Charcoal Grill Lovers, Let Me See Your Setup

[Ethergore]

I see most people seem to like propane grills but I'm just not a fan. I currently use a Webber "Smokey Joe" with my favorite charcoal/hardwood of the month. I put this in a big plastic tupperware with my cooking tools, tin foil and some other items. The only down side is that it takes up a lot of room in my truck or camper depending on where I put it.

I wanted to see who has come up with the most compact way to carry their charcoal grills. Thanks!

 

[chnlisle]

I see most people seem to like propane grills but I'm just not a fan. I currently use a Webber "Smokey Joe" with my favorite charcoal/hardwood of the month. I put this in a big plastic tupperware with my cooking tools, tin foil and some other items. The only down side is that it takes up a lot of room in my truck or camper depending on where I put it.

I wanted to see who has come up with the most compact way to carry their charcoal grills. Thanks!

Me too.

 

[longhorn1]

Guys, When I'm camping we have a Weber "Q" Grill (propane) that we carry in a big tote. I thought I would have to get something smaller since the backseat space will now be occupied by a yellow lab. I bought an aluminum cargo carrier with bag. I would much rather grill on my home Weber with mesquite charcoal. I purchased the "Q" because many of the tailgating lots for concerts, Notre Dame for football and on my recent trip to Big Bend National Park - no fires allowed, gas grills were fine. I take enough small propane bottles for the trip. I grill year round in Indiana and would never think about having a gas grill, but camping is different. If there was a good charcoal camping grill, I might be interested. It would have to be smaller than the "Q" grill. Looking forward to hearing what others might be doing.




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[PJorgen]

I use both propane and charcoal. When using charcoal I cook over a fire pit with a grill like this:

Not as simple as a Weber but takes up very little space with the legs folded up.

 

[NoPlanMan]

http://www.amazon.com/Quick-Grill-Large-Backpacking-Preparation/dp/B00DNTXCMI

I love this grill.

 

[craig333]

Thats an interesting grill. Folds flat for easy storage. Now just have to find a place for the charcoal.

 

[Squatch]

I use an old Little Pal grill I've had for almost 30 years. For a good while it sat unused. Now it goes on most camping trips. it cooks great. Don't think they make them anymore.


The problem with most grills is carriying the messy grill in the vehicle. I came up with a simple and super cheap solution. I took the cardboard box the grill came in and open the top and taped the corners. Then I mixed up some waterproof wood glue and water to thin it. Then I used a paint brush to paint on an old bed sheet cut into pieces. Kind of a cross between paper mache and fiberglassing.








Inside and out. I added another piece of cardboard to the bottom and coated that in place. Also made a lid for the box and did the same.


I did the inside one day the outside the next. when done I let it sit in the hot sun for a couple of days.


Then a used whatever outdoor paint happened to be laying around and gave it 2 coats inside and out. I used some leftover web strap and a fastex buckle for a lid latch handle.
It's not the prettiest but quite strong and waterproof. Very much like a fiber drum case. It cost me nothing but time. It also holds a small bag of charcoal inside the grill and a can of starter fluid also fits in the box. this was the experiment and I've made a couple of other similar equipment cases for my gear.










It's also very light to carry. I've used it for several years, No more mess in the truck!

 

[Squatch]

A favorite meal on this grill is to mostly precook baked potatoes at home in the microwave. Then wrap them in foil and put in the cooler. Same precook fresh beans or similar at home. They get heated on the camp stove. In the summer I add fresh local corn. 1st light the grill. Heat the potoatoes on it and set aside. Then lay the fresh corn on the grill in the husk and close the lid. Keep turning till done. Set aside. The ears stay hot in the husks. Then throw the T-bones on the grill. Cook to order and serve and eat. This is the best way to cook fresh corn outdoors.

 

[Squatch]

A fishing bud has one of these.
http://www.charbroil.com/products/portable-grills/charcoal/portable-tabletop-charcoal-grill

It's a little more compact than mine. We use it when cooking a shore lunch out of my bass boat. I'm sold on covered grills. They are so much more versitile than an open grill for stuff like cook corn and vegetables.

 

[Lighthawk]

That is a very cool idea, Squatch. I can see how it would be easy to cheaply fab just about any size container you need for storage.
Bed sheets + wood glue over cardboard = genius! I nominate this post for Low Cost Mods

I use an old Little Pal grill I've had for almost 30 years. For a good while it sat unused. Now it goes on most camping trips. it cooks great. Don't think they make them anymore.


The problem with most grills is carriying the messy grill in the vehicle. I came up with a simple and super cheap solution. I took the cardboard box the grill came in and open the top and taped the corners. Then I mixed up some waterproof wood glue and water to thin it. Then I used a paint brush to paint on an old bed sheet cut into pieces. Kind of a cross between paper mache and fiberglassing.








Inside and out. I added another piece of cardboard to the bottom and coated that in place. Also made a lid for the box and did the same.


I did the inside one day the outside the next. when done I let it sit in the hot sun for a couple of days.


Then a used whatever outdoor paint happened to be laying around and gave it 2 coats inside and out. I used some leftover web strap and a fastex buckle for a lid latch handle.
It's not the prettiest but quite strong and waterproof. Very much like a fiber drum case. It cost me nothing but time. It also holds a small bag of charcoal inside the grill and a can of starter fluid also fits in the box. this was the experiment and I've made a couple of other similar equipment cases for my gear.










It's also very light to carry. I've used it for several years, No more mess in the truck!

 

[Ethergore]

I'm loving these ideas! Where are you guys putting these in your camper? Can the homemade box fit where the potti usually goes? What about NoPlanMan? What do you do with the rest of your stuff like charcoal etc?

 

[bb5qyt]

My charcoal cooking setup consists of a grate balanced on rocks. I use a weber grate- the one designed to hold the coals in a round weber kettle grill, which is the lower grate. I've found that they are cheaper and sturdier than the upper grate, and you can buy them separately as replacements for the round kettle grills. I've mounted it to the side of my FWC. It is an older 1985 model that has lots of holes and imperfections already. If I had a newer camper, I'd be less inclined to do it this way. It is very convenient though. It stays out of the camper yet out of the weather. It is easy to remove since it is attached with wing nuts and I always have it with me. Oh yeah...it's cheap and light too! Sometimes I'll just set it up over a fire or wood coals and forgo the charcoal and sometimes I'll bring a chimney and charcoal in a Rubbermaid container if I know I'll be cooking a lot.

 

[bb5qyt]

I meant to attach an image on my last post...

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[brianjwilson]

Comes in around 5-6 lbs, folds compact into an included carrying case. Very sturdy, big enough for 4 burgers or two steaks.

http://www.mgmetalworks.com/camp_grill.html

 

[Ethergore]

Thats a pretty grill! You don't have any problem not having a lid?

 

[brianjwilson]

I've only used it once for hot dogs, but no issues. Haven't given it a try with steak or anything yet.

 

[buckland]

I bring all my charcoal in large freezer bags and store them in the turnbuckle area lots of room


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[buckland]

Noplanman Thanks for the grill link... I bought it and I am very impressed with the construction. Packs up small. Looking forward to spring camping to try it out.

 

[Idahomauledriver]

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[Idahomauledriver]

Just purchased a Hawk this winter so while the snow is still blocking all the good camp sites in the area I have been outfitting it. I have been looking at the Cobb Grill for years. First saw it in a boat accessory catalog. It is a pricey but a really good charcoal option. It has a grill, a griddle, a roasting pan, a chicken cooker and even a wok, all made out stainless or cooking grade aluminum. It all nests together in a little black bag and only uses 8 pieces of charcoal to cook for 2 hours. I used it last night and was very impressed. I tend to cook a lot of lean protein like grass fed beef and lamb as well as fish and game so I have to careful with cooking times and heat. The Cobb features an internal "moat" that you can fill with liquid to help flavor whatever you are cooking as well as keep it moist. I filled it with some pineapple juice and water last night while cooking a pheasant breast and it was outstanding.

Lots of you tube videos on cooking options and a very small footprint in the back of my truck.


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