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There’s nothing better than cooking with live flames. Whether you’re searing over high heat or smoking low and slow, hot coals are the most versatile—and fun—fuel for barbecuing. These three options are great for different scenarios, but they all lead to the same place: tasty fire-prepared meals.
Ñuke Delta ($1,449)
The Ñuke Delta is inspired by the gaucho grills of Argentina, where cooking over fire is considered an art. The grill itself is handmade there, too. Ignite hardwood or charcoal in the suspended metal basket and use the included shovel and poker to arrange the coals as they fall through the bottom. Then get cooking on the massive 26-by-21- inch grate, raising or lowering it as needed. Bricks line the whole cooking area, efficiently radiating heat upward. There’s a hood for covered cooking, a grill plate for pan-like searing, and a warming drawer to keep your food toasty.
Nomad Grill and Smoker ($599)
The Nomad Grill and Smoker is the most convenient portable we’ve ever used. It closes up like a suitcase for transport, keeping ash, grease, and the grate contained. There’s no need to fuss with separate bags, and you don’t have to worry about spills in the back of your rig. A burly handle with silicone patches makes for easy toting. To set up the Nomad, simply unfold it, load one half with coals, and cook on the 212-square-inch grate. If you’re grilling for a big group, slap an additional grate ($119) on the other half. You can also use it as a smoker: just get your coals to the right heat, open the vents, close the lid, and keep an eye on the temperature with the built-in thermometer.
Breeo Outpost 24″ ($200)
Made in America from food-grade stainless steel, the Breeo Outpost 24″ standalone grate is built for years of cooking over an open fire wherever you go. Pound the T-shaped anchor into the ground next to your fire ring, insert the post, slide on the grill, and secure it over the coals. It’s stable enough to simultaneously cook veggies in a cast-iron pan and four steaks on the 24-inch-diameter surface. A soft case helps keep things clean in transit.