Help for college

[Kstategriller]

I'm off to college next year and I plan on doing a lot of grilling/smoking during my time at kstate. I've never done it before but it's something I've always had interest in but never the funds. I was wondering what I should get or start off with that would be a solid durable investment that I could haul to sports games for tailgating. Just anything advice/thoughts/general thoughts would be awesome. Thank you!

 

[ewchippe]

I live in Manhattan, you need to go see Aaron at The Backyard Kitchen, he will take care of you. Also, spend as much time reading these forums, these guys know what they are doing. I would start with a pretty cheap charcoal grill until you get the hang of it, then invest in something more expensive.

 

[mdsujaan]

Your plan is so good.Go on

 

[Kstategriller]

Thanks ewchippe. Any particular charcoal grills you prefer?

 

[HoDeDo]

My favorite charcoal grill is a hasty bake....but, for tailgate duties... it is hard to beat a weber kettle, or a receiver mounted Steel keg.
But if you are looking for that one that will be around forever, etc. -- I have only used one once, but maybe BP will chime in. I would think a Hasty Bake Ranger would be a great tailgate cooker. It cooked well from his tailgate!!! it's all stainless so low maintenance and well built.

 

[HoDeDo]

I was just out in Manhattan at the Tuttle Creek BBQ contest. Will be out that way at Marysville in June.

 

[TentHunter]

The portable MAK will be coming out sometime. but until then...

...but, for tailgate duties... it is hard to beat a weber kettle,

I was thinking the same thing... The Weber breaks down and can fit in most trunks nicely for tailgating. Also you can later add a Stoven pellet grill attachment that comes with a cigarette lighter plug for tailgating. It cools down very quickly after use, so you can break it down soon after cooking too.

As much as I love my MAK, the Stoven/Weber combo is just so nice for portability.

 

[Kstategriller]

I have a truck so hauling isn't too much of a problem. TentHunter, I'm curious about the Weber with the Stoven attachment. I'm curious how much a setup like that would set me back. Do you all feel its best to start charcoal then move to pellet or start out as a pellet grill?

 

[TentHunter]

If you want to be serious about pellet grilling look into a MAK for home and get a Weber Kettle & charcoal for tailgating.

The MAK 1 Star with a Pure Sine Wave inverter & battery could be used for tailgating, but I'd worry about it getting stolen out of the back of my truck!

If you get a kettle and want to see if you'll like pellet grilling, then add the Stoven for around $350 + shipping. But I can tell you, I enjoyed using the Stoven so much that all it did was fuel my hunger for a higher end pellet grill. We had a MAK within seven months!

 

[scooter]

Go with a weber kettle, not one of those cheap knock offs. Run charcoal through it and learn to control fire. A kettle is pretty versatile as it can grill and smoke. If you enjoy it, continue to improve your cookers.

 

[lovesmoke]

There are many smoker who wasn't smoke in their student life. Suppose I wasn't also smoke in my student life. But when I closed my study then I started smoking.