I don't like cooking in the trailer so we usually use a portable Coleman stove and set it up on the picnic table outside. I'm thinking about getting a portable bbq grill and have noticed some fold-up stainless grills that might work. Does anyone have a small grill that they recommend? Ideally would work with small propane bottles as well as charcoal. Thanks.
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"would you rather have a mansion full of money or a trailer full of love?"
Funny you'd mention this - I'm just about to get my first Airstream and I've been thinking about how fun it'll be to be able to grill outside the trailer.
I don't know what your budget is, but MAN there's a nice stainless steel grill at Williams-Sonoma. Before you snicker at the $559 price tag (just finished snickering myself actually) it's important to remember that this is the kind of thing that if built properly you'll use hundreds of times and will last virtually forever. I think it's so beautifully made and seems like such a well-designed little machine, I may actually go for something like this.
That is... unless I can find out who's contracted to make it for them before Williams-Sonoma slaps their name on it and triples the price. ; )
Between my little Hibachi tabletop charcoal grill, George Foreman electric grill (used outside on clear days) and my small microwave, I seldom find need to use the stove.
All are easy to clean and save on the expense and hassle of using propane.
This summer we got something that may interest you...it's the Coleman Road Trip Grill. It has interchangable cooking components that allow it to be used as a BBQ, Stove, Griddle or 1/2 one thing & 1/2 another. It uses the small disposable propane tanks, but we also purchased an additional hose which allows us to hook it up to our trailer's OPD tanks or any other 20lb tank. I LOVE it...the only complaint is it's a bit heavy, but it appears to be made well.
If you keep your eye open you can find it for under $150...
Shari
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Vintage Airstream Club - Past President 2007/2008
WBCCI #1824 - DenCO Unit Past President (2005)
AIR #30 - Join Date: 2-25-2002
Shari, are you happy with the Coleman...would you buy it again? I saw that one last month and it intrigued me. Looks like it folds up nice and can be stowed easily. Does it heat up fast and last question, if cooking chicken or steaks, how long does one bottle of the disposable propane last on it? Thanks.
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"would you rather have a mansion full of money or a trailer full of love?"
I have a Weber Go-anywhere charcoal grill, which I cannot praise highly enough. They also make a propane version of the same grill - see http://www.weber.com/bbq/pub/grill/f...spx?g=1520&t=p . A friend has one for his fiver and says it has been very satisfactory.
Note the dimensions: 12.25" deep, 14.4" tall, 21" long. With the lid on, and fastened, it will juuuusssst squeeze through the exterior storage door on my '85 Sovereign. It is so tight, I have taken to putting it away by putting in the bottom part first, then putting on the top inside the storage compartment.
I have used it most with either our trailer tank or a spare home BBQ 20lb tank...the kind you trade in when empty. I have used it with the small propane canisters, but have never run out so I don't know how long one would last.
It folds up nicely and you can get a heavy duty nylon bag with wheels to tote it around... I haven't weighed it to know how much it weighs...but it is kinda heavy so I would suggest that accessory.
It seems to heat up quickly and is pretty easy to clean...depending on what you have cooked, of course.
As I recall, it comes with only (1) grill & (1) griddle as standard...I ordered an additional grill, griddle & grate for maximum flexibility. I think sometimes Sam's Club or Costco has packaged deals with additional accessories, but we couldn't find one of the deals when we purchased ours.
Shari
__________________
Vintage Airstream Club - Past President 2007/2008
WBCCI #1824 - DenCO Unit Past President (2005)
AIR #30 - Join Date: 2-25-2002
Have you considered dutch oven cooking? I started doing this a couple of months ago and the results have been very good much to my surprise (my culinary reputation precedes me)!
You place hot charcoal on the top and bottom of the dutch oven (number of briquettes determines the oven's temperature) and let it sit.
I also take a small Ol' Pal charcoal grill that I've had for about 10 yrs. It has a cool retro look to it.
Before we got the Coleman (affectionately nicknamed "the Road Kill Grill"), we used the Weber Go-Anywhere Grill. It's great for a couple of people, but the Coleman is better for group BBQs, like at a small rally or with friends. The best feature is that you can grill on one side & put a pot on the grate on the other so I don't have to run in & out of the trailer when preparing a meal. At our last rally, we prepared chili dogs for about 25 people for lunch one day quite easily...dogs on one side & chili pot on the other.
I first used one of these at the Rocky Mountain AirstreamForum.com gathering (it was Les Gilliam's) we cooked Grand Marnier French Toast for about 25 people...you could fit about 10-12 slices on it at once. I fell in love & had to have one! The rest is history ~
<sales pitch over>
Shari
__________________
Vintage Airstream Club - Past President 2007/2008
WBCCI #1824 - DenCO Unit Past President (2005)
AIR #30 - Join Date: 2-25-2002
Look at camping world for a small portable holland grill. they are expensive($300.00) but worth the price. I have the home and portable version and love both. they are stainless and a good product.
it cooks very evenly does not flare up and it's pretty well impossible to burn anything. Runs of small propane cylinders or I bought the adapter hose from camping world and hook to 20lb cylinder.
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2004 30ft Slide Out with Hensley Arrow hitch. Pulled By 2002 Dodge Diesel 4x4 Dually
Shari makes a good point - size does matter. The Weber Go-anywhere grills are great if cooking for two to four people. But if you need surface area, there are better choices.
For me, the big plus was being able to keep it stored in the coach - one less thing to have to pack up when leaving on a trip.
A sort of in-between size I have heard good things about is the Weber Smokey Joe series. Have not used one myself.
Having owned a Weber "The Performer" for many years now ... I am a big time fan of Weber, the use of charcoal and indirect cooking.
The grill size of my unit is 22.5 inches ... but this unit is for home .. not for the road.
So the best Weber I can find ... fo me .. would be the Smokey Joe Platinum with the 18.5 inch grill.
I'm also considering going whole hog and getting a 22 1/2-inch One-Touch Gold. I'm going to have to take a look at one and see how much of a hassle it is to break it down.
The reason I want a 22.5 inch grill ... Weber makes a Wok insert .. which would be perfect to own. I would rather do this type of cooking outside ... woks can generate a lot of odor.
On edit: Never mind. I just discovered that Weber also makes an 18.5" Wok insert. Looks like I'm going with the Smokey Joe Platinum.
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