Home grill and barbecue on wheels: features, comparison, selection criteria

Electric grills:

• Contact grills: have heating elements at the top and bottom, food cooks faster due to simultaneous heating from both sides.
• Open grills: similar to traditional grill grates, heating is provided from below.
• Features: easy to use and clean, no smoke and can be used indoors.

Gas grills:

• operate on natural or propane gas.
• heats up quickly and is easy to adjust.
• more often used in open spaces such as balconies and terraces.

Charcoal grills:

• use charcoal or briquettes for heating.
• impart a characteristic smoked flavor to food.
• require more time for preparation and maintenance, and are used outdoors.

Portable grills:

• light and compact, often gas or coal fired.
• convenient for picnics, camping and outdoor trips.

Infrared grills:

• use infrared radiation to heat food.
• ensure fast and even cooking with a crispy crust.

Key features to look for when choosing a home grill:

• Size and capacity: How many people do you typically cook for?
• fuel type: electricity, gas or coal.
• functionality: availability of additional functions such as a thermometer, side shelves, various heating modes.
• ease of cleaning: removable and washable parts.

Home grills offer a wide range of options for preparing delicious and varied food with minimal effort.

Barbecue on wheels

A barbecue on wheels is a mobile version of a traditional barbecue designed for cooking outdoors, equipped with wheels for easy movement. It combines the functionality of a stationary barbecue with the advantages of mobility, making it convenient for use in different areas of the dacha, in the garden or for picnics.

Main characteristics of the barbecue on wheels:

Design:

• body: usually made of steel, stainless steel or cast iron. Steel models are lighter but require additional protection from corrosion, while cast iron ones are more durable but heavier.
• Wheels: Strong and stable, usually two or four wheels. May be equipped with stoppers to secure the grill in place.
• handles and shelves: often equipped with handles for ease of movement and side shelves for storing tools, utensils and food.

Fuel type:

• Charcoal: the most common type. Uses charcoal or briquettes, gives food a characteristic smoked aroma.
• gas: some models are equipped with gas burners, which allows the grill to heat up faster and control the temperature more easily.
• combined: there are models that can use both coal and gas.

Functionality:

• Adjustable grill height: allows you to change the distance between the coals and the food, thereby regulating the heating intensity.
• Ventilation system: built-in valves and openings for regulating air flow and temperature control.
• Ash pan: removable ash collection tray for easy cleaning.

Additional features:

• Grill grate: includes removable grates for cooking meat, fish and vegetables.
• lid: some models have a lid, which allows you to use the grill as a grill or even a smokehouse.
• Thermometer: Built-in thermometer in the lid to monitor cooking temperature.

Advantages of a barbecue on wheels:

• mobility: easy to move around the area, finding the most convenient place for cooking.
• Easy to store: can be easily stored in a hidden place when not in use.
• Functionality: wide possibilities for preparing various dishes outdoors.

A barbecue on wheels is an excellent choice for those who love cooking outdoors and value convenience and practicality.

Home grill vs. barbecue on wheels

Let’s compare a home grill and a barbecue on wheels, considering their pros and cons.

Home grill

Pros:

• Ease of use: Home grills, especially electric ones, are easy to turn on and heat up quickly. They often come with automatic features such as timers and thermometers.
• Indoor use: Electric grills can be used indoors, making them convenient for cooking at any time of the year.
• Easy to clean: Many models have removable dishwasher-safe parts, making cleaning easy.
• No Smoke: Electric grills produce virtually no smoke, making them safe for indoor use.

Minuses:

• Flavor: Home grills, especially electric ones, cannot always provide the same flavor and aroma as charcoal cooking.
• Limited size: They usually have a smaller cooking surface, which can be inconvenient for larger groups.
• Dependence on electricity: Electric grills require a power source, which can be inconvenient in some situations, such as a power outage.

Barbecue on wheels

Pros:

• Authentic Flavor: Cooking over charcoal imparts a distinctive smoky flavor to food that is difficult to achieve on electric or gas grills.
• mobility: the grill on wheels is easy to move around the area, which allows you to cook outdoors in a convenient place.
• Large cooking surface: A barbecue usually has a large cooking surface, allowing you to cook for larger groups.
• independence from electricity: the grill runs on coal or gas, which makes it independent from the electricity grid.

Minuses:

• difficulty of use: lighting the coals and maintaining the temperature requires more time and skill compared to electric grills.
• Cleaning: Cleaning a barbecue can be a tricky task, especially if you are using charcoal, as you need to remove ash and food debris.
• Smoke and odor: Cooking over charcoal produces smoke, which can be uncomfortable in residential areas or in adverse weather conditions.
• Outdoor use: The barbecue on wheels is designed for outdoor use, which may limit its use in bad weather or winter.

Comparison

Ease of use:

• Home grill: more convenient for quick and frequent use, especially indoors.
• barbecue on wheels: requires more time and skills to light and cook.

Taste and quality of food:

• Home grill: good for everyday use, but doesn’t always provide authentic flavor.
• Barbecue on wheels: gives food a unique smoked flavor, ideal for outdoor cooking.

Mobility and versatility:

• home grill: smaller, often stationary, dependent on electricity.
• barbecue on wheels: easy to move, can be used in various outdoor places.

Cleaning and care:

• Home grill: Generally easier to clean, many parts are dishwasher safe.
• barbecue on wheels: cleaning is more difficult due to the need to remove ash and food residue.

Indoor and outdoor use:

• Home grill: designed for indoor use.
• barbecue on wheels: designed for outdoor use, may be problematic in bad weather.

The choice between a home grill and a portable barbecue depends on your preferences, conditions of use and cooking requirements.

Main criteria for equipment selection

When choosing a home grill or barbecue on wheels There are several key criteria to consider. These criteria will help you choose the most suitable equipment depending on your needs and conditions of use.

Choosing a Home Grill

Grill type:

• Electric: convenient for indoor use, easy to operate, does not require fuel, but does not produce the characteristic smoked aroma.
• Gas: heats up quickly and is easy to regulate, suitable for outdoor use.
• Charcoal: gives food an authentic smoked flavor, requires more time and skill to light.

Size and power:

• Grill grate size: depends on the number of people you plan to cook for. Large grates are suitable for large groups.
• Power: Important for electric and gas grills, the higher the power, the faster the grill heats up.

Functionality:

• Adjustable grates: Allows you to change the height of the grate to control the cooking temperature.
• additional functions: timers, thermometers, various heating modes.

Easy to clean:

• Removable parts: easier to clean, especially if dishwasher safe.
• Ash pan: important for charcoal grills for easy removal of ash.

Materials and build quality:

• Body and grill material: stainless steel, cast iron, non-stick coating. These materials are durable and provide uniform heating.
• build quality: reliable and durable structures will last longer.

Main criteria for choosing a barbecue on wheels

Fuel type:

• Charcoal: gives food an authentic taste, requires more time to light and maintain.
• gas: heats up quickly, easy to use, suitable for large companies.

Size and mobility:

• grill size: depends on the number of people you plan to cook for. Large grills are suitable for large groups.
• Wheels: must be strong and stable, preferably with stoppers to secure the grill in place.

Adjustable grill height:

• Allows you to control the intensity of heat by moving the grate closer or further from the coals.

Additional features and accessories:

• lid: allows you to use the grill as a grill or smokehouse.
• Shelves and tables: for convenient placement of tools and utensils.
• Thermometer: Built-in thermometer for temperature monitoring.

Materials and build quality:

• Body and grill material: stainless steel, cast iron. These materials are durable and resistant to corrosion.
• build quality: strong and reliable structures that will last a long time and be resistant to external influences.

General criteria

Budget:

• Determine how much you are willing to spend on equipment. The price may vary depending on the type of grill or barbecue, materials, and additional features.

Purpose and frequency of use:

• If you plan to cook at home frequently, choose an electric or gas grill.
• If you like to cook outdoors and authentic taste is important to you, choose a charcoal barbecue on wheels.

Storage conditions:

• Consider where you will store the equipment. For barbecues on wheels, it is important to have a place to store it outside or in the garage.

Easy to use and maintain:

• Evaluate how easy it is to light, use and clean your chosen equipment.

Based on these criteria, you can make an informed choice that suits your needs and preferences.