How To Choose A Portable Charcoal Grill
If you enjoy a good BBQ, you probably also enjoy being able to grill on the go, and anywhere you want. Luckily, that technology is out there and easy to find! You don’t have to carry around a big, cumbersome grill when you go camping or to the beach just to grill. Portable charcoal grills are easy to find, and come in many sizes, shapes and styles. Hopefully the information here will help you choose the portable charcoal grill that’s right for you.
Styles of Portable Charcoal Grills
These are the types of charcoal grills that are the most used and readily available. Here’s a description of each, and a description of pros and cons:
The Hibachi portable charcoal grill – this style is typically made of cast iron, and they are very commonly used while camping, while at the beach and even while barbequing in an apartment. They are very compact which makes them ideal for small spaces or when you’re cooking just a small amount of food and don't want to use a larger grill. The cast iron design makes the Hibachi portable charcoal grill extremely durable and easy to clean. Some styles include handles, allowing the grill to be moved to a table so the food can be eaten hot. One downside to a Hibachi is that the smaller size can really only be used to feed a small group.
The cart-style portable charcoal grill – this type is usually a grill on top of a 3 or 4-legged cart. More upscale versions include attached wheels which makes movement easier. While a cart with wheels can be really convenient, beware of lower-grade versions as they are sometimes not made well and are not very steady. These lesser models are even a bit risky to use (think of a grill of hot coals falling over). Children should always be closely monitored if you use a portable charcoal grill, or they could get hurt. Some cart-style portable charcoal grills also include tables to hold the food or some spices; they fold down for storage.
The tripod-style portable charcoal grill – this type is very much like the cart-style, but sits closer to the ground, and therefore is sturdier than other types. The tripod-style portable charcoal grill comes in larger sizes – 14, 16 and 18 inches across, some even bigger than that. This makes them perfect for serving large groups.
How to Know Which Portable Charcoal Grill Is Right For My Purposes?
Here are some important factors to consider when choosing a portable charcoal grill:
- CAPACITY – Will you be serving a large group of people, or a small one? How much food will you need to cook at one time? Some portable charcoal grills are quite small, so look at the different styles and consider each carefully.
- CLEAN-UP – What are the materials, and how easy are they to clean? With a portable grill, you likely won’t have time to do a thorough, time-consuming clean up job after each use. You should be able to easily empty the ashes and wipe food from the grilling surfaces.
- CONSTRUCTION – a portable charcoal grill will be transported to many different places, and should be able to hold up to the task. A cheaply made grill will not hold up to that kind of distress. A small, sturdy grill is of greater value than a large grill of low-grade construction and materials. Focus on quality over quantity.
Privacy Policy
|