recommendations for a rig for my apartment

[stalag]

I love both grilled and smoked food.  However due to disk degeneration, and apartment regulations, I need a setup that is both mobile, and does not require me to lift heavy objects or bend to any degree.  I love the taste of charcoal, but a pellet smoker/grill using wood is also a consideration.  I do have a garage to store in, but not a huge amount of room.  Please tell me why you like a particular product, and how much you have used it.

[tomcrete1]

Rec Tec mini is easy on room and easy to store and with the added grill grates it can also sear.  my second choice would be The Big Easy SRG, easy on space extremely versatile and it has a smoker box.  I'm also cramped on room and both these grills take up little space. Good luck

[1Bigg_ER]

26 inch Weber has wheels, high enough level, spacious enough to do a bunch of low and slow smoking. And.......it's a Weber.

[LostArrow]

Can you use charcoal?, gas ? Or electric only?
If you can use charcoal an AKORN Kamodo is a good smoker & grill , easy to roll & when folded up takes very little space. Mine is over 4 years old , several others have this cooker.

[TentHunteR]

Kevin, I know how much you like high quality products. My advice is to wait until this Fall when MAK releases the Portable MAK.  It'll be sporting some features that no-one else will have.  Trust me it will be worth the wait! 


P.S. In Answer to your query, Yes, MAK is a forum sponsor.

[Ericd3043]

You did not mention what regulations there are for the apartment.

If you are on the bottom level, you should have no problem with a small charcoal/ etc as mentioned.

If you are up a level or 2, charcoal is usually a no-no.  The Big Easy SRG would be a good choice.  No charcoal taste, but you can smoke with it.  Personally, I have the regular TBE and have had good success with it (just no smoking!)

[stalag]

You did not mention what regulations there are for the apartment.

If you are on the bottom level, you should have no problem with a small charcoal/ etc as mentioned.

If you are up a level or 2, charcoal is usually a no-no.  The Big Easy SRG would be a good choice.  No charcoal taste, but you can smoke with it.  Personally, I have the regular TBE and have had good success with it (just no smoking!)

I did not mention the regulations, as I already know what they are.  What I am looking for is the quality and usability of a product that I will want to own and use for years (read decades).  I like the taste of food cooked over an open flame.
I will not cook over a wood structure.  That is asking for trouble.

[teesquare]

You did not mention what regulations there are for the apartment.

If you are on the bottom level, you should have no problem with a small charcoal/ etc as mentioned.

If you are up a level or 2, charcoal is usually a no-no.  The Big Easy SRG would be a good choice.  No charcoal taste, but you can smoke with it.  Personally, I have the regular TBE and have had good success with it (just no smoking!)

I did not mention the regulations, as I already know what they are.  What I am looking for is the quality and usability of a product that I will want to own and use for years (read decades).  I like the taste of food cooked over an open flame.
I will not cook over a wood structure.  That is asking for trouble.

(....pssst... stalag.... I think Eric was bringing up the "regulations" because some may not know what those are. And it's always a good idea to share those with others who may be just lurking here, but too shy to ask or post.  Repetition is a great tool on a forum as diverse as we are, and it will not be viewed as a negative.

[smokeasaurus]

Some complexes only allow electric so it wouldn't do us much good to recommend to you other type of pits if you are not allowed to use them 

We are just trying to find out what you are "allowed" to have so we can give you some good suggestions 

and trust me.....we got good suggestions for ya 

[stalag]

Some complexes only allow electric so it wouldn't do us much good to recommend to you other type of pits if you are not allowed to use them 

We are just trying to find out what you are "allowed" to have so we can give you some good suggestions 

and trust me.....we got good suggestions for ya 

I realize that.  It is one of the reasons I was looking for portable.  I live on the ground floor, and I know that they don't want devices to be chained to the posts.  Given this, I am just learning about what is available, and what might work and be acceptable.   I intend to ask tomorrow about what might be allowed.  A pellet grill seems to me to give me the best of both worlds for both smoking and grilling.  MAK when I did call them on Friday, did tell me that they were in development of the MiniMAK as they call it which will be smaller than the current "baby" that they have available.  MAK products are not cheap but when polled, were mentioned to be the best available.  Given these things, even if I cannot use it currently, I am not planning on staying in one location and may be moving in the next year or two.  I do not want to compromise, and there are times where laying out the cash is well worth it.

[smokeasaurus]

I don't think anyone has buyers remorse when their Mak gets delivered  If you are looking for high quality, Mak is it.

[stalag]

As long as I store my rig in my garage when not in use, and do not fire it up next to the building, I can buy and use a smoker/grill.  At this point, the MiniMAK when it comes out would be my choice.  Thanks for all your input for those who said something.  And for those who I PMed directly, Thank you for your responses.

[Ericd3043]

You did not mention what regulations there are for the apartment.

If you are on the bottom level, you should have no problem with a small charcoal/ etc as mentioned.

If you are up a level or 2, charcoal is usually a no-no.  The Big Easy SRG would be a good choice.  No charcoal taste, but you can smoke with it.  Personally, I have the regular TBE and have had good success with it (just no smoking!)

I did not mention the regulations, as I already know what they are.  What I am looking for is the quality and usability of a product that I will want to own and use for years (read decades).  I like the taste of food cooked over an open flame.
I will not cook over a wood structure.  That is asking for trouble.

I am glad you know what the regulations are.  I was a Facility Manager for an apartment complex for many years and it was amazing how many people ignored or did not know what safe practices are.  Not all apartment complexes are built the same and the regulations vary between complexes.  The one I worked at did not allow any open flames at all, hence the mention of the TBE.  Of course, you also had to have a grill matt underneath it to prevent grease.  It is amazing how hard it is to clean a deck/ patio with grease stains on it.

Happy Grilling!

Either way, hope you find what you are looking for.