Nothing says summer like cooking over an open fire. Whether it’s the salty sweetness of lightly charred corn or the rich, mellow flavor of smoked meats, warm weather is telling us to go outside and build a fire.
This is the time of year when, like a mole, the grill begins to poke out of the snow and become exposed its rusty, abandoned self. If you’re in need of a new grill this year, here’s our guide to the best portable grills. We’ve researched and tested dozens of them to see which one might be best.
For your other outdoor needs, check out our guide to Best camping gear, Best tent, Best raincoatand Best binoculars.
Updated May 2024: We’ve added Skotti grills, some Nomad grill accessories, and Ignik propane growers, and we’ve updated prices throughout.
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Best portable charcoal grill
Out of all the charcoal grills I tested, Weber Jumbo Joe achieve the best balance of affordability, features and ease of use. It’s big enough (18.5 inches in diameter) to smoke two racks of ribs or to fit burgers and corn on the cob for six people (admittedly, this place gets crowded) but small enough that you’ll still have room in the trunk for storing coolers and camping gear.
It’s one of the most versatile grills I’ve tested. Grilling, grilling, smoking—you can do it all with ease. Thanks to the dual vent system (one at the bottom, one at the top), you get the same level of granular temperature control as Weber’s large kettles.
It weighs 22 pounds and has a handle with a bar that fits on top to keep it warm and a lid that snaps together for easy portability. I’ve thrown mine in the back of the car to go to lakes and parks and it never tips over. The ash catcher at the bottom makes cleaning less of a hassle by allowing you to dump excess without removing the grill.
Jumbo Joe has a significant following on the internet. Fans have add thermometerfasten knobs to make it easier to open and close vents, attach hanging ash bins, and come up with creative ways to cook taller items, e.g. beer can chicken.
However, it’s not perfect. There is no thermometer included and Weber does not make a storage lid for the Jumbo Joe. If you want to cook with indirect heat, you’ll want to buy one hinged grill for $40 so you can add new fuel without removing the top grill and Charcoal basket $26 also helpful. Do yourself a favor, throw away your lighter fluid and get one charcoal chimney starter kit ($28).
Smaller alternative:
- Weber Smokey Joe Premium expense $46 at Amazon And $57 at Weber. This is our top pick for those who don’t need a larger Jumbo Joe. The downside is that you lose the bottom vent, which means less temperature control. It’s not a big deal unless you’re slow cooking. Smokey Joe is also more difficult to clean. But if you want a smaller kettle, this is a good choice.
The most luxurious upgraded charcoal grill
Nomad’s outstanding suitcase-style kitchen (8/10, WIRED recommended) is to bake what Yeti is a cooler: better in every way, but expensive. The Nomad is well-designed, sturdy, and easy to carry. It’s heavier than the Jumbo Joe at 28 pounds, but the shape and large handle actually make it easier for me to carry. Like the Jumbo Joe, the Nomad uses a dual ventilation system to achieve good airflow even when the lid is closed. The vents, combined with raised fins on the bottom of the grill (which lift your coals to allow air to circulate underneath), allow for precise control of both high and low temperatures.
The Nomad ships with a single grid, giving you 212 square inches of cooking space, slightly less than the Jumbo Joe above. In reality, this is not a big difference. I tried smoking nine chicken breasts, and another time I fit two ribs. If you need to grill for a crowd, get the second grill for $158, but even without it, I never felt cramped while cooking for five people (two adults, three hungry kids). For 2024 Nomad has introduced several new accessories, some of which are essential: Ash and coal shovel ($88). The shovel greatly simplifies cleaning your Nomad and should really be included when you buy a shovel. The other thing I really like is Carbon steel grill ($168). It requires seasoning, but once you’ve got it set up, it’ll turn your Nomad into a flattop that would make a Waffle House chef proud. Ventilation holes around the edges of the grill help air circulate and increase heat. It’s great, using the grill made me realize what I really love is the half-grill, half-griddle option for maximum cooking flexibility. (Technically, you could do this by using the grill plate on one half of the grill and the grill on the other half, but that requires twice as much charcoal.)
