Not everyone has the luxury of a garden. And barbecuing on the balcony can be a bit of a problem. One solution is to have a barbecue at a campsite or on an open field. Nothing better than enjoying the experience with friends and family, right? Now, what do you need to know about portable barbecues?
Best portable barbecues of 2024
Last update: 2024-08-03 // Source: Amazon Affiliates
Portable barbecue brands
What is a portable barbecue?
With technological progress, we can find portable barbecues of almost all types, with the clear exception of those built on-site. Some have their advantages and others have their disadvantages. Depending on how you like your food, and how much you want to spend on setting it up, you will decide on one model or another.
- Charcoal: Charcoal barbecues are the most common portable barbecues. They are very easy to assemble and disassemble, as well as being quite practical when it comes to cooking. Perhaps their downside is that you have to make sure you have the right amount of charcoal and wait a long time for it to light up.
- Wood: The second choice when it comes to a portable barbecue will always be a wood-fired barbecue. Some mixed models also accept charcoal, and they are not much more expensive. Firewood has several advantages, such as being readily available at a good price. Also, as there are so many types on the market, it allows you to try different flavor combinations.
- Gas: There are some models of small portable gas barbecues for those who do not want to struggle with wood or charcoal. However, they have a big disadvantage, and that is that they require you to travel with a butane cylinder to make them work.
- Electric: Perhaps the most practical of the portable barbecues, as there are very small models, perfect for a small meal with the family. However, they require a power source to operate, which is also a major drawback.
Do you prefer a barbecue or a grill?
You have to keep in mind that they are not the same. Barbecues have a grill, but the difference is that barbecues have a lid, whereas grills do not.
Nowadays, barbecues have very small models, but grills tend to be more functional. They do not require as much assembly and cleaning is quicker. However, as they do not have a lid, you have to keep an eye on the meat so that it is cooked well on both sides. In this respect, the fact that barbecues have a lid is a great advantage.
What are the advantages of portable barbecues?
Are you wondering what the advantages of buying a portable barbecue are going to be? Without a doubt, it will be very beneficial, especially if you like to travel, as it is very easy to use:
- You can take it anywhere: Wherever you go, you can take your barbecue with you. These models are very easy to assemble, so it is not so difficult to disassemble them after use. Some models are large, in which case it is best to only partially disassemble them.
- Wheels or fixed: Another great advantage is that these barbecue models give you the option to choose whether you want a barbecue with wheels or with fixed legs. Wheels are better because they help you to move the barbecue easily. However, they have to be made of a good material and if the terrain is not flat, you may have some problems moving it. In case of uneven terrain, a barbecue with fixed legs is best, preferably with a rubber tip.
- Outdoor cooking is healthier: One of the biggest problems with barbecues is smoke. Depending on the type of heat source you are using, it can be more or less harmful to your health. On the other hand, cooking in a very open space, with the air, the smoke will not hit you directly, making it much healthier.
- You will be able to enjoy different types of spaces: Although it may be fun to have the neighbours always coming to your garden, isn’t it a bit monotonous to always have the same meeting place? Since portable barbecues are designed to be taken wherever you want, you can barbecue in other houses, in the countryside, or the mountains.
- Perfect safety measures: To avoid possible fires, modern portable barbecues are designed with safety measures to prevent sparks or embers from coming out of the bottom of the barbecue. In addition, they are also designed to be safe for the cooker.
- Cheaper: In some cases a portable barbecue is much cheaper than a garden barbecue. Especially because these are usually smaller so that the task of moving the barbecue is more comfortable. An interesting investment, especially if you like to travel a lot.
- They don’t take up much space: Because once you’ve finished using and cleaning them you can take them apart, you don’t have to worry about the space they take up. Just put it in the box and keep it in the boot of your car until the next time you use it.
- Can also be used in the kitchen: Some barbecue models are so small that they can be used in the kitchen without much trouble.
Better than a garden barbecue?
Portable barbecues certainly have many advantages, but are they better than garden barbecues? They are essentially the same, but with the advantage that they allow you to change location whenever you feel like it.
They are generally very simple models, and because they are so small, you can’t cook for as many people as you can with a garden model. Still, cooking in batches allows you to enjoy the experience more while talking to friends or family.
Also, since almost all barbecue models are available in a portable design, it allows you to experiment with which type of barbecue you prefer for meat, fish, or vegetables. And if you already have a garden barbecue, why not buy one for when you’re out and about, so you can enjoy the experience even more?