Purely a personal view, but to me the barby is an essential piece of camping equipment and used every time (several times) we go. It's just part of camping, and ours doubles as a self-contained fire after. But we're total carnivores.
As you do veggie alternatives at home but never barby, it's not going to be any different camping. It sounds as if it'd serve no purpose, unless you're unable otherwise to replicate your home method. Kampa do an oven, but it's a bit overkill for tent camping?
Otherwise next time you're away, I'd try a family size disposable barby box and see if it works as another option.
------------- Mike
My advice is worth no more than the price paid for it
The first time you go camping you will know whether you need a BBQ or not so I would wait and see as you can always get a disposable one while youre away if things get desperate
------------- Experience enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again.
Everything has been said before, but since nobody ever listens we have to keep going back and saying it all over again and again and again
Quote: Originally posted by mikegalagher on 11/1/2013
Purely a personal view, but to me the barby is an essential piece of camping equipment and used every time (several times) we go. It's just part of camping, and ours doubles as a self-contained fire after. But we're total carnivores.
As you do veggie alternatives at home but never barby, it's not going to be any different camping. It sounds as if it'd serve no purpose, unless you're unable otherwise to replicate your home method. Kampa do an oven, but it's a bit overkill for tent camping?
Otherwise next time you're away, I'd try a family size disposable barby box and see if it works as another option.
Wow! That's mad! And ginormous!
I think the idea of not getting anything, and seeing how we go is very sensible. I'm just getting carried away with myself I think.
Dont bother with a BBQ . But a disposable BBQ will let you know if investing in a more solid option is needed . You can use a disposable several times on a trip just remove the grill and top up with charcoal . Weve been able to do some really good meals with a disposable and a single burner stove . Stuffed barbiqued peppers . Chocolate filled bananas .............. Toasted sandwichs .
we have a standard charcoal bbq and a small gas bbq and we use them loads...in fact, when in france we bbq most nights...our charcoal bbq folds flat, cost a fiver from asda and is ideal...it's one of these
we wouldnt be without a bbq BUT its just a way of cooking things and socialising at the same time the cooking is being done and no-oe is left out (in particular the 'cookee') i am not a fan of the 'right its all cooked , sit down and eat bbq' - i prefer the 'get up and cook something when you want' that could last for several hours - which makes the gas bbq ideal as it lights and cooks instantly, though the cooking over an open fire, logs. wood etc also gives the same freeedom (where they are allowed)
so, in short, it doesnt matter if you have or dont have/use a bbq, just make the cooking part more inclusive !!!
That is a good point actually Dave, the bbq is more social cooking, never thought about it like that. That's probably why I enjoy it so much.
I am not sure about disposable bbq's to be honest. Maybe it is just me with the attention span of a gnat but I found that the fact that the cooking surface is so close to the charcoal just overcooked everything and I hated it.
There are a few "pack flat" options available for bbq's but they are a bit flimsy. I think the best idea is to go without one and, if you didn't think about bbqing anything then you don't need one!
don't know how often you intend to use one but on the rare occasions we do a 'barbie' we use one of these ,granted it's a flat pack, but we've used it a number of times now,
works for us but then theres usually only the 2 ( 4 at most) of us to cook for, well worth the £5 we paid for it at go-outdoors
------------- no tin tent outings booked as yet ,just another cruise in Sept' booked so far
we have a gas bbq which also has a side burner, it wasnt expensive - bought it after the summer had ended and they were selling them off at b&q - we often cook breakfast on it, eggs, bacon etc - its great cooking breakfast like that and we take our time over it all HOWEVER we have a static and dont have to think re packing it all away, transporting etc like other people may have to (though now weve got a small camper, we have the same issues LOL)
point being that if you stop thinking of it as a bbq and more of something to cook/grill on - its just an upside down grill isnt it? then it may become more useful, if it isnt useful then dont take it !
a disposal bbq is just charcoal in a tin foil box, wouldnt take too much imagination to build one out of a few rocks, tin foil and a baking tray if you didnt take one but fancied a bbq one night/day and they allow charcoal bbq's on whichever site you stay on, or dig a hole in the sand and take wire tray from the cooker with you to the beach!
if the concern is that the one shown by realbusdriver is too flimsy, then dont put the legs on it and rest it SECURELY on a few rocks/bricks, tree stump etc but obviously not on a combustible or rickety surface
Got one of these in France about 10yrs ago and still going strong:
Now about 20 euros at Auchan or Leclerc; it came with a battery operated rotisserie! Base is cast iron which spreads the cooking heat brilliantly. It all folds up very compactly - I store it in a 21" tool box.
Personally I wouldn't be without my CADAC Carri Chef.
The interchangeable bits mean you can use it for 90% of your cooking needs.
Kev
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Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Do I need / want a BBQ?
