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Nothing sets the mood better than the smell of roasting meat when you are on a picnic or camping. Whether you are fishing, traveling in an RV, or tailgating, grilled delicacies can be just the thing to make your outdoor adventures highly memorable.
However, traditional grills are not portable; that is why you need a folding grill so that you can enjoy perfectly cooked food wherever you are.
Here, we will talk about the various benefits of folding grills and include some of our top picks so that you can choose a grill that is perfect for your needs.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Folding Grill
- OUR TOP PICK: Shark BBQ Portable Charcoal Grill
- Coleman RoadTrip 285
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: UCO Flatpack
Comparison of the Best Folding Grills
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What Are The Benefits of a Folding Grill?
Folding grills are very useful as they make your life simpler. They not only help you save time and effort, but they also give your food a great taste. Following are some other benefits of a folding grill:
Ensures That You Eat Healthy Food
Cooking meat over a grill can help preserve the thiamine and riboflavin in it. These nutrients are an essential part of a healthy diet. When you eat grilled meat and vegetables, you will get the maximum health benefits associated with them.
They Are Highly Portable
Folding grills are highly portable and can be easily used outdoors during hunting, camping, fishing, tailgating, and hiking. They are user-friendly and lightweight. Most of the portable grills are designed with folding legs or wheels, which makes it easier to take them from one place to another. Moreover, these grills can easily fit inside the trunk of a car.
Makes You More Active
The act of grilling makes you spend more time outdoors. Many parents kick a ball around or toss a Frisbee with their kids while grilling dinner. This act of eating and cooking outdoors creates a stronger bond between parents and their children while making them more active. Thus grilling provides an added health bonus while allowing you to enjoy a delicious dinner.
Characteristics of Our Favorite Folding Grills
The grills that we have reviewed here have the following characteristics:
High-Quality Material
We have given the utmost importance to the material used in the construction of these grills. All these products are made of cast iron, heavy-gauge stainless steel, cast aluminum, or porcelain enamel coated, which makes them completely safe. We have made sure that there are no plastic parts on these grills, as high heat could cause them to melt.
Easy to Use
All these grills are very easy to use. You do not have to be a grill master in order to get the most out of them. Even if you are a first time user, you will find it very easy to use.
Can Be Used Wherever You Are
These grills can be used on picnics, camping, or tailgating because of their high portability and compact size. No matter where you are, you can enjoy grilled food with your family and friends.
Willy's Top Picks - Best Folding Grills
Here are the top 3 best folding grills:
Review of the Best Folding Grills
A folding grill is an essential accessory for hikers, campers, and RVers who spend a lot of time on the road. They come in a carry-friendly style for convenience, easy, and safe movement. With the plethora of grills available on the market, choosing one can be quite challenging even for an avid user. You need to consider weight, size, durability, affordability, portability, practicality, and much more.
However, you need not worry as we have reviewed some of the top grills here so that you can choose the one that fits your requirements.
Best Overall:
Shark BBQ Portable Charcoal Grills
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers are very happy with this compact grill as they have found that it is very easy to cook on this grill. It’s a super space saver and burns a charcoal fire splendidly. Most of the buyers have also tried many other grills before buying the Shark BBQ grill. However, they are highly satisfied with this grill as the distance between the charcoal, and the grate is ideal as compared to other grills.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The best thing about this grill is its ease of use. Its ergonomic design makes it safe and able to handle different kinds of food. Another great thing about this grill is that it is very easy to assemble. The heat is evenly distributed, which helps to cook the food perfectly. This grill also has a good venting system which not only conserves heat but also minimizes smoke buildup or soot.
Who Will Use This Most
This grill comes with easy to follow instructions which make it easier for even a novice to use. It has 190 square inches of grilling surface, which is ample space to cook food for the whole family. Moreover, you can grill a variety of food, including burgers, veggies, hotdogs, and steaks. It is a durable product that will accompany you on many fishing and camping trips.
Bottom Line
This mini grill provides great value for money. It is accompanied by a durable bag that fits the grill perfectly. With this grill, you can enjoy perfectly cooked food, whether you are on the beach or on a fishing trip. It is compact and easy to carry, thus making it an invaluable companion on your camping trips.
Runner-up:
Coleman RoadTrip 285
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers love the three burners that this grill has as it ensures that the meat is cooked evenly. It is very easy to assemble and gives a great taste to food, which is similar to charcoal grill taste. Its compact construction makes it easier to store and carry to a bbq at any place.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This Coleman grill is designed with wheels and durable quick-fold legs, which makes it a convenient choice for outdoor parties and camping. We also like the fact that it is very easy to use. Just press the ignition button and select your preferred heat. Its three adjustable burners are perfect for cooking all kinds of foods, including vegetables, seafood, and meat.
Who Will Use This Most
Coleman RoadTrip 285 is very easy to assemble, take down and use. It is the perfect grill for your camping trip or for a tailgate. With matchless lighting and grilling power ranging from 3,250 to 20,000 BTUs, this grill can be used by even new cooks. The two gliding side tables hold the sauces and utensils, thus ensuring that everything you need while cooking is within easy reach.
Bottom Line
If you are looking for more meal options, then this Coleman grill is just right for you. The cast iron grill grates can be effortlessly changed with a girdle or stove grate, thus providing different options to satisfy your palate. It is a beautifully constructed grill with a porcelain surface that is sure to impress your friends and family.
Best for the Money:
UCO Flatpack
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers are very impressed with the portability and size of this grill. They use it both as a grill and a fire pit and are very happy with its performance. Another great feature that the buyers particularly like is that it folds flat to fit in a small backpack, thus requiring hardly any storage space. Long-time campers and people who have used different grills before are all in agreement that this grill is the best that they have used.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This is an amazing product that works both as a fire pit and a grill. It folds down to a small size, thus allowing users to store it under their car seat or in their camp kitchen without any difficulty. We also like the fact that it has been constructed with good quality materials, which make it safe, sturdy, and durable.
Who Will Use This Most
This grill comes in two sizes. The regular size is for six servings while the mini size is for three servings. You can cook food, including burgers, hot dogs, kebabs, and vegetables, or roast marshmallows in your backyard. This grill does not require any complicated setup, which is why it is very popular among users. It comes with instructions in six different languages so that users belonging to different countries will not have a problem with this grill.
Bottom Line
The UCO Flatpack has the perfect weight and size for backpacking trips. Whether you are teardrop camping or dispersed car camping, this grill is the ideal choice due to its small size. It is also an amazing fire pit as it keeps completely warm. You can cook foil dinners, burgers, or chicken quarters with great results.
Best Folding Charcoal Grill:
ISUMER Charcoal Grills
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Many of the buyers bought this grill because they wanted a compact and small product, and they were not disappointed. It has a simple design which is very easy to assemble. They also like its height, which is just perfect because they can sit on a stool and cook easily. It is lightweight and can be carried easily on camping trips.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The best thing about this grill is that it has been designed to make grilling an enjoyable activity for users. It has handles on the side, which increases portability and gives it a street-side food cart look. The air vents that control the heat intensity can be easily adjusted. They ensure even air circulation to give your favorite foods the authentic taste.
Who Will Use This Most
This is a perfect grill for small apartments or for tailgating and camping. It has a grill on one side and a griddle on the other, thus providing users with various options. You can cook lamb, shrimp, chicken breast, corn, and Korean short ribs with ease. It is very easy to clean while the seasoning baskets on the sides are very convenient for placing tools, sauces, and utensils.
Bottom Line
If you love kebabs and want to enjoy hassle-free grilling, then the ISUMER charcoal grill is for you. Its efficient design and excellent air circulation system provides a truly delicious taste to your favorite food. The non-stick grill pan is suitable for cooking all types of meats and vegetables, while the built-in charcoal frame ensures hassle-free ash clean up.
Best Folding Gas Grill:
Cuisinart CGG-240 All Foods Roll-Away
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Patio grills can be quite an inconvenience as they can be bulky and difficult to store. But buyers who bought this Cuisinart grill are very happy with it as all the negative things do not apply to this grill. It folds up easily and can be stored in a closet. It is easily portable, which is another feature that buyers like because of this grill anywhere they want.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This is a stainless steel grill constructed with quality fittings and a heavy gauge propane fitting. It can reach a temperature of 600 degrees Fahrenheit very quickly and cool down within twenty minutes of turning it off. We also find the built-in thermometer very handy as it gives accurate readings, thus making it easier to control the heat. Moreover, the initial set up does not require any tools, and you can start grilling straight away.
Who Will Use This Most
The various useful features of this grill make it suitable for everyone who loves to grill. It is highly portable and works perfectly while camping, tailgating, or just having a party with your friends on your patio. It is designed with a collapsible base that pops open and locks in place within an instant, which makes it very easy to set up. If you do not have a big storage space, then this grill is perfect for you as it folds down and takes hardly any space in storage.
Bottom Line
If you like to cook on a large grill but do not have room for one, then the Cuisinart CCG-240 is the perfect option for you. Its collapsible stand makes it easier to store it in a hatchback or a trunk, making it perfect for picnics, camping, and tailgating. It is designed with two foldable stainless steel shelves that provide ample space for condiments, sauces, and plates. Moreover, the porcelain enamel cast iron grate ensures that the heat is evenly distributed to cook your food perfectly.
What Do I Need To Know Before Buying?
Before buying a folding grill, you should be aware of the following:
Side Tables
Some grills are designed with foldable side tables that come in handy when you are cooking food. You can place sauces, plates, condiments, and much more, thus making sure that everything is within easy reach.
Folding Lid
Some grills are designed without a lid, and you will be required to buy a proper cover for it in order to easily transport it from one place to another. A proper casing will also protect the grill from wear and tear while it is in storage. On the other hand, grills that come with a lid are easily portable. However, you should make sure that the lid does not get very hot during grilling, has a handle for easy lifting, and provides ample space to fit in a whole chicken.
Ash Collection Tray
This is a very useful feature not only in a charcoal grill but also in gas grills. This tray is usually at the bottom of the grill and collects grease, drippings, fats, ash from the burnt coal, etc. Before choosing a grill, make sure that it comes with a big enough tray that does not need emptying frequently. Moreover, it should be easily removable for cleaning.
Conclusion
You cannot have memorable outdoor activities with friends and family without the right cooking apparatus. It is vital that you choose a grill according to your requirements. We have reviewed the above grills while keeping in mind their size, reliability, ease of use, and durability. Make sure that you read these reviews before making a choice so that you can get the right folding grill that is perfect for your needs.
