How To BBQ When You’re Away From Home

One of the best things about BBQ is that it doesn’t have to stay in your backyard. Whether you’re headed to a tailgate, camping trip, beach day, or a vacation rental, your pitmaster skills are 100% portable — you just need the right gear and a little planning. In Episode 80 of the Backyard SmokeMaster BBQ Podcast, we broke down everything you need to know to barbecue on the road like a pro. Here’s what you need to know.

Before You Pack: Key Things to Think About

Before you throw a grill in the truck and hit the road, there are a few important things to consider:

Portability — Think about the weight, size, and fuel source of whatever you’re bringing. The cooker that dominates your backyard might not be practical on a camping trip.

Local fire and smoking regulations — This is a big one. Some parks, beaches, and municipalities have fire bans or restrictions on open flame. Always check before you go.

Cooking capacity — The grill you travel with probably won’t have the same capacity as your setup at home. Plan your menu accordingly.

Recipe simplicity — This isn’t the time to tackle a 16-hour brisket. Think quick, flavorful cooks that work in a more limited setup.

Cleanup and ash disposal — Especially at campsites or public parks, be a good citizen. Know the cleanup rules and plan for easy ash disposal.

Best Portable Grills and Smokers for Travel

Here’s a rundown of some proven options to consider for your next trip:

1. Weber Smokey Joe (~$50)

The classic choice. It looks and operates just like the iconic Weber kettle, just in a compact, affordable package. Perfect for burgers, hot dogs, and basic grilling. If you’ve cooked on a Weber kettle before, you’ll feel right at home — just adjust for the smaller cooking surface.

2. PK Go (~$380)

Made from cast aluminum, the PK Go is built tough and designed with portability in mind — it’s literally in the name (Portable Kitchen). Like its bigger brother the PK 360, it’s great for dual-zone cooking. Add the GrillGrates ($125) for even more versatility, including high-heat searing. They also offer a compact foldable table and a carrying case — solid all-around package.

3. Traeger Ranger (~$480)

If you want set-it-and-forget-it convenience on the road, a portable pellet grill is your answer. The Traeger Ranger gives you digital temperature control and consistent results — no fire management required. The tradeoff? You need access to power. If your campsite or rental doesn’t have an outlet, lean toward charcoal instead.

4. Ooni Karu (~$350 for the 12″)

Known primarily as a pizza oven, the Ooni Karu can actually pull double duty as a high-heat searing machine for steaks. It runs on wood, charcoal, or gas depending on the model, gets up to extremely high temperatures quickly, and is compact and portable. The first-gen 12″ model is the sweet spot for travel — the Karu 2 Pro is great but at $1,100+, it’s probably staying home.

5. Nomad Grill and Smoker (~$700)

The Nomad’s briefcase-style design makes it one of the most unique portable options out there. It’s built with dual die-cast aluminum cook boxes and up to 425 square inches of cooking space. The build quality is premium, and it does claim smoker capabilities — though it shines most as a direct-heat grill.

6. Weber Go-Anywhere (~$90)

A solid budget-friendly rectangular grill that’s easy to pack and store. With a two-zone setup — fuel on one side, indirect on the other — you can actually do some light smoking on this thing. Great for a low-investment portable option.

7. SNS Grills Travel Kettle (~$160)

At 18 inches, this is a step up from the Smokey Joe’s 14 inches — and that extra cooking space matters. SNS Grills is known for thoughtful accessories (hello, Slow ‘N Sear), and the thermometer placement is dialed in. A great value for a travel-focused charcoal grill.

8. Slot Grill (~$150)

A newer discovery — this collapsible grill is clever, quick to assemble, and impressively compact. Worth keeping an eye on.

Your Travel BBQ Checklist

Don’t leave home without these:

• ✅ The right fuel — Charcoal, pellets, or propane, depending on your cooker
• ✅ Instant-read thermometer — Skip the Bluetooth/wireless on the road; connectivity can be unreliable
• ✅ Foil trays or disposable pans
• ✅ Gloves and tongs
• ✅ Small cutting board — Easy to forget, hard to cook without
• ✅ A well-stocked cooler — Pre-season and pre-marinate your meats at home before you leave
• ✅ Backup fire starter — A torch is ideal; always have a lighter as a backup

Travel-Friendly BBQ Recipes to Consider

You don’t have to sacrifice great food just because you’re away from home. Here are some approaches that work really well on the road:

Pre-smoked ribs — Smoke them at home, then reheat on your portable grill when you arrive. You get the full smoke flavor without the 5-6 hour cook on the road.

Chicken thighs with dry rub — A crowd favorite for good reason. Quick cook time, versatile with rubs, and forgiving. Hard to mess up.

Veggie skewers and grilled corn — Don’t forget the non-carnivores at your cookout. Grilled veggies are easy, colorful, and delicious.

Kebabs — Great call for travel BBQ. Easy to prep, easy to cook, and everybody loves them.

Pro Tips for Cooking on the Road

A few final things to keep in mind before you fire it up:

???? Scout your location — Look for a flat surface in a shaded area. Wind conditions matter too, especially for charcoal cooks.

???? Have a reliable fire starter — A torch is your best friend. Bring a backup.

???? Know the local rules — Respect fire bans and leave-no-trace principles wherever you cook.

????️ Safety first — Especially in unfamiliar surroundings. Don’t leave your cook unattended from start to finish.

Pro Tips for Cooking on the Road

A few final things to keep in mind before you fire it up:

???? Scout your location — Look for a flat surface in a shaded area. Wind conditions matter too, especially for charcoal cooks.

???? Have a reliable fire starter — A torch is your best friend. Bring a backup.

???? Know the local rules — Respect fire bans and leave-no-trace principles wherever you cook.

????️ Safety first — Especially in unfamiliar surroundings. Don’t leave your cook unattended from start to finish.

My Go-To Portable Grill

For what it’s worth, my personal pick for travel BBQ is actually my PK 360. You can remove it from the pedal stand, take off the side tables, and it becomes surprisingly portable. It handles everything from direct grilling to low-and-slow smoking, and with GrillGrates, it can sear a steak beautifully. Not the lightest option, but the versatility is hard to beat.

I also own a Weber Smokey Joe (picked it up at a closeout sale), but honestly — I haven’t used it once. The PK 360 just does more.

Level Up Your BBQ Skills — Join the Community

You don’t have to figure all of this out alone. The Backyard SmokeMaster Society is a free BBQ community where we keep conversations like this going all week long. Whether you’ve got questions about travel gear, need recipe advice, or just want to talk BBQ with people who get it — come join us.

???? Join the Backyard SmokeMaster Society for free

And if you want to catch the full conversation from this episode, check out Episode 80 of the Backyard SmokeMaster BBQ Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.

https://youtube.com/live/XrDwCfN5dfk

Kenyatta Robinson is the host of the Backyard SmokeMaster BBQ Podcast and the pitmaster behind Backyard SmokeMaster BBQ in the East Bay/Diablo Valley area. Follow along on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook.

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