portable propane grills

[outwesty]

Scored an almost new magma on Craigslist for $50. It has the fishing rod mount which I like better than the other side mount one they offer. It is extremely sturdy with no play anywhere. I like the lid that comes off as you can clip it on any side to block the wind. Check Craigslist. I'd imagine anywhere boating is big you will find these.

[uncommonvw]

Ok, the NexGrill is out. Thank you Jerry.

I still like the Magma grill. It looks like a nice grill. I missed out on the Magma for $80 on my local classifieds but a couple more have popped up for a little more than 1/2 price of new. Too bad the mounting accessories are not included.

My local big box (Canadian Tire) currently has a Napoleon Travel Q on sale for $200 and a CuisinArt portable BBQ that have received some good reviews. Does anyone here use either of these?

I think I'd rather pay extra and get something that will last.[/u]

[ThankYouJerry]

The Nexgrill from Costco is a bit weak. The burners simply don't get that hot. It's "ok" if you are not in a hurry to eat. Also the clearance from grill grate to lid is very low and the unit is a bit bulky and heavy.

Btw... Magma also makes really nice small stainless steel portable grills with folding legs. Check amazon. I think it's called "adventurer".

As far as carrying propane inside the van... I'm not a fan. Buy adapters and a quick connect with a length of hose to your under-van tank. Or, put your portable tank(s) up in a rocket box or rack.
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1990 Multivan - "Ohana"
1.8T, Auto w/3.27 R&P + Peloquin TBD

[uncommonvw]

I read all the reviews and have a few questions.

For anyone with the Magma Kettle grill....

How does this grill perform with the 1lb bottles? How long does a bottle of fuel typically last? Can it be used on a tabletop or does it require the special stand? When mounted to the side of the van does the heat affect the paint on the van?

I can buy a slightly used one on my local classifieds for $80 and it seems like a good buy.

OR.....

My local Costco has a really nice looking Nexgrill SS portable BBQ for $130. It requires an adaptor to use the small 1lb propane bottles which adds another $35 to the cost. I was considering buying a small 5lb cylinder ($60) or adapting the Westy propane system to run the grill from the passenger side.

Can anyone help me decide or point out the pros and cons of either idea? The 5lb propane cylinder is fairly compact but I'm not sure it's a good idea to drive around with it inside the van, or if it's legal?

[bjrogers86auto]

I have been using a Kuuma grill for the last few years,

http://www.kuumaproducts.com/Grills_Cubed150.html

It's very good quality but had some drawbacks. The regulator is permanently attached and takes up that extra space. Also, you need to be careful not to damage it when packing the grill...the replacements aren't that cheap...ask me how I know.

The other drawback was that if you cooked with the top closed it would flash when you opened it. The instructions were clear to cook with the top open. I found that odd. I also found it a tad warm on one occasion. My eyebrows grew back.

The Fuego regulator rotates and disconnects. I like that. The grease tray is a neat idea and the cast grill a big bonus. The top doesn't hinge and that may be a negative...we shall see.

Brian
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86 Vanagon GL Westfalia 2.1
18 Nissan Frontier Pro 4X
19 Honda Civic Hatchback

A little rudeness and disrespect can elevate a meaningless interaction to a battle of wills and add drama to an otherwise dull day. Calvin and Hobbes.

[Gnarlodious]

Our local Ace Hardware has a super nifty little grill called Holland Companion:
http://www.hollandgrill.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/products.detail/prodID/2/

Can’t say I ever used one but reviews are positive. I was very impressed at the workmanship and quality, but price was a little steep.
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Vanagon ’83 diesel AAZ w/Giles injection, 5spd 4.57R&P+TBD and a '78 diesel Rabbit

[debbiej]

It's been a couple of months, and we use the element grill constantly, even at home. Love it. It has about a 3" round little dish that threads onto the bottom of the grill where the grease goes. Just spin off to empty, wipe it out and spin back on. I keep an old baking dish to set it on, and don't worry much about any overflow. It's pretty clean.

The heavy grate is easy to clean and really nice to cook on. No stick and stuff doesn't fall through.

[oldskewlsk8ter]

I put some time in cooking on this at the lake today...I'm really liking this setup.

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1986 Hightop w/EJ25 DOHC & 4EAT auto
1965 Kombi project

[bjrogers86auto]

Hey folks,

Just picked up a Feugo Element at Home Depot. They had them at a store about a one hour Westy cruise from home. Regular price was $96. Not cheap but seems really great quality. Love the way it stows.

Reviews to follow!

Brian
_________________
86 Vanagon GL Westfalia 2.1
18 Nissan Frontier Pro 4X
19 Honda Civic Hatchback

A little rudeness and disrespect can elevate a meaningless interaction to a battle of wills and add drama to an otherwise dull day. Calvin and Hobbes.

[Syncro Jael]

I have had Magma stainless steel grilles for years on my sailboats. They are efficient, easy to stow, and I set a big skillet on top to cook on for breakfast stuff. The newer models now have a hinged lid that is a nice idea. $$ just because it is in the boating realm $$

Mine attaches on the RMW swing away tray that makes additional cooking space next to the awning. This setup really works great. Even if the weather is a little poor I can cook some dishes outside too.

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1987 Syncro Westfalia Hightop - NAHT
Subaru EJ25 Forged Frankenmotor, Triple Knob.
Jael = (Mountain Goat)

[gears]

Me too, Jon .. In fact, that's also my home barbie (hooked to 5-gal tank). I think it will last forever.
_________________
aka Pablo, Geary
9.36 @ 146 in '86 Hot & Sticky
'90 Syncro Westy SVX
'87 Syncro GL 2.5
https://guardtransaxle.com

[Jon_slider]

[debbiej]

[danfromsyr]

with a dog around that cast iron on the green cylinder looks like a big problem awaiting to happen.. and the dog is a good boy, but man, handle that carefully.

you can always set up the westy stove to accept green bottles in event of a emergency.

but good food and good grills are a great part of camping..
I can get 6 ears of corn onmy Primus Vidar grill ...yum..
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[Jon_slider]

[dobryan]

[photogdave]

[joetiger]

Just to add to the thread, I bought this one from Amazon a couple of years ago, the Weber Go Anywhere Propane Grill. It's a good deal at $60:

Cooks great, cleans up easy, however (there's always a "however")

It's not as compact as you'd think due to the large handles on the sides and the top. It's hard to find a spot for it in our camping gear due to its bulk, and as a result, it's usually thrown in at the last minute and is prone to being dropped, or it rattles around in the rocket box. If it's not packed tightly, it rattles quite a bit.

I try to take care of my stuff, but this poor little grill takes the brunt of our collective clumsiness for some reason.

So, the igniter has completely broken off and regulator valve is now screwed up and it won't allow enough propane through to the burners. It will cook a pack of hot dogs in, oh, thirty minutes.

I'm slightly ashamed of the fact that I'm directly responsible for its mistreatment and need to fix it, but part of me wants to take it to Goodwill and go about finding something else.

I feel better after this confession.
_________________
Joe T.

'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32

"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron

"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond

Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present

www.josephtrussell.com

[dobryan]

[jetta jimmy]

Great thread, I am in the market for one too, but not willing to give up on my original Grill To Go - I paid $200 for it over 10 years ago, they have since changed the design and now it's terrible. Mine though, I love it. Cook home fries, pancakes and eggs in the am, cook dinner later - wish they still made that. It even came with utensils! This grill reduced the stuff I needed to carry.

I think I may go for the coleman road trip. It's been around for years, the griddles fit in the dish washer, it's mutli-use, had a bag available for storage. A good friend bought his the same time I bought mine. His is still perfect where mine is slowly falling apart.

Having the versatility means not having to dirty pans to cook, which in turn means you may not have to carry them at all.

Coleman now has a new porttable grill out, but I want to see it stick around a while before dropping the $ on it.

This is what I'm thinking:
http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-2000010255-RoadTrip-...trip+grill
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Old City Oil Drippers

64 Split
73 Super
74 Baja
82 Westy
00 Jetta
95 F150
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