Best BBQ (gas) for the Cali? Help!

Lost Boy · Thursday at 1:27 PM

I have searched and seen a few options but given my requirements I wondered what you guys would recommend?

After much struggling for some time now with a very small charcoal BBQ from Go Outdoors, culminating with it taking me several hours to cook 6 sausages at a campsite in Serbia (I almost drank all of the beer whilst i was waiting, photo for amusement!), i have decided I need a small portable gas BBQ, there are generally only 2 of us in the van for the majority of the time and it would only really be for most likely occasional use. I thought it might be good to have something than runs off the same gas bottle or the slightly smaller version or even some of the small canisters to save space. I know the Cadac is a likely contender but can you guys inspire me with what you'd recommend, ideally from experience. my girlfriend seems keen on a Weber, but they all look big and not that foldable to me. Please be clear on the model name etc so I don't go and buy the wrong one (pics also would be helpful)

Thanks in advance

dspuk · Thursday at 1:43 PM

Whatever the next 24 replies say you have already answered your own question. Cadac.

Lost Boy · Thursday at 1:45 PM

dspuk said:
Whatever the next 24 replies say you have already answered your own question. Cadac.

But which model?

dspuk · Thursday at 1:48 PM

Lost Boy said:
But which model?

There is only one. Safari Chef. 2 or 30. Makes no difference.

Ch1pbutty · Thursday at 2:16 PM

Ridgemonkey Grilla (folds flat. Runs on gas or charcoal):

RidgeMonkey Fishing Grilla BBQ

Key FeaturesQuick and easy to use Full stainless steel body Full length burner with adjustable heat & piezo ignition Removable stainless steel side table Compatible with all EN417 screw fitting gas bottles Can also be used with charcoal and other solid fuels Unique space-saving folding mechanism...

www.anglingdirect.co.uk

Hawthorn37 · Thursday at 7:26 PM

We bought a Campinggaz Partygrill 400 a few years ago, and it’s still serving us well. However having seen the Cadac Safari 2 in action, that’s the one I’d buy now. The grill tray is a better design.

Up10 · Thursday at 8:05 PM

We have a Cadac 300 dia and second gas cylinder as it is too much faff to unload the van bottle. It also means you are unlikely to run out of gas in remote locations.
We use ours as a bbq, pizza stove, hob, oven (YouTube will show you how) and toaster.
The bag is big enough to store additional plates to the basic set up.
We also bought a single Vango induction hob this year for when we are hooked up. Brilliant. It allows for slower cooking, like rice, as the gas seems a bit firey on occasions.
We rarely cook inside and can spend weeks at a time in the van. Just ensure you buy steel pans if you are considering an induction hob.
Can thoroughly recommend both products.

Up10 · Thursday at 8:09 PM

PS forgot to say, there are two of us. The 300 dia is more than adequate for our needs. Friends of ours had the 500 dia which was fine for 4 of them but have now reduced theirs down to the 300 now they have dispersed the family to far away locations.

OllieCollieCali · Thursday at 8:21 PM

We have a Nomaqiq BBQ, not cheap, but works really well for us, small in size, and then folds out quickly and easily to give 2 decent sized grills. Its ideal for us as the other half is vegetarian, so we can have a side each, and control the heat seperately. Also very easy to clean.
I also modified the gas connector so it connects to the 907 bottles as I already carried a spare one of these around anyway. Otherwise it runs on the small canisters.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/NOMADIQ-Portable-Lightweight-Tabletop-Tailgating/dp/B08588PLK8/ref=asc_df_B08588PLK8?mcid=8126cc7dd9e635daa6c4ebc47d0e64b9&hvocijid=16877387697219914632-B08588PLK8-&hvexpln=74&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=696285193871&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16877387697219914632&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045791&hvtargid=pla-2281435176658&psc=1&gad_source=1

CaliforniaCylus · Thursday at 8:59 PM

Your girlfriend clearly knows her BBQs. Weber are by far away the best on the planet and we take a Q1200 (well Q120 when we bought ours!) when we tow the caravan and have lots of storage.

However, in the Campervan only, we have a Cadaq Carry chef 2. It's small and compact and does the job. The Weber is 16 years old and still like new. The Cadaq is clearly only one step above disposable...

ThomasHJ · Thursday at 9:12 PM

I own a Skotti Grill. It packs down quite small and flat in a sturdy bag.

Hawthorn37 · Thursday at 10:52 PM

A key question to factor in when choosing a portable BBQ is, what do want to do with it? That might sound like a dumb question, but for us, like @Up10, we use ours to do most of our outdoor cooking: BBQ, grill, hob, pizza oven, toaster.

We also carry a separate 907 bottle, so don’t need to unhook the van bottle, and it acts as a reserve.

We sometimes also take a charcoal bbq we bought in a French supermarket about 10 years ago, if we know we’re going to be catering for a larger group, and we aren’t hopping from site to site.

Oh and by the way, Cadac make really good quality Paella pans - useful for a whole range of meals, including full English breakfasts!

Kernowboy · Thursday at 11:07 PM

We have the ridgemonkey grilla as per post #5. Excellent bit of kit which takes up very little room. We have a Cadac too but barely ever carry it now, the grilla is a much better bbq.

secret lemonade drinker · Friday at 4:43 AM

cadac safari chef 30 (one decision left Low Pressure or high pressure) either screw a canister directly underneath or have a quick disconnect connector and connect to larger bottles through a regulator.

The Safari chef is an extra Gas Ring with Windshield, a gas BBQ, a griddle pan, a Wok ( lid upside down) a pizza stone (extra) a paella pan with lid (extra).

I've had one for a long time (since 2005) and the latest one with piezo ignition is excellent.

We have a LP pressure one for tent camping, and a HP pressure one (with dual pack) for use with the camper/motorhome

JAG7001 · Friday at 7:56 AM

Lost Boy said:
I have searched and seen a few options but given my requirements I wondered what you guys would recommend?

After much struggling for some time now with a very small charcoal BBQ from Go Outdoors, culminating with it taking me several hours to cook 6 sausages at a campsite in Serbia (I almost drank all of the beer whilst i was waiting, photo for amusement!), i have decided I need a small portable gas BBQ, there are generally only 2 of us in the van for the majority of the time and it would only really be for most likely occasional use. I thought it might be good to have something than runs off the same gas bottle or the slightly smaller version or even some of the small canisters to save space. I know the Cadac is a likely contender but can you guys inspire me with what you'd recommend, ideally from experience. my girlfriend seems keen on a Weber, but they all look big and not that foldable to me. Please be clear on the model name etc so I don't go and buy the wrong one (pics also would be helpful)
View attachment 137061

Thanks in advance

@Lost Boy theres an upside tho to your existing set up, more time to drink beer!

Ch1pbutty · Friday at 8:37 AM

Kernowboy said:
We have the ridgemonkey grilla as per post #5. Excellent bit of kit which takes up very little room. We have a Cadac too but barely ever carry it now, the grilla is a much better bbq.

+ the gas cartridges are far more portable & a lot cheaper than camping gas.

Also doubles up as a great little fire pit to keep warm and / or keep the insects away.

BenCar · Friday at 8:54 AM

Another vote for the RidgeMonkey Fishing Grilla BBQ. Folds totally flat, can take gas or charcoal and triples as a fire pit. win win win.

California Dreamer · Saturday at 7:01 AM

We have campingaz party grill pretty similar to cadac - just upgraded to new version (360cv) as it is more stable sitting on a platform instead of 3 legs. Great bit of kit!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

California Dreamer · Saturday at 7:04 AM

Campingaz 360 Grill CV Table Top Gas BBQ

Discover Campingaz 360 Grill CV Table Top Gas BBQ at Nevisport – top-quality outdoor gear at great prices. Shop now and get ready for your next adventure!

www.nevisport.com

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Baldrick · Saturday at 10:24 AM

secret lemonade drinker said:
cadac safari chef 30 (one decision left Low Pressure or high pressure) either screw a canister directly underneath or have a quick disconnect connector and connect to larger bottles through a regulator.

The Safari chef is an extra Gas Ring with Windshield, a gas BBQ, a griddle pan, a Wok ( lid upside down) a pizza stone (extra) a paella pan with lid (extra).

I've had one for a long time (since 2005) and the latest one with piezo ignition is excellent.

We have a LP pressure one for tent camping, and a HP pressure one (with dual pack) for use with the camper/motorhome

Thanks for the Wok pointer - I’d not thought of/read that