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  • 5 Best Portable Pellet Grills

    5 Best Portable Pellet Grills

    Which is the best portable pellet grill to buy this year? Read on for the top 5 options you cannot go wrong with.

    If you are getting ready for that highly anticipated summer barbecue, it’s definitely worth considering investing in a portable pellet grill.

    Being able to produce scrumptious barbecue food quickly and easily is just one thing you can expect when buying a portable pellet grill.

    As the name suggests, they are also portable too so you can carry them around the garden as necessary, or pack it up and take it to your friend’s house.

    So if you’re already sold on the idea of getting a portable pellet grill, you may be wondering what will be the best choice for you. How are you supposed to know what to look for?

    Thankfully we’re here to take away a lot of the guesswork. Read on to find out some of our picks for the best portable pellet grills. We’ve also written a handy buyer’s guide to help you to make your decision.

    In a hurry? Our number one pick is smokin’ hot!

    Best Portable Pellet Grill (Winner)

    REC TEC Grills Portable WiFi Wood Pellet Grill

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    Best Portable Pellet Grills – Comparison Table

    Image Product Our Rating Buy
    REC TEC Grills Portable WiFi Wood Pellet Grill CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON
    Green Mountain Grills Davy Crockett Wifi Controlled Portable Wood Pellet Grill CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON
    Camp Chef PPG20 Black, Silver Pursuit Portable Pellet Grill CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON
    Traeger Ranger Portable Tabletop Wood Pellet CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON
    PIT BOSS PB440TC 440 sq in Portable Wood Folding Legs Pellet Grill CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

    Best Portable Pellet Grills – Reviews

    #1. REC TEC Grills Portable WiFi Wood Pellet Grill (Our Overall Top Pick)

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    For a fantastic portable grill that you can take pretty much anywhere, you can’t go wrong with the REC TEC Grills Portable WiFi Wood Pellet Grill. This grill has a bunch of advanced features that really bring that essence of the 21st century into grilling.

    WiFi controlled grills? Now that’s innovative!

    The grills has WiFi connectivity that allows you to be able to see information about the grill right from your device. It also comes with 2 non stick metal grills mats that make cleaning that much easier.

    There’s also a premium grill cover that comes with it so you can keep your grill protected when you are not using it.

    If you want to move the grill there are wheels on one side so you can wheel it around to a new location with no problem. It’s a fantastic grill that’s ideal for easy moving.

    Pros

    • Non stick grill mats included
    • Wifi connectivity
    • Wheels make it easy to move

    Cons

    • Some users report some minor balancing problems

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    #2. Green Mountain Grills Davy Crockett Wifi Controlled Portable Wood Pellet Grill

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    This grill is most certainly one of the smallest portable pellet grills on this list. Its surface area is a little bit small, but because of this it weighs a small 58 pounds, making it super easy to transport.

    Despite its small size, this grill is by no means lacking as far as features are concerned. Much like the REC TEC model, this also comes with Wifi compatibility.

    With it, you can install an app on your phone that helps you to be able to completely customize your cooking profiles.

    You are able to adjust the temperature from 150 degrees Fahrenheit to 550 degree Fahrenheit in 5-degree increments.

    In addition to these features, you can get a bunch of fantastic accessories with it. You can even get a Wood Fired Pizza Oven Attachment! Pretty awesome for when you fancy having a pizza on your camping trip.

    The whole grill is also priced very well, and it’s perfect for if you want to save a bit of money without sacrificing on great features.

    Pros

    • Lots of compatible accessories
    • Wifi compatibility
    • Adjustable temperature

    Cons

    • The cooking area is somewhat small

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    #3. Camp Chef PPG20 Black, Silver Pursuit Portable Pellet Grill

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    The Pursuit 20 Camp Chef portable grill has a huge cooking surface measuring 501 square inches. It is a little large for a portable grill so that is something to consider, but it has a bunch of great features that makes it a contender for this list.

    To start with, the grill has a lockable lid design. This is important for when you are out camping and need a little bit of extra safety to prevent any issues with fire.

    You also get dual shelves that will let you cook double the amount of food in the cooker at once. It comes with digital controls that help you to be able to accurately control different aspects such as temperature.

    With this grill you are even able to switch between grilling and smoking all in the same session, which is handy for when you want your meat to have a slightly more smoked flavor instead of grilled.

    The product comes with a great three year warranty and it’s also pretty easy to clean. Overall, it’s a fantastic choice for feeding slightly larger groups when you’re out camping or RVing.

    Pros

    • Digital controls help to easily control cooking aspects such as temperature
    • Lockable lid for safer cooking
    • Dual shelves to cook more
    • 501 square meters of cooking space

    Cons

    • The auger could do with some improvements

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    #4. Traeger Ranger Portable Tabletop Wood Pellet

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    Traeger are pretty well known for their fantastic wood pellet grills, and the Traeger Ranger Portable Tabletop Wood Pellet Grill is one of the best options from them when it comes to portability.

    This portable grill comes with a decently  sized eight pound hopper capacity that allows for longer cooks with much bigger meat cuts. You could easily use it to feed a small group or two people.

    The grill makes it very easy to smoke and grill food while on the go, whether for a hunting excursion or if you are going camping. The grill is very durable and overall measures quite small, with specifications of 13 x 21 x 41 and it weighs 60 pounds. Carrying it around with you won’t even break a sweat.

    The grill is very easy to use. All you need to do is full up the hopper with the wood pellets of your choice and then when you press a button you’re on your way to getting your meats cooked.

    It warms up pretty quickly and the temperatures are consistent as you use the grill. With this, expect some delicious grilled and smoked food from wherever you are in the world.

    Pros

    • Very versatile; 6 in 1 functionality. You can smoke, bake, braise, roast, grill and bbq
    • Very compact and portable
    • Nice wood fired taste as it uses wood pellets

    Cons

    • It can be hard to contact customer service when you need it

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    #5. PIT BOSS PB440TC 440 sq in Portable Wood Folding Legs Pellet Grill

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    Pit Boss has a reputation in the grill market for making high quality grill models, and you’ll be pleased to know that high quality carries over into the PIT BOSS PB440TC 440 sq in Portable Wood Folding Legs Pellet Grill.

    The folding legs on this model allow you to be able to easily transport it wherever you want. You can put it in your car to transport easily, and this is essential for a portable grill.

    It’s not a super large grill and it isn’t likely to be able to grill as much as your average grill that will stay in the same place in your garden, but with it you will get plenty of cooking space to feed the whole family and perhaps even more.

    It’s also incredibly easy to clean out and wash no matter where you are.

    Another extra feature worth noting is the dial in temperature controls. These allow you to be able to quickly and easily set the proper temperature that you need for all sorts of styles of cooking.

    If you want a fantastic portable pellet grill that you can use no matter where you are going to make delicious meals and mouthwatering meats, this model is most certainly worth your time to consider.

    Pros

    • A 5 pound hopper capacity
    • It features dial in temperature control functionality
    • The legs are collapsible so you can easily store it or pack it in your trunk for effortless transportation

    Cons

    • Some users have reported that there are some small temperature control problems

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    Portable Pellet Grills Buyer’s Guide

    Who are portable pellet grills best suited to?

    There are two main things that define portable pellet grills, and these are versatility and convenience. While they are slightly expensive with there being some price exceptions, portable pellet grills are incredibly convenient.

    To put something on the grill, all you need to do is set the temperature and then you can do whatever you want to do without much concern, though it is probably best to check on your food every once in a while!

    Pellet smokers also run off electricity so they are a pretty good choice if you reside in a condo or if you live somewhere that you are unable to burn wood or charcoal.

    Things to Look for in A portable Pellet Grill

    So now you know a bit more about portable pellet grills and you’ve read our ranking of the best ones, you may be wondering what the factors to consider are when you are buying a portable pellet grill.

    There are a number of key factors to think about when buying your portable pellet grill, from price, to durability and hopper size.

    Durability

    While it is certainly nice to have a grill that looks good, you should be looking beyond that. A great grill should be one that is durable. While you may find that your grill of choice has a lot of stainless steel on the outside, some models may actually have used cheap materials that will easily rust on the inside.

    The things that make up your pellet grill that you should be paying the most attention to include the fire pot, flame deflector, the drip pan, and the grates. If these elements consist of a high quality marine grade stainless steel then your portable pellet grill is going to last you quite some time.

    If the grill you are considering buying is made out of powder coated steel then you should ensure that the coating is high quality, otherwise it is going to start rusting and deteriorating as the paint chips and blisters. You should also keep in mind that if your grill is made out of higher quality materials it is also likely to perform a lot better.

    The materials will retain the heat, make sure the pellet consumption is more efficient and it will also help to regulate the temperature more effectively when the weather is cold.

    Hopper Size

    For those of you who aren’t familiar with the anatomy of a portable pellet grill, the hopper is the container where the pellets are stored in preparation for the auger to take them away to your fire pot. Of course, this then means that the hopper size you have can determine how long it will take for you to cook your food.

    If you get a hopper that is too small you are likely going to have to wait a very long time to wait for your food to cook.

    In general, if you get a pellet grill that has a hopper around 40 pounds it is going to give you around 40 hours worth of cooking time on normal smoking temperatures. Some cooks can take roughly 20 hours so in that regard an 18 pound hopper is going to be an issue.

    You’re also going to need even more fuel if you live in a colder climate.

    It’s also worth mentioning that it is possible to buy extensions for your hopper. You should try to ensure that the extender you purchase is going to be useable with the pellet smoker that you buy and that it comes from a reliable manufacturer.

    In this case, you are looking for a portable pellet grill, so it’s naturally going to be smaller. With that being said they are certainly big enough to accommodate large meals for the whole family, you just may not get quite as much space as you would with a regular sized pellet grill.

    Generally overall if you intend to take your grill with you RVing or camping for example, the whole grill should ideally weigh less than 65 pounds, so your hopper of course is going to be smaller because of that.

    Quality of Auger

    With grills that rely on wood pellets, the auger that you have is essential to making sure that the cooking experience you have is a clean one.

    If you have an auger that is too powerful or one that doesn’t have enough power then your grilling experience is going to be affected quite dramatically, and your grill could end up either being too hot or not quite hot enough.

    Price

    Whenever you’re thinking about buying a grill, or any kind of product on that note, price is usually a factor. Thankfully even if you are on a budget there are some fantastic options on the market that will fit in with your budget.

    When you are considering getting a grill, it is vital to think about the different pellet grills that are in your budget to check you you are going to get the best possible grill both for your budget and needs.

    Consider the things that are the most important to you and what features you are happy living without.

    Of course, you should keep in mind that usually the more expensive grills tend to be made with more high quality materials. This is not always the case but it is still something you should keep in mind as you make your decision.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What kinds of wood pellets can you use in portable smokers?

    There are a number of portable pellet grills that you are able to buy that you can use with a lot of smoker grills, and they can help you to be able to get all sorts of different flavors into your food.

    Of course, you should remember that some portable pellet grills are going to work better with certain types of pellets so before buying you should check if there are any limitations on the types of pellets you can use.

    Is it better to have a grill with foldable legs or one that has a solid base that you can put on top of things?

    A lot of grills and smokers tend to have folding or removable legs in some capacity that will make it easier to put them in your car to transport when you are travelling.

    Whether you get a model with folding legs or one with a solid base is entirely down to your personal preference and it largely depends on where you plan on using the grill.

    If I buy a portable pellet grill does it mean that my cooking area won’t be as large?

    It is not necessarily the case that you will have a smaller cooking area if you get a portable pellet grill. A lot of smokers and grills are seen to be portable because they are much lighter in weight or they have additional features such as wheels so that they are easier to move around.

    If you are concerned about the cooking size you will get with your portable pellet grill, then you should check out the dimensions before you buy it to ensure that you will have the amount of space that you require.

  • 5 Best Portable Flat Top Grills

    5 Best Portable Flat Top Grills

    Which is the best portable flat top grill for the money? Read on for the top 5 options available on the market.

    So you want to know what the best portable flat top grills are?

    Of course you do. Who wouldn’t? The joy of fresh-grilled food, any time, anywhere, is enough drive anyone into a buying frenzy.

    The trouble is that as a collection of words, ‘Portable flat top grill’ is open to a world of interpretation, and only you know what they mean to you, and what works for you.

    Firstly, how portable is portable?

    We’re assuming for the purposes of sanity that a grill attached to your home’s natural gas connection can’t be regarded as portable. But beyond that?

    Is a propane grill with wheels and collapsible legs portable? Depending on what car you have, you could fit it in, add the propane tank and take it to any outdoor event of your choosing. Result: portable.

    How about a countertop grill, needing power from the socket on the wall? You’d think non-portable, right? But if you put it on the counter in your RV and use the power from that, or from a solar power station, then what? Portable?

    Then again, when is a grill strictly a grill? There are grillmasters who’ll tell you a grill isn’t a grill unless it leaves grill marks. Is there enough difference between a flat top grill and, say, a griddle, to disqualify griddles from your consideration?

    These are the kinds of questions that can make your grill-choosing life a misery and drive you to open another box of mac and cheese. The market’s complex, and stuffed to bursting point. So how do you know which is the best portable flat top grill to choose?

    We know. We feel your pain. We’ve taken a broad church approach, and included some grills (and griddles) that would be disallowed by purists, but might just be the grills you need. You bring the chef’s hat and the novelty apron. We’ll bring our list of the best portable flat top grills on the market today.

    Best Portable Flat Top Grill (Winner)

    Presto 07061 22-inch Electric Griddle

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    Best Portable Flat Top Grills – Comparison Table

    Image Product Our Rating Buy
    Presto 07061 22-inch Electric Griddle CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON
    Blackstone Table Top Grill – 17 Inch CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON
    Blackstone 36″ Propane Gas Griddle Cooking Station CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON
    Royal Gourmet PD1300 CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON
    Cuisinart CGG-501 Gourmet Gas Griddle CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

    Portable Flat Top Grills Reviews

    #1. Presto 07061 22-inch Electric Griddle (Our Overall Top Pick)

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    An electric griddle? Topping a chart of best portable flat top grills? Really?

    Yep. The Presto earns its place by virtue of a perfect storm of elements. At 22 inches, it’s small enough to be highly portable, but big enough to cook a family-full of food at one sitting.

    Grills – particularly portable flat top grills – are only ever as good as their heat, and especially their heat control. The Presto comes with a master control thermostat, which delivers absolute temperature control all across the griddle, all the way through the cooking time. The griddle’s aluminum base and cooking surface delivers an even spread of heat. And even heat translates to even cooking, time and time again.

    The Presto has cool removable handles, for touching while cooking. But when it’s time to store your griddle, the handles detach for ease and compactness.

    One of the main issues with a flat top grill is that it’s…well…flat. That means unless you deal with it in a clever way, you have a surface which can quickly and easily become a lake of overheated, bubbling grease. Does that sound appetizing to you?

    Didn’t think so. That’s why the Presto has a slide-out grease tray. You cook, it collects, you don’t end up pushing food through a slick, your heart and the hearts of your friends and family say a prayer to the deity of their choice, and you clear out the grease tray at a convenient point after everyone’s eaten everything they could possibly manage. What’s not to love?

    How portable is portable? It’s 22 inches. All you need is an electric power source, so any RV or a wide range of power banks and miniature power stations can get you the juice you need to make the Presto as portable as the dreams in your head.

    And electric?

    Sure – in the world of grillmasters, the charcoal people look down on the pellet people, the pellet people look down on the gas people, and the gas people look down on the electric people. The Presto might just be the griddle the electric people have been waiting for – the one that takes the fight to all the rest and demands they out-cook it before they dismiss it.

    Oh, did we mention the price? The Presto is so pocket-friendly it puts the bud in budget.

    That’s the perfect storm that lets an electric griddle hit the top spot in a list of portable flat top grills.

    Pros

    • Just 22 inches wide and easy to carry. With an electric power source, can go anywhere
    • Big enough to cook a family’s food in one sitting – no more waiting around
    • Master temperature control for even heating across the surface of the griddle
    • Easy grease control
    • Price – it’s on the cheap end of the spectrum, delivering hot food way above its pay grade

    Cons

    • Some will argue it’s not a true grill

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    #2. Blackstone Table Top Grill – 17 Inch (Runner Up)

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    Blackstone is a well-respected name in the grill business, so its table top offering has to be taken seriously as a portable flat top.

    The table top Blackstone is a propane-powered gas grill, usually using conveniently portable 1 pound propane bottles, but convertible to run off standard propane tanks if you want to grill for days. That means it’s practically perfect for all sorts of portable use, from tailgate parties to camping to picnics.

    With a cooking surface of 15.5 x 17 inches, it delivers a lot of food per round of cooking, so it matches portability with productivity.

    In terms of heat and heat management, it produces 12,000 BTUs and uses a special ‘H’ burner to get up to temperature fast. The H shape of the burner also delivers even heating all across the grill’s surface, with none of the cold spots which can be a feature of some gas grills.

    The cooking surface is cold-rolled steel, and comes with an in-built grease catcher. You simply scrape the grease into the tray, and empty it later. And for storage, you just turn the cooktop upside down and you’re good to go.

    It would be hard to argue that Blackstone’s gone out of its way to make things hard with this grill.

    Easy to transport by hand, let alone by car or RV, delivering serious BTUs, fast and even heating for a good amount of food per round, with an easy grease disposal system.

    The Blackstone table top grill gives you strong options if you want a portable flat top gas grill without breaking the bank. It’s highly competitive on price, coming in at under $100.

    And as a Blackstone, it’s also backed with a 90-day warranty.

    Pros

    • Blackstone’s strong reputation
    • Convenient 1 pound propane bottles
    • 12,000 BTUs and an H-shaped burner for fast and even heating
    • Easily portable by hand
    • A lot of portable grilling for a small price
    • 90-day warranty

    Cons

    • Some grillmasters find the 1 pound propane bottles too small for their needs, and augment the system with a hose attachment to a standard propane tank

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    #3. Blackstone 36″ Propane Gas Griddle Cooking Station

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    Another Blackstone, this is the big daddy of the table top version. We’re not going to lie to you; it flirts mercilessly with the borderlines of portability.

    Measuring 62.5 x 22 x 36 inches and weighing 120 pounds, this is not a camping cookout station, but as a propane grill, it can still be considered portable if you happen to have a bigger car and enough people to cook for.

    While it’s on the far end of portability, there’s little reason to doubt its excellent grilling credentials. Steel framed (accounting for some of those 120 pounds), it’s a hardcore grill, designed to be durable enough to give you years of grilling satisfaction.

    Within the steel frame, it has burners of stainless steel and a cooktop of rolled steel. Basically, it’s the grill of steel in the same way Superman is the man of steel – built to last, with more than a handful of super-powers.

    Super-power #1 – enormous amounts of cooking space. 720 square inches of it, in fact. That’s scout jamboree levels of cooking space, rather than small nuclear family levels.

    Super-power #2 – four independently controlled heat zones. What does that mean? It means you can cook a well-done steak, a pancake and a potato side on the same grill without cremating anything, because each item can be in its own zone of perfect comfort-heat.

    That’s not only great for serving multiple people at the same time, it’ll earn you serious grilling kudos from everyone you feed.

    Because it’s on the bigger end of the spectrum for portable grilling, it can afford to go hog wild too, and adds side tables for food prep, and a shelf for storage too.

    Seriously, once you’ve made up your mind to go with steel construction, you might as well be as much use as you can to people, and the Blackstone 36 inch does precisely that.

    Heat and heat control? Each grill zone pushes out 15,000 BTUs, for a total of 60,000 BTUs for the whole grill.

    It’s basically a jet engine that cooks. But importantly, it has controls that allow you to tame the beast and deliver the heat as you want, meaning what you end up with is a grill that’s like a tame dragon, both powerful, versatile and impressively obedient.

    Coming as it does on a set of industrial strength wheels, and with foldable legs for easier storage and transport, it’s clearly intended to be portable in spite of its hefty construction.

    Ultimately, the 36 inch Blackstone grill is a restaurant quality piece of grilling machinery that, should you need to, you can drive to anywhere you like and grill to your heart’s content.

    As with the 17 inch table top version, the Blackstone pet dragon comes with a 90-day warranty.

    Unlike the 17 inch version, you have to be really sure you’re going to get a lot of use out of the 36 inch, because while it grills like a demon, it’s on the market for a price like a punch in the gut.

    If you’re in the market for a mega-grill with off the chain capabilities and a price to match, go big, go Blackstone, or go home.

    Pros

    • Huge grilling surface
    • 60,000 BTUs
    • Extremely controllable heat, including four separate heat zones
    • Steel construction

    Cons

    • On the borderlines of portability
    • Heavy to transport
    • Uses standard, heavy propane cannisters

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    #4. Royal Gourmet PD1300 

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    The Royal Gourmet PD1300 takes us back to lightweight flat top grilling – it weighs in at 30 pounds, and has a useable grill space of 325 square inches.

    Powered by propane, it brings only three burners to your outdoor party, but can deliver up to 25,000 BTUs between them, so you’re still going to get hot food, cooked fast.

    It has individually controlled cooking zones and consistent heat, so it gives almost as good as it gets when side by side with the 17 inch Blackstone.

    Also like the 17 inch Blackstone, this is a grill that’s easily portable by hand – the kicker being the 20 pound propane tank that comes with it.

    Still, 30 pounds for the grill, 20 pounds for the propane, you’re still in potential camping territory if there’s more than one in your party, as well as being useful in every sort of outdoor event scenario.

    Grease management on the Royal Gourmet is basic but effective. It has a grease slot which helps keep the surface clear for grilling action and makes cleaning easy too.

    So with three burners, controllable heat zones, an impressive grilling surface and an easy grease management option, the Royal Gourmet PD1300 could well be the grill you’re looking for – especially as it more or less matches the Blackstone 17 inch on price too.

    Pros

    • Large grilling area
    • Uses regular 20 pound propane tanks
    • Lightweight for portability
    • Controllable heat across three burners
    • 25,000 BTUs

    Cons

    • Fewer burners for your money than some equivalent competitors

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    #5. Cuisinart CGG-501 Gourmet Gas Griddle

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    The Cuisinart CGG-501 Gas Griddle is not a grill for huge gatherings. You want one of those, go for the gigunda-Blackstone.

    The Cuisinart is more suited to smaller gatherings, RVs, decks, balcony parties and the like.

    It has a petite 285 square inches of grill space, with just two burners underneath, though they do come with individual heat control. 20,000 BTUs is not shabby as a heat level though, so while it may be small, you shouldn’t underestimate the might of the Cuisinart.

    That 20,000 BTUS can be generated by standard propane.

    If you have restricted space or if you’re not feeding the 5,000, but just the 5, ditch the bigger portables and go for the Cuisinart – small, portable, surprisingly mighty and just that little bit more intimate than some of the portable dragons on our list.

    Pros

    • 20,000 BTUs from standard propane
    • Individual heat control across two burners
    • Extremely portable

    Cons

    • Not suitable for bigger gatherings

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    Portable Flat Top Grills – Buyer’s Guide

    The best portable flat top grills come in many shapes, sizes, weights and capacities. When you’re buying one, ask yourself a few questions to narrow down your search.

    Feeding The 5,000?

    How big do you need your portable flat top to be? How much food are you likely to be grilling for how many people, how often?

    There are great flat top grills for small, regular and large-scale usage. Don’t pay more than you have to for capacity you don’t need.

    On the other hand, don’t sell your grilling needs short and get flustered trying to keep up with demand on a grill that’s too small or underpowered.

    Is It Hot In Here?

    How much use do you have for the technology for which you’ll pay in some grills? Do you need individual heat zone control, or will a constant heat across the grill meet your needs? Be sure you match the grill to your actual needs – and only pay for technology that has purpose.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Is a flat top grill the same as a griddle?

    That depends who you ask. Some grillmasters argue that a grill’s not a grill unless it leaves grill marks, so all flat tops would be classed as griddles.

    Others argue that anything that gets you grilled flavor can be considered a grill – including a griddle!

    Is an electric flat top grill really any good?

    More and more electric flat top grills are being launched, proving that more and more people think they are. Some people will be purists at every level of grilling culture, but if electric flat top grills can bring the heat and the flavor – and increasingly, they can – they’re as good as anything else on the market.

    What’s the maximum size for a flat top grill to be portable?

    How strong are your muscles and how big’s your vehicle? There’s portable, and then there’s easily portable. Most of the examples on our list fall into the category of easily portable, including those that go up to 19 inches.

    The 36 inch, 120 pound grilling monster is probably on the outskirts of portability, but ultimately if you can lift it and you can fit it into your vehicle, it’s portable. At the point where you’re using special lifting equipment to move it about, you’re only fooling yourself it’s portable.

  • 7 Common Grilling Mistakes to Avoid for Your First BBQ

    7 Common Grilling Mistakes to Avoid for Your First BBQ

    Want to start grilling steak? If so, you need to prepare well. Read on for common steak grilling mistakes that you should avoid.

    Did you know that 3 out of 4 Americans own a grill or smoker?

    There’s no denying our love affair with grilling. Whether it’s winter or summer, rain or shine, you can count on the Americans to be out cooking on the grill!

    But a lot of people aren’t cooking to their full potential. There are plenty of ways that a grill can be used improperly or not at its best, and it’s likely you’re doing at least one of them.

    Steak Grilling Mistakes to Avoid

    Find out how to improve your outdoor cooking with our common grilling mistakes.

    1. Using Lighter Fluid

    Using lighter fluid has been a go-to method for lighting BBQs for years now. It’s cheap, perfect for fitting with your BBQ grill budget, and easy to use. But even with those benefits, it definitely isn’t the best method for lighting your grill.

    Lighter fluid can add a nasty chemical flavor to your food that’s pretty noticeable when compared with food that’s been cooked without it. So, ditch the bottle and opt for lighting coals in a chimney starter instead.

    Use either charcoal briquettes or hardwood lump coal. Use fuel beneath the chimney, such as newspaper, to light the coals and heat them up.

    2. Not Letting the Charcoal Heat Up Properly

    Using charcoal in a chimney gives the best flavor, but it isn’t always easy to get right. One of the keys to perfect grilling is making sure your charcoals are always hot enough. If they’re not, they won’t cook the food properly or might even die out as you’re cooking.

    Wait until the top layer of your coals is almost completely covered in ash. This is a sure sign that your coals are hot enough to cook your food. If they’re not heating up properly, make sure you haven’t overstuffed your chimney with newspaper.

    3. Not Letting the Grill Heat Up Properly

    You need to make sure you preheat all types of grills before cooking. If you don’t do this, the chance of your meat sticking to your grill is very high!

    Start by pouring your hot coals beneath the grill. Leave it for some time to preheat, making sure that it’s hot enough to instantly start cooking your food. This will also give you a much better char which is a must for BBQ food.

    4. Using the Same Setup For All Food

    Just as you’d change the temperature on your oven for different meals, you need to change the setup on your grill. The fire set up – which is how much charcoal you’re using and where it’s placed — lets you change the heat of your grill and take better control of your food.

    A single-level fire is where the coals are spread evenly across the base of your grill. It’s ideal for fast cooking smaller foods. Sausages, vegetables, and fish fillets will all cook well on this setup.

    A half-grill fire is when coals are spread over just half of the grill. If you want to cook your food more gently, this is the ideal option. It also sears your food, making it ideal for pork chops and chicken on the bone.

    Concentrated fire is ideal for fast cooking. Pour your hot coals into a suitable pan with small holes in the bottom and place the pan in the center of your grill. It’ll create a more targeted, concentrated heat that’s ideal for quick cooking with a heavy char, perfect for burgers and steaks.

    The way you set up your grill is going to have a big impact on how your food tastes. Make sure you place your coals properly for the perfect finish.

    5. Not Oiling the Grill Grate

    Anyone who grills will know the problem with food sticking to the grate. Whilst making sure it’s hot is a good start to stop sticking, it doesn’t always do the trick. This is why you need to oil the grate before you cook.

    To do this, use tongs to prevent burning. Dip a thick layer of paper towels in cooking oil and hold it in the tongs. Wipe the oiled towel over the grate before placing your food on it.

    With this little trick, you’ll never have to worry about food sticking to your grate again.

    6. Guessing When the Food is Ready

    Don’t let parties with friends become ruined by undercooked meat. Instead, use a food thermometer to properly judge when your food is cooked through.

    It can be easy to think meat is done from the outside only to find it pink within. A thermometer is a foolproof way to stop this from happening. Make sure you know how hot different meats should be when cooked and check them before serving them up.

    If you’re using a thermometer with meat, always be sure to clean it between uses. This will help keep you grilling safely.

    proper grill maintenance, parties with friends

    7. Not Cleaning Your Grill

    Proper grill maintenance is essential. Dirty grill grates can affect the flavor of your food, increase the chances of it sticking, and make cooking a lot harder.

    After you’ve grilled, use a grill brush to remove any dirt and grime on your grate. Then, clean it with soapy water and rinse before letting it air dry. Store it safely to avoid any dust or dirt tarnishing your grill.

    Avoid the Biggest Grilling Mistakes

    There are tons of common grilling mistakes out there, but these are definitely the top culprits! Avoid them to make sure you’re always the grill king or queen in your neighborhood.

    For more useful tips, be sure to check out more of our grilling articles that are packed full of advice.

  • 7 Factors to Consider When Buying a BBQ Smoker

    7 Factors to Consider When Buying a BBQ Smoker

    Looking to buy a smoker? Read our beginner’s smoker buying guide below to know what factors to consider to find the right equipment.

    Summer is the perfect time to host a BBQ. If you want to make fantastic ribs, salmon, pork, bacon, or turkey, then you need to get a special smoker.

    Smoker Buying Guide: Things to Consider

    There are countless options to choose from when buying a smoker. You’ll want to choose a smoker that best suits your needs. Here are 7 factors you should consider when buying a smoker.

    1. The Size

    When it comes to the size of a smoker, its best to stay true to your actual needs, even the smallest smoker can produce enough food for parties with friends and family. The largest smoker will make enough barbeque to cater to a party all day long.

    There’s no point in spending top dollar on a large commercial smoker if you only plan on using it to cook for family members. However, if you’ve got a really big family or you are a barbeque enthusiast who enters pit competitions then go ahead and spring for the big one.

    Think about how much barbeque you plan on making before you buy your smoker. Most smokers will tell you how much food they can prepare at once on the packaging.

    For barbeques, the general rule of thumb is to prepare one pound of meat per person attending. That can be a lot of food!

    2. It’s Use

    It’s also good to consider what you will be using your smoker for. Most people choose a smoker for cooking large cuts of meat. Smokers are designed to cook at lower temperatures over a long period.

    This infuses the meat with rich smokey flavor and makes meats juicy and tender. Cuts like ribs, shoulders, and briskets are a great choice. You can even use your smoker when cooking different foods like hot dogs, sausages, and poultry.

    Now that you’ve narrowed down its use you can make sure you don’t overspend on features you don’t need. Think about how often you will be using the smoker and where you will keep it too.

    3. Your Budget

    When buying a smoker you have to consider your budget. A top of the line smoker can sell for several thousand dollars but there are also some pretty good affordable options.

    Take a look at your budget for smokers and try to stay within the range you want to spend. It’s up to you to spend wisely. You’ve already taken a look at the use and size you will need so you can write off options and features that don’t suit your needs.

    When comparing smoker prices take a look at the various types of smokers: electric, wood, gas, and charcoal. Be sure to think about the cost of each of these fuels and decide which one is the more economical choice for you. Try to strike a balance between cost and quality.

    4. Durability

    Speaking of quality that’s exactly what we mean when we talk about durability. You want to make sure that you are buying a smoker that is going to last you a while. Make sure it is made from a material that won’t rust like stainless steel.

    Check the stability of the legs and wheels. Read online reviews to see if other people who purchased that particular model experienced any issues. Find out if your smoker comes with a warranty.

    Maintenance for smokers can range from quite simple to more complex. Be sure you know what kind of maintenance your model will need before you make the purchase.

    5. Storage

    It’s important to consider where you are going to keep your smoker. Most people choose to store their smoker in the garage, shed, or on their patio. Think about your space and how much room you have to store a smoker.

    Nothing is more frustrating than buying a smoker, bringing it home and setting it up only to find out you don’t have enough space for it.

    It’s best to store your smoker in a covered area because the weather outside can take a toll on your smoker. Indoor storage is highly recommended to prolong the life of your smoker.

    6. Temperature Controls

    One of the latest technological improvements to new smokers is enhanced temperature controls. These controls help you adjust the smoking time and temperature.

    They are common in electric smokers but these days gas and charcoal smokers make temperature control features too. These features sense what you are cooking and automatically adjust the temperature for you.

    If you are not looking for all that fancy-schmancy technology at least consider buying a high-quality thermometer. A thermometer can be placed at the grate level, not at the lid.

    Look for something that will be easy to maneuver while you are cooking. If you are going to purchase a long offset smoker, you will need two thermometers, one for each end.

    7. Fuel Type

    Choosing the fuel type may be the hardest decision when purchasing a smoker. There are many different types of fuels, and each gives you different results.

    Charcoal smokers use a combination of wood and charcoal. It’s affordable and customizable. There are many different combinations of wood chips you can use.

    Electric smokers use a lot of energy, but they have a lot of high-tech sensors and controls. Electric smokers allow for careful programming and temperature balance, but they often produce less of that rich smokey flavor.

    Propane smokers are fast and easier to control than charcoal. They also produce better flavor than electric smokers. Propane smokers are a popular option for beginners.

    Pellet smokers are making a comeback. These smokers use electricity of gas to burn wood pellets. They are a modern take on smoking.

    Keep in mind there is also a wide range of hybrid options you can choose from.

    Buying a Smoker is a Great Decision

    A smoker is a great addition to any summertime barbeque. Buying a smoker doesn’t have to be complicated. Think about these 7 factors when purchasing your smoker to get the right smoker for you.

    At BBQ Ultimate, we have all the knowledge you need to help you purchase the right smoker. Check out our guides and learn more about smokers today.

  • 7 Best Wood Fired Pizza Ovens

    7 Best Wood Fired Pizza Ovens

    Planning to buy a wood fired pizza oven? Read on to see the 7 best wood fired pizza ovens available on the market this year.

    Choosing the right pizza oven is not a simple affair. This article lists the seven best wood fired pizza ovens of 2020. It provides a great description of each and lists the pros and cons of each model.

    You might be the seasoned pit boss looking to expand your outdoor cooking skills with a new oven. You might be a pizza lover who wants to create a focal point for the family garden. You could also be a complete newbie to outdoor cooking. Whoever you are, deciding on the best oven is a difficult task. That is why we have done hours of research and reviewing for you. You will find answers here to enable you to choose the best oven for you.

    Best Wood Fired Pizza Ovens

    We have compiled a list of the top seven wood fired pizza ovens. All these ovens come from reputable companies that have been producing the finest ovens for years. Each oven on the list is designed for a specific purpose and we have tried to include an oven to suit everyone’s need and budget.

    When buying anything in life, remember that “you get what you pay for” and “buy cheap, buy twice”. This is particularly true with pizza ovens. All these ovens are designed to last a lifetime if properly cared for. That’s a lifetime of fun and laughter with friends and family whilst eating great authentic tasting pizza. And those times are priceless!

    #1. Chicago Brick Oven Wood-Burning Outdoor Countertop Pizza Oven, CBO-750 (Our Overall Top Pick)

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     In 2006 three pizzaiolos (professional Italian pizza makers) got together in Chicago to design and produce the king of wood fired pizza ovens. Using age-old knowledge from medieval Italy, they designed a traditional low roofed Neapolitan style wood oven that incorporated the latest materials. Evolution of that first model has led to the famous CBO-750. It is one of the best-selling pizza ovens in the world today.

    Pros

    • Low dome design especially for cooking pizzas
    • Super high temperatures over 1000 °F
    • Retains heat for a long time
    • Pre-assembled – just fit the chimney
    • High-quality build
    • Made in the USA
    • Certified to UL and NSF4 standards for indoor and outdoor use

    Cons

    • Heavy and needs lifting equipment to place
    • It needs a strong base or countertop
    • Takes longer than others to heat up
    • Expensive – but then you get what you pay for – real quality

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    #2. Cuore Ovens New Model 1000 Plus Gourmet Wood-Fired Oven Kit

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     The Model 1000+ is the latest wood fired oven kit from Cuore Ovens. The kit comprises seven refractory prefabricated oven parts and a mouth section. It also includes a thermal insulation blanket. You build your base, slot the oven kit together and secure it with the brackets supplied. You can then use materials of your choice to finish the outside of the oven. It is great for adding your personal touches to make your oven unique.

    Pros

    • Each one looks unique, no one else will have one the same as you
    • Traditional design
    • Great for places hard to reach with lifting equipment
    • Easy to assemble
    • Affordable option

    Cons

    • Building the base and finishing require skill, time, and materials (or you hire the local handyman)
    • Chimney not included – purchase separately
    • Not portable

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    #3. Forno Bravo Primavera 70 Outdoor Wood Fired Pizza Oven

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    The Forno Bravo Primavera 70 is the most popular igloo-shaped (higher dome than a Neapolitan oven) fully assembled oven freely available today. It is so good that the famous pizzaiolo Peter Reinhart has one in his home kitchen.

    Pros

    • Extremely fast heat-up time – 20 minutes
    • Great heat retention
    • High roof means more space to cook
    • High-class refractory materials
    • Easy to install (and uninstall if you move to a new house)

    Cons

    •  Heavy so needs lifting gear to move (pallet truck)
    • Smaller than some other ovens

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    #4. ALFA 4 Pizze Outdoor Stainless-Steel Wood Fired Pizza Oven

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    Italian designers have led the way in fashion, style, and design for over a century. With brands such as Ferrari, Versace, Louis Vuitton, and Alfa Romeo cornering the luxury goods market, it’s hardly a surprise that this Italian designed and built pizza oven is a modern design classic.

    This sleek and stylish oven from Alfa combines ultra-stylish looks with cutting edge materials to give us the sexiest looking high-performance oven on our list. And just like a Ferrari, it comes with wheels! It is a mobile oven designed to be moved to the center spot of any outdoor event. Forget about those brick build behemoths of old, get yourself the new sexy now!

    Pros

    • Ultra-stylish modern look
    • Designed for performance
    • Small size
    • Easy to move
    • Strong hard-wearing materials
    • Fast heating

    Cons

    •  Smaller than some ovens
    • Lower heat retention time – needs more fuel

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    #5. Chicago Brick Oven Propane Gas & Wood-Burning Commercial Outdoor Pizza Oven, CBO-750 Hybrid

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    This oven is the king of kings when talking about wood fired pizza ovens. It is the commercial version of our number one oven – the CBO-750. In addition to the specification of the great countertop domestic model, the CBO-750 Hybrid is duel fuel. It uses wood and gas.

    You can choose between natural methane gas and liquid petroleum gas (propane). It also includes an industrial strength stand to support it. It cannot be beaten for quality, versatility, and performance.

    Pros

    • Superb duel fuel performance
    • Fast heat-up times
    • Super high temperatures
    • Commercial grade construction
    • Traditional design using state of the art materials
    • Made in the USA

    Cons

    • It is very heavy – lifting equipment is needed to install
    • It is expensive (but then you get what you pay for)
    • It cannot be easily moved once installed

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    #6. ilFornino Piccolino Wood Fired Pizza Oven

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    The Piccolino is a barrel-shaped oven designed to offer a large cooking space but with minimal size. The oven is designed to be moved and comes with legs, castors, and a handrail to move it with. It is a good entry-level oven that offers great flexibility. The shape gives a greater floor space inside the oven and has a larger capacity than most other mobile ovens.

    Pros

    • Designed to be mobile
    • High-quality powder-coated stainless-steel construction
    • Comes with its stand and chimney
    • Fits in small spaces
    • Easy to move

    Cons

    • Slightly lower maximum temperature than some ovens
    • Barrel shape may lead to slightly uneven heating of the oven
    • Needs assembly of the stand and chimney

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    #7. GRILIFE Outdoor Pizza Oven Portable Pizza Oven Wood Fired Pizza Maker

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    This oven makes the top seven list mainly because of its price tag. At less than 10% of the cost of most of the other on this list, the Grilife oven provides a value for money alternative that is within everyone’s budget. The pressed and riveted stainless-steel design means it heats up quickly. It is simple to install and has many uses. It is designed as a wood pellet oven that can also use charcoal and wood. It is not the best-looking oven, but it does cook pizzas and costs less than $200.

    Pros

    • Low cost
    • Easy to install
    • Easy to move (ideal for group picnics)
    • Rapid heat up time
    • Can use wood, charcoal, or wood pellets

    Cons

    • Low heat retention
    • Looks “functional”
    • Has lower maximum temperatures than some other ovens

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    Guide to Buying Wood Fired Pizza Ovens

    We need to think more about what properties we need from our oven. Things to consider are:

    Fuel

    Only wood fired ovens give pizzas the authentic wood fired taste. Go into any high-end pizza restaurant in Italy and you will find a wood fired oven. Not a gas one or an electric one but a wood oven. Some people choose a multifuel oven so you can heat the oven using gas and then add wood fire for the flavor.

    Temperature

    To produce the authentic Italian pizza taste you need high temperatures. Your normal domestic oven comes nowhere near reaching the 1000 degrees Fahrenheit needed for producing authentic tasting pizzas. To reach these temperatures you need thermal mass and insulation. Thermal mass is mass that absorbs and holds heat. Insulation keeps that heat in the walls and ceiling of the oven so it can be used to cook your pizza and not escape into the night sky. Thermal mass sounds (and is) heavy. Insulation is bulky. A good hot oven is both large and heavy.

    Size

    So, a good oven needs to be big? Traditionally yes. Nowadays no. Modern materials help a lot in reducing size and weight. Traditional refractory clay and firebricks are being replaced with stainless steel. The old air gap and vermiculite insulations are being replaced with space-age ceramic fibers These new materials are stronger, lighter, and smaller than the traditional ones. You can have a great oven that doesn’t weigh a ton and you can put in the buck of the pickup.

    Shape

    The outside shape of the oven is purely your choice. From the inbuilt brick finish of a permanent cooking range oven to the sexy copper finished dome of a modern Italian portable oven, the exterior is purely aesthetic.

    Round Ovens

    The internal shape of ovens has been perfected over hundreds of years. And just like hunting rifles and fishing lures, each shape has its uses. For pizzas, you need a round oven with a low ceiling. The flames roll around the inside of the oven and heat the walls and the ceiling. The pizzas are placed in the oven and the walls and ceiling radiate the trapped heat into the pizza and cook it.

    If the ceiling is too high, the top cooks slower than the edges resulting in burnt edges and a raw topping. Traditional pizza ovens are round and referred to a Neapolitan style oven.

    There is a beehive or igloo round oven, and these are useful for cooking pizza and other baked food like bread. The higher ceiling gives you more room for other food types. Sometimes these ovens are named after the ancient ones found buried in Pompeii. Hence the “Pompeii Oven”.

    Barrel Ovens

    The barrel oven is literally like a barrel cut lengthways. The base is rectangular. These ovens often have slightly different temperatures across the floor area. They are also larger and have a higher roof. They are useful for cooking all types of food including bread, roast meats, and any food you cook in an oven in the kitchen. Because of their shape, they don’t heat up as hot as a round oven.

    Self-Build Kits

    You can save money and turn your oven not a unique feature of your cooking range by choosing an oven kit. Kits usually comprise the internal oven chamber and a varying number of ancillary parts such as the door, insulation blanket and chimney. The remaining parts you source yourself. You build the base and assemble the oven.  You finish the oven exterior in the materials and design of your choice.

    The kits require a certain ability with hand tools and DIY materials. Assembly takes time due to the mixing, placing and drying time of the materials used. The local handyman or building contractor may help you.

    DIY Ovens

    You can, of course, construct your oven from scratch. This requires a high level of skill, all the materials and a great deal of time. You can see Shawn building his Pompeii style wood fired pizza oven in the video below:

    It takes him 20 days from start to finish and you can see the high level of skill required. Great work Shawn. I would still opt for buying a readymade one personally.

    Location

    The desired location of the oven needs to be considered. Some of the pre-assembled units weigh close to 1 ton. Unloading and moving the oven into position needs lifting equipment. Any route needs to be solid enough to take the load. You don’t want your oven to be slowly sinking into your soft green lawn!

    The ovens are also big. Remember the insulation and thermal mass required? These all take up space so make sure you have good access width and room to site the oven.

    Portable

    Some ovens are designed to be moved. These tend to be the smaller barrel-shaped ovens that use modern insulation materials. Often the maximum temperatures and internal space are lower than the static ovens.

    Conclusion

    You can see there are many great options to choose from in our list of the 7 best wood fired pizza ovens. We have tried to include something that suits everyone’s needs and budget. The modern wood fired pizza oven is a combination of centuries-old practical design and cutting-edge modern materials. As with any product in life, you get what you pay for.

    Personally, I am in love with the Alfa 4. It is a compromise between mobility, performance, capacity, and it looks fantastic. I also like the CBO-750 as an awesome oven to build into the home outdoor cooking range.

    Which wood fired pizza oven will you choose?