The sun is out and outdoors adventures are calling. Rather than just grilling in your backyard, why not take the party out on the road? It could be a day hiking, a weekend camping trip or a day at the beach—even the best tailgate parties involve some form of BBQ.
Being from a Spanish background, I grew up around grilled meat, and plenty of it. Unfortunately, even just 20 years ago, taking the grill on the road meant packing up the backyard grill on the back of a truck.
Nowadays, there are many more portable charcoal grills to choose from, some of which even fit in your backpack. Let’s take a look at what makes up the best portable charcoal grills.
Quick Answer: The 7 Best Portable Charcoal Grills For 2023
Why a Portable Charcoal Grill and not Gas?
Surely gas would be a better choice for a portable grill, I hear you say? True, many National Parks now forbid open flame fires, especially in states like California. Gas might also be better for the environment, but you have to bring that large empty gas bottle home with you.
Gas propane bottles may be cheaper to run, but can you always guarantee the local store—wherever you are camping—is going to have some? What happens if a gas bottle runs out mid-holiday? At the very worst you could always use wood in the charcoal grill, and charcoal tends to be more readily available anyhow.
The other major problem with gas grills is the number of parts which can go wrong and the maintenance they need. There’s nothing worse than setting up your outdoor grill to find the regulator has blown, the gas pipe is leaking, or one of the heater bars is clogged.
The Romance of the Best Portable Charcoal BBQ
Notice I used the word BBQ and not grill for this section. BBQ is not just a word used to describe the grill but also the flavor and type of cooking. It’s that smokey, spicy flavor and aroma that many, including my BBQ-mad father, would claim you only get from charcoal or wood BBQ.
The word barbecue is thought to originate from the Spanish word, barbacoa, referring to the large, wooden frames used to cook a whole hog over burning wood. There are also French and English claims to the word, and even a US theory that it comes from the word, barbaric, all claiming barbecue to be an invented tradition. (You can read more about it here.)
Wherever the term comes from, barbecuing is meant to be fun—it’s an exciting way of enjoying outdoor dining. Barbecuing with charcoal grills is outdoor cooking at its most basic, with the added romance of flames and sparks.
I’m not going to dwell on the flavor charcoal imparts, as I have mentioned that already in many other pieces on the best charcoal grills. Gas grills do have their place for convenience, but if you want a real taste of BBQ on the road, you’re going to need a portable coal grill.
Different Types of Fuel
Did you know, even having chosen charcoal as your primary grilling fuel, there are two very different types of charcoal to use? They are both produced by the same method of burning wood with very little oxygen, and therefore reducing it to carbon or coal. There are some key differences, however, in lump coals and briquettes.
Lump Coal
Also known as natural hardwood charcoal, lump coal is made mostly from scrap lumber. As such, it can be produced in different woods for adding flavors, such as apple, hickory, mesquite, oak, cherry or pecan.
Lump wood also burns hotter and leaves less ash than briquettes. This is due to being reduced to coal without any additives in the refining methods.
However, it’s not all good news with lump coal as your main fuel source. The coals will often come in very irregular sized pieces which are not evenly charred. This can result in uneven heat. The bags they come in can also be packed with amounts of charred dust which won’t burn too well and may act as a barrier to oxygen when burning.
Charcoal Briquettes
Briquettes tend to be a more popular choice when it comes to outdoor grilling and they are generally much easier to carry when out on the go. Made from compressed sawdust, they have ingredients added, including coal, limestone, borax or cornstarch, to improve the burning and binding.
You can also get instant-light briquettes which can be much easier to light—some of your camping sites might be quite exposed! Instead of carrying a bottle of lighting fluid, the briquettes have been infused with a flammable starter liquid for quicker ignition.
Some people would argue that extras, including petroleum additives in briquettes, can often affect the flavor of the food or leave an oily aftertaste to grilled meats. There are now, however, many organic and natural briquettes available, and you can always check the package label if you are concerned.
(An interesting side note. We all pretty much take those charcoal briquettes for granted. But did you know it was Henry Ford, of the Ford Motor Company who introduced them to the American mainstream? They had to get rid of that leftover wood from the Ford Model T production lines somehow.)
The Advantages a Best Portable Charcoal Grill Brings to Your Trip
Let’s just quickly sum up why I always choose a charcoal grill for my adventures on the road rather than gas. It’s something I like to pass down, from my father to my kids, that smokey, grilled meat, fun technique. (We Spanish do like our grilled meats, it’s almost a way of life!)
Cost
As you will see if you check out any of the grills featured in our portable charcoal BBQ reviews, they are much cheaper to buy than a gas grill. Prices for the best charcoal portable grill can start from as little as under $50 up to $500 for a top end model.
In comparison, the popular portable gas grills will normally fall somewhere in the $130 to $400 price range, with high-end models often costing $1500 or more.
Heat
Charcoal burns much hotter than gas and can easily reach temperatures of up to 700 degrees Fahrenheit, whatever size the bowl. Gas portable grills in the popular price range will struggle to hit much more than 500 degrees Fahrenheit and won’t offer as good a searing action.
Easy To Assemble
Assembly time for a portable charcoal grill is typically much quicker than a similarly sized gas grill. Minimal parts, including the legs or stand, a firebox and grate, can normally be put together in less than 20 minutes—all important when the big outdoors is waiting for you.
Many of the cool portable grills we have looked at in the portable charcoal grills reviews come already assembled out of the box. You can even use some of the best travel bbq grills to carry your charcoal and other utensils in.
Lower Maintenance
With fewer parts to go wrong than a portable gas grill, the only thing likely to wear out on your charcoal portable grill is the grate. You may need to replace the grate every couple of years, depending on the construction material, the frequency of use and how you clean or store it.
The Best Portable Charcoal Grills Can Double as a Smokehouse
The best portable coal grill, when full of burning embers, also offers you the chance to try smoking on the go. Obviously, due to the size, they won’t be as suitable for a long multi-hour cold smoke, but with a little practice, you could soon be smoking smaller cuts of meat or ribs.
For those who may be unfamiliar with such grills, the following YouTube video quickly explains the basics of cooking on a charcoal grill:.
More Lightweight
For the best travel bbq grill, you are going to want something which is easy to carry. With fewer parts than most gas grills, the best charcoal portable grills will normally be much lighter (except maybe the Kamado that we look at later).
Not only the grill itself, but a bag of charcoal will also be much lighter than a 20-pound propane tank, and of course, it’s less to carry home once used—always a bonus!
The Downsides of the Best Charcoal Portable Grills
I’d be lying if I said there were no potential disadvantages to owning a charcoal grill for portable use. You, hopefully, are considering which is the best portable charcoal grill. Otherwise, why would you be reading this article? But there are some downsides you need to be aware of.
Charcoal grills don’t offer the convenience of gas portable grills. They will take longer to light, which is often a tricky process in harsh weather or winds, and they will take longer to heat up. However, you can use that extra 20 or 30 minutes to get on with prepping the meal—no big deal!
Ashes can be the other big disadvantage of the best portable charcoal grills. Cleaning up is never as straightforward as just turning off a dial on a gas grill and giving it a wipe. Make sure your ashes are completely cool before dumping them, and get rid of them responsibly.
Finally, the running cost can be more with a portable coal BBQ. Gas is always more economical, with a 20-pound tank of propane costing approximately $15 and offering about 15 hours of use, or $1 per average-sized BBQ. By comparison, a quart of lump coal for one grill session can cost around $1.75, or up to $3.50 for briquettes.
What to Look for in the Best Portable Charcoal Grills?
In our portable charcoal grill reviews, we look at some of the best tabletop grills alongside the best travel BBQ grills suitable for taking on your next road trip.
Perhaps the first things to consider are how many people you are going to need to cook for and what will you be cooking? Both these considerations will affect the factors I list below.
Weight and Size of the Grill
It goes without saying that the best portable charcoal grill should be something you can easily transport and pick up. A lot of this depends on where you intend to cook and for how many. The larger the grill, the heavier it will be, and it may need more than one person to carry.
While there are models you can carry with just one hand, they will normally feature a much smaller cooking area or charcoal capacity. Some smaller portable charcoal grills will even fit in a backpack without you hardly noticing.
If you do choose a larger portable charcoal grill, ensure it has sturdy handles to facilitate lifting by two or more people. Also, make sure the portable grill will easily fit in the trunk of your car, leaving room for your other gear—not too much of a problem if it’s a portable grill for your next RV adventure.
The Cooking Area
Not all cooking areas are the same size, which is why you need to carefully consider how many people you will be cooking for. The smaller, best portable charcoal grills for camping will often feature less than 200 square inches of cooking space; an area that larger families or groups may struggle with.
For just you and a camp buddy, anywhere between 100 and 200 square inches would be fine, allowing for two to four hamburgers or about six hotdogs at a time. For any groups over three people, you will definitely need more than 200 square inches to comfortably cook a meal. This could even leave room for those veggies, or in my case, more meat!
Durability and Construction Quality
One of the most important factors of a high-performing charcoal grill is the build quality. Remember your grill is going to have to withstand the outdoor elements and possibly being thrown about as it’s loaded and unloaded from your car.
Unfortunately, due to the size and nature of the best portable charcoal grills, the durability may never match grills built for your patio. However, there are still some grills that use high-quality, porcelain-enameled materials for extra durability—Weber even offers a 10-year warranty on its portable grills.
Extra Features You Should Look For
The best travel BBQ grills come with many different features, which can make them easier to use. You should always consider whether it has a quick-dump ash disposal system, although many are small enough to tip over when finished.
Does the grill have a damper system or air vents to better control the temperature? Is there a lid to trap that heat in and enable the grill to be used as a smoker? Does the lid lock down for easy storage and does it have a holder for when it’s being used?
Looking at the extra features of the best charcoal portable grills can impact which one you buy. You’re not going to get as many features as a full-size grill, but some useful ones can still exist, even on the smaller charcoal grills.
What is the Best Portable Grill for Camping?
The HPBA (Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association) carried out a State of Barbecue survey in 2017. They found that 24 percent of grill owners used their grill on a camping trip.
If you fall into this statistic, you are going to need the lightest and most compact grill to carry with your, already large, swag of camp gear—remember the site may have a separate BBQ area far away from your tent.
Cool portable grills like the Weber Go-Anywhere, that we look at below, could be the best camping charcoal grill suited to your needs and could even be used for carrying other gear too.
What is the Best Portable Grill for Tailgating?
That same survey from HPBA found that 14 percent of grill owners take their grill to a tailgating party—what could be better than freshly grilled meats either side of the game? You are probably going to have to cook for a large group of people and will need something that will keep heat in for longer—at least for the duration of the game.
A ceramic Kamado grill, like the Kamado Joe Jr., offers an excellent compromise of portability and performance for larger cookouts. If needed, there will normally be somebody who can help lug that extra weight about for you!
What Is the Best RV Grill?
Taking an RV on the road is an increasingly popular way of vacationing in the USA. The most recent survey by Michigan University found approximately 10 million households now own an RV. Although most RVs will have some kitchen facilities, you can’t beat that BBQ taste you get from the best travel BBQ.
While many argue a gas portable grill would be suitable for an RV, I still prefer a charcoal portable grill, like the Kamado Joe Jr. You have the extra space and carrying capacity of the RV, so why not use it?
If you have a larger RV or a fifth-wheel trailer, why not consider choosing one of the best charcoal grills we have looked at elsewhere on this site?
What is the Best Portable Charcoal Grill?
No one grill is going to be the best portable charcoal grill to suit everybody. In the portable charcoal grill reviews below we have looked at the best tabletop grills and portable camping charcoal grills to suit different needs.
Whether you are tailgating, picnicking, camping or just need a smaller grill for your apartment balcony, hopefully there’s one here to suit you.
Best Overall—Weber Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill
The reason I chose this Weber Go-Anywhere as the best portable charcoal grill is for its ease of mobility. With the legs folded up, it takes on the appearance of a small toolbox, and can easily be carried by the top handle. It’s ideal, not just for camping or tailgating but also for balconies of town-dwelling apartments.
With 160 square inches of cooking space, it is totally enough for two people. You could, with, ease fit two medium-sized steaks or chops, six hamburgers, or about eight to 10 chicken wings in the grill at any one time.
A porcelain-enameled lid and base retain the temperature, and the double-plated steel cooking grates evenly transfer the heat and are easy to clean. Dampers in the lid allow for better temperature control, but the grates can often be too close to the charcoal, which may cause food to burn if not carefully watched.
As the name suggests, this portable charcoal grill really can go anywhere! I love the well-thought-out construction which enables it to be carried anywhere as simply as a briefcase or toolbox. And as a bonus, it still carries the Weber 10-year warranty, even at the unusually low price for an authentic Weber grill.
Pros
- The easiest to carry portable charcoal grill on the market.
- Easy to assemble and even easier to use.
- Lightweight at just 14 pounds, despite high-quality enameled steel construction.
- Double-plated grate for better heat retention and easier cleaning.
- Holds and diffuses heat better than most.
- Quick to cool down when finished.
- Steel folding legs provide stability and help secure the lid.
- Heatproof handles on the lid and side of the firebox for easier relocation.
- 160 square inches of cooking space in a very compact and portable package.
- Inexpensive—great value for money.
Cons
- The cooking grate sits very close to the charcoal and may burn food—using less charcoal can help avoid this.
- Vents can be harder to manage when compared to the circular designs of kettle grills or the Smokey Joe range.
Best For Large Meals—Weber Jumbo Joe
The Weber Jumbo Joe is ideal if you need to cook for larger groups when out on the road. With an 18-inch diameter and an area of 240 square inches, this is the largest of any of the best portable charcoal grills I have encountered. It’s basically an 18-inch Weber kettle, but with a shorter leg profile.
This grill certainly isn’t one of the smallest, but it’s lightweight and compact enough to fit into the trunk of most cars. Under the hood, you will find enough space for various different cooking techniques.
Made from the same porcelain-enameled steel of the Weber kettles, it retains heat well and is extra durable. The main difference from a Weber kettle is the hood can appear vertically challenged. You may find this grill too tight to cook a whole turkey in, and beer can chicken will be difficult, too.
All the usual Weber features are there, including an adjustable damper for temperature control on the lid and an easy-clean ash collecting tray at the base. A tuck-n-carry lid lock can also double as a lid holder to prevent it from falling on the ground.
If you think this grill will be too large and all you want to cook are some hot dogs and burgers, they also do a smaller version, the Weber 14-inch Smokey Joe portable charcoal grill.
Pros
- Great price—combines the performance of the original Weber kettle with the mobility of a Smokey Joe portable charcoal grill.
- Lockable lid for transportation.
- Large grilling area of 240 square inches.
- Large enough for indirect grilling methods.
- Gets blistering hot.
- Rotary dampers on the base and lid for more efficient temperature control.
- Porcelain-enameled steel bowl and lid.
- Nylon handles with a heat shield technology.
- Heavy gauge steel charcoal grate.
- Great for patios and smaller apartment balconies.
- 10-year Weber guarantee.
Cons
- The shallow profile makes it difficult to cook whole poultry or larger roasting joints.
- The legs can get very hot when grilling—be careful when working around it.
The Smartest Portable Charcoal Grill—Grillerette Pro Take Anywhere, Lightweight Charcoal BBQ
This revolutionary compact portable charcoal grill uses a battery-powered fan in the base to keep the charcoal glowing for longer. A smart design, the innovative grill plate blocks grease from dropping on to the coals for a 90 percent reduction in smoke.
The speed control of the fan allows you to set your own temperature up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, although some users claim to have hit 700 degrees or more. The charcoal fits in a canister in the middle of the unit and you will tend to use less charcoal with this model, for the same smoky flavor.
Clean up is easy by just emptying out the used charcoal and wiping down the canister, the grease tray underneath the grate and the grate itself. A travel bag makes it super easy to carry, and at just 8 pounds, this grill is very lightweight.
The 14-inch diameter cooking surface is ideal for cooking two or three medium-sized steaks, with still enough room for some veggies.
Accessories available include a separate grate for indirect grilling and a lid with temperature monitoring.
The travel bag makes for a complete use-anywhere charcoal grilling solution.
Pros
- Extremely compact and lightweight at just under 8 pounds.
- Battery operated fan allows for charcoal to burn hotter than most similar sized grills.
- Speed control on the fan allows for setting the cooking temperature.
- The grill surface is perfect for fish and meat, designed to stop grease dripping on to the charcoal—90 percent less smoke.
- 14-inch diameter grate can accommodate food for two or three people.
- Grease tray under the grate when filled with water further helps reduce smoke and adds moisture to food.
- Strong nylon travel bag included, which can also fit the many available accessories.
- Non-stick grill plate.
Cons
- More expensive than similar or larger sized portable charcoal grills—less square inches of cooking space per buck.
- Lid not included and must be purchased as an optional extra.
- No parts are dishwasher safe.
Lightest Portable Charcoal Grill—Quick Grill Medium Original Folding Grill
If you are looking for the lightest portable charcoal grill possible, the Quick Grill, at just 4.75 pounds, will easily fit in your backpack when folded up. That’s right, just 4.75 pounds! But lightweight, in this case, doesn’t mean cheap and thin.
Constructed from a premium food-grade stainless steel, the medium-sized Quick Grill comes folded in a roomy nylon bag. Unfolding or assembling it takes just 30 seconds, with five pieces to negotiate for a grill measuring 13 inches by 13 inches and 8.5 inches tall.
Looking more like an inverted colander, the funnel-like design, combined with reflective metal, intensifies the cooking temperature. The 144-square inch cooking grate offers enough space for about four hamburgers, 12 hotdogs, four chicken breasts or two large ribeyes.
Although it may not support a cast iron pan, it can cope with a dutch oven for heating up water, and you could even carry the grill inside the dutch oven. As you would expect from such a basic design, temperature control isn’t great, but this grill was designed to prepare simple food just about anywhere.
This grill could be great for a fishing trip, a weekend camping trip, at the beach or a simple day out hiking. At just under 5 pounds, the average person won’t even notice it folded up in their backpack.
Pros
- Crazy lightweight and compact at just 4.75 pounds.
- Folds down from 8.5 inches tall to just 2.25 inches.
- Very quick and easy to assemble—almost origami-like design.
- The roomy storage bag can also fit grill tools, plates and other useful objects.
- Food-grade stainless steel is dishwasher safe.
- 144-square inch grate is enough to easily cook for two to four persons.
- Retains heat well—could even be used as a small fire pit.
- Perfect for throwing in a backpack.
Cons
- Burns ridiculously hot—hard to control the temperature.
- The grate is unsecured and can slip when flipping food—a few metal paper clips or vise grips can help solve this problem.
Best Budget Choice—Char-Broil Portable Tabletop Charcoal Grill
This tabletop charcoal grill from Char-Broil is about as basic as it gets but also comes at a value for money basic price. This Char-Broil portable charcoal grill features virtually the same design as the top-rated Weber Go Anywhere but doesn’t do it quite as well —however, it is roughly half the price.
A 190-square inch cooking surface is ample for cooking for two people on the go, with a porcelain-coated grate meaning that you won't have issues with clean up. Just like the Weber, the legs fold up to keep the lid in place and prevent any leftover ashes or food residue from leaking out as you carry it.
The main issue with this portable charcoal grill for many users will be the shallow base of the grill, which doesn’t hold enough charcoal. That lack of fuel means the grill often doesn’t reach the temperatures required for a good sear on a steak.
Plenty of holes around the perimeter make the temperature difficult to control, with the lid not fitting too tightly either. For the money, it’s a pretty decent portable charcoal grill and lightweight at just 7.5 pounds, but don’t expect it to last too long.
Pros
- Very inexpensive at half the price of its nearest competitor.
- Easy to transport and fold out for use.
- Lightweight at only 7.5 pounds.
- Slightly larger cook area than the Weber at 190 square inches, compared to 160 square inches.
- Can be moved with charcoal inside when clipped closed, for a quicker setup.
- Easy to clean, just tip the base over to empty ashes.
- Porcelain-coated grates prevent food from sticking.
Cons
- Not the best construction quality, with handles that are likely to break after just one year.
- No air control dampers for temperature control.
- The shallow charcoal tray makes it hard to reach hotter temperatures and the heat won’t last too long.
Best Portable Charcoal Grill/Smoke Box Combo—Char-Griller Table Top Charcoal Grill and Side Fire Box
This firebox from Char-Griller can either be used as a tabletop grill or a horizontal Texas-style smoker. You can even change it from a grill to a side firebox for many of the Char-Griller barrel grills; however, doing so means opening holes which can’t be re-closed—a one-way process.
A heavy steel construction with cast iron grates, at 40 pounds it’s one of the heaviest grills in our portable charcoal bbq reviews. This tabletop grill does, however, offer 250 square inches of cooking space, enough for a 12-pound turkey, some ribs or a brisket.
The Char-Griller does a pretty decent job of grilling and smoking. With air vents on opposing ends of the barrel, smoke is drawn across and sticks to the food. The two adjustable dampers ensure that you have complete control over the temperature, and with some practice, you’ll be smoking like a pro.
With a little DIY knowhow, you could easily upgrade this compact grill with an in-hood thermometer or even realigning the hinges and bolts for a tighter fit. If you don’t mind performing a little extra maintenance, you have yourself an affordable grill/smoker combo at home, on the patio or on the road.
Pros
- A smaller amount of charcoal needed than many other grills.
- Easy to assemble with instructions in both English and SPANISH!
- Heats well and holds the temperature well.
- Two dampers on opposing ends of the firebox for better temperature control.
- Wide 250 square inch cooking space—enough to cook for four persons at one time.
- Heat-resistant handle.
- Easy to clean with side-loading ash bowl.
- Great for smoking meats.
Cons
- Heavy.
- Poor paint job—powder coat finish often chips off or peels.
- Prone to rusting if exposed to harsh weather conditions.
Best For RVing or Tailgating—Kamado Joe Junior Charcoal Grill
You probably think I’m crazy for recommending a ceramic Kamado grill for the best portable charcoal grill. Yes, it is heavy at 68 pounds, but the Joe Jr. is the grill that Kamado Joe rolled out for tailgating and other outdoor adventures.
It’s very rare you’ll end up tailgating by yourself, and there will always be a pal about to help carry this little monster of a charcoal grill. Once set up, this Kamado grill will make great beer can chicken or pizza, ideal for that big game.
If you’re out in your RV, you could set this mini Kamado up as a smoker for a slow and low smoke of a turkey or some yummy brisket. The wide temperature range and adjustable damper system allow you to slow smoke a pork butt at 225 degrees Fahrenheit or sear a steak at 650 degrees.
The ceramic and cast iron materials used are solid and will keep that heat in for longer. The thick walls will retain not just heat but the natural moisture of the meat too, enhancing flavors and using less charcoal.
An improperly stored grill can quickly become moldy or exhibit mildew. The Junior is promoted as being self-cleaning, which will prevent this.
A 30 to 40-minute process means you run this grill at 600 degrees Fahrenheit, opening the bottom vent for the last 20 minutes. This removes any unwanted residues from the grill, as well as cleaning the plates and grate.
Pros
- Solid ceramic and cast-iron construction—all ceramic parts carry a lifetime warranty.
- Powder cast iron stand and HDPE coated handles for easier relocation.
- Wide temperature range from 225 degrees to 650 degrees Fahrenheit.
- 304 stainless steel hinged grill offers 148 square inches of cooking space.
- Divide and conquer cooking system—grill, smoke, sear or bake.
- Ceramic heat deflector for simpler, indirect grilling.
- Attractive red, ceramic finish.
Cons
- Heavy—you will definitely need two people to move it.
- No wheels mean it can be hard to relocate when grilling.
- Ceramic will shatter if dropped—be careful!
Conclusion
For me, the best portable charcoal grill is one which is compact and lightweight enough to carry, yet durable enough to last many trips. For this reason, the Weber Go-Anywhere just pips the Jumbo Joe to the title of the best charcoal portable grill with its extra mobility.
That smokey flavor and aroma you can only get with a charcoal grill reminds me of those Saturday afternoon backyard grill sessions with my father.
With the best portable charcoal grill, I can now recreate that for my own family, almost anywhere. Buen provecho!