Cheap mini kamado (or...?) for cabin weekend?

[Horseflesh]

Next spring I will have the chance to do some outdoor cooking at a cabin retreat, and I want to get some kind of portable grill for the occasion. I have no idea how often I will use the thing after that trip, so it has to be on the less expensive side.

At home I have used a large Big Green Egg for years ... And I have never grilled/smoked with anything else. So I am leaning towards a kamado style with lump charcoal, because that is what I know.

Obviously the Akorn Jr looks like a candidate.

I also see a lot of fishy looking no-name ceramic kamados at around $100.

I'm open to non-kamado styles though, if you have something you love sell me on it!

I think I will be doing mostly grilling ... But I do not want to totally lock out the low & slow option.

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[food4thot]

If want to go lump/charcoal, Weber Jumbo Joe is hard to beat. Very portable. Enough grill and air space to set up two zones. Capable of small smokes. Has a bail for the lid. Got mine years ago for $30 on sale. Weber has since jacked the price to $90...still worth it. Has become my favorite Weber product.

edit to add: Do NOT consider a Weber Smokey Joe. Way too small.

 

[Horseflesh]

Thanks, I will check it out!

 

[JIMSMOKES]

I'd buy the cheapest weber 22 and a vortex. Then just leave it there.

 

[Horseflesh]

I might leave a gas station hibachi for the next person, but a weber kit is a little too nice to discard. Glad you mentioned the Vortex though, that is new to me... Could be handy.

 

[BuffettFan]

X2 for a Jumbo Joe.
Not Kamados, but other options, a Weber Go Anywhere if gas is an option, a Q1200 or similar.

I've had them all, the Q1200 is my current small travel grill, but also have a 22' kettle with removable legs for the rv.

 

[SmokeOCD]

I threw away a jr acorn because it's a rain catch and rusted like heck. Other than that it was fine. Grab a used weber on craigslist, buy a new grate and leave it behind. I bet all in you're under $50.

 

[Tat-que]

I have multiple bbqs and my daily cooker is the jumbo joe! It’s just me and my wife most of the time so It just works! I added a temp probe to it soo direct or indirect grilling or smoking it’s solid! But I will say if you’re cooking on a wood deck I’d probably go with a concealed ash catcher the jj doesn’t have that!

 

[WilliamKY]

I've seen these and they look pretty nice. They sell them at Walmart too. My understanding is they are American made. 332sq.in. is nice cooking area and a bit less expensive than a Weber kettle. I'd also check to see if the cabin doesn't already have a grill.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/America...z8foZBRiD-XAv-DwnT0aAom8EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[sfisch]

I have an akorn jr and love it. I even have the small vortex that fits in it.
Scott

 

[Callahan-que]

I also have an Akorn jr. I have a cover for it so no problem with rust here.

 

[ModelMaker]

I've seen these and they look pretty nice. They sell them at Walmart too. My understanding is they are American made. 332sq.in. is nice cooking area and a bit less expensive than a Weber kettle. I'd also check to see if the cabin doesn't already have a grill.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/America...z8foZBRiD-XAv-DwnT0aAom8EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

I bought this one for chicken wings when I cooked KCBS. Gave it away when moved here to the lake and stopped competing.
Ed

 

[Big George's BBQ]

Definitely check out a Weber. Used one all the time and then got my Large BGE- but that is not easy to transport

 

[InfiniteJester]

I have a Hasty Bake Ranger. It is portable enough for camping/tailgating etc. I have used the heck out of it cooking everything from smoking to searing. It's not cheap, but it is all stainless and will never rust out.

 

[Juggy D Beerman]

Another source for a used Weber are garage sales.

 

[OlyQ]

Depends... How much room you have to transport and budget.

One of those cheaper square stand up grills from wallmart work pretty well for a cheap option. Air controls will be similar to a kamado style grill.

Then as mentioned above we have the weber kettle, It should be no problem finding a nice used one from Marketplace or Garage sales for a bargain.

Moving up in price the PKGO grill is another option that looks pretty sweet.

Then I ll finish it with the Nomad Grill as another option

 

[Maylar]

How much cooking space do you need? Bass Pro's Bobber is only $20 but it's small.