Is a Compact Grill Right for You?

admin — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:50:49 +0000

There’s nothing quite like a big steak grilled to tender, juicy perfection. But preparing a steak of this caliber calls for a grill, and that’s not always practical. Take camping and road trips, for example.

Imagine toting around a full sized monstrosity of a grill in your truck or van! And if you live in an apartment, that thing will take up a huge amount of patio space that could be used for lawn chairs. What do you do to satisfy your inner carnivore under these circumstances? Answer: Get a compact grill.

Compact grills such as the Weber 386002 Q-100 Portable Gas Grill comes with loads of benefits. They pack up neatly inside your car when you go on road trips, leaving enough space for your tent and cooler. Depending on the brand, you can even buy a specially made case that allows you to pull the grill behind you like a wheeled bag at the airport.

And although many of them are weather resistant, you won’t have to test that feature by leaving your portable grill out in the rain and snow; you can easily bring it inside and store it in a closet when you’re not using it.

Going small doesn’t mean sacrificing quality. The best ones are durable, stable, and made to last. Some are designed to be placed on a tabletop surface, while others stand upright on wheels for smooth mobility.

Many have handy features such as adjustable burners and interchangeable grilling plates for different kinds of cooking. So you can whip up some pancakes, roast a chicken, or cook some hamburgers when you’re on the road.

That’s all fine and good, but the real question is: Do they get the job done? Will a grill that small reach the proper temperature and cook your meat evenly? Yes, if you’re dealing with a good compact grill.

They may not blast out as much heat as a king-sized grill, but they get more than hot enough to sizzle your steak. Like anything, they vary in quality, so don’t rush out and buy one without doing your research. You’ll find plenty of compact grill reviews online to help you make your choice.

You might still have some reservations about getting a compact grill if you live in an apartment, since landlords often ban the use of grills–compact or otherwise. But what they’re really concerned about is the dangers of cooking over an open fire, and you can always get around that with a small electric grill like the Weber 526001 Q 140 Electric Barbeque Grill.

If you really want to be low-profile and avoid driving your neighbors insane with the wonderful smell of grilled chicken (though what fun is that?), you can get one made for indoor use instead.

If you have a big backyard, hate camping, and never go on road trips, then you probably won’t have much use for a compact grill.

If that’s you, go biggie-sized. But if you’re a true carnivore who spends a lot of time on the road, or if you have limited space, you owe it to yourself to get one of these babies. You won’t regret it.

Article: by, J. Kelly

Disclaimer: Ordering through the above links will help pay for the countless hours spent writing, developing and promoting this website. Thank you for your support!

How to Shop for a Compact Grill

admin — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 09:36:58 +0000

Thinking about getting a compact grill? It’s the perfect choice if you don’t have a backyard, or if you just love the idea of hosting your own tailgate barbecue parties. But which one should you get? Which features should you look for, and what should you avoid? Mostly the answer depends on your needs and priorities.

If you already own a full sized grill or have some experience with one, use that as a starting point. What do you love about your grill? What do you hate about it? Would you be happy with a smaller version of your grill, or would you rather try something new? For example, if you hate dumping the ash from your charcoal grill and wish it would heat up faster, you might want try a compact gas grill.

Weight is another consideration. Compact grills that weigh less than 20 pounds are a breeze to pick up and carry around, but you may not be able to cook for more than two or three people. A smallish grill that weighs close to 100 pounds might still technically qualify as a “compact grill,” but you won’t be inclined to pick it up if you don’t have to.

Some compact grills are difficult to transport for other reasons. Consider whether it has convenient carrying handles, or at least a way to lock down the lid so it won’t fly off or rattle around in the back of the car. Does it have its own stand? If not, you’ll have to find room for your portable grill on a tabletop surface. If it has a stand, is it equipped with wheels? It’s easier to move your grill around when it’s on wheels.

Do you live in an apartment where gas and charcoal grills are forbidden? Then you probably want to invest in an electric compact grill, which will save valuable space and won’t put out much (if any) smoke. A piece of meat cooked on an electric grill won’t be as flavorful or juicy as one that’s cooked on a charcoal grill, but it’s still pretty darn tasty.

There’s also the question of quality and durability. Is the mini grill solid enough to last for years, or is it flimsy and loaded with cheap, breakable parts? Does it have a rust-resistant enameled surface, or is it coated with cheap paint that flakes off? You can’t see most of these elements for yourself if you shop online, but reading compact grill reviews will give you an idea of what to expect.

Finally, how easy is it to clean? If your compact grill is a pain to take apart, has hard-to-reach crevices that fill up with greasy residue, or won’t even let you remove the grill plates, you’ll probably hate cleaning it. Again, reviews can be enlightening here.

When shopping for your first portable grill, just remember to sort out your needs, do your research, and read online compact grill reviews at http://www.compactgrillreviews.com. By following these steps, you’ll be assured of buying a portable grill that makes you happy and gives you years of service.

Article by: J. Kelly

Disclaimer: Ordering through the above links will help pay for the countless hours spent writing, developing and promoting this website. Thank you for your support!

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Is a Compact Grill Right for You?

How to Shop for a Compact Grill