Best Portable Grill?

[STREAMTEAM]

Smoky Joe...by Webber...with the legs off fits into a couple of lawn leaf bags, with charcol, chips, starter, whatever. We use a plastic storage box with snap lid for everything. We do fires at night and use the coals for fresh trout in the morning...

[moosetags]

We use a Cobb. It works great for the Airstream life. 8 briquettes cooks our meal, and it is easy to clean.

[Minnie's Mate]

I started with a Frontgate infrared grill and hated it. At the recommendations of Jim Clark I bought a Magna and love it! I have the rectangular one. I also bought the table top legs and it is well worth its price tag.

[Folkie53]

I got a Holland because of the promise to never flame up. I was skeptical on the claim but am now a believer. I can't believe how easy it is to cook on this thing. I have had It on a beach and cooked chicken without any problems.

[lewster]

Originally Posted by Minnie's Mate

I started with a Frontgate infrared grill and hated it. At the recommendations of Jim Clark I bought a Magna and love it! I have the rectangular one. I also bought the table top legs and it is well worth its price tag.

Infrared grilling is 'different' than what you are used to on a Weber or other conventional grill. Once you learn how to use it properly, the difference is unbelievable!

I was a confirmed Weber guy until I tasted a steak done on an infrared. Went out the next day and bought a Solaire Mini grill. Burned a couple of steaks getting it right, but once you do, you'll never go back to a conventional grill.

Don't leave home without it!

[Minnie's Mate]

Originally Posted by lewster

Infrared grilling is 'different' than what you are used to on a Weber or other conventional grill. Once you learn how to use it properly, the difference is unbelievable!

I was a confirmed Weber guy until I tasted a steak done on an infrared. Went out the next day and bought a Solaire Mini grill. Burned a couple of steaks getting it right, but once you do, you'll never go back to a conventional grill.

Don't leave home without it!

Solaire made the grill I had and re-badged it for Frontgate. The second time I used it, the malleable metal regulator threads stripped. I ordered a new regulator from Solaire and it leaked. The first time I used the new regulator it literally burst into flames when I pressed the igniter. I had to run to the Airstream door and grab the fire extinguisher to put the fire out. The flames melted the knob. Solaire sent me a new regulator but the burner made a low pitched hissing noise...the fire had damaged the infrared burner. The next time I used it, the burner burst into flames just as I was removing the steak from the grill. Total cost per use of the grill: $105.74 plus cost of burnt steaks and chicken. Solaire has changed the design of the grill including burner design since mine was purchased and the new burner won't fit mine. Therefore, I have a $400 stainless steel doorstop. In my opinion, Solaire should have offered to replace my grill since their new regulator damaged the otherwise perfectly good burner. As it is, I never had a chance to get used to using it and as a result of my limited experience with the Solaire/Frontgate Infrared grill, I am not interested in buying another.

Cost of Magma Grill: $329 and I've used it about half a dozen times without any incidents. I contacted Magma directly before I purchased one of their products and was assured that the parts for my grill will always be available as has parts for the first model they introduced over 30 years ago. Piece of mind: priceless.

[JK3500]

Originally Posted by Porky Pig

So the best Weber I can find ... fo me .. would be the Smokey Joe Platinum with the 18.5 inch grill.

The Weber Smokey Joe is a great grill. I use mine at home, and on the road. Can't beat the taste of charcoal, especially with wood chips. I will never buy a gas grill again. jk

[Gator1]

I am a huge fan of the Big Green Egg! I have a large one at home and like it so much I bought the mini model for camping. It will easily handle everything from 750 degree steaks to slow smoked whole chicken.

The other day we smoked a 3.5 pound chicken for 2.5 hours at 300 degrees - perfect. Yesterday was burgers, last weekend was high temp seared steaks.

A Ceramic Smoker, Grill, Barbecue. The ancient oriental kamado cooker re-born.

The prices are a bit high, but not as bad as some quoted on this thread. Also a little heavy (35 lbs), but it fits under the tonneau on my truck.

Jim

[Minnie's Mate]

Originally Posted by Gator1

I am a huge fan of the Big Green Egg! ...Jim

I've heard a lot of great things about them and have seen the small ones. I think I may have even seen a propane knock-off. I just don't have the room to carry one.

[Wayne&Sam]

We're just about to head out on our shake down. I've been lamenting that the AS didn't have a BBQ like my SOB did. So I bought a Weber BabyQ and will try it out. Right now it runs off 14 oz bottles, but I'll hook it up to the LP tanks if it works OK.

[ESCAPE POD]

For our needs (usually just my wife and myself), we've been very happy with the "Patio Classic Bucket BBQ". It's light, compact, and starts the charcoal with just 2 sheets of newspaper (no starter fluid). The base acts as the "chimney" for heating the coals, which are ready for cooking in about 15 minutes. The grill cover has adjustable vents. The grill is roughly 12" in diameter, but, again, takes care of the BBQ needs of two people very well. It sells for about $50. A "google" search with the above title will give you plenty of hits.

[Ken & Janice]

We use a Force Ten Marine "Stow and Go" that we liberate from our boat when we're Airstreamin'. It has adjustable air inlets that allow you to vary the amount of air going in so you can cook in all weathers. Ok, so it's not charcoal but we get to have dinner, typhoon or not.
KC

[soldiermedic]

Originally Posted by InsideOut

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

After following this thread awhile, I bought one of these grills. Works very nice. Just need to get the adapter for 20 lb tank, and an additional grill.

Steve

[Stefrobrts]

Originally Posted by ESCAPE POD

For our needs (usually just my wife and myself), we've been very happy with the "Patio Classic Bucket BBQ". It's light, compact, and starts the charcoal with just 2 sheets of newspaper (no starter fluid). The base acts as the "chimney" for heating the coals, which are ready for cooking in about 15 minutes. The grill cover has adjustable vents. The grill is roughly 12" in diameter, but, again, takes care of the BBQ needs of two people very well. It sells for about $50. A "google" search with the above title will give you plenty of hits.

I really like the looks of that. What do you set it on when you're cooking though? From the design I'd guess the base gets pretty hot.

[SilverGate]

Weber 51020 Smokey Joe Platinum Charcoal Grill is our favorite and can be seen in use on our trip to South Carlsbad State Beach (post #174)
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f396/silvergates-safari-home-last-29471-13.html

The Platinum version has a cooking area of 18 ½" which we like for several steaks at a time.

But I think that Weber may not be making this version right now, but it is still available in stores.
We bought ours at DixieLine this spring, but I saw that it is also available at Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/Weber-51020-Smokey-Platinum-Charcoal/dp/B00004U9VU

[Fenghuang]

As in SilverGate's posted photo, to increase the heat for frying on a (Charcoal Companion) griddle with a Smokey Joe charcoal BBQ, the hot coals are on a supplemental coal grill grate that is resting on top of a wok ring (3-4 tuna cans with tops and bottoms removed will also do) resting on top of the existing coal grill grate. The rolls toasted and the sausage nicely browned.

Without this adaptation, frying bacon/sausage/eggs requires extended time with compromised results.

[SilverGate]

As much as we like the Platinum Smokey Joe (especially for cooking pizza), our favorite portable, camping-grill now is a round hibachi that we’ve had for years.

It fits nicely in a plastic round bucket with lid, along with a bag of charcoal. It takes up less space in the truck cargo area. The food cooks closer to the coals. It is more efficient and uses less charcoal than the Smokey Joe.

See post #307 at:
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f396/silvergate-s-safari-home-last-29471-22.html

SilverGate

[Old_Town]

I was given a Solaire grill last summer and it is superb. It is compact and very portable but it has amazing heat output. For outdoor cooking I also use a Coleman white gas 2 burner. I like to cook outside.




Here's the Coleman stove setup

[TinShack]

A white gas coleman stove. I haven't used one of those in years! I cooked on one of those full time for years. We used to call it the "bomb". Every once in a while it would flame on and nobody would want to go near it to put it out We now use a coleman propane stove. Much safer and you don't have to pump it up!

[Van]

Originally Posted by Tin Hut

Ideally would work with small propane bottles as well as charcoal. Thanks.

I have one of the older Coleman Road Trip grills, the one with the legs that fold up underneath the grill. The grill is what you would expect from at $150 grill. It gets the job done and has lasted for5 years now. I did quit using the little green bottles though and got a larger tank and hose. Didnt like contantly throwing away all those bottles and/or having them run empty all the time. I usually only got about 4 meals cooked with one bottle. Much happier with my 5 gallon tank.


*edit*

Ack, just realized what a dinosaur this thread is that someone dug up.