Sorry to my air fryer – this portable gas barbecue has become my go-to for quick and healthy midweek dinners

Barbecues have evolved so much in recent years that choosing one can feel impossible, especially if you’ve never owned one before. From classic charcoal models to gas grills packed with fancy (and sometimes confusing) features, it’s not always easy to know which one is right if all you really want is something practical, easy to manage and simple to use.

That's a perspective shared by 48-year-old Jennifer Church, a member of the woman&home Tester Network who lives in Northern Ireland. A full-time working single mum to a rugby-mad tweenager with “a huge appetite”, Jennifer loves cooking wholesome, protein-packed meals, but had always avoided buying a barbecue because she assumed it would be “too complicated to operate on my own and too time-consuming to heat”.

After testing the Char-Broil Grill2Go X200 for three weeks in her back garden during a recent spell of warm, sunny weather, she discovered that modern portable barbecues can be far less intimidating than they first appear - and a genuinely practical alternative to firing up the oven or relying on an air fryer during the warmer months. Quick to heat up and easy to get started, they’re particularly well suited to busy households that needs dinner on the table fast.

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Char-Broil Grill2Go X200 review

• RRP: £229.95
• Type: Gas
• Material: stainless steel
• Dimensions: 60 x 40 x 35 cm
• Temperature range: up to 320 °C
• Weight: 9 kgs
• Total BTUs: 2.7

How we tested the Char-Broil Grill2Go X200

The Char-Broil Grill2Go X200 Barbecue was reviewed by Jennifer, who is part of our tester network. Here's a little more about why she's the perfect person for the job...

Jennifer Church

Jennifer is a keen home cook who enjoys making healthy meals and spending as much time outdoors as possible. A single mum who works full time, she values kitchen appliances and cooking gadgets that are practical, quick to use and easy to fit into everyday life. As a complete barbecue beginner, she was particularly interested in finding out whether a portable gas grill could really make outdoor cooking feel simple and stress-free.

Unboxing the Char-Broil Grill2Go X200

Jennifer felt a little intimidated when the Char-Broil Grill2Go X200 first arrived ahead of testing. “The box looked bigger than I was expecting,” she says, “but the barbecue itself is very portable and much more compact than it looked from the packaging.”

After unboxing the Char-Broil, she was immediately impressed by the barbecue's sturdy construction. “It’s a compact design but a really solid unit,” she explains. “But what really surprised me was how easily it lights and how incredibly quickly it heats up.”

That's by far one of the barbecue's biggest selling points, according to Jennifer. “The one piece of advice I’d give is that it cooks so much quicker than you would expect,” she explains. “Once you get used to that, it’s brilliant for anyone short on time.”

The built-in temperature gauge is another standout feature too: “I love how it shows you the internal temperature, so I know exactly when it’s ready for meat – which is always sooner than you imagine.”

What's the Char-Broil Grill2Go X200 like to use?

Having never owned a barbecue before, Jennifer says she initially felt daunted by the prospect of setting the Char-Broil Grill2Go X200 up. “I was worried about lighting a barbecue on my own,” she admits. “But I really shouldn’t have worried.”

Attaching the gas canister was the part she feared most, but that proved easier than expected. “I was a little nervous the first time, but it was straightforward, and I was very pleased to see the temperature gauge started going up rapidly straight away.”

However, the speed and intensity of the heat took her by surprise. “The grill heats to such a high temperature that it took a little getting used to,” she explains. “The first time I cooked burgers and sausages, I genuinely worried they weren’t done because they had cooked so quickly – but they absolutely were.”

Some portable gas grills struggle to deliver authentic barbecue flavour, but Jennifer says this one excels at this. “The chargrilled flavour and smell is amazing,” she says. “It says you can add wood chips, but I haven’t bothered because the smell and taste are already so good.”

For anyone looking for a manageable barbecue, Jennifer found the size and weight of the Char-Broil Grill2Go X200 particularly appealing. “The grill is easy enough for me to lift and carry on my own,” she says. “That was really important to me.”

Cleaning and storage also scored top marks during testing. “It’s easy to clean, and I store it in the garage when it’s not in use to protect it from the damp overnight.”

Who would the Char-Broil Grill2Go X200 suit?

The Char-Broil Grill2Go X200 is ideal for smaller households and people who enjoy outdoor cooking without the commitment or hassle of a permanent barbecue setup. “It’s just the right size for small families of two people, like ours,” Jennifer explains.

Whether you want to cook at a leisurely pace outdoors at weekends or squeeze in quick midweek meals between busy schedules, you're likely to appreciate how little effort this barbecue requires.

The portability is another huge plus for anyone who enjoys camping, caravanning or beach trips. Jennifer was apprehensive about how easy the grill would be to move around, but she found it compact, light, and manageable enough to handle on her own. In fact, it flipped her preconceptions of barbecues, “it’s so handy and easy to use,” Jennifer says. She'd recommend it to anyone who's new to barbecuing or due to be barbecuing solo, because it really is that manageable.

What are the drawbacks of the Char-Broil Grill2Go X200?

While the compact design was a hit with our tester, she thinks larger households might find it a little on the small side. “The size is perfect for my son and me,” she explains, “but it might not be big enough for bigger families.”

Those who regularly host large garden gatherings or who want a premium, feature-heavy outdoor kitchen experience may prefer a larger model with more cooking space and additional extras.

Jennifer also notes the need to use caution around it due to the intensity of its heat output. “It gets much hotter than you expect,” she says, “so you definitely need to adjust cooking times accordingly, and keep pets or young children away.”

Is the Char-Broil Grill2Go X200 good value for money?

Barbecues always need some research and saving, because they're big purchases. However, the value of the Char-Broil Grill2Go X200is an element where Jennifer feels it really shines. “I think this is an excellent buy,” she says. “It’s a fantastic price point for the quality.”

She was particularly impressed by how sturdy it feels while still being totally portable. “It’s heavy duty and well made, but still light enough for me to lift and carry on my own.”

Compared with larger, more expensive barbecues, she felt this offered impressive performance for the price. “It gives a lovely chargrilled flavour, even without adding wood chips, so it feels like really good value for money.”

Should you buy the Char-Broil Grill2Go X200?

The Char-Broil Grill2Go X200proved to be a confidence-boosting first barbecue experience for our tester. who thinks it's ideal for anyone looking to experience outdoor cooking in a way that feels simple rather than stressful.

“I would recommend this to anyone who loves barbecued food but doesn’t want to invest in a full barbecue,” says Jennifer. “It’s portable, easy to use, quick to clean and gives a lovely chargrilled flavour.”

For smaller families, empty nesters, single parents or anyone wanting a practical, affordable introduction to outdoor cooking, this compact gas grill strikes the perfect balance between convenience, performance and value. Just add sunshine!