Hiking and Camping Grill
Whether you're a hiker, camper, backpacker, fisherman, hunter, or just someone who loves the taste of grilled corn on the cob straight out of the husk on a warm summer night, you probably own or have thought about owning a portable grill. For some of you, weight may be your most important limitation when grill shopping; for others, having a reliable heat source is paramount. No matter how experienced you are or how often you grill, here is what you need to know about the three general categories of grills: grills with a replaceable internal heat source, disposable grills, and reusable grills with an external heat source.
Grills with a replaceable internal heat source
Some of the recommended grills are: Camp Chef Rainier Grill and Portable Camp Stove, Weber 1520 Propane Gas Go-Anywhere Grill, Coleman Fold N Go Portable Grill.
These grills are usually fueled by small propane tanks and are perfect for balcony grilling, tailgating, or any other setting where starting an open fire from kindling might be frowned upon. Grills like this range greatly in appearance; some look like mini backyard grills while others look a bit like waffle makers. These grills tend to be some of the heaviest and most expensive because they carry their fuel with them, making them some of the best options for amateur campers who might not feel equipped to build their own fire in order to cook their food. When buying one of these, don't forget to factor in the price of fuel and fuel replacements for the future.
Some of the pros of these grills are that these grills are great because they eliminate the need to worry about or plan for an external heat source. They have some of the largest cooking areas of any portable grills on the market.
Some of the cons of these grills are that their weight and size are two of the trickiest characteristics about these grills. Perfect for throwing in the trunk of the car, they aren't ideal for bringing along on a long day of hiking. Their portability is limited by your method of transportation. Also, they require the use and replacement of small propane tanks, which aren't exactly as eco-friendly as some of the other heart sources out there.
Disposable grills
Some of the recommended grills are: EZ Grill 4831 Portable Disposable Barbeque, Larry the Cable Guy's Tailgate Grill.
Convenience is a temptation that is often hard to resist. Disposable grills are cheap, small, and you don't have to worry about cleaning them or getting them back home. Of course, they're also bad for the environment and they contribute to your carbon footprint. Some aim to be "green" by using natural charcoal as their fuel source, while others use small propane tanks. Either way, they're a good alternative to toting along a propane grill or building your own fire.
Some of the pros of these grills are that they are disposable. Disposable grills are not foolproof, but they take care of most of the dirty work for you, making them incredibly convenient.
Some of the cons of such grills are that they are bad for the environment. Sustainably speaking, these grills are not a great choice. It's cheap to buy one or two, but if you're a frequent griller, you'll be wasting a lot of cash if you're buying and throwing out these grills regularly. They're also not as good for the environment as reusable grills because you end up with a bit of waste, either from the heat source, the grilling surface, or both. Lastly, the cheap cost of these grills is often reflected in their quality. They typically do not light or stay lit as reliably as their competitors.
Reusable Grills With An External Heat Source
Some of the suggested grills are: Pocket Grill, Bayou Classic Fold and Go Portable Grill, Sportsman FCGRILL 29-Inch by 16-Inch Folding Outdoor Camp Grill.
These grills usually rely on a fire pit as their heat source. As a result, they're usually the lightest, most inexpensive, and most environmentally friendly option. Many of these grills are collapsible, making them easier to carry than other grills. While these types of grills lose some points in the convenience category, they're perfect for campers, hikers, fishermen, hunters, and others who welcome the challenge of building their own fire and cooking while out in the woods.
Some of the pros of these are that they usually win in the weight, value, and sustainability categories. They can be used in a lot of different ways such as over a campfire or over an existing public camp grill. Because of their mechanical simplicity, they are often easier to clean than bulkier grills.
Some of the cons are that using this kind of grill requires you to get your heat from somewhere else, whether that's over a campfire that you've built yourself or over an existing source like your backyard fire pit.
One Grill We Recommend
If you are interested in a reusable grill with an external heat source, the "Pocket Grill" might be perfect for you. The Pocket Grill is the first camping grill that folds up small enough to fit in your pocket! The Pocket Grill arrives to you in a pouch, looking very unassuming at an initial size of about 6x4 inches. Toss your Pocket Grill into your backpack, saddle bag, fishing vest, glove box, or of course, your pocket, and you're ready to hit the road. What makes the Pocket Grill better than other portable camping grills on the market is that it fits neatly into your pack, yet has an expansive cooking surface. It's sturdy, weighs in at only a pound and a half, and can be assembled in less than a minute. The Pocket Grill is made of stainless steel and can hold up to 10 pounds of food. When you're done with it, the Pocket Grill is completely dishwasher safe and its carrying case can be tossed in the washing machine.
Right now, the Pocket Grill and My Pocket Grill Cookbook are available for preorder, only at Kickstarter. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact us!
Bringing Along a Small Grill
If you want to go all out, you can buy a very small grill that you can bring along with you on the hikes. Such grills are very popular among people who enjoy longer hikes and camping trips, since they know that they will be in the outdoors for at least a few meals, and want to eat some tasty hot food.
Join Us On The Hikes
If you like to hike or be outdoors, or even if you are curious about it, feel welcome to join a hike that is scheduled through our site, or even start your own hike. The site was made with the goal of making hiking and being outdoors more accessible and educational so the more the merrier - we will be glad to have you join! :)