Nothing says summer such as cooking on an open fire. Whether it's the salty sweetness of that lightly charred corn or the rich tenderness of smoked meat, warm weather begs us to get outside and light a fire.
This is the time of year when the grill, like a groundhog, begins to stick out of the snow and be visible his rusty, neglected self. If you need a new grill this year, here's our guide to the very best portable grills. We researched and tested dozens of them to see which one is the best for snoring.
For your other outdoor needs, check out our guides for the Best camping equipment, Best tents, Best raincoatsand the Best binoculars.
Updated May 2024: We've added the Skotti grill, some accessories for the Nomad grill, and the Ignik propane growler, and we've updated prices 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 between 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, this was busy), but small enough that you still have room in the trunk for a cooler and camping gear.
It's one of the most versatile grills I've tested. Grilling, barbecuing, smoking: it's all possible with ease. Thanks to the dual ventilation system (one at the bottom, one at the top) you get the same fine level of temperature control as in Weber's large kettles.
It weighs 22 pounds and has a handle with a bar that fits over the top to hold the kettle and lid together so you can carry it easily. I threw mine in the back of the car on trips to the lake and park and it never fell over. The ash catcher at the bottom makes cleaning less of a hassle as you can dump the excess waste without removing the cooking grates.
The Jumbo Joe has a significant following on the Internet. Having fans thermometers addedpinned buttons to make opening and closing the vents easier, attached hanging ashtrays, and come up with creative ways to prepare larger items such as beer can chicken.
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 on indirect heat, you should buy this hinged cooking grate for $40 allowing you to introduce fresh fuel without removing the top grille, and the $26 Charcoal Basket is also useful. Do yourself a favor, throw away your lighter fluid and buy one Charcoal Chimney Starter ($28).
Smaller alternative:
- The Weber Smokey Joe Premium cost $46 at Amazon And $57 at Weber. This is our top pick for anyone who doesn't need the larger Jumbo Joe. The downside is that you lose the bottom vent, which means less temperature control. That's not a big problem unless you cook slowly. The Smokey Joe was also more difficult to clean. But if you want a smaller kettle, this is a good option.
Best Luxury Upgrade Charcoal Grill
Nomad's striking suitcase-style stove (8/10, WIRED recommended) is for grills what the Yeti is for coolers: better in every way, but expensive. The Nomad is well built, 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 to carry in my experience. 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 the raised fins on the bottom of the grill (which raise your charcoal allowing air to flow underneath), provide precise control of both high and low temperatures.
The Nomad comes with a single rack, giving you 212 square inches of cooking space, slightly less than the Jumbo Joe above. In practice this is not a big difference. I managed to smoke nine chicken breasts, and another time I fit two ribs in it. When you have to grill for a crowd, pick up the second grill rack for $158, but even without it I never felt cramped while cooking for five (two adults, three hungry kids). For 2024, Nomad has introduced a number of new accessories, one of which is essential: the Ash and Coal Shovel ($88). The scoop greatly simplifies cleaning your Nomad and honestly should be included if you buy one. What I also really like is the Carbon Steel Griddle ($168). It requires seasoning, but once you get it set up, it turns your Nomad into a flattop that a Waffle House chef would be proud of. Ventilation holes on the sides of the griddle keep the air flowing and the heat high. As fun as it is, using the griddle made me realize that I would really love a half grill, half griddle option for maximum cooking flexibility. (Technically, you can achieve this by using your griddle on one half of the grill and the griddle on the other, but that will require double the charcoal.)