Cobb BBQ - are they as good as they look?!

[SeaShellsOnTheSeaShore]

There were lots of threads about these last year, and now dh wants one for his 30th: how did you all get on with them last year?

very interested too, as they are quite £££ and not exactly BBQs either...

That reminds me- can you get a BBQ taste with them or are they just a portable oven? I'm hoping we could use it to BBQ on the beach and whilst camping. We have a gas stove.

Dh feels the lack of flames/incinerated meat could emasculate him

Edgar- I'm wary of the cost too but we have birthday money we could use if it's worth it.

Where are peachy et al when you need them?!

I'm rather fond of mine and yes I do think that it was worth the money. We have taken it down onto the beach several times to do sausages and burgers and then finishing off with baked bananas with chocolate wrapped in foil.

You don't get much of a bbq taste as the fat doesn't drop down onto the cobb stone or the coal. BUT you can do joints of meat in it which I love, plus the veg round the sides in the moat thing. We have the wok bit too which is excellent imo, finally a giant vat of a recepticle that I can do stews, chillies and curries in.

It's not nearly as scorching hot as a disposable bbq so things cook properly on it without being carbonised on the outside.

I'm going to attempt pancakes on it this year (on the frying pan jobby).

I love the idea of being able to do a curry- did anyone try the rice in the moat? Ukcc still has the offer code on its site so we are hoping it is still valid.

I seriously have the bug again. Today's guardian is not helping and dh is hiding my wallet as I type because " I just want a couple of things for this year"

slubber, you would disown me as that includes bunting to stop my toddler decapitating himself on the guys( which as they are suitably well pegged, thanks to your rantings enthusiasm, will not give way)

The Cobb is great. You can get wood chip things to create a smokey flavour I think. Go for lovely marinades and herbs, I'm sure the only flavour added by traditional BBQs is that of burnt meat! You need a Cobb, you really do!

...still not really sold though we have a very good BBQ..

the griletto

although i do like the universality of it, as we have a trangia in which you can do a curry if you so wish...

i think it makes a very good present though.

SeaShells I do not think I rant! I politely and firmly encourage.

and anyway bunting shmunting for child-guy line protection. You'll be wanting some sensible luminous guys for that.

and no have yet to do rice inthe moat. Did do roast spuds in wine - v om nom

only gentle teasing slubber.

Hmm, grilleto looks good, but I think I'm getting woo'd by the versitility of the Cobb. Oh decisions

We've just got one - did a whole roast chicken which was delicious, but I was a bit disappointed in the lamb chops as they didn't taste BBQued. Think you probably have to play around with it for a while and we need some of those hickory chips.