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Nothing says summer quite like cooking over an open flame. Whether it's the salty sweetness on that lightly charred freshly grilled corn or the rich smoothness of smoked meat summer begs us to get outside and light a fire.
Sure, the true grilling enthusiast is outdoors checking the temp on their smoker even when the wind chill is in the single digits. For most of us though, the grilling season starts on Memorial Day, we really hit our stride around the Fourth of July, and after those final Labor Day hot dogs are gone, the grill goes rolling back into the garage.
We've looked at full size [gas](https://www.wired.com/2016/05/best-gas-grills/) and [charcoal grills](https://www.wired.com/2016/05/best-charcoal-grills/) in the past, but with the summer travel season in full swing we wanted to find the best ways to get your grill on wherever you go.
*(Note: When you buy something using the retail links in our stories, we may earn a small affiliate commission. [Read more](https://www.wired.com/2015/11/affiliate-link-policy/) about how this works.)*
### Best Overall Charcoal
Of the charcoal grills I tested, the [Weber Jumbo Joe](https://www.weber.com/US/en/grills/portable-grills/jumbo-joe-series/1211001.html){: rel=nofollow} strikes the best balance of affordability, features, and ease of use. It's big enough (18.5 inches in diameter) to handle meals for six people, but small enough that you'll still have room in the trunk for a cooler and camping supplies.
It's one of the most versatile grills I tested, grilling, barbecuing and smoking with ease. Thanks to its dual vent system (one at the bottom, one at the top), you get the same fine-grained level of temperature control you'll find in Weber's full size kettles.
The Jumbo Joe offers 240 inches of cooking space. That's enough room to smoke two racks of ribs, or fit burgers and corn for six people (admittedly, this was crowded). It weighs 22 pounds and features a handle with a bar that fits over the top and keeps the kettle and lid together for easy carrying. I tossed mine in the back of our car from trips to the lake and the park and it never tipped over. The ash catcher at the bottom makes cleaning less of a hassle by allowing you to dump the excess without removing the grill grates.
As much as I like the Jumbo Joe, it's not perfect. If you want to do any indirect heat cooking, you'll want to buy the [hinged grill grate for $25](https://www.amazon.com/Weber-7436-Replacement-Hinged-Cooking/dp/B000WEPHKW/){: rel=nofollow} so you can feed in fresh fuel without removing the top grill. To my mind the hinged grate should be included by default, as should a thermometer, but neither are. The other drawback is that, inexplicably, Weber does not make a cover for the Jumbo Joe.
While there's no cover, there are quite a few accessories available for the Jumbo Joe, both from Weber and third-parties. Some of these cost many times more than the grill itself—like the [Kettle Pizza Kit for $115](https://www.amazon.com/Kettle-Pizza-KPB-18-2-Inch-Grills/dp/B005V95DMA){: rel=nofollow}—but the one I highly recommend for slow cooks, aside from the hinged grill grate, is a [charcoal basket for $17](https://www.amazon.com/Weber-7403-Char-Basket-Charcoal-Briquet/dp/B000WEMGM4/){: rel=nofollow}.
The Jumbo Joe has a considerable following on the internet. Fans have hacked their grills to [add thermometers](http://olddavespo-farm.blogspot.com/search/label/Weber%20Jumbo%20Joe%20Review), knobs to make it easier to open and close vents, add [hanging ash cans](http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/weber-kettles-accessories/jumbo-joe-mods/), as well as creative ways to cook taller fare, like [beer can chicken](https://www.bbqdryrubs.com/weber-jumbo-joe-beer-can-chicken/).
**[Buy the Weber Jumbo Joe for $70 from Weber](https://www.weber.com/US/en/grills/portable-grills/jumbo-joe-series/1211001.html){: rel=nofollow} or [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Weber-1211001-Jumbo-18-Inch-Portable/dp/B0098HR0RC/){: rel=nofollow}.**
***Smaller Alternative**: The [Smokey Joe Premium for $45](https://www.weber.com/US/en/grills/portable-grills/smokey-joe-series/40020.html){: rel=nofollow} (on [Walmart](https://www.walmart.com/ip/Weber-40020-Smokey-Joe-Premium-14-Inch-Portable-Grill/178598853){: rel=nofollow}, [Home Depot](https://www.homedepot.com/p/Weber-Smokey-Joe-Premium-Portable-Charcoal-Grill-in-Black-40020/100401878){: rel=nofollow}) is Weber's 14-inch grill and would be our top pick for anyone who doesn't need the larger Jumbo Joe (and spring for the Premium, which features the same lid closure as the Jumbo, trust us, it's worth the $10). The big downside to the Smokey Joe is you lose the lower vent of the Jumbo Joe, which means less control over temperature. If you're not slow cooking that's not a huge deal, but worth knowing. The Smokey Joe was also somewhat more difficult to clean out. Still, if you want a smaller kettle this is a good way to go.*
### Best Overall Propane
I would argue that charcoal is superior to propane if flavor is your only criteria. In an ideal world flavor would be the only criteria, but we live in a world where grilling sometimes happens after hours in Friday traffic and while you're also trying to set up a tent, inflate a mattress, and wrangle hungry children. Sometimes the convenience of propane trumps charcoal.
For those times your best bet is the Weber 1200 Q grill. The Weber strikes the best balance between ease of use, cooking performance and minimizing flare ups. To test the latter I marinated some chicken in lemon juice and olive oil and laid it on the grills. Every grill here flared somewhat, but the 1200 Q (and the Coleman below) have heavy enameled cast iron grates that are closed over the actual burners, which helps keep the flaring under control.
With 186 inches of cook space the 1200 Q is big enough for a family for four. It has a thermometer and some side tables to put your plates and tongs. It's also a champ at keeping a constant, even heat in pretty much any condition. One afternoon a storm blew in, but kept I grilling despite the high wind and rain. The 1200 Q just kept on cooking.
The main downside is the weight. For the cooking space it offers, the 1200 Q is big and heavy. It may be totally unfazed by weather, but it isn't the easiest to carry. If you're planning to bring it with you everywhere you go it's worth investing in the [wheeled stand for $80](https://www.weber.com/US/en/accessories/merchandise-and-outdoor-lifestyle/carts/6557.html){: rel=nofollow} (which also serves to save some space on the picnic table).
As with its charcoal cousin, there are plenty of accessories for the 1200 Q, including a [griddle for $45](https://www.weber.com/US/en/accessories/cooking/griddles-and-planchas/6558.html){: rel=nofollow} and a nice [cover for $16](https://www.weber.com/US/en/accessories/care/covers-and-carry-bags/7110.html){: nofollow} to protect it from the elements..
**[Buy the Weber 1200 Q for $209 from Weber](https://www.weber.com/US/en/grills/gas-grills/q-series/51010001.html){: rel=nofollow} or [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RFXS1Z6/){: rel=nofollow}.**
***Even Smaller Alternative**: The [Weber 1000 Q for $179](https://www.weber.com/US/en/grills/gas-grills/q-series/50060001.html){: rel=nofollow} ([Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Weber-50060001-Q1000-Liquid-Propane/dp/B00FDOONEC/){: rel=nofollow} or [Home Depot](https://www.homedepot.com/p/Weber-Q-1000-1-Burner-Portable-Propane-Gas-Grill-in-Titanium-50060001/204612517){: rel=nofollow}) is nearly identical to Weber's 1200 Q, but loses the thermometer and side tables. The result is a more compact, though still pretty heavy, grill. If you don't need the tables and want to save a few dollars this is a good way to go.*
### Best for a Couple (Propane)
As noted above, the best smaller charcoal option is the Weber Smokey Joe Premium. For couple and small families looking for the convenience of propane, I suggest the Coleman Roadtrip 225 Portable. It most of what the Weber 1200 Q has, but is slightly smaller and lighter.
The Coleman also gives you the option to use only one burner to grill just a couple burgers without draining your propane tank. Variable controls also mean you can sear veggies on one side while cooking meat a bit slower on the other side.
There's a grease pan to catch drips while cooking, and it's removable for easy cleaning. You also get push button ignition and 11,000 BTUs of propane grilling power. What the Coleman lacks is a thermometer. The other problem is the lack of latch on the lid. It's not enough to stop me from recommending it, but it's worth considering that carrying the Coleman requires two hands.
Coleman, probably best known for its stoves, has made some accessories that allow you to use half the stove as a griddle or even a regular stove burner so you can simmer beans while the hot dogs are grilling. We didn't test the accessories, but the [Griddle](https://www.coleman.com/roadtrip-swaptop-cast-iron-griddle/2000019874.html){: rel=nofollow} and [Stove Grate](https://www.amazon.com/Coleman-RoadTrip-Swaptop-Steel-Stove/dp/B00S57U6KY/){: rel=nofollow} both get high marks in other reviews around the web.
**[Buy the Coleman Roadtrip 225 Portable for $160 from Coleman](https://www.coleman.com/grills/coleman-roadtrip-225-portable-tabletop-propane-grill/Roadtrip225TableTop.html){: rel=nofollow} or [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BLHCHX6/ref=twister_B07CV6WCJ2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1){: rel=nofollow}.**
### Best When Smoking for a Crowd
While our top charcoal pick, the Weber Jumbo Joe, is a capable smoker, it's not large enough to squeeze in more than two racks of ribs, and even those will need to be cut in half. While Oklahoma Joe's Rambler is technically smaller at 218 inches of grilling space, its rectangular design lends itself to longer cuts of meat like ribs.
Oklahoma Joe's is well known for its full size smokers, but the Rambler is a relatively new effort to bring the power of the full size smoker to the table top. The result is mostly successful. It has a built-in thermometer, large dampers to control temperature, and is by far the most solidly constructed of all the grills here.
Getting the Rambler ready for your first cook takes a bit more work, it has the most complex assembly of this bunch, and you'll need to season the case iron grill grates, but the results are worth it. I barbecued and smoked up some wonderful results with this grill, including some really nice smoked cauliflower I wasn't able to duplicate on the others.
The downside to the Rambler is that it's heavy. If you're just going from car to picnic table that's not a big deal, but if you've got a decent walk, say down the bluffs to the beach, the Rambler gets heavy and is awkward to carry alone. If you want your smoke and your secluded spot that's a good walk from the car, grab a friend and carry the Rambler one on each side.
**[Buy the Rambler for $149 from Oklahoma Joe's](https://www.oklahomajoes.com/rambler-tabletop-charcoal-grill){: rel=nofollow} or [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Oklahoma-Joes-19402088-Portable-Charcoal/dp/B07JZ7YRVR){: rel=nofollow}.**
### Best for Last Minute Grilling Emergencies
If you've never cooked over infrared heat it's worth studying up a little before you dive in. Cooking over extremely high heat of infrared is very different than typical grilling. It took me a few failures—neither or which I can attribute to the grills—before I got the hang of it. The theory is simple: heat a ceramic element with flame and then let the radiant heat from the element do the actual cooking.
When you're in a hurry to get dinner on the table, infrared cooking, even more so than regular propane, is your friend. Fire it up, let the heating element get to temp (about five minutes) and you have a grill capable of 500-600 degree searing. Veggies need 30 seconds a side and have beautiful grill marks. Thin steaks like flank or skirt take a mere minute or two per side and turn out incredibly juicy and flavorful.
The best infrared option I tested with the Char-Broil X200. Char-Broil calls its infrared "TRU Infrared" and claims that it eliminates flare-ups, which is almost true. It flares less than I would have expected, and the flares don't last long, but get something good and juicy on there, marinated chicken or brats for instance, and it'll flare.
Like the Weber 1200 Q, the X200 is very well built. It's sturdy, yet only weighs 20 pounds, and the lid locks tightly.
The downside to the X200 is that it can get too hot. It's difficult to do anything but sear. Turning it down means the flame, which is tiny to begin with, tends to get blown out by the slightest breeze. This is appears to be a problem with infrared in general though, not just the X200 as I had the same problem with the Solaire option mentioned below.
Still, despite that flaw infrared will spoil you. Decide you want to grill some veggies five minutes for dinner is supposed to be done? With the X200 that's no problem.
**[Char-Broil X200 for $88.79 from Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BFPMLI8){: rel=nofollow} or [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Oklahoma-Joes-19402088-Portable-Charcoal/dp/B07JZ7YRVR){: rel=nofollow}.**
**Alternative: The [Solaire Anywhere for $389](https://besthot.store/anywhere/){: rel=nofollow} (or [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Solaire-Anywhere-Portable-Infrared-Stainless/dp/B002VLYAVQ){: rel=nofollow}) is another possibility. While I enjoyed this grill and its ceramic heating surface works much better than the X200's metal surface, it is even more of a fair weather grill. I had nothing but problems with it in even the slightest breeze. The design means that wind coming from the front can easily blow out the burners. Worse, because infrared flame is so small to begin with, you might not notice that your flame is gone right away. I liked everything else about the Solaire, and the company is well-known for its full size backyard infrared options, but at this price, with this flaw, the Anywhere is a tough sell.
### Testing Methods
Terms "grilling" and "barbecue" are often used interchangeably, which is fine, but if you get serious about cooking over flame you'll want to learn the distinction often used by enthusiasts: "grilling" usually means cooking directly over high heat, while "barbecue" typically refers to cooking over indirect heat for longer periods of time. You grill steak. You barbecue ribs.
To test the grills I used both methods, grilling everything from steak to salmon to corn, even kale. In fact [this recipe for grilled kale](https://www.marksdailyapple.com/sweet-and-spicy-grilled-kale-with-ginger-steak/){: rel=nofollow} is my go-to for testing how hard it is to clean a grill. It makes delicious kale, but it's very messy.
For the charcoal options I also barbecued ribs and pulled pork. I have not tried brisket yet but I do believe it would be possible to do a smaller piece on the Jumbo Joe or the Oklahoma Joe.
In the end all of these grills preformed well and you really can't go wrong with any of them (there definitely are some grills where you can go wrong, but I have not included any of those here). In the end, to get the best grill you need to first figure out how you cook when you're camping or out and about.
### Stop using Propane Bottles
The ubiquitous disposable green propane bottle is convenient, but a [huge source of pollution](https://www.refuelyourfun.org/). It's illegal in many jurisdictions to throw them in the trash, though that doesn't stop many people it seems, given how many of these turn up in landfills every year. Don't be that person though. There are re-fillable [bottles available](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07F9LCYRT){: rel=nofollow}, which we suggest using if you must have the smaller size canister.
If you have room the far better, and even cheaper, way to go is a small re-fillable [propane cylinder for $55](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KOLF1IQ/){: rel=nofollow}. I find, cooking outdoors over both stove and grill three meals a day, that this tank will last about two weeks. It's small and light enough to not be any more difficult to cart around than the four to six one pound bottles it replaces.
### Other Grills to consider
PARTY PAIL CHARCOAL GRILL
https://www.coleman.com/party-pail-charcoal-grill/2000023831.html?cgid=coleman-stovesandgrills-grills#start=14
Old Smokey: https://www.oldsmokey.com/products/14-old-smokey-charcoal-grill?variant=378333031
Suggestions, kill this and redirect to new one: https://www.wired.com/2016/05/best-portable-grills/
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