Apartment sized griller/smoker?

[Drazzil]

I live in a really small apartment but but would love the chance to barbecue and or smoke meat. Something small, and portable that could fit into a small storage closet is a must. I am tired of paying out of the wazoo at a restaurant every time I want to taste good smoke barbecue. Price range is a few hundred bucks, say one to three hundred, maybe a little more if I absolutely need to.

Anyone out there know the grill for me?

Oh, and I am a complete newbie when it comes to bbq/smoking.

[pnoon]

Traeger FTW.

The Junior is the right size but it's on wheeled legs so storing it might be an issue for you. Link is from the Traeger site and full retail is $399 but they can be bought for less.

http://www.traegergrills.com/shop/detail/BBQ055

The PTG is portable and may be what you are looking for. Full retail is $299.

http://www.traegergrills.com/shop/detail/BBQ020

[Drazzil]

Is the PTG a gas griller?

[Drazzil]

PS I am totally a newbie at the whole grilling thing.

[pnoon]

It's not a grill. It is a pellet smoker. Heat is indirect.
The Traeger website has links to "how they work"

[MurphysLaw]

Check your fire codes as well, many apartments aren't allowed to have open flames on patios and balconies, which eliminates charcoal and propane. I have a Weber Q140 that's all electric, works great and complied with fire code and HOA rules at my old condo. Still keep it on the patio at my new house for grilling up burgers and hot dogs. It's just a grill so no smoking, but better than nothing.

[T.G]

Originally Posted by pnoon

The PTG is portable and may be what you are looking for. Full retail is $299.

http://www.traegergrills.com/shop/detail/BBQ020

Word of warning, the PTG is deceptively larger looking than it actually is. IIRC, cook surface is only about 12" x 15" and you only get about 5-1/2" vertically to put something in, which isn't enough room to stand up a rack of ribs or a chicken, you might even have trouble cramming a 7+lb bone in pork shoulder in there and I'm not even sure they'll hold a complete rack of spare ribs. For beef ribs, half to 1/3 rack is all you'll get in there. The short distance between the pellet cup and the grate can also cause some hot spots. Topping off all of that, it only holds a few hours of pellets too. To me, this thing is really more like a tailgate grill for cut up chicken, hamburgers and sausages, and not a smoker. Imagine trying to cook something inside your 40-count traveldor, that's about all the space you get with this, because you can't go all the way to the edges of the grate.

IMO, probably better off paying $100 more for the Jr. or the Lil' Texas, they hold more, have the vertical height to put taller things in, distribute heat evenly and hold a good 8-12 hours of pellets.

[Drazzil]

I live in a duplex that is single story with its own back patio and a shared back yard. I have seen others barbecue with no problem at all.

[T.G]

BTW, I think I've seen the Jr. for $349 at Costco when the Traeger road show comes through.

[8lug]

Check out the Big green egg, imho best of all worlds

[Sweet_Leaf_PDX]

I highly recommend the Traeger Jr. with the tailgating kit (http://www.traegergrills.com/shop/detail/BAC314).

[OLS]

Smoked meat is not that good for you anyway. It is going to be hard to suits your needs for now,
and if that closet is inside (hopefully not), your house is gonna STINK something FIERCE when you
bring it inside. I say keep paying rip off prices, eat less BBQ, and save for a rental house or a small
starter home.
If that closet is outside and has a lockable door, I guess the possibilities open up some. Good Luck

[replicant_argent]

Search "Alton Brown clay pot smoker" Takes up about the same room as a slightly fatter 5 gallon paint can when stacked, you could double bag it in a couple contractor bags for storage.