Barbeques

[dfandrews]

That grill is at our local Costco....

Thanks for tips, Hugh, and Ross.
I went to my local Costco (Oxnard) after work, looked it over, and decided to buy one (of the last six on the stack.) $99.99. There were two other people looking; so they may be all gone now!!

 

[hughharden]

$99 is a great price. It is made by Duro and probably just branded for Costco. It has 2 burners and has enough height to do a beer can chicken so it will work for me. And 20,000 BTU's so will have more than enough heat. Just have to figure out what fittings I have to put on it to connect with the hose that ETI will be supplying with the trailer.

 

[gbaglo]

I do "beer can chicken" a lot at home, but since neither the Weber Q nor the Dickinson Spitfire can accommodate a chicken standing up, I just cut a fryer in half and place it ribs down/breast up on the grill on low for an hour. Innards get charred, but the part you eat is better than fine.

 

[Rossue2]

$99 is a great price. It is made by Duro and probably just branded for Costco. It has 2 burners and has enough height to do a beer can chicken so it will work for me. And 20,000 BTU's so will have more than enough heat. Just have to figure out what fittings I have to put on it to connect with the hose that ETI will be supplying with the trailer.

It will screw right on, you need to first remove the hose it comes with that is attached to its regulator. Again,they have a CYA label warning about that FWIW.

 

[Jim Bennett]

"If it doesn't stow, it doesn't go"

This is a loosely kept rule I created, with the exception of the beer cooler, which resides just outside the door when camping anyway. I just don't like a lot of 'loose' stuff getting in the way, for the most part. If I don't want to leave the cooler outside when camped, I toss it in the tow.

My bug tent is another thing that won't stow, and needs to sit on the floor, but I only bring it during mossie season, and it goes up right away.

Where do folks store these big BBQ's when not in use? I am guessing in the tow vehicle, or do they fit in the storage bin?

This is the main reason I got rid of my Camp Chef, which is a great, simple BBQ, but I could not stow it away anywhere.

 

[dbailey]

"My bug tent is another thing that won't stow, and needs to sit on the floor, but I only bring it during mossie season, and it goes up right away.

So whenever there's no snow then, eh?

Where do folks store these big BBQ's when not in use? I am guessing in the tow vehicle, or do they fit in the storage bin?

This is the main reason I got rid of my Camp Chef, which is a great, simple BBQ, but I could not stow it away anywhere.

I've got a Camp Chef single burner, and grill box, and griddle, and... They all go in a metal job-site tool box that sits in the back of the truck. It takes a lot of space in the bed of the truck, but we wanted something the would be acceptable to the rangers when in bear country.

We originally considered something that would fit inside the trailer, but decided we didn't want the smell (no matter how much cleaning you do, a grill smells greasy). Once we decided the grill wasn't travelling in the trailer, size wasn't much of a concern (we did consider one of the smaller Weber Q models but didn't get as far as figuring out if it would fit in the front box before settling on the Camp Chef, though).

 

[Jim Bennett]

So whenever there's no snow then, eh?

Snow? We don't seem to get that any more. At least during winter.

We originally considered something that would fit inside the trailer, but decided we didn't want the smell (no matter how much cleaning you do, a grill smells greasy).

We have noticed no smell at all, but we do keep it clean, and wash out the drip tray regularly.

As the BBQ is meant only for use with the trailer, I do like to keep it with it, and save room in the Pilot for things we use when out on daily forays.

Is your Camp Chef grill the one with the removable legs? Other than not great in the wind, I really like that BBQ. A good size for when our kids regularly camped with us, and a really good price.

 

[Rossue2]

"If it doesn't stow, it doesn't go"

That is a great mott-o That Costco Duro NX will not go in the front box, and when checking out stashing it under a dinette bin(it wouldn't) I decided I wouldn't want to do that anyway. My Weber charcoal grill does go in the front box easily; I stash it in a good "got my own bag" grocery bag. Also room for the metal coal starter. The one shown is their propane version, but at 6500 BTU's don't think it would cook as good as the charcoal version.

Have to ask my bro-in-law what he uses- it was small/single burner but that tri-tip he cooked was seared and tasty!

 

[Dave Walter]

With the dual 6V batteries in the front passenger side dinette storage area and the blackwater tank in the front driver side dinette storage area, there is really no "closed" storage space in my 19' to keep our Spitfire grill. I was disappointed that it would not fit in the front external storage box, even with the legs turned flat on the grill (I tried). What we do is keep the grill under the dinette table while travelling or away from the campsite. When in camp, I keep the grill outside (usually) or in the back of the truck (often over night). Not an ideal situation, but we live with it.

 

[Jim Bennett]

With the dual 6V batteries in the front passenger side dinette storage area and the blackwater tank in the front driver side dinette storage area, there is really no "closed" storage space in my 19' to keep our Spitfire grill. I was disappointed that it would not fit in the front external storage box, even with the legs turned flat on the grill (I tried). What we do is keep the grill under the dinette table while travelling or away from the campsite. When in camp, I keep the grill outside (usually) or in the back of the truck (often over night). Not an ideal situation, but we live with it.

Just a note for those not in the know. I do store my Spitfire inside, under they driver's side dinette seat, but I have an older, and smaller black tank. This will not work in the newer units.

If your batteries are in the storage box, the passenger side seat would work with minor modifications though.

 

[dbailey]

Is your Camp Chef grill the one with the removable legs? Other than not great in the wind, I really like that BBQ. A good size for when our kids regularly camped with us, and a really good price.

Our stove is the pro-30 (Pro 30 Single Burner Stove | Camp Chef). It does have the removable legs, though they don't go on and off very easily. If the campsite layout allows it, the truck is usually fairly close to the trailer and I put the stove on the tailgate of the truck.

We have the grill box to go with it (Professional Grill Box 30 | Camp Chef). It's a bit big for the two of us, but we're often travelling with friends so a bit of extra space is a good thing.

And I love the griddle (Professional Flat Top Griddle 14" x 16" | Camp Chef). I've never cooked on one before, but it makes an excellent surface for cooking breakfast.

There are times when having an additional burner would be useful (e.g. when cooking breakfast and making coffee at the same time). In those instances we either use the stove inside the trailer, or just be patient (Patient! For coffee?!?).

This is all good quality stuff but if I were to start over again I'm not sure I'd go this route -- it all takes up too much space. I suspect a T-connect on the propane tanks, an ordinary coleman-style stove and a small grill like the spitfire or weber babyq would do the job fine and be rather more space-efficient.

 

[dfandrews]

"If it doesn't stow, it doesn't go"

....

I considered that when I was looking at the Duro grill at Costco. I plan to carry it in the back of the tow vehicle, as I don't believe I'll find a place in the 17 (that I pick up in about 24 weeks), unless it's in a box on the floor.
It is a good quality unit in terms of materials and assembly; and at $100, that's why I got it.

The legs bolt on, and don't fold.
Space needed: 24"(610mm) x 18"(457 mm) x 14½"(368mm). 24" allows for the hose to remain attached.
If you unscrew the hose, you're at 21"(534mm) wide.
The hose is about 40"(1020mm) long, with a regulator and QCC connector to attach directly to your propane tank.

{incidentally, why do the metric aficionados still use Btu/h instead of joules/sec., or Watts, or maybe HP?;D}

 

[Jim Bennett]

You Southerners, with your own definition of what BBQ is, are weird, you know, eh!

I use the term BBQ for any grilling, because if I didn't, I couldn't use all the BBQ sauces I have. I don't have any grilling sauces. When I smoke, I call it smoking, where temps are low, cook times are long, and meats are oh, so juicy and tender. ;D

 

[C&G in FL]

You Southerners, with your own definition of what BBQ is, are weird, you know, eh! ;D

I use the term BBQ for any grilling, because if I didn't I couldn't use all the BBQ sauces I have. When I smoke, I call it smoking, where temps are low, cook times are long, and meats are oh, so juicy and tender.

Yea, Jim, I know. I had it pounded into my head after moving here. Not really a southerner; I'm originally from New England. Moved here from NH to get away from the winter weather. But quickly came to realize what was sold there as "BBQ" was not really stellar. Sort of like Manhattan clam chowder ain't clam chowder at all. And sort of like Philly cheese steaks sold in Los Angeles just don't cut it, or chili from Wendy's can't compare with chili from almost anywhere in the southwest. And those who would tell you that West Virginia is "almost Heaven" have probably never been in Colorado, Montana, or BC!

 

[cpaharley2008]

Just curious, what does one call using a griddle to cook on, is it grilling? I have a cast iron flat griddle I use over both burners of my outdoor stove. Easier to clean, but no smoke. For that I use the Cobb Grill which is charcoal fuel.

 

[Jim Bennett]

Yea, Jim, I know. I had it pounded into my head after moving here. Not really a southerner; I'm originally from New England. Moved here from NH to get away from the winter weather. But quickly came to realize what was sold there as "BBQ" was not really stellar. Sort of like Manhattan clam chowder ain't clam chowder at all. And sort of like Philly cheese steaks sold in Los Angeles just don't cut it, or chili from Wendy's can't compare with chili from almost anywhere in the southwest. And those who would tell you that West Virginia is "almost Heaven" have probably never been in Colorado, Montana, or BC!

I heare you, Carl. I do like to get differing variety to the same dishes though, and some regional stuff, though different, can still be good in its own right. I love Manhattan Clam Chowder too, but it is nothing like the delicious Boston type.

Just curious, what does one call using a griddle to cook on, is it grilling? I have a cast iron flat griddle I use over both burners of my outdoor stove. Easier to clean, but no smoke. For that I use the Cobb Grill which is charcoal fuel.

I have heard it referred to as a grill before, Jim. But I usually call it a griddle. I have one I use on either the stoves two burners, or on the BBQ (Grill). I bet those Texans have another name for it too.

 

[J Mac]

If my vote counts I would call cooking on a grill "grilling" and cooking on a griddle "frying".

 

[Jim Bennett]

If my vote counts I would call cooking on a grill "grilling" and cooking on a griddle "frying".

Sorry, wrong answer. Your vote is hereby disqualified. ;D

Though if you were consistent, and called it "griddling", that might be fine.

 

[Dave Walter]

Just curious, what does one call using a griddle to cook on, is it grilling? I have a cast iron flat griddle I use over both burners of my outdoor stove. Easier to clean, but no smoke. For that I use the Cobb Grill which is charcoal fuel.

I think it is called "griddling".

As John Denver said,

Well, I got me a fine wife, I got my old fiddle
When the sun's comin' up, I got cakes on the griddle
Life ain't nothin' but a funny, funny riddle
Thank God I'm a country boy

 

[J Mac]

But...don't you fry eggs on a griddle?