Reviews You Can Rely On

Weber Go-Anywhere Charcoal Review

Simple and highly effective, this portable charcoal grill will help you show-off your pit cooking skills away from home
gearlab tested logo
Weber Go-Anywhere Charcoal Review (The dual handles are great for transportation, but get quite hot while cooking due to their proximity to the body of...)
The dual handles are great for transportation, but get quite hot while cooking due to their proximity to the body of the grill.
Credit: Aaron Rice
Price:  $71 List
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Manufacturer:   Weber
By Aaron Rice ⋅ Senior Review Editor  ⋅  May 6, 2020
62
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#6 of 20
  • Output Power - 25% 7.0
  • Control - 25% 7.0
  • Portability - 20% 6.0
  • Cooking Area - 20% 4.0
  • Wind Resistance - 10% 7.0

Our Verdict

Simple, effective, durable, and affordable, the Weber Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill is the perfect solution for pit-cooking on-the-go. Despite its scaled-down design, this grill affords an impressively sized charcoal bed, making it easy to manipulate heat zones and cook different ingredients to perfection — all at the same time on a reasonably sized, chrome-plated grate. The grill's enameled, cast-iron body salutes the quality construction we seek in durable products, while at the same time affording solid insulation that will keep your well-tended coals roasting hot. As long as you commit to learning how to cook on charcoal, get ready to bring the Go-Anywhere with you to your next barbeque, and impress friends with some amazing, charcoal-grilled food. To see how this grill ranks among the competition, check out our review of the best portable grills.
REASONS TO BUY
Sturdy
Simple
Good sized coal bed and grill space
REASONS TO AVOID
Handles get hot
Vents are hard to adjust
Requires more preparation than gas grills
Editor's Note: This review was updated on November 8, 2022, with additional information related to value and to offer recommendations for other comparable portable grills.

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards Top Pick Award
Best Charcoal Grill
Best Buy Award
Best Cooking Performance for the Money
Best Buy Award
Best Value in a Smaller Grill
Top Pick Award
An Impressive Electric Grill
 
Price $71 List
$71.00 at Amazon
$170 List
Check Price at Amazon
$120 List
$90.82 at Amazon
$50 List
$38.66 at Amazon
$15.00 List
$14.50 at Amazon
Overall Score Sort Icon
62
72
61
59
40
Star Rating
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Bottom Line A neatly packaged, on-the-go charcoal grill with the capacity for finely tuned pit-cookingA high-performing propane grill that features an aesthetic and durable stainless steel design along with high output power and excellent controlAlmost too powerful for its size, this hearty grill specializes in searing steaksThough limited in terms of overall output power and temperature control, this lightweight, electric option offers non-stick performance and exceptional portabilityThough this is a neat concept for those who are interested in leave-no-trace grilling in the backcountry, you're better off using a metal grate over an open flame
Rating Categories Weber Go-Anywhere C... Cuisinart CGG-306 C... Cuisinart Grillster Elite Gourmet 12" E... Casus Biodegradable...
Output Power (25%)
7.0
8.0
7.0
5.0
4.0
Control (25%)
7.0
8.0
5.0
6.0
2.0
Portability (20%)
6.0
6.0
8.0
7.0
7.0
Cooking Area (20%)
4.0
7.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
Wind Resistance (10%)
7.0
6.0
7.0
9.0
3.0
Specs Weber Go-Anywhere C... Cuisinart CGG-306 C... Cuisinart Grillster Elite Gourmet 12" E... Casus Biodegradable...
Heat/Power Source Charcoal Liquid propane Liquid propane Electric Charcoal
Total BTU N/A 20,000 8,000 N/A N/A
Weight (Per Manufacturer) 14 lbs 14 oz 22 lbs 10.0 lbs 6.0 lbs 2.2 lbs
Measured Cooking Surface Area 140.0 sq in 275.0 sq in 148 sq in 144 sq in 88 sq in
Number of Burners N/A 2 1 N/A N/A
Grill material Plated steel Stainless steel Enameled steel Stainless steel Bamboo
Measured Packed Size - Dimensions 21.0"L x 12.2"D x 14.5"H 22.0"L x 14.0"D x 18.5"H 20.5"L x 12.0"D x 10.2"H 17.0"L x 17.0"D x 4.0"H 12.0"L x 9.0"D x 4.0"H
Measured Packed Size - Volume 2.2 cu ft 3.3 cu ft 1.5 cu ft 0.7 cu ft 1.5 cu ft
Piezo Ignitor No Yes Yes No No

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Weber Go-Anywhere charcoal grill brings to the table the same durability and quality construction as the company's other grill selections. But this offering comes in a compact, transportable package that can be easily set up on tables — or the ground — anywhere. If open pit-cooking over charcoal isn't your thing, Weber offers essentially the same grill in a gas version.

Performance Comparison


weber go-anywhere charcoal - it's true: nothing compares to the taste you are able to create by...
It's true: nothing compares to the taste you are able to create by cooking over an open flame!
Credit: Aaron Rice

Output Power


Grilling over fire and charcoal is a culinary art form, and as such cannot (and should not) be directly compared to grilling over a gas flame. However, we found that the Go-Anywhere grill consistently stacked up against the gas-guzzling competition in terms of output power and cook times.


The rectangular frame is designed with a deep basin where one can build a sizable coal bed capable of producing on-point grilling temperatures. Using our senses (read: hands), experience with cooking over open flames, and the accuracy of an infrared thermometer, we found that this grill achieved and maintained consistent temperatures time-and-again throughout our testing.

weber go-anywhere charcoal - what's dinner without dessert? we were able to keep charcoal rolling...
What's dinner without dessert? We were able to keep charcoal rolling enough to grill s'mores at the end of our meal.
Credit: Aaron Rice

In our peak-power test, the grilling surface of the Go-Anywhere easily reached the magic, Maillard-threshold of 330 ℉ within a matter of minutes, topping out around 455 ℉ after 10 minutes. After cooking for an additional 20 minutes, the internal grill temperature still measured 354 ℉! This heat spectrum, from approximately 300 ℉ up to 450 ℉, is the ideal temperature range for most grilled foods, from searing red meat and crisping chicken to roasting veggies.

Cook Like a Pit Master


There are online BBQ charts that lay out temperatures and cook times for the majority of your favorite grilled foods.

Thanks to its well-insulated, enamel-coated cast iron construction, this grill is also capable of maintaining the temperatures required for low-and-slow cooking. While it takes some time to learn the adjustments to ventilation and size of the coal bed, your time spent is well worth it for perfectly cooked, tinfoil-wrapped foods like fish and potatoes.

weber go-anywhere charcoal - slow roasting some dry-rubbed curry chicken to perfection on the...
Slow roasting some dry-rubbed curry chicken to perfection on the Weber Go-Anywhere.
Credit: Aaron Rice

Control


The Go-Anywhere offers a different layout from the clamshell shape of many charcoal grills. That classic design limits the size of the coal bed by concentrating them into a smaller area, simultaneously increasing heat output and insulation of the coals to help extend burn times. Alternatively, the Go-Anywhere is designed with a coal bed that exactly matches the size of the cooking surface area. Thanks to the inset depth of the bottom grate, this grill holds a deep, broad coal bed that is still capable of producing consistent temperatures over a long period of time.


This allows you to control the overall maximum temperature and pile or remove coals to create particular heat zones across the grilling surface, helping you better achieve that perfectly browned cut of meat. Add adjustable vents on the top and sides, combine that with a sizable cooking area, and it is possible to tailor the heat of this charcoal grill to hit the target temperature of each and every piece of food. A little experience helps here, as there is a learning curve to cooking on charcoal.

weber go-anywhere charcoal - we used our toast-test to show how with manipulation of the coal...
We used our toast-test to show how with manipulation of the coal bed, we were able to achieve three pretty distinct heat zones within a relatively small amount of cooking space.
Credit: Aaron Rice

We loved the ability to manipulate the coal bed to accommodate the temperature preferences of specific foods. On the left, we were able to sear a steak, in the middle blister peppers, and on the right slow-roast an onion — all at the same time. As mentioned above, the Go-Anywhere grill boasts impressive heat retention, thanks to an enamel-coated cast iron construction. Even with small coal beds that would normally extinguish in another charcoal grill, this well-built barbeque was able to maintain a consistent temperature for low-and-slow cooking.

weber go-anywhere charcoal - pit-cooking is all about building the proper coal bed, and this...
Pit-cooking is all about building the proper coal bed, and this grill provides more than enough space to do so.
Credit: Aaron Rice

While we admire the adjustable vents, it took a few incidents of initially smothering the coal bed to learn from our mistakes. Additionally, the vents themselves are very tightly fit to the grill frame and get extremely hot while cooking. It was nearly impossible to manipulate them with tongs, and required gloves to adjust.

weber go-anywhere charcoal - side ventilation open (left) and closed (right.) while these are a...
Side ventilation open (left) and closed (right.) While these are a great addition, they were tough to manipulate without gloves.
Credit: Aaron Rice

Portability


The most extraordinary element about the Go-Anywhere grill is the impressive performance it is able to achieve out of such a simple design. While this grill requires some assembly out of the box, once in-action, it is user-friendly.


This grill might be small but still feels substantial. With pivoting legs that smartly latch into the lid — locking both the legs and lid in place for carrying — this grill packs down to just over 2 cubic feet, slightly larger than your average piece of carry on luggage. A friend noted that packed down, this grill flat-out looks portable, and we noted that it fit snuggly even in a standard vehicle's backseat footwell. Most importantly, it keeps all of the coals and ash securely inside during transport.

Unpacked, the Go-Anywhere grill lives up to its name. The legs elevate it nicely above whatever surface you're cooking on, and the sturdy frame stands as nicely on grass as it does on a table. Our only suggestion to you — and criticism of the grill itself — is to be careful of the handles. Although the handles are glass-reinforced nylon that should stay insulated from the heat of the grill, we noticed that they tend to get very hot while cooking, so give these a few minutes to cool off before trying to pack-up or move the grill.

weber go-anywhere charcoal - simplicity is the name-of-the-game when it comes to this grill: the...
Simplicity is the name-of-the-game when it comes to this grill: the pivoting legs are held in place with a very effective, and yet easy to manipulate lock.
Credit: Aaron Rice

Cooking Area


For a relatively compact grill, the Go-Anywhere manages to incorporate a respectable cooking surface. The grilling area measures 140 square-inches, which translates to just under one square-foot of surface area.


This is actually slightly smaller than what the manufacturer claims on their website. They also claim that the rectangular surface is large enough to fit four, medium-sized steaks — but we would argue there is enough space to properly cook those four steaks, plus some grilled veggies in between.

weber go-anywhere charcoal - two steaks, vegetables, and plenty of room to spare!
Two steaks, vegetables, and plenty of room to spare!
Credit: Aaron Rice

We really appreciated the ability to move food around the nicely-sized grill top to properly cook according to the position of particular heat zones. The plated-steel grate sits comfortably on a lip built into the grill body and does not shift at all during cooking — another plus compared to other charcoal grills on the market.

weber go-anywhere charcoal - we loved the stability of this grill for manipulating the coal bed...
We loved the stability of this grill for manipulating the coal bed. The cooking grate easily slots back into place thanks to well-inset grooves at the edges of the grill body.
Credit: Aaron Rice

As an open-flame grill, you can confidently scrape the relatively non-stick grate in-between courses for a fresh cooking surface or easily wash with soap and water afterward.

weber go-anywhere charcoal - when it gets heavy with grime, the chrome-plated grate was just as...
When it gets heavy with grime, the chrome-plated grate was just as easy to scrape clean as it was to wash with soap and water.
Credit: Aaron Rice

Wind Resistance


The Go-Anywhere is topped with a good-sized lid that affords ample grilling space — a bonus for cooking out in less than desirable weather conditions. The lid is built with the same enamel-coated cast iron as the body, so you won't have to worry about it blowing away if the wind happens to kick up.


As long as you manage the dampers and vents well, we found it easy to cook with the Go-Anywhere in the wind. The depth of the charcoal grate made it easier to get a chimney lit, and a well-insulated grill body kept the coals burning nicely once they were in place.

weber go-anywhere charcoal - thanks to a deeply inset charcoal grate, we had no problem lighting...
Thanks to a deeply inset charcoal grate, we had no problem lighting the chimney to heat coals.
Credit: Aaron Rice

Even during extended cook times — like for baked potatoes — this grill paced itself well with a consistent internal temperature without much loss to convective cooling. The Go-Anywhere also features a hanger built into the lid, so that you don't have to find a place to set it down while cooking, and at the same time creating a wind-wall.

weber go-anywhere charcoal - a simple and thoughtful touch! these well-designed hangers pull...
A simple and thoughtful touch! These well-designed hangers pull double duty, holding the grill top and effectively blocking the wind.
Credit: Aaron Rice

Should You Buy the Weber Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill?


We love it when simplicity and performance come together in perfect harmony. The Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill has a few thoughtful design aspects, but overall, it has no fancy qualities. It is simply a solid, well-designed, charcoal grill that is capable of producing delicious food. Most importantly, all of this comes in a compact, portable package, so that you can share the joys of pit-cooking with the world. Considering the size, price, and performance, we're not sure you can find a more valuable, more easily portable charcoal grill.

weber go-anywhere charcoal - a direct comparison with the cuisinart portable charcoal grill: the...
A direct comparison with the Cuisinart Portable Charcoal Grill: the Weber Go-Anywhere may be a more significant investment, but it will undoubtedly serve you well through many summers of grilling.
Credit: Aaron Rice

What Other Portable Grills Should You Consider?


If you appreciate the art of cooking over charcoal and want to share your talent, the Weber Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill is bound to become a mainstay of your outdoor cooking setup. However, we also recognize that not everyone wants to mess with charcoal. If that is the case, then the Cuisinart Grillster is a fantastic gas grill with a low price tag. The Char-Broil Portable 240 is another similarly priced gas grill that offers a larger grilling surface than these other two. An even more affordable option that is not only easy to use but also easy to clean is the Elite Gourmet 12", which is our favorite electric grill.

weber go-anywhere charcoal - charcoal grilling is an art, and weber has done a great job of...
Charcoal grilling is an art, and Weber has done a great job of making that art form mobile.
Credit: Aaron Rice

Aaron Rice