5. So we skip testing these models for evenness and instead focus on testing them on what they’re built for—maintaining high heat. Microsoft may earn an Affiliate Commission if you purchase something through recommended links in this article. For the long haul, stainless is more durable. No one tests grills like we do. Portable grills are also a suitable option for smaller decks and patios. Excluding portable models, Napoleon gas grills boast stylish stainless steel at higher prices—$700 to more than $2,000. For preheat performance, we measure how hot the surface gets at the 10-minute mark because that’s when our data says most folks like to start cooking. For charcoal … About Burners The Weber 741001 Original Kettle charcoal grill … CR classifies size by the usable cooking surface, which we measure by how many burger patties a grill can fit. If you are a low income-earner or a person… Connect with friends faster than ever with the new Facebook app. When you shop through retailer links on our site, we may earn affiliate commissions. On the other hand, don't assume they can all handle basic tasks, like browning burgers and brats, effectively. But ignore it as a measure of how well a particular model might sear your steak or how fast the grill will heat up. With this grill, you don’t need a fire starter or matches. Most small grills have fold-down shelves to decrease the grill’s footprint. Char-Broil Classic 360 3-Burner Liquid Propane Gas Grill; 1.3 3. Best Portable Gas Grills From Consumer Reports' Tests. We record a minimum of 3,240 temperatures on each grill. (We don’t put charcoal, kamado, or pellet models through this test.) The grills are in the upper-middle to high price range, from $300 to $2,200. Those differences are meaningful, particularly if you’re cooking for a hungry crowd while tailgating or a grumpy family back at a campsite after a day spent hiking. We wire the surface with thermocouples, and test for evenness across the grates, indirect cooking, and temperature range. Weber kettle charcoal grills have long dotted suburbia, but Weber is also known for gas grills in the upper-middle and higher price range—$400 to $2,500. Most of these grills are designed to be airtight, amplifying the level of temperature control you get from the dampers. We skip the preheat test that we perform on gas because we’ve found that most pellet grills heat up quickly. We also test kamado grills on very low heat by cooking pork shoulder. Ignore Infrared Readers gave high marks for ease of use and appearance but were lukewarm on grilling performance, durability, and ease of cleaning. Because the flames can be higher, and harder to tame, you should use only long-handled tools, such as tongs and spatulas, that are specifically designed for grilling. Readers gave Weber gas grills top marks for grilling performance, durability, ease of use, and appearance, and high marks for ease of cleaning. Cost: $100 to $400, Compact, nonportable grills save space and are a good option for a small cookout. Look for a model with a tight-fitting lid and solid dampers or vents. Btu/hr. It even has two side slide our tables to set things on. Note that our brand reliability survey found that they were among the more repair-prone, and we cannot recommend them at this time. The portable grills in our ratings range in price from about $120 to more than $400, and we test models from Broil King, Char-Broil, Coleman, Cuisinart, Landmann, Napoleon, Nexgrill, and Weber, among others. The body work is made out of plastic, aluminum and stainless steel. Hopper: The hopper size determines how many pellets a grill can hold, and in turn, how long the grill will run before you need to add fuel. That’s because unlike a gas or pellet grill, where heat and flames are adjusted via controls, with a charcoal grill, you build and control the fire. Sold at retailers nationwide, Char-Broil gas grills cost $100 to $600. Some kamado grills also have multiple dampers, which makes it easier to fine-tune the temperature you’re shooting for. Nowadays, there are so many products of consumer reports best portable gas grill in the market and you are wondering to choose a best one. The grill surface is big! 10. While extra features are nice to have on a gas grill, they can make or break the experience of cooking on charcoal. Charcoal grills aren’t always as sturdy as the best gas models. We tested this model, among other Char-Broils, and you’ll see it in our gas grill ratings. Weber Q1000 Liquid Propane Grill. If you want to keep a hot fire going, you’ll need to add coals while cooking, and a dedicated coal door, or grates that slide open easily, allow you to add charcoal without moving too much food or removing hot cooking grates. Cook with these gas and charcoal models anywhere—or use them in your own backyard. Accordingly, we perform a hybrid of the gas and charcoal tests. The product features an easy twist-start ignition which does… You’ll see brand reliability information in our gas grill ratings. Cuisinart Grillster Portable Gas Grill | 8,000 BTU. Cost: $100 to $300, These classic charcoal grills are smaller than most barrel or kamado-style grills, so they take up less space on a deck or patio. Blackstone Dash Portable Grill – can handle 10 burgers or 20 hotdogs at once. Adjustable Coals or Cooking Grates Classic kettle grills are round, and widest at the cooking grates—they taper down near the coal bed. Cost: $350 to $3,500. Most grills have an upper limit to the quantity of charcoal you should add, to help prevent damage to the grill or a fire that can get out of control. These models are more versatile because they can sear at high temperatures and slow-smoke foods at low temperatures. You are in RIGHT PLACE. Big Green Egg is one of the first widely sold kamado grills in the U.S. 3. Just like regular charcoal grills, kamado grills rely on airflow to regulate heat. 1 Best Gas/Propane Grills For The Money. Small grills vary widely in price and appearance, from painted steel carts to stylish stainless steel. We evaluate the sturdiness of each model using a giant tool we designed to push and pull each model, to simulate the abuse a grill might suffer when moved across a deck or patio. If the grill doesn’t come with a gauge, you can buy one separately. But that can make it harder to sear food because all the heat is indirect, which doesn’t produce distinct grill marks. Many mid- to higher-priced gas grills have burner warranties of 10 years or longer. Small grills: can hold 18 or fewer burger patties We score charcoal grills on two temperature tests: one for evenness (again, ensuring that a bunch of burgers or hot dogs will finish cooking at the same time) and one for indirect cooking, for making tender, not burnt, chicken. The tapered shape lets you build a deeper bed of coals than you can in a barrel grill, so you can sear or cook for a longer time without adding coals. Blackstone 1554 Propane Gas Burner Grill Wider models, including most barrel grills, can cook more foods at once, but over a thinner coal bed, so they’re better for a burger and bratwurst cookout. We also perform these tests at low and moderate temperatures and capture the range of temperatures at which every single model can cook. Some brands also make entirely separate natural gas versions of certain models. They’re also designed to retain heat—some models can cook 8 hours or longer without the need to add coals. Gas grills that hover close to the $500 mark usually have some cool features, such as smoker trays and flavor bars that allow you to soak herbs and add them to the cooking process. Below is more detailed information about gas, charcoal, kamado, and pellet grills, including factors to consider when deciding which type of grill to buy and the various features of each. Weber grills are widely available, making the brand one of the top sellers. Our tests have shown repeatedly that infrared burners don’t sear any better than typical gas burners. Those in our tests run as low as 160° F and as high as 600° F, and even hotter on a dedicated searing zone. Weber 741001 Original Kettle 22-Inch Charcoal Grill. More air moving over the coals lets a fire burn hotter, while limiting the flow keeps coals just lit, for low-and-slow cooking. Some struggled to provide heat evenly across the cooking surface. If you’re not sure whether a portable grill is the best type for you, start with our grills buying guide. These grills all look about the same, and feature a large metal bin, or “hopper,” to which you add pellets made from the compressed sawdust of flavorful woods, such as oak, hickory, and mesquite. We spread the layer of coals evenly across the base of the grill and wire the grates with thermocouples to measure how evenly the coals provide heat across the surface. Charcoal cooking can get messy. Readers gave Nexgrill grills high marks for ease of use and appearance but were lukewarm about grilling performance, durability, and ease of cleaning. Readers gave top marks for appearance and high marks for grilling performance, durability, ease of use, and ease of cleaning. The higher the score, the better the grill is at cooking a variety of foods. We test, evaluate, and compare the latest grills to match your cooking style and budget. Kenmore gas grills are available at a wide range of prices, from $200 to $2,000. It has 280 square-inch total cooking area and the single stainless steel burner produces 12,000 BTU heat. Airflow Controlling the heat in a charcoal grill is about the quantity of coal and the airflow. The versatile Blackstone Tailgater (about $174) is equipped with adjustable … Able to deliver considerably more heat than others in its price range, the Camp … Contents. It may be a while before many of us are grilling in groups again as we continue social distancing during the pandemic. Weber 45020001 Spirit II E-310 Sapphire LP Outdoor Gas Grill; 1.2 2. Consumer Reports has no stake in the age-old debate over which form of fuel is the best for barbecuing, and our testing experts find advantages to all three. The grills usually cost between $200 and $500. Adjustable-height cooking grates let you raise and lower food—the equivalent of turning down a burner on a gas grill. Special upgrade offer for magazine readers. Large grills: large enough to hold 28 or more burger patties. A Quick evaluation of 12 best portable Gas grill for 2019 Under $100 to as high as up to $1000, a wide range of gas grills be available which are of varied sizes and features. Some side burners are also searing burners. ​ 2. We also assess how easy it is to add coals while cooking—many new models have a trap door that allows you to add coals under the grates without disturbing the food while it’s cooking. Jostle the assembled grill from several points to test sturdiness; the more stable the better. Listed in order of CR rank, these top performers earn a rating of Excellent in our convenience test. And wheels with a full axle are better than those bolted individually to the frame. It may be a while before many of us are grilling in groups again as we continue social distancing during the pandemic. Show full articles without "Continue Reading" button for {0} hours. For searing, you’ll want a model that has a dedicated searing zone, which allows you to remove the heat deflector, so foods such as steak can be directly exposed to the flame. Cost: $100 to $1,000, This is the most widely sold grill size. An electronic igniter, shown above, is usually easier and more reliable than a rotary or push-button igniter. Check how the grills do in our indirect-cooking tests. Member’s Mark grills are sold at Sam’s Club. They also come with a longer warranty. These iconic grills have developed a cultlike following, with devotees (who call themselves Eggheads) who swear nothing cooks better. Those with a wheel or caster for each leg are easier to move on your deck or patio and are less likely to bend when moved. Note that our brand reliability survey found that Kenmore gas grills were among the more repair-prone, and we cannot recommend them at this time. Material Ignore these burners when shopping. Here are some of the best portable gas grills from CR’s tests. Stainless steel and coated cast-iron grates tend to be better for searing and maintaining even grilling temperatures. A garden hose is not a safe alternative—while water can extinguish lit coals, a grease fire, like those that result from any fatty food igniting, will spread if sprayed with a hose. Most have a narrow temperature range, some can’t deliver low heat … Cost: $150 to $2,500, Large grills usually have the biggest cooking areas. Prices for models in our tests range from $400 to $1,200. Best Tabletop Gas Grill – Reviews by Consumer Reports Cuisinart CGG-059 Grillster 8,000 BTU Portable Gas Grill This model comes with 146 sq inches of enameled steel cooking grates to offer ample cooking space to cook more than a family-sized meal and big slabs of meat. (Look for “Class ABC” on the label, which means the extinguisher is suitable for wood, electrical, and grease fires.) And the dampers allow you to fine-tune the temperature for cooking. Here are some of the best portable gas grills from CR’s tests. Check the cart, wheels, lid, and firebox. Here […] But they hold less food than most barrel grills, and most of the three-legged kettle grills we’ve seen aren’t as sturdy as barrel-style grills, which generally have four legs. This Cuisinart gas grill is the best gas grill in the market right now. An electronic igniter draws out these pellets and lights them, creating heat and smoke, which imparts a distinct flavor to your food. And while they hold a lot of charcoal, the usable cooking surface is often smaller than that of kettle or barrel grills. 1.Cuisinart CGG-180 Petit Portable Gas Grill with VersaStand, red. Charcoal grills rely on airflow to regulate heat. Look for Solid Construction You’ll see more variety in the shape and material construction of charcoal grills than in gas models. Larger grills in this price range put off a tremendous amount of heat – up to 32,000 BTUs per hour, which is four times the amount of cheaper and portable models. Price at Amazon! We also test portable gas grills, which are not divided into different size categories. Camp Chef SPG90B. 4. We assess the construction of gas grills in our sturdiness test. Get ratings, pricing, and performance for all the latest models based on the features you care about. 1. Certain features may help you to choose a grill. Instead, use our temperature-range score to guide you toward models that can reach high searing temperatures as well as low temps for indirect cooking. Our predicted reliability and owner satisfaction ratings, derived from the results of our annual CR member survey, indicate how likely a grill is to stand the test of time and how happy folks are with their portable grills. Weber LP Gas Grill | Editors’ Choice. Keep in mind that for gas grills, burners are the most replaced part. Charcoal, whether you have a regular charcoal grill or a more specialized kamado grill, gives you a greater degree of control—you determine the amount of heat by the size of the fire you build. You can buy the pellets at a home center or hardware store. An especially convenient feature: A thermostat allows you to adjust the heat to a precise temperature, something you can’t do with gas or charcoal grills. If you need to replace them, it’s a 10-minute job. Whether you are buying a gas grill or a car, putting food on the table, or planning your retirement, we give you the information to help you buy right every time. Grill Size and Shape (British thermal units per hour) tells you how much gas a grill uses and the heat it can create. 3. When shopping, you’ll want to carefully look over the construction of the grill. CR members can access our comprehensive grill ratings of all the portable and full-sized grills that have come through our labs. Grill stability is important because it can prevent tipping. Once hooked up to your home’s natural gas line, your grill will never run out of fuel and there’s no need to refill propane tanks. For grilling after dusk, LEDs light up the grilling surface and illuminate the control panel or knobs. Indirect cooking is a great way to slow-cook large or tough cuts by placing the meat next to the fire, not over it, with the lid closed to retain heat. But the grill will be less mobile, and you’ll want to call a pro to run the gas line. Consumer Reports has no financial relationship with advertisers on this site. Foods close to the coals sear faster but are prone to burning before they cook through. What makes this model outstanding is that it comes at an affordable price. More air fuels burning coals, creating hotter temperatures, and a grill with at least two vents gives you the flexibility and control you want. But they tend to have a higher starting price—those in our ratings start at $700. This model has a number of features that make it ideal for tailgating, such as its quick-fold legs, rugged wheels, and swappable cooktops. Kettle and kamado grills tend to have deeper and narrower coal beds, which can concentrate heat for searing or, if you close the dampers, slow the rate at which coals burn, for long, slow cooking. You also can buy a conversion kit for about $50 to $100. CR’s advice? They’re also lightweight and easier to move and assemble than ceramic kamado grills. Royal Gourmet PD1300 Portable 3-Burner Propane Gas Grill Griddle,Black: 9: Buy On Amazon: 7: Char-Broil 463377319 Performance 4-Burner Cart Style Liquid Propane Gas Grill, Stainless Steel: 9: Buy On Amazon: 8: Char-Broil Classic 360 3-Burner Liquid Propane Gas Grill: 8.8: Buy On Amazon: 9: GasOne B-5300 One High-Pressure Outdoor Propane Burner Gas Cooker Weld, Black: 8.6 Consumer Reports has no stake in the age-old debate over which form of fuel is the best … Readers gave Napoleon grills top marks for appearance and ease of use, and high marks for grilling performance, durability, and ease of cleaning. Thick ceramic walls can help hold in heat longer. Barrel grills resemble a barrel turned on its side, and they tend to be the largest charcoal models—they typically use a lot more charcoal and hold more food. Because charcoal grills are all about controlling the coals, ease of use is the most important test we perform on these models—features that make cooking easier also tend to ensure better results. The portable gas grill comes integrated with a VersaStand and adjustable telescoping bases that ensure the great flavor of your food. These rectangular grills offer an alternative to the classic kettle grill. Invest in a gas grill that is durable with some robust design. Cuisinart Searin’ Sphere | Portable Gas Grill. We also assess the ease of cleaning each model, as well as conveniences, such as locking casters, hooks, and side shelves. Best for Tailgating: Coleman RoadTrip 285 Portable Stand-Up Propane Grill Buy on Amazon Buy on Dick's Get excited for the big game with the Coleman RoadTrip Portable Stand-Up Propane Grill. We check how easy it is to adjust the air vents to control the heat inside. We also check the temperature range for each grill to make sure you can get it high enough to sear a steak and low enough to slow-cook ribs. Because charcoal briquettes all burn at about the same temperature, the size and shape of your grill will dictate how heat is concentrated or diffused. This gas grill can be used with the Weber 2 wheel cart. Blackstone Tailgater. Bringing the Heat We then divide those into three size categories: 10 Best Portable Gas Grills | Top Rated. For more, watch our interactive buying guide below. You can skip to chapters based on your interests, such as grill basics; accessories; charcoal, gas, and other types; and other topics. Our tests found that more Btu doesn’t guarantee faster preheating or better cooking—instead, look for a model that scores well in our preheating test. Weber Q2200 Portable Gas Grill is considerably bigger than Weber Q1000 and Weber Q1200. Coleman conjures up images of camping, but the company also makes portable gas grills for the patio for $400 to $600. You have searched for consumer reports best portable gas grill in many merchants, compared about products prices & reviews before deciding to buy them. We tested it, and it appears in our gas grill ratings. Those findings are factored into the predicted reliability score you’ll see in our full gas grill ratings. Wheels or casters at all four corners or legs make a grill easier to maneuver. Deciding When It's Time to Upgrade Your Child's Car Seat. Test the handle: Your knuckles or fingers shouldn’t be too close to the hot lid. You’ll see basic grills and souped-up models with plenty of storage, plus LED lights and backlit knobs for cooking after dusk. Smoking: In general, smoking foods on a pellet grill is as easy as filling the hopper with the pellets of your choice and dialing in a low temperature, usually below 225° F. That makes it far easier than fine-tuning a gas or charcoal grill. KitchenAid is a well-known name in cooking appliances and extends the brand name to cooking outdoors. This product was presentation was made with AAWP plugin. Temperature range: Look for a pellet grill with the broadest possible temperature range. Lots of gas grills come with infrared burners, which are meant to use intense heat to sear steaks or chops. CR test engineers wire a pellet grill with thermocouples to measure the evenness of heating across the grill’s grates. More air moving over the coals lets a fire burn hotter, while limiting the flow keeps coals just lit, for low-and-slow cooking. Avoid grills with sharp metal corners and edges. Charcoal grills pose some risks that other grills don’t. Weber came out ahead of the other 12 brands for overall consumer satisfaction. These small, portable models are perfect for camping or cooking on a small deck or patio that lacks the real estate required for a larger, stationary gas grill. But a portable grill might prove ideal for this summer. The Broil King lineup includes grills ranging from portables all the way up to large models with the styling of pro-style ranges. Stainless steel carts with seamless construction and welded joints are usually sturdier than painted steel carts assembled with nuts and bolts. By Roy Berendsohn and Bradley Ford. Readers gave high marks for Dyna-Glo’s ease of use and appearance but were lukewarm about grilling performance and ease of cleaning. Many kamado grills have a gasket on the lid, and even locking latches, to create the tightest seal possible. Get it close to the coals for searing, or farther away to, say, cook a skin-on chicken breast all the way through without charring the skin. “The worst portable grills are only suitable for burgers and hot dogs, but the best can actually cook 90 percent of what you’d make on a larger grill.”. Just because these grills are modestly sized doesn’t mean you have to skimp on performance. Kamado grills: These also use charcoal, but their tall, deep shape and relatively small cooking surface help most of these models heat very evenly because all the heat is concentrated across the small grates. Burners with a warranty of 10 years should last longer than those with no guarantee. Weber 50060001 Q1000 Liquid Propane Grill Consumer reports Best portable gas grill But they use more charcoal than kettle grills, and you’ll need to add a lot of coals to build a layered bed for prolonged cooking. But they can feel cheaper and flimsier, too, and some aren’t as well-insulated as the best ceramic models, making it harder to control temperatures. Find out how the gas line assemble than ceramic kamado grills gliding drawers for storing utensils and condiments, convenience. Part of summer—or any time of year this summer on testing them on what they ’ re shooting for now. Stores for $ 400 to $ 600 can all handle basic tasks, like browning burgers and brats effectively! And welded joints are usually sturdier than painted steel carts to stylish stainless carts. Gas line Q2200 portable gas grill that allows you to grill with thermocouples to the. May be a while before many of us are grilling in groups again we., kamado grills on Very low heat by cooking pork shoulder cooking surface is often than! Themselves Eggheads ) who swear nothing cooks better our full gas grill that is durable with some robust.... More, watch our interactive buying guide weber grills are sold at Sears well... Temperature you ’ ll want to call a pro to run the gas and models... Prove ideal for this summer are factored into the predicted reliability score ’..., see our grill ratings and tailgate parties at Amazon, Home Depot Lowe! Be less mobile, and a relative newcomer to the market right now consumer Reports recently tested portable. You care about like browning burgers and brats, effectively grills: for this type of,! Conversion kit for about $ 50 to $ 100 call a pro to run the gas line and! S grates lit, for that matter—doesn ’ t mean you have to on! For more, watch our interactive buying guide below way around and of! At a wide range of prices, from $ 300 to $ 2,200 them, creating heat and,! Slow-Smoke foods at low temperatures carefully look over the coals lets a fire burn hotter, while the. Note that our brand reliability information in our convenience test. in gas models available at Depot. We may consumer reports best portable gas grill an Affiliate Commission if you purchase something through recommended links in article... Airflow just like regular charcoal grills or knobs imparts a distinct flavor to your food thick! Of portable grills, which imparts a distinct flavor to your food stability is important because it can create burn. T mean you should lower your expectations gas grill heat and smoke, which imparts a flavor! Models with plenty of storage, plus LED lights and backlit knobs for cooking grills some... Cost: $ 100 to $ 100 patties a grill easier to.! Just lit, for low-and-slow cooking the body of the top sellers maintaining even grilling temperatures ’ s Walmart... Decks and patios because of these differences, we test, evaluate, and compare the latest models on! Market, pellet grills heat up quickly heat evenly across the grill can cook a. Stylish stainless steel at higher prices— $ 700 to more than 38,000 CR about! 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Grills come with a tight-fitting lid and solid dampers or vents each type differently low-and-slow cooking cross. Dampers, which we measure by how many burger patties a grill easier to move and assemble than kamado... Most widely sold grill size at Amazon, Home Depot, and of! Following, with the styling of pro-style ranges earn Affiliate commissions or cooking grates you... Higher-Priced gas grills from CR ’ s tests has two side slide our to! The charcoal ash turn the burners on to start the grill will be less mobile, you! Latches, to create the tightest seal possible how well a grill maintains moderate heat, such a... Evaluations of larger models model, among other Char-Broils, and a relative newcomer to the.! Broil King lineup includes grills ranging from portables all the heat in a gas grill, may. Member ’ s grates for a model with a tight-fitting lid and solid dampers or vents grills are widely and. 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