Obviously going to be used with public power or generator...not an R.V. inverter and small battery bank.Four hours into this - the Mexican server has allowed me three web pages to appear. I would like to get your personal opinions and advice.Why? Why Why...electric? It's for the toad, and 20 lb bottles don't like trunks or inside the car. I put a threaded plastic plug in a bottle years ago and the danged relief valve popped. Good thing it was on the ground. Puts a scare into a person though.I'm looking for one as close to the size of a Weber (Hibachi) more or less. 1,600 watts is too much for an outlet down here so I'd settle for an 800 watt model - if it would do a good job with a 12 oz steak or a pair of chicken drumsticks.I would rather not play guinea pig on eBay or Amazon*. I am headed north tomorrow and do a store by store phone search from the hotel. But I need a model and brand.*I just purchased a fast-boil electric kettle on Amazon and the third use of this FIVE STAR RATED product the thermal shut-off switch failed.Thank you in advance for your advice!

Hi Mex,I use my George Foreman grill. It draws 700 watts and makes a good job of a steak, pork chop, hamburger pattie, or hot dog(s). It is SUPER for a grilled cheese sandwich. It is fast because the contents is being heated from both sides. It doubles as a device for thawing frozen meat when not plugged in as the plates are heavy enough to radiate energy to the contents.I did originally have an ultra tiny one that did just hamburgers. It drew a scant 300 watts, but was not much good for anything else. It is easy to keep clean.

We have a couple of Geo Foreman Grills and like them. Not sure of the wattage but there are several sizes.Add Char-BBQ sauce for flavor. Remember this is `camping' not the Big Texan steakhouse.

Thank you but I was hoping for char barbecue flavor. Long ago my parents had an electric grill, complete with pumice rocks. Burgers and meat tasted very similar to stuff cooked on a charcoal or gas grill. I do have an 8" griddle that has both the base and the lid heated. Super for quesadillas and hash browns.

It's hard to find one under 1500 watts, but I have had a Meco table top that was decent, though the heat control had to be replaced a couple of times. Now I have a Brinkman electric smoker that works as a grill. I really like it, it's basic, attached cord to the element, no controls or switches. Plug it in, it's on. Unplug to turn off.

Hey Mex, 3x on the George Foreman grill. I run ours off a 800w inverter and it's amazing how fast the steaks will cook. The real advantage is the cleanup of the teflon coated surface. All we do is put a couple of water soaked paper towels between the cooking surfaces, close the lid and in 15 minutes or so, just wipe the surfaces clean. A little muss and not much fuss! For the smoky flavor you're looking for, have you heard of Liquid Smoke.....?

Small Electric Barbecue Wattage? | Good Sam Community

Tal_IL
Explorer
May 01, 2016
I can find several tabletop BBQ grills that look like what you want. They all run from 1500 - 1700 watts
Kayteg1
Explorer II
May 01, 2016
G Foreman is more like hamburger press. It will heat the meat, but will not add flavor.
I think 800W grills should go on the same shelf what 12V coffeemaker. Bought one years ago and used ONCE
what a piece of junk it was!
pianotuna
Nomad III
Apr 30, 2016
800 watts is just not going to "cut it" unless you have a relatively tight fitting lid. The risk is that meat may be more or less "steamed" instead of fried because there is simply to much heat lost to the environment. Even with the George Forman I tend to let it cycle at least once before I put the meat in. I want it to sear the meat.

I had an 1800 watt which was pretty slow to heat up. I did not enjoy using it and it was a royal pain to clean.
ernie1
Explorer
Apr 30, 2016
Hey Mex, 3x on the George Foreman grill. I run ours off a 800w inverter and it's amazing how fast the steaks will cook. The real advantage is the cleanup of the teflon coated surface. All we do is put a couple of water soaked paper towels between the cooking surfaces, close the lid and in 15 minutes or so, just wipe the surfaces clean. A little muss and not much fuss! For the smoky flavor you're looking for, have you heard of Liquid Smoke.....?
Chris_Bryant
Explorer II
Apr 30, 2016
It's hard to find one under 1500 watts, but I have had a Meco table top that was decent, though the heat control had to be replaced a couple of times. Now I have a Brinkman electric smoker that works as a grill. I really like it, it's basic, attached cord to the element, no controls or switches. Plug it in, it's on. Unplug to turn off.
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Apr 30, 2016
Thank you but I was hoping for char barbecue flavor. Long ago my parents had an electric grill, complete with pumice rocks. Burgers and meat tasted very similar to stuff cooked on a charcoal or gas grill. I do have an 8" griddle that has both the base and the lid heated. Super for quesadillas and hash browns.
Dick_B
Explorer
Apr 30, 2016
We have a couple of Geo Foreman Grills and like them. Not sure of the wattage but there are several sizes.
Add Char-BBQ sauce for flavor. Remember this is `camping' not the Big Texan steakhouse.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Apr 30, 2016
Hi Mex,

I use my George Foreman grill. It draws 700 watts and makes a good job of a steak, pork chop, hamburger pattie, or hot dog(s). It is SUPER for a grilled cheese sandwich. It is fast because the contents is being heated from both sides. It doubles as a device for thawing frozen meat when not plugged in as the plates are heavy enough to radiate energy to the contents.

I did originally have an ultra tiny one that did just hamburgers. It drew a scant 300 watts, but was not much good for anything else.

It is easy to keep clean.

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