Smaller BBQ for grilling

[compounder]

If you want to spend a little more yet, I have one of these as well and also a fantastic all around griller/smoker https://greenmountaingrills.com/products/grills/davy-crockett-pellet-grill-wifi/

 

[folivier]

Whatever grill you get, if you want to add smoke get one of these or one like it: https://www.amazon.com/Carpathen-St...&sprefix=Carpathen,aps,157&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1
I buy my pellets from Rural King, they seem to have great prices.

 

[jimandthom]

Look at the Weber Q series. There are different sizes and an option stand is available, so they can be both fixed and portable.

Some sizes small enough to be considered a table top others have a cooking surface near full size.

 

[kannon]

We were able to snag a nice Weber Genesis E310 in Craigslist. Thought Genesis vs the Spirit was a little better quality.

Agree with other comments - with Weber you get a quality grill that should last many years.

The 3 burner allows for indirect cooking that I use frequently with direct searing at the end resulting in moist chicken and rib dishes.

With Craigslist found a Weber at 1/3 the cost. I would say be patient and look for a good used buy of a fairly young model.

Good luck

 

[Texas Proud]

Whatever grill you get, if you want to add smoke get one of these or one like it: https://www.amazon.com/Carpathen-St...&sprefix=Carpathen,aps,157&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1
I buy my pellets from Rural King, they seem to have great prices.

Now this looks like a winner!!! Weill have to buy one and see how it works..

 

[gstillson]

Costco has the Nexgrill which is fairly decent for the price (about $140). Very easy to clean up and seems well made for a $140 propane grill.

https://www.costco.com/Nexgrill-Cast-Aluminum-Table-Top-Gas-BBQ.product.100384628.html

 

[Spock]

We use this 2 burner propane Charbroil cheapie (<$100) almost daily.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Char-Broil-Classic-Black-2-Burner-Liquid-Propane-Gas-Grill/1000364741


The current one is 12 years old... if the model goes on sale this summer I'll get another one to replace it.

It would work fine for 4 people IF you are only cooking 1 dish (ex. hamburgers). If you want a cast iron pan in there too (ex. with sauteed onions/mushrooms) at the same time it will be a little tight.

I don't like the small Weber propane grills because the burners run the wrong way (front and back vs. left and right).


For small charcoal jobs I have this made in USA cast iron grill: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Lodge-L410-9-X-17-Hibachi-Style-Charcoal-Grill/14550452

 

[Jerry1]

I don't like the small Weber propane grills because the burners run the wrong way (front and back vs. left and right).

On the BBQ forum, whether the burners run north to south (front to back) or east to west (left and right), is debated about as much as when to take SS is on this forum. Like SS, burner direction is an individual thing. Generally, north to south is better if you’re doing indirect grilling because to can heat from one side and put the food on the other. But of course the air flow of the grill doesn’t go side to side. It goes front to back. East to west burners are better for air flow, but the you have to reach over the hot burner to get to the food . . . . . . .

In the end, you can work with either but most have a preference.

 

[Spock]

On the BBQ forum, whether the burners run north to south (front to back) or east to west (left and right), is debated about as much as when to take SS is on this forum. Like SS, burner direction is an individual thing. Generally, north to south is better if you’re doing indirect grilling because to can heat from one side and put the food on the other. But of course the air flow of the grill doesn’t go side to side. It goes front to back. East to west burners are better for air flow, but the you have to reach over the hot burner to get to the food . . . . . . .

In the end, you can work with either but most have a preference.

In my usage I usually have a cast iron skillet of veggies in there along with the meat being grilled. On a small rectangular grill, a skillet is going to cover both burners/one side of the grill if burners run full length side to side, which prevents running different temps on each side. Side-to-side burners running the long way just mean I could only cook long and narrow foods that fit above the burner if making 2 items at need different heat.

I don't think air flow matters at all the tiny grills... Even on my bigger 4 burner air flow doesn't matter as temps are pretty even throughout the chamber with only 1 burner lit on 1 side and I'm using the thing as a smoker/oven vs. direct grilling (burners are too deep/far away from the food to do anything but bake in that grill).
Even when I buy a dedicated smoker, its going to be a firebox on the side, not the front or back.


And as you mention, I'm done singeing the fur on my knuckles reaching across a front burner.

 

[Chuckanut]

Do most people exchange the tanks or buy their own and get it refilled?

I notice that the tanks are expensive to buy, but I imagine that one gets it back on lower priced consumables (propane).

 

[Jerry1]

I get mine refilled. Where you swap it out, they don’t fill it all the way. They say it’s for safety, but I wasn’t born yesterday. I keep two tanks. One for my grill and one for my fire pit. We hardly use the fire pit, but with an extra tank, I can run my tank to empty and not worry. The places around here charge a flat rate to fill a tank so you don’t want to bring one in with remaining fuel.

Not sure what you consider expensive, but Tractor Supply and Menards has tanks for $30.

Watch this:

https://youtu.be/je0_4NgrhWA

 

[Dawg52]

I have a small Weber charcoal grill for when I want that smokey taste. But for most of my easy grilling I use a George Foreman grill. I always marinate chicken & burgers and it comes off tasting just as good as grilling on a propane or outdoor electric grill.

 

[Chuckanut]

Taking all into account, I decided to go with the Nexgrill that Costco is selling. The price, size and the two burners were the main selling points. I was tempted to get a Weber, but the one's I liked were larger than I wanted. I appreciate all the advice and comments. They helped quite a bit.

 

[Chuckanut]

I am enjoying my new table top BBQ. It's at least twice the grilling area of the old BBQ, has two burners and runs off the refillable propane containers. I have a 5# container and a 1# container for use when away from home. Very nice.

The only issue I have is how to properly clean the grills and the interior of the BBQ. Needless to say it get very greasy. Any tools or cleaners that people can recommend to ease the cleaning chore? Thanks.

 

[Jerry1]

The only issue I have is how to properly clean the grills and the interior of the BBQ. Needless to say it get very greasy. Any tools or cleaners that people can recommend to ease the cleaning chore? Thanks.

Like most cleaning chores, one of the best things to do is make sure you keep up on it. Prevention is also key. If you can line the drip pan with aluminum foil, then you just have to let it cool and remove it. I don't try to make my BBQ interior perfectly clean. The grates get a patina which is basically carbon and not any different than a seasoned cast iron pan. The walls I care even less about. I'll scrap it once in awhile, but no food touches and it doesn't accumulate anything that matters. The main thing I care about is the grease. I find a plastic scraper for that works well. And, lots of paper towels. I don't use chemicals but if I need a little help, I've found white vinegar can do some work on the grease. Then, with a basically clean grill, I will burn off that last film of grease that the scraper doesn't get. It's not enough to cause a grease fire, but it will burn so keep the lid closed and heat your BBQ to the max for 5-10 minutes.

 

[ivinsfan]

I have a Weber 2-burner Spirit and love it. I've been using it the last 4 years.

Yes, Yes, Yes.. we finally bought one and regret we didn't to it sooner. Of all the things that have gone down in quality in the last 20 years, low end gas grills are at the top of my list. Our first grill we bought close to 40 years ago. The cheapest gas grill we could fine because that's what we could afford. That sucker lasted 10 years ….I should have gotten 4 of them...


Be sure to by a Spirit II it has a much better warranty, there might be a few Spirit I on clearance but the II has double the warranty.

 

[ivinsfan]

We use this 2 burner propane Charbroil cheapie (<$100) almost daily.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Char-Broil-Classic-Black-2-Burner-Liquid-Propane-Gas-Grill/1000364741


The current one is 12 years old... if the model goes on sale this summer I'll get another one to replace it.

It would work fine for 4 people IF you are only cooking 1 dish (ex. hamburgers). If you want a cast iron pan in there too (ex. with sauteed onions/mushrooms) at the same time it will be a little tight.

I don't like the small Weber propane grills because the burners run the wrong way (front and back vs. left and right).


For small charcoal jobs I have this made in USA cast iron grill: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Lodge-L410-9-X-17-Hibachi-Style-Charcoal-Grill/14550452

Treat that grill nicely when it's dies you'll be depressed at the low quality of the "cheaper" grills..

 

[Chuckanut]

Treat that grill nicely when it's dies you'll be depressed at the low quality of the "cheaper" grills..

I must sadly agree. We had a great 2 burner grill that lasted a good 8+ years. The one that replaced it went through $3 propane bottles at a rate that would even make Jeff Bezos start to worry. It's replacement lasted 3 years, and truth be told, the last year was not a good one, with hot spots and burning meat.

I am hoping the current grill is better quality. It certainly is much nicer to BBQ on.

 

[ivinsfan]

I get mine refilled. Where you swap it out, they don’t fill it all the way. They say it’s for safety, but I wasn’t born yesterday. I keep two tanks. One for my grill and one for my fire pit. We hardly use the fire pit, but with an extra tank, I can run my tank to empty and not worry. The places around here charge a flat rate to fill a tank so you don’t want to bring one in with remaining fuel.

Not sure what you consider expensive, but Tractor Supply and Menards has tanks for $30.

Watch this:

https://youtu.be/je0_4NgrhWA

That's another thing not only are the grills cheap, you used to get a propane tank with the grill.. not anymore

 

[ivinsfan]

I must sadly agree. We had a great 2 burner grill that lasted a good 8+ years. The one that replaced it went through $3 propane bottles at a rate that would even make Jeff Bezos start to worry. It's replacement lasted 3 years, and truth be told, the last year was not a good one, with hot spots and burning meat.

I am hoping the current grill is better quality. It certainly is much nicer to BBQ on.

Hope it lasts for you..

 

[kcowan]

I am getting my 6th lifetime grill, caused partly by moving. And 2 locations. The choices are mind-boggling now.

 

[REWahoo]

I am getting my 6th lifetime grill...

How many lifetimes do you think you have left?

 

[Lcountz]

I live in the country and this would not be an idea for a patio, deck or enclosed area...


BUT.....I wanted to grill, on charcoal, last week, after yard cleanup where I was burning a pile of sticks and brush. Keep all the mess outside, I reasoned!


I planned on using my charcoal weber kettle type grill, to which I would add the charcoal after getting it started in a chimney-type thing. I planned to use my cast iron frying pan to sear the steak and cook it on the grill..


I started the chimney with the coals in it, and when it was hot hot, I said..."Hmmmmm why not just put the cast iron pan on top of the chimney and use it to heat the pan and cook dinner?""




Which is what I did. I put the 10" pan on the chimney and of course it heated up almost immediately. I added a large piece of butter, melted it, and threw on the steak - a nice juicy, fatty rib-eye. After I turned it first time, I added some asparagus spears to the pan, and finished cooking up the meal!


I ate it directly out of the pan. DEE-LICIOUS!!! stayed hot, butter nicely browned for the asparagus, and easy clean up!!!


I'm single so this works well for one person. Quick, easy, and about 20.00 bucks for the chimney. I figure IF it "ruins" the chimney by doing this several times over the summer, won't matter, will just buy another one next year!


The instructions on the chimney say NOT to put a grill grate or pan onto the chimney. I can't see why not. I had my chimney on level ground ( actually, I positioned it over a little 3" diameter stump stub that I keep hitting with my mower). It was gone when I was done!


I have a propane infrared grill, but I like the flavor of meat cooked over real charcoal. Plus it was fun using the cast iron pan!


I love the primitive smell of roasting meat! ESPECIALLY after I've toiled all day beside a fire, outdoors, and after walking all over the property bending down a hundred times to pick up stick fallen in the recent winds.....Perfect!


Warning!!!! Do NOT forget a good pot holder to grab the handle of the cast iron pan!!! One would burn all the skin off thier palm in seconds if they grabbed that handle without protection!!!

 

[Walt34]

I am getting my 6th lifetime grill, caused partly by moving. And 2 locations. The choices are mind-boggling now.

How many lifetimes do you think you have left?

Well, next time I'll buy a "lifetime grill" I'll make sure I buy a high-quality one that's made out of cast iron or something, to make sure I live a long time.

 

[REWahoo]

Well, next time I'll buy a "lifetime grill" I'll make sure I buy a high-quality one that's made out of cast iron or something, to make sure I live a long time.

Good thinking!