Help Me Buy a new Tailgate Grill (portable)

[MustGoFast]

So - now that the world is reopening we're starting to get out again. I've been using Weber Smokey Joe's FOREVER. The one I have is pretty beat up and with a couple tailgates planned it's time to think of a replacement so Brethren help me spend my money.

Needs - Potability since I'll use this mostly at tailgates occasionally at neighbor things and maybe camping once a years. On it I'll cook 90% Burgers & Brats occasional chicken/steak - I doubt I'll ever use it to smoke anything. I find the 144sq/in Joe a little small

I started on the mGrills C4 as it's a slick unit, before I realized how small it is and it was out.
I then looked at Pk and liked the Go, Hibachi, & TX - the stand of the Tx is quite appealing, but the price is a bit questionable. Not sure if the Hibachi is compatible with their stand or not as I don't think I'll ever need the flip ability of the Go.
Best budget option is clearly the Jumbo Joe
Last one I looked at was the Akorn Jr. - again good to budget, love the orange color it's available in - con is only slightly bigger than the current.

So what would you do if you were in my shoes?

 

[MustGoFast]

Leaning on doing the PK Hibachi today. Was on the Tx last night but not sure I can justify going from 200 --> 500/600 for the incremental space/stand as nice as the stand would be to have.

 

[Fooball]

OK Joe Rambler is another budget option with adjustable charcoal pan $140.

https://www.amazon.com/Oklahoma-Joes-19402088-Portable-Charcoal/dp/B07JZ7YRVR/ref=asc_df_B07JZ7YRVR/?tag=&linkCode=df0&hvadid=344109103916&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=11061217503337758350&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9012143&hvtargid=pla-696894757574&ref=&adgrpid=67585364085&th=1

 

[MustGoFast]

Yep - I saw that one as well forgot to include it on the list. Not sure how it ocmps to some of the above really but it feels like a step up from the Lil Joe as well.
That said it doesn't seem as well built as some of the other options.

OK Joe Rambler is another budget option with adjustable charcoal pan $140.

https://www.amazon.com/Oklahoma-Joes-19402088-Portable-Charcoal/dp/B07JZ7YRVR/ref=asc_df_B07JZ7YRVR/?tag=&linkCode=df0&hvadid=344109103916&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=11061217503337758350&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9012143&hvtargid=pla-696894757574&ref=&adgrpid=67585364085&th=1

 

[SmokerKing]

Weber Portable Jumbo Joe 18", lid clamp, perfect size, lightweight, cooks like a 22";

https://www.weber.com/US/en/grills/...-joe/jumbo-joe-charcoal-grill-18/1211001.html

 

[Meatsweat Mike]

Have you checked out the SNS travel kettle? This thing caught my eye and I’ve been close to pulling the trigger on one.

https://snsgrills.com/collections/grills/products/travel-kettle-grill?variant=39687500496932

 

[Porcine Perfection]

Love my Grilla Grills Chimp.

Sent from my Pixel 3a XL using Tapatalk

 

[Fooball]

Mgrills M16 Grunt is $600 and much bigger than the C4, looks well built.

https://mgrills.com/products/the-m16-grunt

 

[Inthewoods]

Mgrills M16 Grunt is $600 and much bigger than the C4, looks well built.

https://mgrills.com/products/the-m16-grunt

That's a nice little grill!

-D

 

[MustGoFast]

Mgrills M16 Grunt is $600 and much bigger than the C4, looks well built.

https://mgrills.com/products/the-m16-grunt

Agreed - I stared at that for a while, but it's about 90lbs which isn't that portable and with a stand is $1k... I'm sure a great grill but too much for me here.

 

[BDAABAT]

You could consider a FlipFlop grill:
https://www.flipflopgrill.com/

Packs down nicely...ships in a 3.5 * 19 box. Only weighs ~ 17 lbs. Stows nicely in a bag like this with some room to spare: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07F8R95R8?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

It's a fun little cooker!

Bruce

 

[MustGoFast]

I want a lid so I'm really getting stuck on overpaying for that damn TK GO cuz I think it is a cool design and quality product.
I WISH it came in other colors though....

 

[MustGoFast]

I think I want someone to convince me to just get the damn Jumbo Joe now before the wife kills me...

 

[Fishwater2002]

I had a Jumbo Joe for a few years as my camping grill, I even had the mini SnS basket for it so I could smoke a decent size butt. It's a great cheap grill if it fits your needs, I ran out of room trying to feed a large group with two zone cooking so last year I replaced it with a 22" that I cut the legs down. Not as portable but better for my needs.

I have been drooling at the various PK's for years but just can't pull the trigger due to size/cost, as much as I want it they're too hard to justify when a kettle works at a 1/4 of the cost.

 

[tom b]

JJ would be my vote, love that little grill. Perfect for the use you described.

 

[Fooball]

Kudo grill is an interesting animal.

Probably not what your looking for at 73 pounds and no lid for $500.

Cool little grill though, 19" round cook grate. Built solid. Easy break down, put up.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07715VC5C?ref=vse_pfo_vwdp

 

[Greygoose]

Jumbo Joe,,,,,rules for giddy up and go ,,,
Lock lid , get a slo and sear and you are good to travel

 

[ssv3]

WGA or Jumbo Joe. WGA for compact and capable but Jumbo Joe more versatile.

I've also got a rotisserie ring and vortex for it so the possibilities are endless. 18" so plenty of space IMHO.

 

[Fooball]

I think I want someone to convince me to just get the damn Jumbo Joe now before the wife kills me...

OK....looks like the best option at $90. SNS is same size and twice the price.

18" is a good jump in size from your 14". Do it before she takes you out....

 

[SmittyJonz]

Jumbo Joe - don't need no stand if tailgating........ my tailgate is waist high when dropped.........