Hi I was wondering what members thought about the choice of BBQ? I’m inclined to get a Weber ‘Go Anywhere’ charcoal one, but a friend has advised an electric one. I’m not sure now what way to go. I’d appreciate any advice.
Thank you

We don't often barbecue when we're away - although I love them and am definitely a charcoal man... I have a Weber square portable one (is that a Go Anywhere one?) and it is excellent. Mainly because it has charcoal on one layer of grids and then cooking above on another. None of this filling a metal box with charcoal and expecting it to burn properly - you must get the airflow right to keep the temperature right.

At home now I have a dual fuel Charbroil BBQ that gets the charcoal burning evenly (and quickly) using gas, then you switch off and cook as a normal charcoal BBQ. It's blinking excellent - and so much more predictable as to "light up to ready to cook" time (20 minutes)

I don't know what the rules are in GB or where you want to take your BBQ but in France, many places ban charcoal BBQs as they're a fire hazard. Campsite will provide BBQs that you can use that are fixed.
We tried the Cadac but couldn't take the cleaning as said, and we also use an induction hob outside the van. I got a good griddle that I can use on it. And no, it isn't the same as a BBQ but life's too short sometimes LOL There's just the 2 of us most of the time too and it seems such a faff to light a bbq for 2.

Just my tuppence worth.
the heat source as no effect on the flavour of the meat, be it gas /elec /charcoal. What flavours the meat is the meat dripping hot fat on to heat source and creating the smoke, all you need is a steel plate or any thing that can stand the heat, on top of that you require a grid which will allow the fat to drip onto the plate 25/50mm above should work, and the result is smoke flavoured meat simple. Webber call there's flavour bars because that what happens when the hot fat drips. Charcoal adds nothing to flavour that is the whole point of using it. Or you can go for smoking the meat but that is another story and a different BBQ.

Many caravan sites - UK and France in our experience - state a bbq should be "off the ground", i.e. on a stand. I have a lightweight metal stand that I use with my Weber that puts it about a meter off the ground. Works well for me. And the other benefit of the Weber Go Anywhere is that you can shut it all up without cleaning it and sort that out later...

Erik, I don't agree. You don't only cook on a bbq with charcoal, which I do think adds to the flavour, but you can also add different woods that give off different smoke such as old vines.I've tried all sorts..... charcoal, gas, plancha and nothing can replace the flavour of a charcoal bbq. IMHO.My son uses an electric bbq and I have trouble with that as there's no bbq flavour at all.

Simboc, many of the local laws are changing here due to the terrible droughts over much of France and the wild fires. Please double check before you light up!

Surely an electric BBQ is just an upside down grill...? I agree with you 100%, Islay...

I'll also beware of BBQ regulations in France, although, as we have downsized our tow car now I think it's one of the bits of equipment that won't be travelling with us anyway!

And they also can be a bit anti-social on campsites. We unintentionally created an unpleasant, clinging, low-lying smoke cloud that enveloped the Camping Municipale at Épernay a number of years ago, trying to BBQ some nice magrets de canard... We didn't go back for several years.

Simon

exactly, charcoal does not add flavour which was the point I was making when people say you cant beat the BBQ flavour, you are correct in saying using wood to create smoke does add to the flavour most certainly, charcoal on its own adds nothing to the flavour which is why I always use a smoking box on any BBQ that I am using be it Elec / Gas / or Charcoal to get the smoky BBQ flavour and as you know, different woods give different flavours.

If it were me I would go either compact gas or electric.

Do you really wan't to lug charcole, firelighters, petroleum fluid etc. in an Eriba?

Electric is ideal unless your have an external gas connection, otherwise one has to mess with the vans gas bottle(s) and/or have a long hose.

Electric is fine in the UK as 16Amp feeds are standard. If you visit Europe then many sites only have 4Amp supplies. Many sites also keep the power bollard covers locked! Tripping the 4Amp breaker is a pain on these sites as one has to go and find the warden. Often they are just not around. e.g. in Italy all the shops etc., warndens etc. go "off line/close" between 12:00 and 15:00. Come 18:00 orr 19:00 that is it for the night.

I have a potable weather proof IP rated junction box with 2Amp, 4Amp, 6Amp etc. breakers so I can set my trips below theirs if they have their bollards locked. Has saved our bacon on a couple of occasions. Downside is more locker space is lost.

If I ever reqired the mains side of our Eriba then I will definately put multiple different rater current circuit breakers. They are only 15mm wide (approx) so do not take up much space.