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in this story
Charmaline Small Portable Charcoal BBQ Grill, $40
Why do we like this deal?
With summer in full swing and the nation’s 250th birthday approaching, it’s truly the season for outdoor cooking. Everything from traditional grill-smoker hybrids to wood-fired pizza ovens and camping ovens are competing for your summer dollars, but an Amazon pickup that’s both affordable and practical is really winning the hearts of daytrippers.
The Charmaline Small Portable Charcoal BBQ Grill is available on Amazon for just $40. This isn’t the only portable grill out there, but it’s significantly more affordable than other grills and has one extremely unique feature: it folds up. The fold-up-and-carry-away form factor probably makes it one of the best grills of the genre, and it’s worth noting that buyers also agree, as it’s actually Amazon’s ranked No. 14 charcoal grill, a category largely dominated by full-size Weber and Royal Gourmet grills.
Charmaline Small Portable Charcoal BBQ Grill, $40 at Amazon

What shoppers need to know
- Folded Dimensions: 13.7 x 8.7 x 3.0 inches
- Operating Dimensions: 25.6 x 8.7 x 7.0 inches
- weight: 5 pounds
- fuel type: charcoal
- These include: big bag
- Notable Features: Folds into the size of a briefcase with one handle, dual-level grill plate
In cartoons, it always felt like everyday objects could be transformed into capsules, backpacks, and briefcases, ready to be transformed into something useful at any moment. This grill is a kind of actualization of that concept, turning from something about the size and weight of your laptop case to a fully functional grill with two side areas for your grill tools and a dual-level grill plate for fast cooking or slow roasting.
It is good for some occasions. If you use Prime shipping, you should receive it before the 4th of July, and the advantages of grilling straight from the briefcase should be obvious for that type of environment. But it’s also definitely nice to have in the trunk of your car for local trips to the state park. And, you can also enjoy it on the balcony tabletop of your small apartment.
All that being said, there are two slightly larger versions available. Although they allow you to cook for more people at once, they cost more and reduce portability somewhat, which is the attraction of this grill in the first place.
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what shoppers are saying
One shopper enthusiastically described their grill, “Awesome, very convenient, comes in a nice bag, easy to empty and load, and it folds up with the little side table, which is great.”
Another discussed how they actually use it. “I’ve used it for impromptu cooking in Prospect Park and even on my Brooklyn balcony—setup takes minutes, and cleanup is a breeze.”
The Charmaline Small Portable Charcoal BBQ Grill costs $40 and, again, if you get fast Prime shipping, it should arrive before the 4th.
buy more deals
- Coleman Fold ‘N Go Portable Propane Grill, $100 at Amazon (was $142).
- Gas One 14-Inch Portable Barbecue Grill, $21 at Amazon
- Kamado Joe Big Block XL Premium hardwood lump charcoal, $28 at Amazon (was $30).
