Anyone who owns a kitchen and/or television knows about the trusted Cuisinart brand. The company has been making quality kitchen gadgets since launching its first food processor in 1973. Today, the company has entered the outdoor grill market, and its products seem to compare favorably with those in the industry.
This cute little portable grill looks less like a portable appliance and more like a life-size model of a barbecue. At 15 x 18.5 x 42 inches, weighing in at 40 pounds and with a 240 square inch cooking area, it’s a reasonably sized yet portable product.
The stainless steel exterior finish is quite elegant, and the handle extends the full width of the lid for easy use. And like the big guys, this grill has porcelain-coated cast-iron grates and a tubular stainless steel burner. The single burner covers the entire interior and should provide even heating.
The rotary knob igniter provides 12,000 BTUs of grilling power, which is more than enough for all your on-the-go grilling needs. And you can monitor the temperature with the built-in lid thermometer.
There are removable side tables on the left and right for storage, and side handles for carrying. The attractive body is painted steel – the metal should stand up to wear and tear, but the paint hasn’t proven itself yet.
The smart folks at Cuisinart have created a range of optional accessories to enhance your cooking experience. The grill is compatible with the Versatile Modular Grill Surface collection of interchangeable cooking surfaces, and there’s a handy stand to leave it on the patio. That’s actually where you might be tempted to leave it, by the way.
There are some portability issues, though. It weighs about 40 pounds, the lid doesn’t lock, and the legs don’t fold up. I’m not saying you can’t take it with you, you can and it’s a very popular product, but it’s not the most portable on this list.