Barbeques

[PGDriver]

Our first BBQ with our new trailer.
We purchased a Broil King Porta Chef and a propane
quick connect hose to hook it to the trailer and
WOW it works great, lots of heat.

 

[gbaglo]

I posted to your pix on Show Your Escape "awesome bbq" before I got to this message.

I've had two Porta Chefs. One lasted probably 15 years with some new parts. I still have my newish one and I have a Weber Q. A friend got the Weber and insisted I had to have one. Since he paid for it, it was easier to say yes than no. You'll be happy with it for a very long time.

I'm taking the Weber this weekend. I can't quite decide which one is better. The Weber does sit secure on the floor of the Toad whereas the Broil King might be more inclined to move around. And, my friend insisted I get the folding stand too, so it's less hassle than putting the legs on the Porta Chef.

I'm off to Kane Lakes near Merritt for four days fly fishing and glorious sunshine tomorrow morning. Menu for the first night was hot dogs, but my fishing buddy decided we'll have scallops instead. Oh well.

baglo

 

[Jim Bennett]

I love the heat output of the Porta Chef, I have used it at a big party doing brats an burgers, and someone else brought out one that was twice the size, but mine put out even more food. It is a bit big for two, but you can do the corn, steak and potatoes at one time, no problem.

 

[gbaglo]

What I'd like to find is a portable BBQ with two burners so I could cook with indirect heat.

My Q at home has four burners, a smoker burner, plus a side burner. I have complete control. If I do ribs I have the smoker burner turned up, the burner next to it on low and the other two turned off with the ribs over them. Three hours at 225 F is just perfect.

Eight hours for a smoked pork shoulder.

baglo

 

[Paul S.]

X2 on the Porta Chef.

Best portable BBQ I've owned by far and quite inexpensive as well.

 

[PGDriver]

I love the heat output of the Porta Chef, I have used it at a big party doing brats an burgers, and someone else brought out one that was twice the size, but mine put out even more food. It is a bit big for two, but you can do the corn, steak and potatoes at one time, no problem.

Hi Jim

We did most of our cooking on low, sure heats up quick on high....
And it was quite inexpensive, $147.00 at Fraserway RV (just down the Hwy. from Escape)

 

[gbaglo]

After another camp with the Weber, it's the one I taking with me on the next camp. As I mentioned earlier it has wide feet that stay planted on the floor during transport. Setting up was easy - just move it to the campsite picnic table ( I bought a folding picnic table so we have options ). I didn't bother setting up the cart to hold the Q and likely won't take it with me next time. You can't do a whole chicken on the Weber Q or on the Porta Chef - not enough height to the lid, so I cut the chicken in half and grill it on low with the breast side up for about an hour. Next time I'll turn it at the end and crisp the skin more. We had steak and we had scallops and all were perfect.

If I had to pay for the Weber, I'd still be using the Porta Chef and be happy. The Weber is almost twice as expensive as the Porta Chef.

Keath and I also decided not to have a hose installed from the trailer propane tanks. The trailer had to be where it was to be level, and the picnic table was some distance away. We don't want the BBQ close to the trailer and especially the awning and we want to be able to shield it from winds. I have a ten-pound propane tank. Large enough but easy to move around.

To wrap up, if I was on a budget, the Porta Chef wins hands down. Otherwise the Weber Q is my choice because it won't roll around if not secured in a box and I don't have to put the legs on.

baglo

 

[Jim Bennett]

I put my Porta Chef under one of the dinette seats, it fits perfect in there. The hose I have is 25' long and I have never come near the end of it. I have been out in lots of bad weather, so I often use it right at the edge of the awning so I can stay dry.

It is only 10 or so years old, so it likely has a fair bit of life in it.

 

[gbaglo]

My brother-in-law sells fireplaces, hot tubs and BBQs. Told me the other day that Weber distributes Broil King in the U.S. and Broil King distributes Weber in Canada. So, they both must have confidence in the other's product.

baglo

 

[amirie]

We just bought a Weber q 120 yesterday (just the two of us)
We have the quick connect on the trailer and the Q now has the regulator removed and a 10 foot hose..
I have a roll up aluminum table--so it will be perched on there..My griddle fit in it quite well and I am sure my muffin tins and small 9X9 cake pans will fit in it quite well...
The salesman said they have made cakes etc in theirs--so I hope to use it as an oven because they say they are very easy to keep the temperature adjusted well.
(unlike my folding coleman oven and camp stove)

so no more small one pound bottles/campstove/or folding oven/
BUT, did buy a portable camp fir/pit a few weeks ago--so have the 8 pound tank to go with it.... (you get rid of some stuff--but add more) but I did purge some of theextra unused stuff out of the trailer!!!

 

[Devil Dog-ESC]

Yes, we got the Weber as well. Great little Q but its hot even on low setting. And the heat is even all over pretty well, no where to hide and keep warm. I have to turn it off some times to prevent a disaster. Got to keep you eye on the grub or it will burn real fast.

 

[J Mac]

We use the Q all year long. We cook on low. Throw your marinated chicken breasts on low for 45 min. We don't bother to preheat unless we want to sear our meat first (steaks etc.) Lamb sausages or chops....just the same on low for 25 min + or -.
Keep an egg timer close at hand and you will never be disappointed.
JMac

 

[Jim Bennett]

Our old BBQ is getting relegated to use out at our property, and we are getting a Dickinson Spitfire 180, c/w the low pressure fittings. LINK
The prices listed are just that, list prices. I contacted them and negotiated a MUCH better price.
I did lots of research, and these units get high ratings, and are used a lot on boats.

I know a few people with a Weber Q. A great performing unit. My only issue was that it is huge in size considering its surface area, and no way would fit under the dinette bench. The legs are it seem unnecessarily bulky. Keeping it out of the way when not set up is a critical point for me.

 

[TurboFlex]

Used a Broil King Porta-Chef for years, a good little BBQ, but has only one burner/control. You have to watch it for flare ups when doing chicken and other greasy items. Bought a Nexgrill Tabletop a couple of years ago from Costco in Calgary for $100.00 (seen it the other day in Costco for $115.00). It's stainless steel and each burner is 10,000 BTUs, compact and light weight - It didn't come with a temp gauge, so I added one for a few $. It has short folding legs, so it is made to sit on a table top - I had a small spare folding table which works great for it. The nice thing about it, is that it has 2 burners and 2 controls so you can leave one side on and have the chicken etc cook on the off side which helps prevents flare-ups. I've always carried a 10Lb bottle for the BBQ, but have hooked it up to the trailer bottles when I've run dry on the 10Lb bottle.

Here's a link to Nexgrill

http://www.nexgrill.com/nexgrill/820-0015/

TurboFlex

 

[amirie]

Thanks for the tips on the little Q---I really thought it would fit under the dinette seat---nope..so it'll travel in the car or under the bed..
The fire pit travels on the bathroom floor.....

 

[gbaglo]

I do a lot of indirect cooking at home on my 6-burner Weber, but for camping I have a choice of the Porta-Chef or a Weber Q.
Both have only one burner. I've been taking the Weber because I don't have to install the legs, however there is less room between the grill and the lid. The Weber sits on it's own on the floor in the trailer when in transit. The Porta-Chef would need to be in a box to keep it from rolling around. I've got a folding wire cart for the Weber, but usually leave it a home for the space it takes.

For chicken, I cut a whole bird in half ( half for tonight, half for later ) and put it on the grill with the breast up, on low. About 45 minutes later it is done to perfection. The bottom may be charred, but that's the inside of the rib cage.

The Porta-Chef has enough room under the lid that I can put an iron skillet up-side-down on the grill and put the food on that for slow cooking.

I still haven't made up my mind which works better for me.

baglo

 

[cargofool]

The Porta-Chef has enough room under the lid that I can put an iron skillet up-side-down on the grill and put the food on that for slow cooking.

baglo

Thanks for the tip! was thinking of buying the porta chef because it's half the price of a similarly sized weber q, but i was wondering how i was going bake and such on any of these 1 burner portables without the indirect heat option. i'll just use my cast iron pan per your suggestion - thanks.

 

[CADreamin]

The new Weber Q2200 has a slightly higher lid than the old Weber Qs. Haven't used ours yet but do like the older Weber Q. We also have one of the infrared barbecues and really like the way it cooks; however, cleanup is a PITA!

 

[Greggo]

Camping wouldn't be camping without the bbq! I have a black plastic box that holds my Weber Smokey Joe, charcoal chimney, wire brush, lighter and oak chips. The Smokey Joe doubles as a pit base when I'm doing dutch oven cooking. My 8" Lodge fits nicely inside the base on top of the hot coals. Here's dinner from last Thanksgiving at the beach:

 

[CADreamin]

Okay, where are you camping next? I want to be next to YOU!