| Now this is a diverse group, given that it covers | | | | very little thermal mass. The end result of this is that |
| pretty much every type of BBQ available, only | | | | you cannot sear a steak, it just stews. If there is |
| smaller. So, given that I've discussed the features of | | | | much wind around, you cannot cook anything as the |
| each style elsewhere, I will just go over the | | | | heat is simply blown away. With a bit of a |
| advantages of the portables and the traps to watch | | | | sea-breeze it can take over an hour to cook a few |
| out for. | | | | snags (sausages). |
| I've used most of the varieties available, over the | | | | - In virtually all cases, smaller does not equal faster. |
| years, and have even carried the Weber kettle | | | | Example; if you have a Cobb, it's still going to take 2 |
| around to a few different places, though I wouldn't | | | | hrs that cook that free-range chicken. |
| call it a true portable - luggable, maybe ! | | | | Comments: |
| Pros: | | | | - I have a Cobb oven and love it - slow roasting |
| - First of course is that they allow you to have your | | | | wherever you are - though they're not cheap ($230 |
| favourite style of BBQ wherever you are. | | | | Australian). I thoroughly recommend these or any |
| - Every type of heat source is available in a portable | | | | similar equivalent. |
| format - giving you a great degree of flexibility in | | | | - Small smokers such as the portable, galvanised |
| regard to costs, availability, and safety aspects. | | | | (zinc-alum) box fish smoker sold in camping and |
| - Sometimes the only time you can get together | | | | fishing stores ($20-30 Australian)are hot smokers, i.e. |
| with some friends is at some central location - | | | | they cook and smoke at the same time, so are |
| frequently a park so that the kids can run around and | | | | actually very handy as little ovens. Rub a few spices |
| wear themselves out. If you can BBQ there as well I | | | | into some chicken drumsticks and you've got some |
| always find that a big bonus. | | | | great tasting food in 20 minutes. |
| Cons: | | | | - If a gas grill is what you're after, buy as good as |
| - Dues to their size there are of course limits on the | | | | you can afford because, as mentioned above, the |
| amount of food you can cook at any one time. | | | | cheap ones are just rubbish. A good model will last |
| - Avoid the cheap, round, three-legged gas grills you | | | | you a life-time and can be used in a multitude of |
| can get a K-Mart, Target, etc... They just do not put | | | | situations. |
| out enough heat and the cheap aluminium trays have | | | | |