The Portable Grill
For grilling fish on the beach.
I dream of grilling whole fish and shellfish on the beach. I’m reminded of this each year when the weather warms and I rediscover my lingering associations of the scent of charcoal and salt air with summertime. In the Northern Hemisphere, midsummer is upon us, and it seemed fitting to share an edit of some of the best, and somewhat quirky, portable grills. I love the idea of a portable grill: a compact little charcoal grill that can be quickly set up at the beach, in a rec area, or in the garden (check your local parameters).
From top left:
Prakti Street Food Barbecue
This is the ultimate option in my book. Designed to save fuel and reduce pollution in Indian households, the Prakti is remarkably economical, using very little coal and producing very little smoke. Prakti Design, a social enterprise based in Pondicherry, is the technical leader in biomass cookstove design. The Prakti is the smallest of the lot—a compact 10-inch-square grill with a removable grate for grilling. I also think this is quite possibly the chicest gift: something the recipient likely doesn’t already own, that takes up very little room and is both practical and appealing.
HAY Outdoor Market Jasper Morrison Grill
A Jasper Morrison design is always a safe bet. I’m surrounded by plenty of them—lighting, kitchen tools, and the like—and they’ve never failed me. This newer collection for HAY is a solid assortment of stainless steel outdoor gear. You could honestly buy the entire set and be sorted for summer. The smaller barbecue is my pick for camping and impromptu grilling: super simple, durable, with a base for charcoal and a grill top.
Esschert Design Barbecue Bucket
This is a newer iteration on a galvanized barbecue bucket I’ve had my eye on for years and which is no longer in production. The proportions here are slightly more elongated, which is likely an improvement anyway. It’s lightweight (think: galvanized bucket). Add charcoal, place the grill top on, and you’re good to go.
Snow Peak Takibi Fire & Grill
This Takibi is endlessly useful and, with a ton of Snow Peak’s add-on options, highly versatile. We have one and use it regularly. It’s great for a quick backyard grill—charcoal will give you lower, more contained smoke, though it works equally well with wood. The whole thing collapses into a carrying case, making it easy to bring camping, keep in the back of the car, or throw it on a bike.
Made In Grill Stainless Steel
This one is for the more committed griller—or for someone who expects to use it as often at home as they do out in the wild. It’s robust, with multiple heat levels and a convertible cooktop designed to work with either charcoal or briquettes. If you’re looking for something that could reasonably replace a dedicated backyard charcoal grill, this is probably it.
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