Tabletop BBQ

[AJQ]

I’ve searched earlier threads on this but I’m not sure I’ve found the answer so I’m hoping you’ll all bear with me. I’d like recommendations for a portable bbq that can be used on a table, either at home in the garden or on the California outside table when we’re camping, I don’t want one that sits on the ground. And it needs to be charcoal, not gas.
We’re mainly vegetarian, sometimes eat fish, and we only need something small and quick - not something you can roast a chicken on. Sometimes it would be good to do a pizza but that’s not a priority.
I’ve looked at the lotus grill which looks good but the reviews I’ve seen suggest the food doesn’t taste particularly barbecued. The Weber go anywhere looks good, I just can’t tell from the product description if it’s a tablebtop design. Can the cobb bbq be put on a table to use - and does the resultant food taste barbecued? Maybe I’m looking for something that doesn’t exist, but I thought I’d ask the collective wisdom of the vw California forum, if it’s out there you lot will know about it.
Thanks in advance for any thoughts or advice.

 

[Loz2286]

I've just bought one of these. I've not used it yet but it's easy to put together, reasonably compact, yet big enough to put a functional dinner together. I like the option of the BBQ griddle, skillet, wok and pot burner. I thought the price was good too.

 

[Morsels]

Cobb will work on a tabletop and uses real charcoal or briquettes.

 

[soulstyledevon]

Weber GoAnywhere

 

[Loz2286]

I've just bought one of these. I've not used it yet but it's easy to put together, reasonably compact, yet big enough to put a functional dinner together. I like the option of the BBQ griddle, skillet, wok and pot burner. I thought the price was good too.View attachment 95671

Beg your pardon, just re-read your post. You wanted charcoal NOT gas. Please excuse my muppetry.

 

[steve_b]

I use a Weber go anywhere, it's a great barbecue - but small - best for cooking for 2 or 3 people. What I don't do is put it on the table though, as although it has legs I have never checked how hot the heat radiated underneath is and would be concerned that it might damage the table.

 

[66tim99]

White Portable Table Top BBQ

In your garden, on your balcony, at the park or even on the beach, with this stylish table grill you can have an outdoor cookout whenever and wherever you want! This charcoal grill will not let you down. Thanks to its compact design and convenient carrying strap, you can easily take it with you...

www.brandalley.co.uk

 

[Azteccamper]

I had a charcoal bbq that set fire to a wooden bench I was cooking on, so you definitely need to check that it is safe to do so with the model you fancy.

 

[AJQ]

Thanks for all the helpful replies and suggestions. The gas one did look lovely and if we were going down that route I'd definitely consider it. Interesting to hear that the weber might be too hot for the table, I'd wondered that myself. The Berghaus one looks very good so thanks for that idea - though I think from what I read it's only ok on a concrete table, which rules out the Cali table I think. I'll look again at the Cobb bbq - I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who uses that piece of kit, does the food have a good barbecue flavour?
If we do buy something I'll report back on how well it works, though at the moment I'm thinking I might just experiment with the electric plate we already own and an extension lead !!!

 

[Perfectos]

I might just experiment with the electric plate we already own

Best advice you could have given yourself , try what you have and see what works in reality before spending any money.


I would be concerned with any Charcoal BBQ radiating heat downwards, you could use a heavy duty baking tray stood under the main BBQ body with some cold water in it to help with any downward heat radiating!

Edit: having said that I’m not aware of any scorch under the Webber Go anywhere BBQ from radiant heat during use.

the Webber go anywhere is a good bit of kit, sits relatively high off the ground, but pricey for what it is.

note the Webber go anywhere does not have side handles to lift the whole BBQ off the table once done cooking you would need to consider that. (an advantage with space saving but a disadvantage if moving whilst hot, you can control the burn rate via the side and lid baffles to effectively burn out the fuel quite quickly though if required)

 

[Alan Andrews]

Cadac safari.

 

[AlisonF]

I use my Cobb BBQ all year round. On a table. No problems. The outside base does not get hot.
As it comes with different cooking plates you can cook many things. My favourite is smoking chicken with liquid in the moat to prevent it drying out.
If you want a true BBQ flavour you would not use liquid in the moat and maybe use the rack without the plate underneath. I always use the plate as it catches fat and drips it into the moat which stops it igniting.
A very versatile piece of kit.

 

[soulstyledevon]

The Cobb is the only one I would use on the Cali table, but it’s not a BBQ…

 

[Ch1pbutty]

We use one of these down the beach. Very efficient. Can also get a dome for the top which converts it to an oven:

LotusGrill UK

Official online shop for LotusGrill UK

www.lotusgrill.co.uk

 

[AJQ]

We use one of these down the beach. Very efficient. Can also get a dome for the top which converts it to an oven:

LotusGrill UK

Official online shop for LotusGrill UK

www.lotusgrill.co.uk

Hi
I was very tempted by the lotus, can you tell me if the food tastes like a bbq? It looks good, efficient, quick.

 

[Ch1pbutty]

Hi
I was very tempted by the lotus, can you tell me if the food tastes like a bbq? It looks good, efficient, quick.

The Cobb will give you the best BBQ taste.

The design of the Lotus means it uses very little coal hence not much smoke / bbq taste.

 

[66tim99]

though I think from what I read it's only ok on a concrete table

The cork base allows it to be used on eg a wooden table

 

[ThomasHJ]

Thanks for all the helpful replies and suggestions. The gas one did look lovely and if we were going down that route I'd definitely consider it. Interesting to hear that the weber might be too hot for the table, I'd wondered that myself. The Berghaus one looks very good so thanks for that idea - though I think from what I read it's only ok on a concrete table, which rules out the Cali table I think. I'll look again at the Cobb bbq - I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who uses that piece of kit, does the food have a good barbecue flavour?
If we do buy something I'll report back on how well it works, though at the moment I'm thinking I might just experiment with the electric plate we already own and an extension lead !!!

I own the weber go anywhere and would recommend it. It's quality. I don't think it get's too hot for a table. But may depend on the table. The legs are up quite high and they don't get hot. i have moved it while in use. I'd just make sure you dont have anyone at the table who could accidentally touch the BBQ itself, which will of course get hot. We often use it to BBQ with 6 people, no problem. I persoanlly dont often bring it in teh Cali though. It just takes up room, even though it's small. In the Cali it's still big. I use a cooking grid over a foldable firepit.

 

[AJQ]

View attachment 95701
The cork base allows it to be used on eg a wooden table

Yeah I wondered about the picture, but in one of the reviews I read it said the advice in the packaging said concrete table only!

 

[AlisonF]

The Cobb is the only one I would use on the Cali table, but it’s not a BBQ…

It can be used as a BBQ quite easily. But can also do many other things and accompaniments to go with it.
I use it on the cali table or my eriba table outside. It is sensible to have heat resistant mats for putting on the ground when removing the grill plate (or other plates when swapping to cook different things) as I have accidentally left brown grass from putting those down.

 

[AlisonF]

Cobb. From 2 days ago. The plate stops fat dripping and causing a flame to burn the food. But can use without it and just use the rack for more authentic BBQ flavour.

 

[The Blue Merle]

I’ve searched earlier threads on this but I’m not sure I’ve found the answer so I’m hoping you’ll all bear with me. I’d like recommendations for a portable bbq that can be used on a table, either at home in the garden or on the California outside table when we’re camping, I don’t want one that sits on the ground. And it needs to be charcoal, not gas.
We’re mainly vegetarian, sometimes eat fish, and we only need something small and quick - not something you can roast a chicken on. Sometimes it would be good to do a pizza but that’s not a priority.
I’ve looked at the lotus grill which looks good but the reviews I’ve seen suggest the food doesn’t taste particularly barbecued. The Weber go anywhere looks good, I just can’t tell from the product description if it’s a tablebtop design. Can the cobb bbq be put on a table to use - and does the resultant food taste barbecued? Maybe I’m looking for something that doesn’t exist, but I thought I’d ask the collective wisdom of the vw California forum, if it’s out there you lot will know about it.
Thanks in advance for any thoughts or advice.

I’ve got a madkon mini folds down flat, doubles up as a fire box too. It’s high enough not to scorch ground etc, but the odd ember could escape. So if you go that route and the table is posh stand it on a bit of slate or old chopping board.
They come in a few sizes.
Mini works well for a veggie/pescatarian cook up

 

[soulstyledevon]

It can be used as a BBQ quite easily. But can also do many other things and accompaniments to go with it.
I use it on the cali table or my eriba table outside. It is sensible to have heat resistant mats for putting on the ground when removing the grill plate (or other plates when swapping to cook different things) as I have accidentally left brown grass from putting those down.

It’s a great portable oven, but it’s definitely no BBQ…

 

[TheDoc]

I’ve got a cobb and a Weber go anywhere and I use my cobb on the table all the time but wouldn’t go near the table with the Weber. Agreed in its standard form it’s not like a traditional BBQ but if you get the BBQ kit for it it performs pretty well as a BBQ. I’d use it all the time over my Weber except for the fact it doesn’t double as a fire pit which I’m sometimes looking for. If I’m away for a week it’s nice to have the option to do a roast chicken and roast spuds etc on the cobb as I get a bit tired of grilled food after a few days.

 

[Perfectos]

This was in Aldi today

table top BBQ with a battery operated Fan, comes in its own carry bag £49.99

presumably that is a copy of another brand?

may be of interest to some ?