The LotusGrill works by creating a bellows effect that forces cool air over the charcoal, turning it into a raging inferno, albeit a safe one. Available in a range of cheerful colours, the LotusGrill is ideal for small patios, balconies, campsites, picnics and boats – its 12-inch grill is good for up to four hungry gannets. At just 4kgs, it’s also easy to carry a fair old distance without your arms falling off.
It folds flat, leaving more room in your trunk; the grill top is a grid so small things won’t fall through, and when you’re done cooking it turns into a fire pit. There is an add-on cast iron coal bed ($26) that holds charcoal, but I don’t see it as necessary . It’s a little-known secret that the built-in thermometers on most grills don’t work well, so I used a standard kitchen thermometer to see how weber q hot things got and how well they held that heat. Most grills performed about as well as advertised, with some topping out at as much as 100 F hotter than others. The better grills also generally ended up reading out a more consistent temperature throughout cooking. This solar oven requires no charcoal, propane or any fuel source (hooray for the environment!) and is super light and transportable.
Shop for a larger 20-inch-plus model to get more surface area if you’re grilling for a hungry crowd. Most portable grills are designed to be used with small 14- or 16-ounce propane tanks, which simply screw onto the side or weber charcoal grill bottom of the grill. However, if you’re planning to cook frequently with your grill, it might be beneficial to purchase an adapter hose, which will allow you to use a larger 20-pound propane tank with your portable grill.
The large surface of the Cuisinart All Foods Roll-Away gives the cook multiple heat zones to work with while grilling. The infrared burner of the Solaire Everywhere heats the entire portable bbq grill surface to about the same temperature. This is good for cooking lots of one type of food, but not so good if you’re hoping to cook different foods at different rates.
To put out the charcoal, place the lid on the grill and close all the vents until the charcoal goes out completely. Leave all the vents open so moisture doesn’t collect inside and cause rust. If doing the initial conditioning inside, place the grill on a heat-safe surface near a hood. Attach the control unit probe into the heating element connection, making sure that it is fully seated.