Portable Grill Guide: How to Choose the Best Grill for Outdoors & Picnics
A good portable grill must be light, compact, and still perform like a real grill. How to choose, the different types, and why the Travel Kettle is the professional choice.
If you love grilling in nature, at the beach, in the park, or on your balcony — you need a portable grill. But not every small grill is a real grill. Many portable grills are thin metal boxes that don't hold heat, fall apart after one use, and deliver disappointing results.
What to Look for in a Portable Grill
Before buying, there are several critical parameters:
- Weight and packed volume: A grill that's not easy to carry won't come with you. Look for under 7 kg (15 lbs) and a carry bag/cover
- Metal thickness: Thin steel (0.5 mm) warps and doesn't hold heat. Look for at least 1 mm, or galvanized/enameled steel
- Lid height: A low lid is limiting — you won't be able to cook a whole chicken or thick cuts. A domed lid is a significant advantage
- Air control: Vents top and bottom — essential. Without them, there's no temperature control
- Cooking surface: Minimum 40 cm (16") diameter if you want to cook for more than 2 people
Types of Portable Grills
Disposable Grill (Aluminum)
Cheap, light, and thrown away after use. Fine for an emergency but nothing more — uneven heat, no control, not environmentally friendly. Best avoided.
Folding Grill
Thin metal that folds flat. Very easy to carry, but usually flimsy and doesn't hold heat well. Suitable for basic direct grilling only.
Portable Kettle Grill
This is the professional standard. A spherical grill with a domed lid, air vents, and legs — everything you need for direct and indirect cooking, smoking, and even Reverse Sear. The SNS Travel Kettle (₪1,099) is in this category: 47 cm (18.5") diameter, thick galvanized steel, tall domed lid, and precise air vents. For comparison, the Weber Smokey Joe (a popular portable grill) is only 37 cm (14.5") — too small for real two-zone cooking.
Portable Gas Grill
Convenient for quick lighting, but doesn't deliver charcoal flavor. Fine for those who prioritize speed over flavor. For serious grillers — charcoal is always better.
Why a Portable Kettle Grill Is Best
- Domed lid: Turns the grill into an oven — indirect cooking, smoking, baking
- Temperature control: Top and bottom vents provide precise control from 100°C to 350°C (212°F to 660°F)
- Two-zone capability: Charcoal on one side = two zones, even in a small grill
- Durability: Quality construction that lasts years vs. disposables
The SNS Travel Kettle comes with a fitted carry cover and is ready for any outdoor adventure. Order at snsgrills.co.il with delivery throughout Israel.
