June 2007
Inside each model
Coleman RoadTrip LXE 9949-750, $170. This 44-pound grill is easy to set up and fits about 10 burgers. It produced good sear marks, but charring was heavier on
chicken breasts and salmon than with the Blue Rhino and the Thermos Grill2Go. The grill attaches to a foldable stand with
wheels and comes with a lid lock, side shelves that extend, and hooks for cooking utensils.
George Foreman Portable GP160A, $70. Unlike its former-heavyweight-champion namesake, this Foreman weighs in at a svelte 11 pounds and can cook up to eight burgers. This compact cooker didn’t excel at either low- or high-temperature cooking, its searing was fair, and it charred food more than the Blue Rhino and Thermos. It folds up, is easy to clean, and has a nonstick solid grate, a latching lid, and a carrying case.
Thermos Grill2Go, $180. This 33-pound grill did only a fair job of searing. Its easy-to-clean, nonstick grate fits 10 burgers. This Thermos comes with a foldable stand and detachable shelves. The grill wasn’t easy to set up and wasn’t sturdy.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Although they’re portable and inexpensive, these four models aren’t very good at grilling. But in our other recent grill test, we found one portable grill that matches performance and portability. The Weber Q 200 (Ratings available to subscribers) proved great at grilling, produced excellent sear marks, and cooked food evenly. This 35-pound model, $180, has room for 10 burgers and comes with a removable grease drip tray, push-button ignition, and folding worktables with tool holders. You can buy a cart and an adapter for a larger tank separately.
George Foreman Portable GP160A, $70. Unlike its former-heavyweight-champion namesake, this Foreman weighs in at a svelte 11 pounds and can cook up to eight burgers. This compact cooker didn’t excel at either low- or high-temperature cooking, its searing was fair, and it charred food more than the Blue Rhino and Thermos. It folds up, is easy to clean, and has a nonstick solid grate, a latching lid, and a carrying case.
Thermos Grill2Go, $180. This 33-pound grill did only a fair job of searing. Its easy-to-clean, nonstick grate fits 10 burgers. This Thermos comes with a foldable stand and detachable shelves. The grill wasn’t easy to set up and wasn’t sturdy.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Although they’re portable and inexpensive, these four models aren’t very good at grilling. But in our other recent grill test, we found one portable grill that matches performance and portability. The Weber Q 200 (Ratings available to subscribers) proved great at grilling, produced excellent sear marks, and cooked food evenly. This 35-pound model, $180, has room for 10 burgers and comes with a removable grease drip tray, push-button ignition, and folding worktables with tool holders. You can buy a cart and an adapter for a larger tank separately.
