Weber Kettle Club Forums
Grill Talk => Weber Grill Forum (Grills, Accessories) => Topic started by: Foster Dahlet on October 30, 2017, 10:33:56 AM
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I will be on the road with family for a month next year, camping the entire way. This will be car/mini camper camping, not backpack camping. Which grill would be best....GA Gas, GA Charcoal, Q, or SJ? I own none of these.
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I know this is the weber kettle club but if it were me, I would be taking my Q100.
Second place would be the smokey Joe but I would need to take my tamale pot so I can do some smoking
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We love cooking on our SJ when we go camping. It's a little awkward packing it in the back of the Grand Cherokee vs a rectangle like the GA, but it's a great cooker.
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If you have the space the newer JJ is great. Large enough to feed a family or do indirect and sides. I love mine. Std charcoal basket fits between the grates. Does not take up much more space than a SJG.
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I've carted around my JJ to a couple camping events, with the matching Weber table, it's great. I think it offers the most flexibility of any of Weber's portables. I think if you search this site for some JJ cooking examples you'll be convinced. The added ability to accept some regular 18 attachments like 3rd party smoker and rotisserie rings adds even more options.
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If you have the space the newer JJ is great. Large enough to feed a family or do indirect and sides. I love mine. Std charcoal basket fits between the grates. Does not take up much more space than a SJG.
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Which jumbo joe? walmart special? or the traditional jj with tabletop legs? i likely would not have space for the jj premium (walmart). but, yes, i would have space for the traditional jj.
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I've carted around my JJ to a couple camping events, with the matching Weber table, it's great. I think it offers the most flexibility of any of Weber's portables. I think if you search this site for some JJ cooking examples you'll be convinced. The added ability to accept some regular 18 attachments like 3rd party smoker and rotisserie rings adds even more options.
thank you @addicted-to-smoke . i will consider this set- up along with the others, for sure.
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Traditional.
Here are some picts for scale. If you have the storage space.
I also like the GA and SJ but grill space limits your fuel setup and cooking space. Really depends on how many you will be feeding and foods you want to grill.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171030/b4aab3a40b155a2792510b4f164881da.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171030/15f91a9993743f3a3938d7b39d57146a.jpg)
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Yeah that JJ Premium at Wal-Mart, being a 22, takes up about as much space as a proper 22, so forget that*.
That being said, you know some guys here have made midgets out of a 22 (or regular 18 for that matter) by going with short legs and sometimes ditching the triangle and wheels also. You'd need to have more room for the bigger bowl, but you'd then save other space by being able to pack more supplies inside of it.
You have options!
* Did you catch my flawed logic above? You could also turn a JJ Premium into a portable the same way the full size 22 or 18 is done, and you'd save a little space compared to them.
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I love my jumbo joe but a month of camping I would bring Weber Q as well. Firing up the charcoal for that long of a trip and for breakfast could start to be difficult. Especially with hungry kids.
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Any plans on a Coleman style gas stove as well? If this is a single solution grill then I would agree with a Q. They have been all over CL & FB used lately.
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I agree. The jj is perfect and if you have a small space for a backup, the cga is good too.
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Any plans on a Coleman style gas stove as well? If this is a single solution grill then I would agree with a Q. They have been all over CL & FB used lately.
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We are considering all options. The camper comes with a one burner butane camp stove. We are a family of 5. Will be logging 6500 miles. So, the one burner stove, isn't going to cut it.
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Sound like an adventure. Good luck! Need some cook picts from the road.
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Traveling with a pit always comes down to cargo space. I have hauled my 22 around. If there is room a 18 is nice. You can take the legs off, and store stuff inside it. Use foil to catch grease and residue from brushing grates after cook and wrap ashes to throw away. I have a companion group half circle stainless griddle made for a 22 that I can put on my Coleman propane stove. Has hot spots, but responds almost instantly burner adjustments and you can move food around easily. It's fun to cook on with a good spatula. Easy to clean hot with a little water and scrape off with the spatula. I have done bacon, hamburgers, boxed hash browns, grilled sandwiches. and the griddle isn't that heavy.
(http://pics.weberkettleclub.com/images/2017/10/30/IMG_0974.th.jpg) (http://pics.weberkettleclub.com/image/WKH)
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Traveling with a pit always comes down to cargo space. I have hauled my 22 around. If there is room a 18 is nice. You can take the legs off, and store stuff inside it. Use foil to catch grease and residue from brushing grates after cook and wrap ashes to throw away. I have a companion group half circle stainless griddle made for a 22 that I can put on my Coleman propane stove. Has hot spots, but responds almost instantly burner adjustments and you can move food around easily. It's fun to cook on with a good spatula. Easy to clean hot with a little water and scrape off with the spatula. I have done bacon, hamburgers, boxed hash browns, grilled sandwiches. and the griddle isn't that heavy.
(http://pics.weberkettleclub.com/images/2017/10/30/IMG_0974.th.jpg) (http://pics.weberkettleclub.com/image/WKH)
That is a pretty cool idea there, @TD
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One consideration is whether or not you will be allowed to use a charcoal grill where you are camping due to fire restrictions. Propane Q series grills are usually allowed everywhere.
I would try to find room for the Q and a JJ. ;)
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I used to carry around my smokey joe, but lately, I've been rolling with the 22.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/lbZmtzb7jtlxH0K73
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@jcnaz , thank you. I did not think of that.
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I know it's not a weber but the Colman or stok fold up grills I think would be about the best (imo) for storage, cooking space and ease of cooking in the means of high when open. I don't have one but I kinda do want one cuz I think that they are kinda awesome in that respect
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We keep the Weber Q1000 in the popup camper. When thinking gas vs charcoal don't forget about all the amount of space for fuel, tools, and accessories.
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I usually take my Q100 when I travel but am looking forward to trying out a charcoal GA on my next trip.
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Ok.. I think I followed all the posts.
A prime consideration is "can it be used at the campsites you're visiting". Thus -a Q or a GA gas. You can find propane pretty easily, even truck stops and some higher end campsites. Charcoal (and all that you need to go with that) takes extra space. Also? Rain. You know that gas will light.
So there's a thought. If you don't have a JJ but want to think about an 18, you can just get some 1" tubing cut to 1 foot or so lengths and use them instead of wheels, triangle, etc...
Have fun.
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I am planning camping as well in November and I am thinking to do what @Mr.CPHo did (used an 18 midget)
http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/grilling-bbqing/who-says-you-can't-eat-well-while-camping-(pic-heavy)/
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I recommend a Weber Go-Anywhere. Nice and compact, square form factor makes for more efficient packing too. A mini charcoal chimney, fuel, and mini cooking utensils all fit inside if you cut the OEM Weber grate in half.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171101/781bf5f9e42c7aa7492720b15fcc5c74.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171101/cc90e54344bdd0a28f80462edabe406d.gif)
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I have the gas ga and would like to get a charcoal ga at some point. We haven’t been camping this year or I would already have one. I always hated traveling with a Smokey Joe. Like mentioned above, the square compactness of a go anywhere is superb for travel. I think I would rather pack both a gas and a charcoal ga before I would bring a single sj, 18, or jj if space is limited. If you have a nice camper with plenty of storage than a kettle would be great. Space was always very limited for me when camping.
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It's really looking like you can't go wrong with any choice. Not a bad place to be in....
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Thank you all. Space is limited. We will driving an SUV and towing a mini camper (which sleeps 2-3) with a rooftop tent (sleeps 3) on top of the camper. For spaces that allow an extra tent, we will pack a 4 man tent too, for the kids' sake. We are going from NW Georgia to Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, Seattle, Portland, Grand Canyon, Arches, Colorado Rocky Mtns, Denver and back to NW Georgia. I think my wife is enamored of the Q. Although, the Go Anywhere (with the table) caught her eye too. While I am personally partial to the Q and JJ after reading all the posts, I am now more confident that all will be well, no matter the choice. I am grateful. Thank you.
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And we want pictures!
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And we want pictures!
Definitely!
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Wow! That is going to be one heck of a trip! Regardless of your choice, I hope you have a great time. Just keep us posted & share some pics.
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Depends on if you wanna mess with charcoal. Me, I love charcoal and its mess, and I love my SJ. That's my vote.
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And WOW!! That's a great vacation!! Take me please!!!
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I use a Go Anywhere charcoal model. I built a wooden box out of 1/2 inch plywood. It keeps the trunk clean and it can double as a low table when cooking on the sand.
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@Darko & @hawgheaven , thank you. i am very much looking forward to this trip and i am in the process of planning right now.....even that is fun. @hawgheaven , i love charcoal....it is all i know how to cook on... i am not good around the kitchen or a gas grill....but dammit, after 15+ years on a weber kettle, i can do that. nonetheless, i am thinking about convenience and space on this particular excursion....so, i am considering the propane alternatives too. thank you @Erich , for your input. it is being weighed and considered too.
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Chiming in late here, Foster, but please let me reiterate the recommendation for the GoAnywhere Charcoal with upgraded Craycort cast grates.
I purchased my first travel grill over 30 years ago and have been through:
Smokey Joe with vents on the bottom - original size (wooden handles)
Smokey Joe with snap shut lid - original size (wooden handles)
Go Anywhere charcoal - MIA (wooden handles)
Go Anywhere charcoal - replaced the above unit (wooden handles)
Go Anywhere gas (wooden handles)
Q 120 (had this one for a very long time before getting back on charcoal)
I do a lot of jeeping and car camping and some grilling at the park with the portable grills. My portables tend to get bounced around and abused. I also cook for a family of 5 but usually run the jeep trails solo. I also tend to use the portable grills around the house when i am feeling too lazy to fire up the Performer. Tonight was an example. The performer and the WSM had their covers on and it was rainy today so i used the GAC with craycort grates.
Lugging that q120 around was a complete pain. It just cooked to darned well. Glad I am back on a GAC with the grates. I can also stow everything inside compactly, including some charcoal, fire starters, the fire starters and a small weber charcoal chimney.
Here in California, you are not allowed to burn charcoal while out on the sand (coast lines) even though a lot of people do it and right in front of the po po's lind eyes (saw this in Santa Cruz). Still, though, i would like to have a GAG so i can bring it to the beach. The craycort grates are a little different for the gas model in that they have more metal directly above the burner and i think might work well with the newer GAG that no longer have the
flavorizer shield on the bottom.
I don't see myself going back to a Q for travel unless i could leave it at a cabin or something.
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@ Foster Dahlet - regardless of which grill you take, it will be one awesome trip you and your family will cherish for a long time.
With what you mentioned about the space limitation and consideration for q or using gas...... how about one cga and another gas ga. Always nice to have other options and they are the most compact grills. If needed for more cooking space but still want to go all charcoal......, gas ga burner assy. taken out and used as a second charcoal grill to cook or grill.
With both GA, you have double the cooking space at all times and have the option to go gas when charcoal is not allowed or strapped for time.
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It's abundantly clear by now that the family and "other cargo" should stay at home, so that Foster can load up with about 5-10 different types of grills.
:)
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lol @addicted-to-smoke ! thanks for the chuckle. @greenweb, I have considered toting 2 compact grills for sure. but, i am not sure about space, not only for the grill, gas, plus charcoal and chimney. @GoAnywhereJeep , thank you. i am certainly considering the charcoal go anywhere, and your storage solution is helpful.
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I just picked up the older style Smokey Joe Platinum yesterday and cooked out on it today. Basically, it is the previous version of the Jumbo Joe.
You can find people comparing the two elsewhere and most seem to give the nod to the newer Jumbo Joe. However, I found something today that I found to be an interesting positive that I don't believe anyone has discussed before. Because it is taller than the new Jumbo Joe, it winds up being almost a perfect height for cooking while sitting in a lawn chair. For a month long camping trip, it might be nice NOT having to find something to set the grill on so you can grill standing up and NOT having a grill that is so close to the ground that it is hassle cooking for 5 people with it so close to the ground.
Since it is taller, it will take up a bit more room than the more modern Jumbo Joe, but you could clean it out and pack stuff inside or put the stuff in plastic bags.
While I wasn't drinking beer while sitting in my lawn chair cooking on this grill, I couldn't help but think about having some beer with my next cook.
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I do like the idea of sitting and grilling ... those hard-to-find Platinums surely inspired the custom "midgets" (cut-down 18s and 22s some have made). What the Platinum offers is better overall indirect performance, since the charcoal grate isn't as close to the cook grate as the modern JJ's is.
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After doing the sitting and grilling yesterday, I started thinking about those custom midgets that I'd seen on here and thought it might be something I'll do with a larger grill.
I do like the idea of sitting and grilling ... those hard-to-find Platinums surely inspired the custom "midgets" (cut-down 18s and 22s some have made). What the Platinum offers is better overall indirect performance, since the charcoal grate isn't as close to the cook grate as the modern JJ's is.
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Well I picked up a NOS GGA (2000?) for $15 and a CGA for $35. The GGA was never assembled, but now has two very small chips in the porcelain which developed after I assembled it and locked the lid with the legs. Oh well, it will make me feel less guilty for using it....I'll cook on these....and if I like em, they will make the trip. If not, two Go Anywhere grills for the price of one isn't a bad deal anyway.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171113/125f842b0f4ab35f5d7f65ba30ded5f8.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171113/2acc94d29196c95544c2402a32f3653d.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171113/e38bcbfd7a68c07c549cac9595f5749d.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171113/4b8074ec59191b84a6c9de87883756cc.jpg)
@MTW524 @HoosierKettle @MDurso @Erich @GoAnywhereJeep @greenweb
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Awesome! One or both should stow nicely. Let us know what you think. I have yet to get a cga.
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Nice grills. I got a Q 200 with folding cart for $20. Brought to Deer Camp and loved it.
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Nice grills. I got a Q 200 with folding cart for $20. Brought to Deer Camp and loved it.
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I was/am very tempted by the Q, as is Mrs. Foster Dahlet. But, for $15, I figured the GGA was worth a shot.....if I ever found a Q200 for $20, I would certainly jump on that deal.
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I had read somewhere that if you cut the cooking grate in half, you can store the two halves below the charcoal grate. Works really well because then you can store a Weber compact chimney inside the the grill. You can stuff it with charcoal and wood chips and fork or what ever else you can fit. That way it is total grill with only one thing to carry. I like a to foil the bottom below the fire grate/coals (being careful not to block the air holes) to catch the ashes for easy clean up and disposal. Oh, and those little prongs under the lid, those are so you can hang the lid on the side edge of the grill so you can tend the cook. Took me a while to figure that out since I like you got mine second hand.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsGMqHL70oc
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i like this guys set up
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFwmCgUESt0
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PK Classic
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PK Classic
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Portable Kitchen? Great grill, but, more $$ than I want to spend and larger than I want to carry. Nonetheless, it looks like a fantastic grill, and something I wouldn't mind owning one day.
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If been looking for a beater q for cheap but the only cheap ones are beat to shit and missing parts
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If been looking for a beater q for cheap but the only cheap ones are beat to shit and missing parts
Mine was super dirty and I had to clean sludge from the bottom but it works. Ignitor is shot but I just use a long lighter and it will get to 500+ degrees per the oven thermometer. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171115/0ced329d8d6e151c737157e6900aa977.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171115/613d2b6b7a7ef22a0865c7053049cca4.jpg)
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Well I picked up a NOS GGA (2000?) for $15 and a CGA for $35. The GGA was never assembled, but now has two very small chips in the porcelain which developed after I assembled it and locked the lid with the legs. Oh well, it will make me feel less guilty for using it....I'll cook on these....and if I like em, they will make the trip. If not, two Go Anywhere grills for the price of one isn't a bad deal anyway.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171113/125f842b0f4ab35f5d7f65ba30ded5f8.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171113/2acc94d29196c95544c2402a32f3653d.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171113/e38bcbfd7a68c07c549cac9595f5749d.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171113/4b8074ec59191b84a6c9de87883756cc.jpg)
@MTW524 @HoosierKettle @MDurso
@Erich @GoAnywhereJeep @greenweb
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Having used both of these a few times, I am totally digging both of them. They are great little cookers. Highly recommended. Still not sure if I am taking one or both on the big trip. I will be practicing on them a lot over the next few months.