Grill rec for an old but experienced guy, please ;-)

[garyterr]

Hi All! I'm the obsessed current and former owner of around 40 grills and smokers. Then, somehow I got old and semi-disabled and am less able to wrestle with these machines with the frequency I want to. I use my gas grill for ease but certainly not flavor. Mainly I reverse sear steaks, using a skillet for the crust.

My fantasy is to have a little table top charcoal grill with an electric element so that I can just place the charcoals in there and get going without dumping in hot coals from a chimney. Then, when cool, it's light enough to just pick up and empty and it's ready for next time. Am I just dreaming here? Seems like a logical approach for us elderly folks. Many thanks to you all for any suggestion you may have!! ;-)

[HawkerXP]

Welcome to the Pit!

Have you looked here? Grills, Smokers, Other Cookers, Outdoor Kitchens - Pitmaster Club (amazingribs.com)​

[HawkerXP]

Or more like you asked.... https://pitmaster.amazingribs.com/fo...harcoal-grills

[garyterr]

thanks Hawker

[rlozinak]

Welcome to the Pit from Buffalo!

[garyterr]

Thank you!!

[ofelles]

Welcome to the Pit from the California Delta,

[garyterr]

love California Delta

[RonB]

Welcome to The Pit.
​

[RiverJeff]

Welcome from Nebraska!
As I recall Webber has a really nice little table top model gas and or coals had the coal model worked great for me!

[garyterr]

Yes, the rectangular "Go Anywhere"?

[Purc]

Welcome to The Pit from Fort Worth.

[garyterr]

Thanks!

[Mosca]

That electric element requirement will really limit your choices, and really bump the price. All I can think of is some of the kamados with gas inserts, and that blows out the "small" and "tabletop" requirements, and hell, all the other ones too!

Have you considered a separate electric charcoal lighter? You could pick up a Weber Smoky Joe for around $40, and an electric loop charcoal lighter for around $15. That satisfies all the requirements except all-in-one, but does cover that one partially.

edit: I’m thinking that it would be pretty difficult to manufacture what you’re looking for, and ultimately not cost effective. That is a really harsh environment for anything with the power to usefully start a briquette fire. The removable loop is the way to go.

[garyterr]

Thanks Mosca! I figured it was a pie in the sky idea. I'd thought about the electric loop lighter, I see now they are offset so you can fish it out after the coals are lit. There's also a thing called a looft lighter that they claim you light 2 spots in the already spread-out charcoal and no need to stir them. Will be a process of trial and error I guess. Smokey Joe is a good size too.

[Mosca]

I have the old style still, they usually last about 4 seasons. I saw the offset ones, I’ll get that next.

[CaptainMike]

Howdy from The Great State of Jefferson! SnS has a really nice 18" "travel" grill that might work for you. I initially bought one for our RV, but have since moved it to the main grilling stage and use it often. It is pretty versatile: https://snsgrills.com/collections/ke...39687500496932

[garyterr]

Hey Mike! That grill is one of the possibilities along with the smokey Joe but clearly this one is cooler. I have the slow and sear for the weber kettle and love it so that coal lighting idea may just be the perfect choice for my needs. Thank you!

[CaptainMike]

I have an older Joe but the SnS is far superior. Good luck in your quest, Gary!

[garyterr]

For sure! Just wish they had a 14". Just cooking for 1.

[Starsky]

Welcome!

[garyterr]

Thank you!!!

[Attjack]

My Son of Hibachi is self lighting.

[HawkerXP]

It's just a Son of a B to find one.

[garyterr]

WOW! Never seen anything like it, thanks.

[Attjack]

I should have said it acts as its own chimney. I use Weber starter cubes to light it.

[jfmorris]

Interestingly, I saw Steven Raichlen use a charcoal grill with built in electric ignition yesterday on a recorded episode of Project Fire yesterday. It had a heating element and blower to get the grill going. Wasn't table top though, and unfortunately I erased the episode from the TiVo after I finished watching it, so can't go see what it was.

Good luck in your search!

EDIT: I found the self starting charcoal grill used in Project Fire. Definitely NOT table top:

https://startngrill.io

Steven was using the smaller "L" model.

[garyterr]

Thanks, that IS interesting! I think it's a great idea and hopefully will catch on. As much as I love the chimney, if you can eliminate that coal starting step it would make things much nicer. And a product that's easy to dump the spent coals/ashes too.

[LA Pork Butt]

Welcome to the Pit from Dallas, Texas! I grew up in New Orleans many, many years ago. So, if you grew up there, too, here is the classic New Orleans getting to know you question. Where did you go to school?

[garyterr]

Thank you and ha! Classic question for sure! Since I didn't move here until a little later in life, I'm afraid my answer to your question would be very boring lol

[Skip]

Welcome from Minnesota. There's several good ideas for you already. The only thing I'll add is maybe a Pellet Grill??

[garyterr]

Thanks! I have a nice small Green Mtn for that and is very helpful! Sometimes use it for the 1st stage of reverse searing a steak.

[Greygoose]

I love my Jumbo Joe (18”) with the SnS,,,,and a propane torch
easy to get going and to put back to sleep,,,LOL

[garyterr]

Now THAT makes sense! Thanks!

[Washblue]

I am a Weber guy… and use my 14” Smokey Joe & 14” WSM more than the two 22” Performers and two 22” gold kettles…

I’m thinking I’d go with 18”’s, and a propane torch, too… (and a small chimney.)