10 Best Portable BBQs of 2024

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The Best Portable BBQs

best portable bbq review uk
  1. Best portable BBQ - Weber Q 1000 Gas Barbecue - Black

  2. Best stylish design - Everdure CUBE Portable Charcoal Grill, Tabletop BBQ

  3. Best collapsible BBQ - FENNEK Portable Picnic BBQ Grill

  4. Best for multi-functional use - Cadac Safari Chef 2 Lite Low Pressure Gas BBQ

  5. Best mains powered BBQ - George Foreman Indoor Outdoor BBQ

  6. Best budget BBQ - Valiant FIR551 Portable Folding Picnic and Camping BBQ

  7. Best for camping - Gentlemen's Hardware GEN253 Portable BBQ

  8. Best robust design - Char-Broil X200 Grill2Go Portable Barbecue

  9. Best value for money - GRANDMA SHARK BBQ Grill

  10. Best folding BBQ - Direct Designs - Notebook Folding Grill

Portable BBQ Reviews

Editors Choice

1. Weber Q 1000 Gas Barbecue - Black

Best portable BBQ

best portable bbqs Weber, Black Q 1000 Gas Barbecue
  • Easy to adjust temperature using single gas valve
  • Lights easily and reaches the right temperature quickly
  • Cast aluminium construction won’t rust
  • Grilling surface is easy to clean using a wire brush
  • Catch pan can be removed for easy cleaning

  • Can only be powered by small portable gas canisters - not the most economical if used frequently at home
  • On the heavy side at 12.43 kg - might not be appropriate for carrying over distance
Fuel Source
Portable gas canister
Cooking Area
43x32cm
Dimensions
59.7x68.6x52.1cm
Weight
12.43kg
Overall Score 4.5
Design
5
Features
4
Portability
5
Value for Money
4

For camping trips and weekend getaways, the Weber Q 1000 Gas Barbecue – Black is one of the best on the market. This portable grill is perfect for taking on the go, but it’s also a great option for those with little space in their garden. You don’t need to sacrifice a summer evening with a BBQ just because you’ve got a smaller balcony or compact garden.

This Weber Q gas barbecue has a cooking area of approximately 43 x 32 cm and can cook food for around four people at once. The lid and bowl design ensures the cooking temperature is even, and the cast iron grates are easy to clean after use.

It weighs 12.43 kg, so it’s not the most lightweight portable barbecue featured here. However, it has a shape that lends itself to being carried between two people. So, for short walks to the beach, or carrying from the car when camping, it’s a great choice to consider.

This Weber Q gas barbecue can be purchased either with or without a stand. The stand isn’t necessary, especially when using the BBQ in the great outdoors, but it may make the BBQ more comfortable to use at home as there will be less bending down. Regardless, the BBQ can still be placed on a table if used without the stand, and the removable catch pan collects any grease or oil.

Adjusting the temperature is easily done – there’s a single burner valve on the side of the gas barbecue which can be turned to increase or decrease the gas output. You can therefore cook a range of foods with different temperature requirements.

The only downside to the Weber Q barbecue is that it can only be fuelled using small portable gas canisters (never full-size canisters). Whilst this is perfect if you’re going to be taking it away with you, they aren’t the most economical to run at home. However, each portable canister should be able to fuel the barbecue for around three hours, which is great news for camping.

Overall, due to its size and design, I’ve chosen the Weber Q 1000 as the best portable barbecue on the market. The fact it runs on small gas canisters makes it practical to run in the great outdoors, and it also has a decent amount of cooking space despite its small size. Plus, there’s the added benefit that it’s easy to clean, particularly compared to a charcoal BBQ, which is ideal when travelling!

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Runner Up
  • Can be carried by one person due to size, weight and position of handles
  • Includes bamboo chopping board that can be used to prepare food
  • Capacity to cook for up to 3 people at one time
  • Outside stays cool
  • Charcoal can be carried inside the grill

  • No cover included to keep the heat in while grilling
Fuel Source
Charcoal
Cooking Area
742 cm²
Dimensions
34.7x42.5x23cm
Weight
7kg
Overall Score 4.6
Design
5
Features
4
Portability
5
Value for Money
4.5

The Everdure CUBE Portable Charcoal Barbeque is an extremely innovative and stylish portable barbecue. Well, would you really expect anything less from its creator, esteemed chef Heston Blumenthal? At first glance, you could easily mistake it for a small cool box or hamper.

This portable charcoal grill has a compact, rectangular design, coming in a range of modern colours. There is a food storage tray and bamboo preparation board stacked on top of the grill itself. The safety latches fasten all of these items together into one neat, lightweight cube. The integrated base means you can grill on any surface and on any table material, making this one of the best BBQs for picnics and camping.

This portable charcoal barbecue weighs just under 7 kg and has sturdy handles on each side that allow it to be easily carried to the designated picnic spot. Measuring 34.7 x 42.5 x 23 cm overall, it’s also small enough to be carried by one person.

Of course, with such a compact design, you couldn’t expect an enormous cooking area, but it’s still actually quite a good size. The chrome grilling surface has a cooking area of approximately 742 cm² – enough space for six small burgers or three medium steaks.

Given that this is a portable charcoal barbecue, there’s no need to carry gas canisters. In fact, you could even put the charcoal in the box before setting off, and carry it all together. This is a particularly nice element of this barbecue’s design.

The grilling surface can be removed for cleaning, and then the interior will need to be wiped clean after every use. This is relatively easy thanks to the coating on the inside of the BBQ.

I’d say this is one of the best portable barbecues if you want a stylish, convenient design. In terms of looks, it’s fairly unrivalled, and it’s also extremely useful that both a tray and preparation board come built into the unit.

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Also Good

3. FENNEK Portable Picnic BBQ Grill

Best collapsible BBQ

best portable bbqs FENNEK Portable Picnic BBQ Grill
  • Folds up into the size of a laptop when not in use
  • Charcoal area is elevated to avoid scorching the ground
  • Adjustable grill height gives some control over BBQ temperature
  • Heavy duty design is perfect for the great outdoors
  • Easy to clean as individual sheets are totally flat

  • Spaces between the grill bars are quite wide so smaller items may fall down
  • May discolour over time due to the very high temperatures
Fuel Source
Charcoal
Cooking Area
27x18.3cm
Dimensions
28.4x19.3x27.7cm
Weight
3.1kg
Overall Score 4.4
Design
4.5
Features
3.5
Portability
5
Value for Money
4.5

This collapsible FENNEK Portable Picnic BBQ Grill is perfect for anyone who wants a four/five person BBQ for outdoor trips, but needs something that won’t take up space in the car. It’s made of stainless steel sheets, which collapses down flat, and it can be assembled and disassembled extremely quickly.

Whether you’re fishing, camping or at festivals, this portable charcoal barbecue is really easy to transport. It weighs just over 3 kg, and it folds down to just 29 x 19 x 2.5 cm (roughly the size of a laptop). Also, to stop the steel panels from getting dirty or lost when not in use, it can be packed down neatly into its powder-coated aluminium case.

It takes approximately one minute to assemble this portable charcoal grill from folded, and the charcoal takes around 15 minutes to heat up until its ready to cook over. There is also a removable “roof” to this portable grill which offers some protection from wind and rain, making it a little easier to cook in exposed areas like beaches.

This grill consists of a lower section for the coals, and a 27 x 18.3 cm grilling area. The holes underneath the charcoal grate allow air to circulate and the reflective surfaces help keep the heat in. The height of the grilling surface can be adjusted through four different positions, meaning there’s some potential to control the temperature (although you have to choose the height before you start cooking).

This is one of the best portable barbecues if you want something that takes up very little space, but can also be used to cook for at least four people.

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4. Cadac Safari Chef 2 Lite Low Pressure Gas BBQ

Best for multi-functional use

best portable bbqs Cadac Safari Chef 2 Lite Low Pressure Gas BBQ
  • Each component is easy to clean after use
  • Several cooking surfaces included - two pots and a BBQ grid
  • Folds down into one very compact piece and can be stored in the included bag
  • Stands on legs away from the ground, but legs can also be folded when not in use
  • Very lightweight - only weighs 3 kg

  • Hose and regulator need to be purchased separately
Fuel Source
Gas
Cooking Area
615 cm²
Dimensions
12.6x12.6x15.4cm
Weight
3kg
Overall Score 4.9
Design
5
Features
5
Portability
5
Value for Money
4.5

For a small, two-person BBQ, the Cadac Safari Chef 2 Lite Low Pressure Gas BBQ is a great option to consider. This barbecue is extremely compact, weighing just 3 kg. It’s easy to transport and great for camping thanks to its versatile design.

To make it even easier to manage, this portable barbecue is powered using gas, so there’s no need to lug charcoal around with you. This makes the whole unit very light and easy to carry. The legs can be folded, so it can be used at a height of 39 cm for cooking, and collapsed down for storage. All the components pack up into one neat unit and can be stored and carried in the included bag.

Despite being so compact, there are still four different cooking surfaces contained within this small gas barbecue. The lid doubles up as a saucepan or wok, and there’s a BBQ grill as well as an additional bowl for boiling water or vegetables. Whether you’re cooking pasta, chargrilled steaks, bacon or eggs, you’ll have a cooking surface for the job.

The push-button Piezo ignition means this gas barbecue is easy to light, no matter where you are (with no need for matches). Plus, there’s an integrated heat spreader underneath the BBQ grid which means the heat is well distributed over the entire cooking area – there should be no cold areas at the side.

Although it’s powered by gas, there’s no hose or regulator included with this BBQ – these items will need to be sourced separately.

Overall, this is one of the best, small portable BBQs. It has an innovative design and it seems that every component has been well thought through to make it worth bringing along. Particularly when camping, it’s so useful to have a multi-functional item, and that’s exactly what this BBQ is.

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  • Electric powered so can be used both indoors and out
  • Sears meat very well as it reaches high temperatures very quickly
  • Far easier to clean and use than charcoal BBQs
  • Spacious grill area can cook for at least 10 people at once
  • Great option for cooking at home or caravanning

  • Restricted to locations where there is a power source nearby
Fuel Source
Electricity
Cooking Area
1500 cm²
Dimensions
73x73x99.5cm
Weight
6.26kg
Overall Score 4.8
Design
5
Features
5
Portability
4.5
Value for Money
4.5

A portable barbecue suitable for indoor and outdoor use – who’d have thunk?

Well, apparently George Foreman when they designed their George Foreman Indoor Outdoor BBQ! Powered by electricity, as opposed to charcoal or gas, this large grill can be used both inside and out. And hey… given our famously unpredictable UK weather, being able to host an “indoor BBQ” might not be a bad back-up plan…

This portable barbecue has a spacious 1500 cm² grill area which can cook for at least 10 people at once. It can be set up either outside as a freestanding grill, or placed on a table top for a fun and sociable indoor grilling experience. The stand is collapsible, dividing into individual parts, which makes it easy to store.

With a removable, non-stick grill plate, this George Foreman BBQ is easy to clean at the end of the evening. The angled cooking plates drain away fat and grease from the food into the integrated drip tray, and there’s no charcoal to mess around with.

The only thing that this BBQ does require is an electricity source. Therefore, whilst this would be a great BBQ for caravanning holidays and home use, it’s not quite so practical for beach trips!

That’s not to say there are no benefits of an electric barbecue: it gets up to temperature very quickly, and it can be used in areas where charcoal and propane aren’t permitted. There’s also a variable temperature control which means the grill can be set to the exact temperature you want, and there’s a thermometer on the lid as well to check on the cooking temperature. The lid can be closed or open whilst cooking, depending on what you’re making.

This is one of the best portable grills if you want something flexible that can be used indoors and out. If you often find that your BBQs get rained off, or you end up cooking outside alone under an umbrella, this George Foreman barbecue could be a really good option to consider!

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  • Grill is relatively spacious given the overall compact size, with space for 4 burgers at once
  • The grill mesh is good quality and well-made
  • Folds up compactly for portability and storage
  • Keeps heat away from the ground so can be used on grass with no worries or damage

  • Although portable, you’ll still need to carry charcoal with you which will add substantially to the weight
  • Coal tray is very small although the heat provided is still fairly even
  • Can be difficult to clean as fat runs down into the interior
Fuel Source
Charcoal
Cooking Area
32x23cm
Dimensions
40x10x28.5cm
Weight
3.3kg
Overall Score 4.3
Design
4.5
Features
3.5
Portability
5
Value for Money
4

Designed for picnics and camping trips, the Valiant FIR551 Portable Folding Picnic and Camping BBQ is extremely easy to set up and great for those on a budget. It’s compact and lightweight, enclosed in briefcase-style housing and weighing just 3.3 kg.

It works on two levels: you get to feel like a cool undercover agent as you carry it around, and you’ll quickly become the belle of the BBQ when you reveal that your briefcase is, in fact, a super handy grill.

Being a portable charcoal barbecue, this grill cooks food with an authentic smoky flavour. The charcoal sits in a small tray, which is positioned into the open ‘briefcase’, with a metal grill suspended over the top. For an idea of size, the cooking space measures 32 x 32 cm and can fit around 6 – 8 sausages. It’s therefore suitable for feeding around 2 – 4 people at a time. In total, the carry case measures a compact 40 x 28.5 x 10 cm.

This portable charcoal barbecue is easy to use, which is exactly what you want when cooking outdoors. Simply load the tray with charcoal, light it, and allow it to heat up before cooking. The stainless steel grill is easy to clean and resistant to rust. Once the barbecue has cooled, it can simply be folded up and put away. The unit easily packs up into the case.

One comment about the charcoal tray is that it’s relatively small, therefore this portable BBQ may not get quite as hot as some of the larger models.

Overall, this is one of the best portable charcoal barbecues if you want something that is simple, extremely portable, and also inexpensive. If you’re working to a budget, it’s a great option to go for – plus, it’s still high quality, so it doesn’t come across as a “budget” item.

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  • Neat design makes it a good gift for campers
  • Heat is elevated so ground is protected from hot coals
  • Charcoal fueled so food takes on an authentic smoky taste
  • Convenient foldable design makes it easy to carry
  • Attractive vintage appearance, looks almost like a traditional metal lunch box

  • Blue finish may fade over time
  • Reasonably small coal tray
Fuel Source
Charcoal
Cooking Area
33x30.5cm
Dimensions
39.88x38.86x32cm
Weight
3.18kg
Overall Score 4.1
Design
4
Features
3.5
Portability
4.5
Value for Money
4.5

One of the best portable barbecues to buy as a gift, and a great choice for camping, the Gentlemen’s Hardware GEN253 Portable BBQ is extremely compact and inconspicuous, ideal for any of the intrepid adventurers in your life.

This portable charcoal barbecue is perfect for camping trips thanks to its durable stainless steel construction. It’s also ideal to be carried around on weekend breaks in the great outdoors as it only weighs 3.18 kg. Once set up, it stands off the ground on foldable metal legs, so it can be used on any surface.

Consisting of a separate grill and coal tray, this BBQ is extremely easy to clean after use – there are only three components in total. After use, once cooled, everything fits back inside the BBQ case. This means that if it’s not possible to clean the trays at the BBQ location, they can all be transported for cleaning when you get back home. The grill has space to accommodate two portions of food at once, making this a great option for couples.

As mentioned, the attractive design of this portable charcoal barbecue makes it a great gift option. It has a navy finish, with smart metal clasps to secure it together, essentially resembling a vintage lunch box. It has the phrase ‘The Adventure Begins’ printed across its side – the perfect motto for lovers of the great outdoors!

A great alternative to disposable barbecues which are often used on camping trips and caravan holidays, this is one of the best portable charcoal barbecues because it’s highly portable, versatile and very easy to use.

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  • Spacious cooking area can cook up to 12 burgers at once
  • Food is cooked evenly thanks to the infrared cooking system
  • Compact size means it can be brought inside and cleaned in a standard size sink
  • Temperature gauge at the top means you’ll know when the barbecue is up to temperature without lifting the lid
  • Temperature gets up to 300°C

  • Weighs 9.7 kg so can be difficult to carry for long periods of time
Fuel Source
Portable gas cylinder
Cooking Area
1290 cm²
Dimensions
39.9x60.2x34.5cm
Weight
9.7kg
Overall Score 4.6
Design
5
Features
5
Portability
3.5
Value for Money
5

The Char-Broil X200 Grill2Go Portable Barbecue is an excellent option if you’re looking for something small and robust. Made with a cast-aluminium cooking chamber and lid, this BBQ almost looks as though it’s wearing defensive armour, making it perfect for use in the great outdoors. If you’re looking for a grill which you can take with you camping, fishing, road-tripping, this is one of the best portable BBQs to consider if you want something tough.

It’s a gas barbecue which cooks using TRU-Infrared™ technology. The benefit of this is that it has been shown to use less gas whilst producing really succulent and delicious food.

As mentioned, this portable BBQ is well built with a sturdy construction and a secure lid. The lid secures down with two metal latches, keeping it firmly closed when not in use. Overall, this BBQ weighs just under 10 kg and has very sturdy carry handles. It’s bigger than you might initially think from photos, measuring 39.9 x 60.2 x 34.5 cm. One person can carry it, or the weight can be distributed between two people.

One of the best things about this BBQ is the spacious cooking area. It has a stainless steel cooking grate that can fit up to 12 burgers at once, so it’s plenty big enough to accommodate a large family. After use, it can simply be shut and secured using the two lid latches and transported home again.

The gas barbecue has stainless steel burners and grates that are easy to clean. Plus you won’t struggle to light it thanks to the electric Piezo ignition (a welcome addition as there’s nothing worse than struggling to light a BBQ when hungry!).

There’s also a temperature gauge in the lid so you don’t have to lose any heat by opening the unit to check the temperature. It’s quick to cool down and you can pack it away quite quickly after you finish using it, meaning there’s no time wasted and no one has to stay up for hours waiting for the BBQ to cool down.

It runs on portable gas cylinders which you can buy separately.

The only real downside is that this grill is slightly heavier than many portable models – weighing 9.7 kg. Much like the Weber Q 1000 BBQ (also featured on this page), this Char-Broil X200 is probably best used when there isn’t too large a distance from the car to the BBQ site. Char-Broil has produced a carry bag, but this needs to be purchased separately.

Overall, this gas barbecue is an excellent option if you’re after something robust as well as portable. Plus, it remains compact and transportable, despite the fact that it is large enough to cater for over 10 people.

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9. GRANDMA SHARK BBQ Grill

Best value for money

best portable bbqs GRANDMA SHARK BBQ Grill
  • Folds down small enough to fit in most car boots
  • Plenty of storage once expanded - trays at the bottom and sides for condiments, rolls and seasoning
  • Baking tray is great for frying onions and vegetables
  • Grills are easy to clean in the sink and small enough to fit in the dishwasher
  • Large cooking area capable of cooking for around 10 people at once

  • May rust over time if it’s not dried and stored properly
  • Due to its long legs care should be taken if there are children or animals around
  • Steel can be sharp in some areas so care is needed during transportation and assembly
Fuel Source
Charcoal
Cooking Area
70x30cm
Dimensions
73x33x71cm
Weight
6.04kg
Overall Score 4.4
Design
3.5
Features
5
Portability
4
Value for Money
5

This GRANDMA SHARK BBQ Grill is one of the best, large portable BBQs to buy on a budget.

This BBQ stands upright when fully assembled, creating a comfortable cooking position. It has foldable legs, and removable components, meaning it condenses down to just 73 x 33 x 16 cm when not in use. This is a suitable size for fitting in the boot of most cars.

The grill is large enough to cook for around 10 people at once, and it comes with a range of cooking and preparation surfaces. There’s a BBQ grill, a seasoning board, a black baking tray, a seasoning rack and a side tray. All of these can be carried within the grill itself when moving it around, and it still only weighs 6 kg!

Capable of cooking steak, seafood, kebabs and much more, this large grill is easy to both use and set up. Simply unfold the legs and insert the grills and trays. There’s even a storage shelf at the bottom which can be used to hold rolls, sauces and more.

Each component is made from stainless steel which is lightweight and easy to clean. The vents at each end of the barbecue help the charcoal to burn, which is useful considering it’s such a large charcoal tray.

The only potential downside to this BBQ is its stability. Due to the tall and narrow design, it’s less stable and has a higher centre of gravity than smaller BBQs. Therefore, whilst it’s a great size for families, I recommend taking a lot of care if there are excitable children or pets running around. The steel can also be sharp in places, which is something to be mindful of during assembly.

Despite these two small factors, this is still an excellent portable BBQ to purchase if you want something large enough to cater for a big group of people. The fact that it’s also one of the cheapest portable BBQs on this list is an additional bonus.

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  • Folds down almost completely flat when not in use
  • Spacious cooking area is able to cook for up to four people at once
  • Heat is elevated off the ground so it’s suitable to be placed on most surfaces
  • Very easy to use - simply unfold, add charcoal, light and attach top grill

  • Powder coating can wear off potentially causing BBQ tol rust over time
  • Holds a reasonably small amount of coals that will burn for approx. one hour
Fuel Source
Charcoal
Cooking Area
44x27.5cm
Dimensions
45x27.5x30cm
Weight
2.8kg
Overall Score 4.8
Design
5
Features
4
Portability
5
Value for Money
5

The Direct Designs – Notebook Folding Grill is one of the most compact portable grills once folded. They don’t call it a ‘notebook’ for nothing! When folded, it measures just 45 x 43.5 x 4.5 cm meaning you can slide it easily into a large backpack. It weighs a mere 2.8 kg.

Despite the very compact size, this grill still has an impressive cooking area measuring 44 x 27.5 cm. It’s still capable of cooking for a family of four. It can be set up in just a couple of minutes, with the area underneath filled with charcoal and the wire grill placed on top.

The heat is elevated off the ground, making this grill suitable for use on most surfaces. It has a low centre of gravity, so is reasonably stable, but some care should be taken as it is so lightweight. The charcoal bowl can fit a 1 kg bag of charcoal plus briquettes.

As the weight of this BBQ suggests, it’s not made from particularly thick metal. The powder coating may wear off over time which could lead to rust. However, it’s still a good option for trips when you want a BBQ, but don’t want to carry much extra bulk or weight.

This is the cheapest BBQ featured on this page, but it still has a lot going for it. In particular, it’s one of the best portable BBQs if you want something that’s simple and very lightweight. It may not have the same longevity as larger, more robust BBQs, but it’s certainly an easy and practical solution for BBQing outdoors. It’s particularly useful thanks to its slim, notebook design.

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Alexandra's Smart Buying Tips

  1. Finding the best portable BBQ will depend on how much weight you are willing to carry, as well as how many people you are looking to feed. A cooking area of around 40 x 40 cm will cater for approximately four people. This size BBQ, or smaller, is the most appropriate for carrying on camping trips or to the beach.
  2. You could choose a larger model, perhaps with a stand, if you only need to transport the BBQ in the car. It’s still possible to find portable BBQs that can cater for at least 10 people, they just won’t be as practical for carrying over long distances.
  3. You’ll also need to decide between a charcoal or gas BBQ. Charcoal BBQs will give your food that authentic smoky flavour, but you’ll need to think about what to do with the hot coals when it’s time to pack the BBQ away. If you’re taking your BBQ into the great outdoors, you’ll need to carry coal as well as the BBQ itself.
  4. Portable gas BBQs are cleaner and easier to light, which is useful for outdoor cooking. However, they can lack the authenticity of a charcoal BBQ and you’ll still need to carry gas canisters with you.
  5. If you’re on a budget, choose a basic portable BBQ consisting of a charcoal tray, collapsible stand and grill. These are simple and don’t take up much space. Gas BBQs will offer a bit more ease and luxury.
  6. Finally, think about the weight you are willing to carry. If you’re going to be taking your BBQ to the beach or camping with you, look for something around 10 kg or less. Some portable BBQs weigh around 5 kg, which may be more suitable if you need to carry it alone or across longer distances.

I’ve chosen the Weber Q 1000 Gas Barbecue – Black as my top choice. This compact BBQ has space to cook for up to four people at once, and the temperature is easy to control using a single gas valve. Plus, it’s easy to clean which is great for cooking on the go.

Compare Product Features

Use the dropdown to sort the table by the feature you want to see.

  • Weber Q 1000 Gas Barbecue - Black
    best portable bbqs Weber, Black Q 1000 Gas Barbecue
    • 4.5
    • Portable gas canister
    • 43x32cm
    • 59.7x68.6x52.1cm
    • 12.43kg
  • Everdure CUBE Portable Charcoal Grill, Tabletop BBQ
    best portable bbqs Everdure CUBE Portable Charcoal Grill, Tabletop BBQ
    • 4.6
    • Charcoal
    • 742 cm²
    • 34.7x42.5x23cm
    • 7kg
  • FENNEK Portable Picnic BBQ Grill
    best portable bbqs FENNEK Portable Picnic BBQ Grill
    • 4.4
    • Charcoal
    • 27x18.3cm
    • 28.4x19.3x27.7cm
    • 3.1kg
  • Cadac Safari Chef 2 Lite Low Pressure Gas BBQ
    best portable bbqs Cadac Safari Chef 2 Lite Low Pressure Gas BBQ
    • 4.9
    • Gas
    • 615 cm²
    • 12.6x12.6x15.4cm
    • 3kg
  • George Foreman Indoor Outdoor BBQ
    best portable bbqs George Foreman Indoor Outdoor BBQ
    • 4.8
    • Electricity
    • 1500 cm²
    • 73x73x99.5cm
    • 6.26kg
  • Valiant FIR551 Portable Folding Picnic and Camping BBQ
    best portable bbqs Valiant FIR551 Portable Folding Picnic and Camping BBQ
    • 4.3
    • Charcoal
    • 32x23cm
    • 40x10x28.5cm
    • 3.3kg
  • Gentlemen's Hardware GEN253 Portable BBQ
    best portable bbqs Gentlemen's Hardware GEN253 Portable BBQ
    • 4.1
    • Charcoal
    • 33x30.5cm
    • 39.88x38.86x32cm
    • 3.18kg
  • Char-Broil X200 Grill2Go Portable Barbecue
    best portable bbqs Char Broil X200 Grill2Go Portable Barbecue
    • 4.6
    • Portable gas cylinder
    • 1290 cm²
    • 39.9x60.2x34.5cm
    • 9.7kg
  • GRANDMA SHARK BBQ Grill
    best portable bbqs GRANDMA SHARK BBQ Grill
    • 4.4
    • Charcoal
    • 70x30cm
    • 73x33x71cm
    • 6.04kg
  • Direct Designs - Notebook Folding Grill
    best portable bbqs Direct Designs   Notebook Folding Grill
    • 4.8
    • Charcoal
    • 44x27.5cm
    • 45x27.5x30cm
    • 2.8kg

How to Choose The Best Portable BBQ

A portable BBQ is a great way to get your BBQ fix no matter where you are in the world – whether you’re at the beach, on a camping trip or at the park on a sunny day.

Portable barbecues can also be used in your back garden, as they take up a lot less space than standard BBQs, and can be stored away neatly after use, making them perfect for smaller outdoor spaces.

Portable barbecues are available in an array of designs, often small and compact so they can be taken anywhere – but some are bigger than others! If you’re thinking about buying a portable grill, the following tips will help you choose the best one for you.

Finding the Best Design For You

When choosing the best portable barbecue, design is an essential consideration. Many portable BBQs are small and compact, so they can be taken to the beach or on camping holidays. However, there are also larger designs which are suitable for bigger outdoor gatherings – these are still portable but may require two people to carry them.

The majority of small portable barbecues have short legs that raise them just off the ground. This will prevent damage to the grass underneath, and it also makes them a lot safer. If the BBQ is elevated off the ground slightly it becomes much more practical to use anywhere you like – including on table tops!

Alternatively, there are some portable barbecues that have longer legs which make them more like standard models. These allow you to grill your sausages and burgers without crouching down and hurting your back. The downside to these is that they will be larger than other portable BBQs and harder for one person to carry.

If you want a portable grill that is truly compact and easy to carry, I recommend looking at the ones with a ‘lunchbox’ size design. These weigh very little and can be carried by one person, sometimes in just one hand. This means very little thought need to go into whether or not it’s a practical idea to bring the BBQ along.

At the end of the day, choosing the best portable barbecue design for you comes down to these two questions: does the design make the BBQ easy to transport, and will you be happy to carry it with you.

Most importantly, make sure you pick a design which will never make you think “Oh I’ll leave that at home because I really don’t want to carry it with me today”.

Make Sure it’s Not Too Heavy!

If you are planning on carrying your portable barbecue some distance, and want to make sure you’ll get the most use out of it, you have to check the weight. Weight amongst portable barbecues can vary considerably – it’s tempting to think ‘well it’s portable so it must be light’, but this isn’t always the case.

If your BBQ spot will be some distance from the car park, I recommend looking for a portable barbecue that weighs under 10 kg. Some portable BBQs weigh around 5 kg, which may be more suitable if you need to carry it alone or across longer distances.

Remember that you will also need to carry charcoal if it’s not a gas grill. This will add on a couple of extra kilograms.

An Easy to Assemble Design

All the portable barbecues I’ve recommended are easy to set up, often in just a few minutes or even seconds. There are no tools required, so there’s no chance of leaving anything essential at home by accident! (You just need to make sure you’ve got the food, coals, and a lighter – if necessary!)

It’s a good idea to have a practice run in your garden when you receive your portable barbecue, just to check there are no unexpected problems.

Charcoal vs Gas Portable BBQs

When you buy charcoal grills, you have to think about how you’re going to deal with the hot coals when it’s time to pack up.

This is something that requires some careful planning and consideration. You can cool the hot coals using water or sand, but be careful as the water and sand may also become very hot. In general, you need to wait up to 48 hours to make sure coal is cool enough to be disposed of.

This can be tricky to navigate if you are not camping or staying in the BBQ location for a while. Once coals are completely cool they can be disposed of in your residual waste bin.

If you can’t see a way to safely dispose of hot coals in your remote BBQ location, you’ll be better off purchasing a gas barbecue. In this case you’ll only need to remember to bring fuel and it won’t take as long for gas grills to cool down after use.

Gas barbecues can also be easy to clean, as there’s less overall coal-related mess, which can be helpful when cooking remotely.

Ease of Cleaning for Time Saving and Convenience

Given that portable barbecues are often used away from home, it helps if they’re simple to clean.

Charcoal barbecues are naturally a bit messier, but once the coal cools down these are normally simple to empty and rinse. Gas grills get less mucky overall.

I usually find chrome plated grills the easiest to clean as dirt doesn’t stick to them. Another thing to look out for is a portable barbecue with small grills that can be cleaned in the dishwasher after use. Of course, you won’t necessarily be right next to a dishwasher, but it could be useful for when you return home.

Look out for these features to make sure the portable barbecue is easy to wipe down and store away again after use.

Portable BBQ FAQs

While disposable BBQs are undoubtedly convenient, they are not very good for the environment. They also tend to have a very small heating area. They are affordable, portable and easy to use, but you won’t get the same flavour as you would using a portable or standard BBQ. Plus, you can only use them once which isn’t doing our planet any favours.

Portable grills cost a lot more than disposable BBQs, but if you enjoy having a BBQ in remote locations, they’ll be worth the money.

This depends on the model you purchase. Charcoal BBQs can take anywhere between 15 – 45 minutes to heat up. Gas BBQs are generally ready for use in 15 minutes.

Cleaning a portable grill can be done in the same way that you would clean a full-size grill. Depending on the equipment you have with you, you may need to wait until you get home to clean your portable grill. If this is the case, the grill may need soaking before cleaning.

  • Use a wire brush to scrub the grill grates after every cooking session, ideally when the grill is still slightly warm (but be careful it’s not too hot!).
  • If needed, you can clean the grill grate in the dishwasher.
  • Once the grate is clean, I recommend applying vegetable oil using folded paper towels.
  • Remove any ash from the base of the grill, then clean the outside of the BBQ using mild dish soap and a brush.

Once your portable grill is fully clean and dry, you can fold it up and put it back into storage.

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