Nothing says summer like cooking over an open flame. Whether it’s the salty sweetness of lightly charred corn or the rich smoothness of smoked meats, warm weather beckons us to get outside and light a fire.
This time of year, the grill sticks out of the snow like a marmot, showing its rusty, neglected self. If you’re in need of a new grill this year, here’s our guide to the very best portable grills. We researched and tested dozens of them to find out which brat performs best.
For your other outdoor needs, check out our guides to the best camping gear, best tents, best rain jackets and best binoculars.
Updated May 2024: We added the Skotti grill, some accessories for the Nomad grill, and the Ignik propane grill, and updated pricing throughout.
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The best portable charcoal grill
Of all the charcoal grills I tested, the Weber Jumbo Joe offers the best balance of affordability, features, and ease of use. It’s big enough (18.5 inches in diameter) to smoke two ribs or fit burgers and corn for six people (admittedly, it was crowded), but small enough that there’s still room in the trunk for a cooler and camping supplies.
It’s one of the most versatile grills I’ve tested. Grilling, grilling, smoking – it’s really easy. Thanks to its dual vent system (one at the bottom, one at the top), you get the same fine-grained temperature control as in Weber’s large kettles.
It weighs 22 pounds and features a handle with a bar that fits over the top to hold the kettle and lid together for easy carrying. On trips to the lake or the park, I threw my car in the back of my car and it never tipped over. The ash catcher on the bottom makes cleaning less hassle as you can dispose of the excess ash without having to remove the grill grates.
Jumbo Joe has a sizable online following. Fans have added thermometers, attached buttons to make it easier to open and close vents, added hanging ashtrays, and come up with creative ways to prepare larger foods, such as: B. Chicken from beer cans.
However, it’s not perfect. There is no thermometer included and Weber does not make a storage case for the Jumbo Joe. If you want to cook with indirect heat, this is what you should buy folding grill grate for $40 This allows you to add fresh fuel without having to remove the top grill Charcoal basket for $26 is also useful. Do yourself a favor, throw away your lighter fluid and get one Charcoal Chimney Starter ($28).
Smaller alternative:
- The Weber Smokey Joe Premium is $46 on Amazon and $57 on Weber. This is our top choice for anyone who doesn’t need the larger Jumbo Joe. The downside is that you lose the bottom vent, which means less temperature control. This isn’t a big deal unless you cook slowly. The Smokey Joe was also harder to clean. However, if you want a smaller kettle, this is a good option.
Best luxury upgrade charcoal grill
Nomad’s eye-catching suitcase-style stove (8/10, WIRED recommends) is to grills what the Yeti is to coolers: better in every way, but expensive. The Nomad is well built, sturdy and easy to carry. At 28 pounds, it’s heavier than the Jumbo Joe, but the shape and large handle actually make it easier to carry in my experience. Like the Jumbo Joe, the Nomad also has a dual ventilation system to ensure good air circulation even when the lid is closed. The vents, combined with the raised slats on the bottom of the grill (which raise your charcoal and allow air to flow underneath), allow for precise control of both high and low temperatures.
The Nomad comes with a single rack and gives you 212 square inches of cooking space, slightly less than the Jumbo Joe above. In practice it’s not a big difference. I managed to smoke nine chicken breasts and another time I grilled two ribs. If you need to grill for a large crowd, get the second grill grate for $158, but even without it, I never felt cramped while cooking for five people (two adults, three voracious kids). For 2024, Nomad has introduced a few new accessories, one of which is essential: the Ash and Coal Shovel ($88). The scoop makes cleaning your Nomad a lot easier and honestly should be included with purchase. The other thing I really like is the Carbon Steel Griddle ($168). It needs seasoning, but once you get it set up, it turns your Nomad into a flattop that would make a Waffle House chef proud. Ventilation holes on the sides of the grill plate allow air to circulate and increase heat. As nice as it is, using the griddle made me realize what I would really love was a half grill, half grill option for maximum cooking flexibility. (Technically, you can achieve this by using your griddle on half of the grill and the griddle on the other, but this requires twice the amount of charcoal.)