick, even cooking.

Can Be Too Hot To Handle

There is a danger of melting the handles and burning food when cooking on the "high" heat setting. One review suggested that the "high" heat setting should be used only with the optional burner or griddle attachments, which would necessitate open lid cooking anyway.

For other cooks, the grill may conduct heat too well, or the plastic used for the side tables isn't sufficiently heat-resistant. The side tables can become warped or melted if they remain under the grill while cooking is conducted. Thus, the tables need to be extended in order to prevent this.

Weber 586002 Q 320 Portable Outdoor Propane Gas Grill

• List Price: $479.00
  
• Sale Price: $298.19
  
• Used From: $322.06
  

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.

Heats in Minutes and Cleans Easily

Many people gave the two-piece cooking grid the thumbs up in their review. The separate grill sections do not detract from the quality of cooking or cooking area, and actually make it easier for the grill to be cleaned. The interior of the grill, too, is easy to clean once the cooking grate is removed. The warming rack, too, is considered a substantial and stable accessory that does a good job of heating buns and keeping food warm.

The grill also garnered praise for the speed with which it became heated. One cook recorded that it took only a minute to heat to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and the heat increased another 100 degrees Fahrenheit in another 30 seconds. Additionally, cooks liked the front-mounted burner knobs, which were larger and easier to control.

Thick Cooking Slats Enable Confident Cooking

One reason Weber grills are so popular is the quality of their cooking grates. The enameled cooking grates of the Weber Q 320 gained fans because of their ability to impart good sear marks to food. The width of the grills also made it possible to cook narrower food that would otherwise fall through the gaps of a grill with thinner slats. There were reviews enthusing how the cook wouldn't have to worry about how they arranged their hot dogs on the grill anymore.

Users also found the stationary cart praiseworthy - even though it was made of plastic, there was nothing flimsy about how the cart felt. They also appreciated how the weight of the propane tank, locked into place with a tank storage system, served as a counterbalance to prevent the cart from tipping over when in use. Additionally, plastic doesn't corrode or rust, making it the ideal material for a stationary cart.

Instructions For Assembly Can Be Clearer

Assembly for the Weber grill is relatively straightforward, but there was one review or two that was dissatisfied with the way assembly instructions were depicted only as images. The critique was that having written instructions would have been much more helpful. Also, another user found it slightly unnerving that the plastic cart flexes slightly when being moved due to the weight of the propane tank it was conveying.

Weber 3841001 Genesis E-310 Natural Gas Grill, Black

• List Price: $819.00
  

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.

Quickly Heats for Perfect Searing

A key feature of this grill is how quickly it heats, taking about 10 minutes to reach 500 degrees Fahrenheit on a natural gas supply. More than one review found that the grill has no hot or cold spots, ensuring that food cooks evenly on a uniformly heated cooking surface. The Crossover ignition system lived up to its claim and made it easy to light the stove.

Cooks were very pleased in particular with how well the Flavorizer bars performed. These are supposed to add flavor to the food being cooked by vaporizing meat juices that drip on them. The smoke produced when juices hit the bars enhanced the barbecue flavor of more than one large cookout, providing delicious, perfectly cooked food for a hungry crowd of 20 in a short time. The porcelain coating on the grates also made for an easy cleanup process.

Efficient Cooking With a Wind-Proof Flame

The lid-mounted thermometer, found on the center of the lid, also enhanced cooking efficiency. It allows for accurate temperature readings without requiring the cook to lift the lid and allow the dissipation of all the precious heat. Even better, the design of the grill ensures that the flame is shielded from winds and maintains temperatures at a constant level, and control over cooking temperatures is delicate and precise.

While the grill is large and sturdy, its assembly grill is a straightforward and painless process, although it does require quite some time - one cook took about 2 hours to put it together. Taller cooks also rejoiced at the exceptionally high grill, which made grilling easier on their backs. The fact that the Genesis E-310 runs on natural gas made it attractive to energy conservationists and frugal cooks. Natural gas costs almost 5 times less than propane, and there is no fear of explosions occurring. Since most homes have natural gas lines, there is little chance of the grill running out of fuel.

Burner Knobs Should Be Repositioned

Not every review was favorable, despite the grill's numerous positive points. One consistent gripe is how to burner knobs are placed on the side of the grill instead of on the front; taking up much needed worktable space. One user also required time to become accustomed to having horizontal burners instead of those that ran from front to back and the resulting heating patterns.

Coleman 9940-A55 Roadtrip Party Grill

• List Price: $39.99
  
• Sale Price: $44.76
  
• Used From: $31.00
  

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

• List Price: $219.00
  

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.

Sturdy Cooking Grids for Great Food

Barbecuers were enthusiastic in their praise of the Patio Caddie's sturdy, porcelain-coated grids. One review reported that the porcelain coating on the grids also didn't cling to carbonized bits of food, allowing the grids to live up to the claim that they are easy to clean. What's more, they can withstand constant use for years without sagging or flaking.

Despite the limited size of the cooking area, cooking dinner for 4-6 guests is not a problem for the grill. Even though the grill is a small one, the slats on the grids were able to impart "restaurant standard" sear marks to the food. Up to six burgers can fit easily onto the cooking grids, and the thick cooking slats ensure that narrow items don't fall off.

Thoughtfully Designed for Fast Cooking

As the grill is designed for closed cooking, many cooks found it helpful that the grill was equipped with hooks on which the lid of the grill could be hung. As another review pointed out, the temperature gauge on the lid was useful for determining the temperature, which can go up to more than 500 degrees Fahrenheit, while the grill heats.

Assembly of the grill, which takes approximately an hour, is simple and straightforward. More than one review enthused about how it lent itself to outdoor storage due to the rust resistant porcelain coating, and its small size ensured that it never posed an obstruction wherever it was stored. The fuel-efficient qualities of the grill also mean that cooks use the minimum amount of propane required for a cookout.

The Patio Caddie May Be Too Short For Some

Using the Char-Broil Patio Caddie can be slightly troublesome for taller cooks, as it's not possible to adjust the height of the grill. The construction of the grill also came in for criticism from some users due to the number of parts they had to assemble before being able to use the grill. The handle on the front of the grill was also deemed too small to perform its designated function of wheeling the grill around.