Portable charcoal grills often carry a reputation for being hot, messy, and fragile. The NOMAD Grill and Smoker challenges that stereotype with a rugged briefcase-style grill designed to deliver authentic charcoal flavor whether you’re at home, camping, or on the road—while minimizing mess and improving results.
I’ll admit I’d moved away from charcoal, favoring gas and pellet smokers because charcoal can be time-consuming and inconvenient—especially when cooking outdoors on a picnic or at a campsite. But the NOMAD’s smart, compact design caught my attention, and after seeing it in use I wanted to learn more.
A Briefcase Grill You Can Count On
Traditional portable charcoal grills often leave ash and debris behind; lids can pop off and ashes scatter in your trunk or campsite. The NOMAD’s briefcase concept addresses these problems directly. When closed it locks ash and residue inside, and when opened it unfolds into a stable cooking setup.
The cooking grate remains secure inside the unit, and there’s room to transport tools safely within the closed case. Robust latches and a sturdy handle prevent accidental openings and keep everything contained during transport.
Weighing about 28 pounds, the NOMAD is heavier than many lightweight portable grills because of its diecast aluminum cookboxes. That weight is an advantage: it helps the grill hold and distribute heat evenly. Despite its heft, the unit remains compact enough to fit in a car trunk, truck bed, or even be strapped to a bike or motorcycle for adventurous travel.
Charcoal Cooking Performance
The NOMAD delivers impressive heat and consistent cooking thanks to its diecast cookboxes, which are enclosed in an anodized aluminum shell that resists corrosion. This construction concentrates and maintains heat for better searing and even cooking.
The cambered stainless steel cooking grate provides 212 square inches of usable space and can be doubled by adding a second grate to reach roughly 425 square inches. The curved design adds strength, and flipping the grate creates a convenient basket for grilling vegetables.
With both sides loaded, the system can accommodate around 30 burger patties. Using a single side provides enough space to smoke two racks of ribs. NOMAD also offers a compatible all-natural charcoal made to work well with the grill. A charcoal chimney speeds lighting, and simple firestarters help get things going.
On our test cook, we seared steaks and grilled vegetables on one side. The high, even heat produced a satisfying sear and delivered steaks cooked to a precise medium-rare—evidence the grill handles high-temperature cooking well.
Is the NOMAD Grill Worth It?
At $625 the NOMAD sits near the higher end of the portable grill market, but the price reflects robust construction, thoughtful design, and strong performance. For someone who values genuine charcoal flavor without the usual mess and inconvenience, it’s a worthwhile investment.
Personally, the NOMAD brought me back to charcoal cooking after years of using gas and pellet setups. Its build quality and ease of use make getting that charcoal taste less of a chore. If you take charcoal grilling seriously, this grill can replace both your backyard and portable setups and should last for years with proper care.
For more details and product information, check NomadGrills.com.
