Enjoying the smoky taste of grilled meats doesn’t have to be limited to your backyard. With new enhancements, there’s a massive surplus of portable charcoal grills that give you similar results as their traditional counterparts. However, how do you know which grill is the best?
If you’re stuck on choosing a grill, don’t fret. We’re reviewing five of the best portable charcoal grills of 2020 and will give you a complete rundown if they are worth it or not.
Table of Contents
Comparison Chart
Sougem Portable Charcoal Grill Barbecue Camping Outdoor Cooking Thickened Stainless Steel Folding Barbecue Grill,Black.
Best Portable Charcoal Grill Reviews
1. Char-Broil Portable Charcoal Grill
The Char-Broil brand is obsessed with providing the best grilling tools to help you on your journey. With this specific grill, you’ll be provided a decent sized grate which is suitable to feet up to four people.
You’ll also be able to quickly collapse the handles and legs, which can help save on space. Overall, the durable construction, temperature finish, and ability to use multiple types of coals is what makes this one of the best portable grills of 2020.
Review
Here’s an overview of the Char-Broil Portable Charcoal Grill:
- Multiple Types of Coal
The grill supports multiple types of charcoal, including charcoal briquettes or lump charcoal. This ensures you’ll be able to grill on the go and replace the fuel anytime you need more flame. It makes grilling easy, and you won’t have to wait as long as these types of coal tend to heat up quickly.
- Large Cooking Surface
To help provide enough space for a small family or multiple friends, you’ll have a large grate which features up to 190 square inches of cooking space. The grate is crafted from chrome plating and steel wiring, which enables the food not to stick and improve the quality of your cooking experience.
- Portable
To help create a more portable surface, the grill has been designed to collapse together partially. This not only makes carrying less of a hassle but also enables you to save space. The side and top handles also detach. On top of that, the legs of the grill can fold in on themselves, which makes it more compact.
- Durable
Durability is a must in any grill because it prevents the interior from breaking down while being exposed to high heat. Plus, liquids and fat tend to seep through the grates while cooking, causing rust if not permanently dealt with. Luckily, the Char-Broil brand has made a heat-resistant interior which is perfect for managing rust and preventing a buildup of dirt.
- Dimensions
Lastly, the dimension of the product when it’s fully assembled is 12.1” x 22.9” x 15.2” and weighs approximately 7.5 pounds. When the handles are taken off, and the legs are collapsed, the dimensions change to 20.5” W x 17.5” H x 11” D.
Pros:
- Portable
- Lightweight
- Easy to store
- Durable
- Supports multiple charcoal types
Con:
- Paint chips
2. Cuisinart CCG190RB Portable Charcoal Grill
The Cuisinart CCG190RB Portable Charcoal Grill is one of the best for on-the-go grilling. The design features a lightweight base which provides you with the same smoky flavor that traditional sized grills do. On top of that, it features a durable, foldable, travel-friendly, and space-saving design. It’s easy to set up and store, as well as enables you to get to grilling right away.
Review
Here’s an overview of the Cuisinart CCG190RB Portable Charcoal Grill:
- Large Surface Area
The grates feature a large grilling surface area suitable for at least three to five people. You’ll find that this grill is perfect for small families, a few friends, or just one person. With the optimal charcoal, you can create that same unique smoky flavor that traditional barbeques provide.
- Durable Design
Crafted using a mixture of both chrome and stainless steel plating, the grill can withstand most jobs. It has also been coated with a scratch-resistant, rustproof, and heat-resistant material which helps prevent wear and tear over the uses.
- Enhanced Ventilation
The ventilation system of the product helps promote oxygen and airflow, allowing the coals to burn faster. This can speed up the cooking process and helps support better cooking temperatures. Keeping the coal too hot or cold can either overcook or undercook your food, which can lead to a disappointing grilling experience.
- Dimensions
When the grill is unfolded, it comes in at 16 x 13 x 14.3 inches, but when folded, it goes down to 16 x 7.1 x 6.3 inches. As you can see, this is a big difference and can come in handy when transporting.
- Portable
Fast setup and easy portability are two factors you never want to skimp out on with a portable grill. This version includes a simple non-installation design that allows you to unfold the four feet of the grill which forms a flat surface. Take it with you for camping adventures, picnics, or other outdoor events.
Pros:
- Compact
- Portable
- Easy to use
- Suitable for multiple occasions
- Durable design
Con:
- No lid
3. Sougem Portable Charcoal Grill
The Sougem is perfect for quick outdoor events where you need a traditional barbeque without the constraints of a full sized version. It can easily support up to five people’s portions at once and is perfect for picnics, camping, outdoor parties, and more. The unique collapsible design, which mimics that of a briefcase, enables you to transport it without hassle.
Review
Here’s a quick overview of the Sougem Portable Charcoal Grill:
- Decent Cooking Surface
If you’re looking for a family-friendly grill, the surface area is enough to support portions of food for up to three to five people. You’ll notice that the grill surface is smaller than others, only providing 130 square inches of cooking space, but it works if you’re not planning on grilling too many sides along with your main course.
- Easy Set Up
Charcoal grills always seem like they’re going to be too tiring to use or put together. However, this one requires minimal setup because of the unique fold-out design.
All you will need to do is open the grill and from there, make sure everything is locked into place. After that, place the grates on the grill, and you’re ready to go.
- Durable
As for the design, it features a highly durable stainless steel body which helps enhance its longevity. Besides that, other protective measures added are scratch resistance, heat resistance, and sleek yet waterproof design.
- Enhanced Ventilation
Multiple vents are located on each side of the grill, which enables the coals to burn at a faster rate. This speeds up cooking time and ensures you’re getting well-cooked meat. It also helps manage the temperature and regulate overcooking and undercooking.
- Adjustable Handles
Located on each side of the grill, there are two adjustable handles which help for transportation. You can easily adjust the height of these handles, enabling you to have a hassle-free time when moving it from place to place.
- Easy to Clean
An easy-to-clean surface is also a bonus because it means food residue can be wiped down without scrubbing. The grates feature a unique non-stick design that enables quick clean-ups.
- Dimensions
Lastly, the dimension of the grill when unfolded is 15” L x 11” W x 15” H, and when folded, the dimensions change to 15” L x 3.5” W x 10” H. This compactness ensures that the grill will be easy to transport, store away, and put together. It’s everything you would want in a portable charcoal grill.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Very compact
- Easy to clean
- Adjustable handles
- Durable
Con
- Lid gets hot
4. GoBQ Portable Charcoal Grill
The GoBQ Portable Charcoal Grill features a unique traditional design, as there’s a huge dome lid that helps seal in heat which helps cook meat evenly. Besides that, the grill can fold down to 17% of its volume, allowing you to transport it in a bag or backpack. It’s lightweight, cools down fast, and doesn’t take more than 20 seconds to set up.
Review
Here’s a quick overview of the GoBQ Portable Charcoal Grill:
- Durability
To help prevent rust and also enhance the durability of the grill, the company used flame resistant silicone coatings paired with fiberglass. This helps regulate temperatures, protect against damage, and ensures that your grill won’t wear down with multiple uses.
- Ultra Compact
With the ability to fold in on itself, this compact grill can easily fold down to fit into small bags and backpacks. Plus, with the dimensions shrinking by almost 17%, you’ll be able to easily store the grill in overhead compartments while traveling or in a drawer unit.
- Lightweight
If you’re planning on using this for camping, hiking, or outdoor events you can’t go wrong with the lightweight design. While it may be more substantial than most other portable grills, it does still feature a lightweight of nine pounds, which is lighter compared to your traditional full sized grills.
- Cooling System
A heat resistant coating has been placed on the outside of the base. This helps cool down the grill at least seven times faster than your standard barbeque and enables you to pack it up and transport it safely and quickly.
- Simple Set Up
The whole grill can be set up within 20 seconds. No need to struggle with any tools or extra equipment. You will need to pop it up, ensure that it’s stabilized, and then you’re ready to grill.
Pros:
- Durable
- Ultra fast setup
- Lightweight
- Folds to be very compact
- Cools quickly
Con
- Uses a lot of charcoal
5. Firefly Portable Charcoal Grill
Sick of traditional styles of grilling? The Firefly features a unique barrel design that enables you to grill your favorite meats around a fire. It’s perfect for tailgating, camping, or outdoor events.
You’ll be receiving a durable, compact grill which heats coals quickly while still producing the same great taste that traditional barbeques do. Plus, cleanup is quick as all you’ll need to do is wipe it down and dump the coals.
Review
Here’s an overview of the Firefly Portable Charcoal Grill:
- Compact Design
The grill comes in the dimensions of 10.2” x 10.2” x 8.2” and weighs approximately 3.6lbs. With the lightweight and durable steel build, you’ll be able to cook amazing grilled treats with minimal space effectively. It’s perfect for cooking for two to three people and features a well-built structure.
- Enhanced Cooking Surface
A mini charcoal design helps the grill focus the heat into one area and regulates the cooking temperature. If you want to heat food evenly, cook from the top of the grill after the coals have reached maximum heat, as this will give you optimal results. Plus, the grill can cook faster because of the concentrated heat, which means more food at a quicker rate.
- Quick Cleanup
Other than that, it features a top hinge that lets you dispose off charcoal with one fellow swoop. The inside is similar to a barrel while the outside has a gripping handle for you to toss the coal easily when needed. This enables you to quickly clean up when you’re out and about and want a quick meal.
Pros:
- Very compact
- Lightest weight we’ve seen
- Non-stick surface
- Quickly cools
Cons
- Easy to tip over
- Only cooks for two
Conclusion
Finding the right portable grill doesn’t have to be a frustrating process. We’ve listed five of the best portable charcoal grills of 2020 and hope that at least one of grills will suit your barbequing needs.
If we had to choose just one, we’d have to recommend the Sougem Grill. It features a unique design and provides you with several different features, including a lightweight, non-stick, and durable design.
