Weber Go Anywhere Portable Charcoal Grill Review for Simple Cooking at Home and on the Road
Why This Product Is Worth a Look
Portable charcoal grills often require a compromise between cooking performance, storage efficiency, and durability. The Weber Go-Anywhere Portable Charcoal Grill addresses those needs with a compact rectangular body, adjustable airflow, and folding legs that also secure the lid. It is worth considering for small outdoor meals when cargo space matters but charcoal flavor remains a priority.
Product Overview
The Weber Go-Anywhere Portable Charcoal Grill is a freestanding outdoor grill designed for camping, tailgating, park visits, and occasional backyard cooking. It uses charcoal and provides a single cooking level with 160 square inches of listed cooking space. That capacity is generally suitable for meals for two to four people, depending on the food and portion sizes.
The listed dimensions are 19.5 inches wide, 11.5 inches deep, and 15 inches high, while the listed weight is approximately 14 pounds. Its main features include a porcelain-enameled metal body, a two-piece cooking grate, adjustable upper and lower dampers, an indirect-cooking char-rail, folding wire legs, and a lid hook. Weber also lists a 10-year limited warranty, although buyers should review the current warranty terms for coverage details.
Design, Build, and Everyday Feel
The rectangular shape is one of the most practical parts of this grill. Unlike a round portable kettle, it can fit more naturally against the side of a vehicle trunk, inside a camping compartment, or beside rectangular storage boxes. The shape reduces awkward gaps around the grill when packing other outdoor equipment.
The lid and lower firebox use porcelain-enameled steel. This construction is intended to resist rust, corrosion, and damage from repeated heating. At around 14 pounds, the grill is light enough for one person to carry, but its steel construction should feel more substantial than that of a very thin disposable or folding grill.
The plated-steel legs perform two jobs. They swing down to raise and support the firebox during cooking, then rotate over the lid to hold the grill closed for transportation. This eliminates the need for a separate lid latch. A central plastic handle allows the closed grill to be carried after it has cooled completely.
Inside, the arrangement is simple. A lower charcoal rack suspends the fuel above the floor of the firebox, leaving space for airflow and ash. The cooking grate sits above it, while upper and lower vents regulate combustion. A hook under the lid allows the lid to hang from the side instead of being placed on the ground.
The compact shape is convenient for storage, but the lid is relatively shallow. This makes the grill better suited to burgers, steaks, sausages, chicken pieces, seafood, and vegetables than to whole poultry or tall roasts.
Key Features
Rectangular portable design. The toolbox-like body is easier to place beside other gear than a round grill. It can be useful in car trunks, campers, and equipment lockers where flat-sided items pack more efficiently. The tradeoff is reduced vertical space beneath the lid.
Four-damper airflow control. Two vents are located in the lid, with two additional sliding vents near the lower part of the firebox. Opening the vents increases the oxygen available to the charcoal, while restricting them reduces combustion. This arrangement supports direct searing, moderate roasting, and slower indirect cooking, although temperature control still requires practice and an external thermometer for accurate readings.
Two-piece cooking grate and char-rail. The divided grate allows one section to be lifted when more charcoal needs to be added. The included char-rail helps keep coals arranged on one side, creating a direct zone over the fuel and a cooler indirect zone beside it. The compact surface limits the size of each zone, especially when cooking for several people.
Convertible leg and lid-lock system. The wire legs support the grill while it is in use and rotate over the lid for carrying and storage. This is a simple way to reduce the number of separate parts. The legs should always be checked before lifting the grill because repeated use may eventually reduce their clamping pressure.
Watch the Video Review
What It May Be Like to Use
Based on the available product information, setup should be straightforward. The legs are lowered, the charcoal rack and cooking grate are positioned, and charcoal is lit using a safe outdoor method. Briquettes may be easier to arrange in the shallow firebox than large pieces of lump charcoal. For many small meals, a moderate amount of charcoal should be sufficient, while overfilling the firebox could create more heat than necessary.
With the vents fully open, the grill should be capable of reaching high temperatures for direct grilling. For indirect cooking, the charcoal can be arranged on one side with food placed over the cooler side. The char-rail helps maintain that separation. The grill’s small interior may respond relatively quickly to airflow adjustments, but wind, fuel type, and charcoal quantity will affect the results.
There is no integrated lid thermometer. Anyone who wants to roast or cook at a controlled ambient temperature may need a separate grill-safe probe or thermometer. A probe cable may be routed carefully through a vent opening as long as it does not prevent the lid from closing safely or expose the cable to direct flame.
The lid hook is useful when opening the grill because it keeps the hot lid off the ground. Depending on the grill’s position, the hanging lid may also provide some protection from wind.
After cooking, closing all four dampers should restrict oxygen and help extinguish the remaining charcoal. Available use information suggests this may take approximately 20 to 30 minutes, but the grill and fuel must be checked carefully. It should never be packed, transported, or emptied until all parts and coals are completely cold.
Ash removal is more manual than on grills with removable ash pans. Once the grill is cold, the grates must be removed and the firebox carefully tipped into an appropriate noncombustible container. The porcelain-enameled interior should be reasonably easy to wipe down, but the lack of an ash drawer adds an extra step.
What Works Well
The rectangular body makes efficient use of limited vehicle and storage space. It is particularly practical when packed beside camping bins, coolers, or other square equipment.
The porcelain-enameled steel construction offers a useful balance of durability, heat retention, and corrosion resistance. It also avoids the flimsy feel associated with some ultralight portable grills.
The four adjustable dampers provide more control than a basic open charcoal tray. They allow users to manage airflow for hot direct grilling or slower indirect cooking.
The two-piece grate makes it possible to access the charcoal without removing the entire cooking surface. This can be helpful during longer sessions.
The folding legs reduce the number of loose components and secure the lid during transportation. The integrated lid hook is another practical detail that simplifies cooking in places without a clean work surface.
Closing the dampers can extinguish the fire and may preserve some unburned charcoal for later use. This improves fuel efficiency when the seal is functioning properly.
Things to Consider
The 160-square-inch cooking surface is intended for small meals. It may accommodate food for two to four people, but serving four will depend on portion size and the type of food. Larger groups will probably require multiple batches.
The shallow lid limits vertical clearance. Whole chickens, tall roasts, and other bulky foods may not fit in the standard configuration.
There is no built-in temperature gauge. An external thermometer is advisable when precise cooking temperatures are important.
The grill does not have a removable ash pan or integrated ash sweeper. Ash disposal requires waiting for complete cooling and handling the firebox itself.
Substantial heat can radiate beneath the shallow firebox. The grill should not be placed directly on plastic tables, wooden benches, wood decks, dry grass, or other heat-sensitive or combustible surfaces.
The handle, lid, vent tabs, and nearby metal components may become hot during cooking. Insulated barbecue gloves are appropriate when adjusting the vents or handling the lid.
The wire legs may loosen slightly after repeated use. Their position and clamping pressure should be inspected before every trip and before the grill is carried.
Who Is This Product For?
This grill is a sensible option for car campers, tailgaters, apartment residents with access to an approved outdoor grilling area, and households that prepare relatively small charcoal-grilled meals. It is especially relevant for people who value compact storage and prefer a rectangular grill that fits neatly beside other equipment.
It may also suit users who want both direct and indirect cooking in a portable format and are comfortable learning basic charcoal and vent management.
It is less appropriate for large families, frequent group entertaining, or anyone who regularly cooks whole poultry and large roasts. Buyers who prioritize push-button ignition, built-in temperature monitoring, or effortless ash removal may prefer a portable gas grill or a charcoal model with a removable ash system.
Helpful Tips Before You Buy
Measure the intended storage compartment rather than relying only on the grill’s general description as portable. Allow extra room for the handle, leg mechanism, charcoal tools, and a safe container for fuel.
Plan to use the grill only outdoors in a well-ventilated location. Charcoal produces carbon monoxide and must never be burned inside a tent, vehicle, garage, or enclosed shelter.
Place the grill on stable, level, noncombustible ground. If it must be used on a suitable table, use a properly rated heat-resistant barrier and confirm that the surface can safely tolerate downward radiant heat.
Consider purchasing insulated barbecue gloves and an external grill thermometer. These address two important limitations: hot vent controls and the absence of a factory temperature gauge.
Briquettes may provide a more uniform fit and predictable burn in the shallow firebox than oversized lump charcoal. Start with a moderate amount of fuel and add more through the divided grate if necessary.
Check that the legs are fully positioned before cooking. Before transportation, make sure the grill is completely cold and verify that the legs hold the lid securely.
Do not dispose of ash in plastic containers or regular trash while it is warm. Use a suitable metal container and confirm that no embers remain.
Common Questions
How many people can this grill serve?
The listed 160-square-inch surface is generally appropriate for two to four people. Cooking for four may require careful arrangement or more than one batch.
Can it be used for indirect cooking?
Yes. The char-rail can hold charcoal on one side so food can cook over the cooler side. The available indirect area is limited by the grill’s compact size.
Does it include a thermometer?
No built-in lid thermometer is listed. A separate grill-safe thermometer or digital temperature probe can provide more accurate monitoring.
Can the grill be placed on a picnic table?
It should not be placed directly on plastic, wood, or another heat-sensitive surface. Downward radiant heat can cause scorching or damage. A stable noncombustible location is the safer choice.
How is the ash removed?
After the grill and charcoal are completely cold, the grates can be removed and the firebox carefully tipped into an appropriate metal disposal container. There is no integrated slide-out ash pan.
Can it cook a whole chicken?
The shallow lid may not provide enough clearance for a typical whole chicken. Smaller cuts are better suited to the standard configuration unless a compatible chamber riser is added.
Final Thoughts
The Weber Go-Anywhere Portable Charcoal Grill combines a packable rectangular shape with durable porcelain-enameled construction and useful airflow control. Its divided grate, indirect-cooking char-rail, folding leg system, and lid hook make it practical for camping, tailgating, and small outdoor meals.
Its limitations are equally important. The cooking surface is modest, the lid has limited clearance, there is no built-in thermometer, and ash removal requires tipping the cooled firebox. Users must also protect surrounding surfaces from downward heat and use care around hot handles and vent controls.
For one to four people who enjoy charcoal cooking and place a high value on efficient storage, this grill offers a well-considered balance of portability and control. It is not the most convenient option for large meals or tall foods, but its straightforward design makes it a credible choice for compact outdoor cooking.
Post a Comment
0 Comments