CB-500 review, Best Small Grill?

[LostArrow]

I've had a CB-500 for about 3 years & since it's only the wife & I I use it a lot!
It's an affordable table top charcoal grill ($90 shipped amazon)
Cooking area is 240 sq in, (about 18 in by 13 in , important later)
It's a table top or car camping or tailgating grill, at 38 lb it's not a portable hand carry cooker.
The design , It's basically a very small barrel grill, with heavy cast iron grates, adjustable charcoal grate & limited ability to adjust airflow.
Has a removable ash pan & door to add fuel.
Is well built , mines 3 y/o & other than cosmetic wear & tear is in very good shape.

[LostArrow]

As a grill the cooker is big enough to cook for 4-6 with a rectangular grate of 240 sq. in. ( an 18 in kettle has about 260)
When cooking for two the shape works well for 2-zone cooking, smoke for awhile, then sear directly over the coals.
The grates are thick cast iron , work well for cooking seafood , veggies & other small or fragile items without a special basket.
The fire can be adjusted from about 5 in below the grate to 1/2 in .
With a hot fire just below the grate will sear in 2 min / side 
Flareups do go out with closing lid.
For grilling only mods I've used are a charcoal fence & a brick.

[LostArrow]

As a smoker.
Yep you might not think it but the 500 can me used as a smoker.
For small amount fire on 1 end & meat on the other.
Fairly limited in amount though, a rack of ribs or 1 small butt.

[LostArrow]

Smoking with a maze & a heat shield.
This cooker will now hold 3 racks BB ribs , a bunch of wings , or 2 good sized butts!
An 18in X 13 in half baking sheet fits perfectly as a heat shield.
With a couple fire bricks you can load enough fuel for an 8 hour set & forget cook!
Ribs & butt are good, but the wings are World-class!

[LostArrow]

Finished!

[jjjonz]

Thanks for post LA.....never knew that little grill could do so much.

[sliding_billy]

Nice little grill, but the effectiveness here has more to do with the cook than the cooker. 

[sparky]

food looks really good LA.  that sure is a nice weber you have there.   

[Las Vegan Cajun]

food looks really good LA.  that sure is a nice weber you have there.   

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[HighOnSmoke]

Thanks for posting your review and mods for the CB 500 LA. Food looks real good coming off that small grill.

[hikerman]

Old Dave has made several nice posts using this great little grill!

[Las Vegan Cajun]

That's some great looking grub on that vintage grill CaptJack, very nice. 

[CDN Smoker]

Liked all the pics of the different cooks

[TwoPockets]

Good looking cooks John and Jack. Just shows you don't need a lot of fancy cookers with gadgets and electronics to turn out good food.

[spuds]

Liked all the pics of the different cooks

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