HAVING a great portable BBQ means you can grill just about anywhere.
We explain what to look for when choosing the best portable BBQ for you and put some of the most popular brands on the market to the test.
Portable barbecues work in much the same way as regular barbecues, except they are much smaller and can be packed away for easy carrying or storage.
But there are a couple of things to consider when choosing and using these.
The cooking surface size can vary a lot so always check the measurements when picking the best portable BBQ for you.
Another thing to think about is the legs.
Some portable barbecues have legs or stands that fold in for storage. These should be sturdy enough to lift the barbecue off the ground without wobbling if it gets a bit windy, so look for models that have something to secure the legs in position.
Like all barbecues, portable ones need a flat surface, ideally in a sheltered position.
But because they’re much closer to the ground, you should look for surfaces that won’t burn or suffer from heat damage – dry grass and anything plastic should be avoided.
For charcoal options, you might also want to get a chimney lighter as it can be harder to get a fire started in a smaller space.
Finally, after you’ve finished with it, allow it to fully cool before you try to pack it away.
Here are some of the best portable BBQs around.
For a portable barbecue, the Kamado Joe Jr certainly tops the scales when it comes to price – but that’s in part due to the fact that it’s big enough to use at home as well.
The egg-style barbecue is made almost entirely from ceramic, which keeps the heat and moisture in.
It means that you can use it to grill, bake, roast and smoke – something that you’d normally need a much bigger barbecue for.
Thanks to a vent at the top and at the bottom of the barbecue, it’s easy to control the temperature inside, which can go all the way up to 400C for searing, or down to 100C for smoking.
It’s pretty hefty in weight though, coming in at 31kg. This is just about portable but you’ll definitely need someone to give you a hand with it so it’s better suited for longer camping trips than a picnic somewhere.
The portability aside, we were very impressed with the results we got from the Kamado Joe Jr.
Everything had that smokey barbecue taste you get from charcoal but it doesn’t overwhelm any herbs or spices you use.
Plus, the meat is super moist, almost like it’s been steamed.
Aside from price, the one downside is that you have to use lumpwood charcoal for this, which can be a bit more expensive than briquettes.
But if you manage the fire well – and Kamado Joe gives you plenty of tips for this – you’ll actually use less charcoal than on a regular barbecue.
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The Everdure by Heston Blumenthal Cube is one of the most design-centric portable charcoal barbecues around and it packs a lot of features into a small frame (23cm x 42cm x 35cm).
The lid is a shallow bamboo tray that can double up as a chopping board.
This slots into a deeper food-grade plastic tray that can be used to store everything from cutlery to your ingredients.
Both of these then nest into the firebox and can be secured into place using clips, so there’s no worrying about things falling out when you’re transporting it.
The firebox itself has cool-touch handles on two sides and can be used on the ground or on a wooden bench. This is possible because the base is slightly raised and the firebox is insulated all the way around, with vents to help cool the exterior.
However, you shouldn’t put it on anything that will warp or might otherwise be damaged by the heat, so avoid plastics and fabrics.
Inside the firebox, you have a top grill for the food, a lower grill for your fuel and a tray to catch the ash.
In terms of use, the cooking surface is big enough for six burgers and it’s a decent enough size to cook for a small family.
But because of its size, we found it a bit harder to get the charcoal going so we would recommend having a chimney starter to hand.
It also concentrated the heat more than our usual barbecue, which meant we had to be more careful so as to avoid burning the food.
But for a picnic or camping trip, we think this is a seriously stylish option to go for.
You’ll need a power source close by to use the Cuisinart entertaining grill but we think it’s ideal for caravan trips, or even indoor/outdoor use at home.
The electric grill comes with a detachable large, flat, non-stick cooking surface that you can clean in the dishwasher, although doing it by hand will help maintain the non-stick coating.
There’s a hole near the base where excess oil can be drained away into a removable tray, or you can plug it to keep any cooking juices or sauces on the grill.
The grill can be used for everything from cooking eggs and bacon for breakfast, burgers and sausages for lunch, to rustling up teppanyaki-style dinners.
On the front, there are two heat controls that go up to 260 degrees so you can vary the temperature on either side of the grill according to what you’re cooking.
The whole thing is pretty hefty at 16cm x 50cm x 42.5cm, although it’s not too heavy to lift for one person.
We tried a few recipes on the grill and found it really easy to work with and the results were great.
You’ll need to wait at least five minutes for the grill to come up to temperature, but that’s nothing compared to how long it takes for a charcoal grill to be ready.
You’ll also need to have a plastic or wooden flat turner as otherwise, you’ll find it hard to lift the food off the grill.
Obviously, because it’s electric, it’s not completely portable as you’ll need to be near a power source. But on the plus side, you can use it indoors – just make sure the room is well ventilated or your home will be filled with cooking smells.
Fans of Weber’s barbecues will love the smaller Go-Anywhere version, which – thanks to a cooking area of 41cm x 25cm – is perfect for small groups or for taking on trips away.
It measures 44cm x 42cm x 27cm, and weighs in at 6.5kg, making it easy to pop into the back of the car.
There’s some self-assembly required though. It’s also a little pricier but the gadget comes with a 10-year guarantee.
This one on Amazon is a charcoal version but you can also get a portable gas one directly from Weber.
This super portable barbecue weighs in at 3.3kg, so it’s lightweight enough for a day out.
The whole thing folds down into a lockable suitcase measuring just 40cm x 10cm x 28.5cm, which is compact enough to fit into a backpack.
The cooking surface is fairly small though, measuring 32cm x 23cm, so it’s not one for big groups unless you don’t mind waiting.
For a great budget-friendly option, try this portable BBQ from Argos Home, which weighs just 2kg.
It measures 29cm x 36cm x 36.5cm and has a cooking area of 23cm x 34cm, so is best for smaller groups.
The base doesn’t fold in so it’s a bit bulkier than some of the other models, but it does have the benefit of being more sturdy.
Char-Broil’s Grill2Go X200 portable gas BBQ is a bigger machine and can easily be used at home if you’re only cooking for a couple of people.
It measures 34.5cm x 60.2cm x 40cm so it’s fairly big.
The legs are super sturdy while the lid, complete with a temperature gauge, locks into place for when you want to take it out.
You’ll need to get a portable propane gas cartridge to use it on the go – or you can also use it with a standard gas tank if you get an adaptor for it.
BergHOFF’s portable tabletop BBQ is very much a designer barbecue that you’ll want to show off to friends.
It measures 22cm x 35cm, so it is really for only two to four people.
Finding a place to use it is easy though as the cork lid also doubles as a heatproof mat so you can barbecue directly on a table.
This super compact gas barbecue is designed to maximise flavour while still being portable.
This is all thanks to the “lava rocks” inside, which catch the fat and juices during the cooking process and turn it into smoke to flavour your food.
And as it’s gas-powered, there’s no need to refill any coals so it’s great for cooking for bigger groups.
Be aware though that you’ll need to get a regulator and hose to use it with a gas canister.
The clever design on this portable barbecue means you can instantly double your cooking space by using the lid as a second grill.
Both grill spaces have adjustable vents so you can effectively control the heat as you cook.
Once you’re done, the lid just clips back into place and you can carry it using the wooden handle that’s attached to the lid.
At just 4kg, this lightweight charcoal barbecue has a battery-powered fan that helps to reduce smoke and regulate the temperature of your grill.
It means you get all of the great flavours but don’t have to worry about all your clothes smelling of smoke.
The firebox is also insulated from the exterior of the barbecue.
This helps it to stay cool so you can move it if you need to, even after the coals are lit.
This large capacity barbecue is ideal for those camping trips or big group picnics.
The legs on the barbecue completely fold down for storage or transportation but when it’s set up, it has a condiment basket and a side shelf.
There’s also a second shelf just below the grill for stability that you can use to store foods that you’re waiting to cook.
It even comes with a tray that you can use to cook things like eggs so you can use it from breakfast to dinner.
Of the portable BBQs we’ve tested, we would say the Kamado Joe Jr was hands down our favourite.
That said, it’s not the most portable option around.
If you’re looking for a lightweight option that’s built to last, try the Everdure Cube.
Portable barbecues don’t give you that much space to build a mound so the easiest way to light your charcoal is to get a chimney starter.
That way you just have to light some balls of newspapers under your coals, let them catch and then tip into your firebox.
If you have a bigger model with more room, build a mound with your charcoal in the centre, making sure there’s plenty of space in between your briquettes or logs to allow air through.
Then in the bigger gaps, tuck in one or two pieces of natural fire starter and light these.
As they burn, the charcoal around it should catch.
When your charcoal starts turning grey from the ash, you’re ready to cook – just distribute the coals around the firebox first.
Of course, if you have a gas barbecue, it should be as easy as turning on the gas and then lighting it with a match but do double check the instructions that come with your machine as some models have an electric lighter.
If you don’t fancy buying a portable barbecue, you can make one yourself quite cheaply.
It can be as simple as putting an oven grill over an old baking tray that’s at least a couple of inches deep.
However, double check the material your oven tray is made from first as some will warp or even melt at relatively low temperatures.
Carbon steel or cast iron is generally good but aluminium should be avoided.
Be aware though that because there’s no insulation around the tray, the ground beneath it can get extremely hot so make sure you’re not barbecuing over anything that can be scorched by fire.
