Choosing the correct barbecue grill is one of the most important things to consider when purchasing some outdoor kitchen equipment for your home. Today’s BBQ grills come in all shapes and sizes, and some are big enough to cook for an army, while others are perfect for baking a few buns or some spicy sausages on a Sunday afternoon.
The first thing you need to decide on is what kind of barbecuing experience you’re after when buying the best portable BBQ grill. If you’re after quantity, then there are several large gas BBQs that can easily cater for your friends and family on a Saturday night, but if the quality is more important, then buying something smaller will achieve better results overall. Most people choose between charcoal/wood-fired grills vs. gas-powered ones. Each has its advantages which I will discuss below.
Actually, there are many different types of portable grills in the market, including gas, charcoal/wood fired, smoker type, electric, infrared, and others. The best way to choose is to buy one for yourself and see how it goes. Every grill has its own individual features that you have to get used too so before choosing your final option; you should spend some time barbecuing on it.
Let’s take a look at each portable BBQ grill type in turn.
Gas Powered Portable Grills
The good thing about buying gas-powered barbecues is that you can buy commercial-level equipment for home use, but the downside is the initial cost, portability, and availability of fuel. Gas grills are much cheaper when compared to other types because they require fewer materials to make them; this makes it great value for money if you’re just looking to have a few burgers or steaks over the weekend. These BBQ grills are perfect if you want something quick and easy to cook with.
A significant advantage of owning a gas BBQ is that it’s usually much easier to take with you on your trips away; however, the real deciding factor here is the availability of gas bottles or fuel canisters. Gas grills use propane/butane refills; these are easy enough to find just about everywhere, but they’re not free, so you will have ongoing costs associated with them. This might not be too much of an issue long-term for most people; however, if you plan on taking your grill away regularly or even planning camping trips, then this be quite expensive over time.
Pros: Cheap to buy, Reliable, Can be used indoors as well as outdoors Cons: Not so good for cooking large amounts of meat, Needs gas refills or fuel canisters.
Charcoal/Wood Fired Portable Grills
Using charcoal grilled is my preferred way of barbecuing because it offers a better quality of meats cooked over time. When buying a wood-fired barbecue, there is no initial cost associated with acquiring the equipment; however, once the coals have been burnt out, you’ll need to purchase them again before your next use.
A good portable charcoal grill will have an adjustable flame so that you don’t overcook your meat; they also come with vents at the bottom, which allow airflow for more even burning without causing too many flare-ups on the meat itself.