Cobb Barbeques

[Cardo]

We got ours (kitchen in a bag) just before we left on our travels. It took a bit of getting used to and to begin with we did struggle as it turned out the charcoal we had was a bit pants.

However, now that I've got the hang of it and use good charcoal in relatively small pieces (big chunks don't light enough) it's absolutely fantastic. Over the summer we use ours most days so we don't add heat to the boat using the galley cooker.

The zip on the bag has got a little stiff, but not overly concerned. The barbecue itself, although relatively heavily used, is still in very good condition. Someone mentioned it was a pain to clean, but I've found the dishes are really easy to clean, easier than our stainless steel Magma pots and pans, and the base cleans easily enough with a damp piece of kitchen roll.

 

[prv]

The chicken seems to be roasted and steamed at the same time making it incredibly moist. I have even thought about using it at home for chicken it is that good.

For about the last 25 years my parents have done the Christmas turkey in the barbecue for similar reasons. Also used to mean my dad got to escape from the mother-in-law for a bit by "going outside to look after the turkey" - no real looking-after required, but a large G&T seemed to help the process

Pete

 

[Gwylan]

One of the things that will not stay on the boat.

Always wanted a BBQ on board but did not want bits of hot charcoal spreading about the place or dripping fat all over the place.

The Cobb is a winner on both these grounds.

Got one a couple of seasons ago - had to get used to the fact that it is not quite like a BBQ. Got a free cookery book with mine and that helped a lot in adjusting cooking technique.

Liquid in the 'gutter' helps a lot to keep things moist. Did shoulder of lamb for lunch yesterday - seemd to go down well.

Great, would not be without it. The fuel blocks are a bit odd, but once you get used to them they work well and do not leave a mess.

Cannot speak too highly of them and recommend that you get the griddle too! What use the other bit of metal, that came with it, is escapes me.

Want to make naan bread on it, the next time we do an Indian.

Anyone know of Cobble Stone clones? - but since it is so clean and safe I'm prepared to put up with the price. Lakeland seems the cheapest, just hate going in there.

 

[maby]

I thought the whole point of their proprietary "pill" things is that there is no messing about with charcoal?

Pete

Well, it's still something solid that you burn - takes time to light, time to heat up and, unless you are cooking for 10, there is going to be fuel left over and still burning after you've finished. I guess you could drop it over the side, but however you look at it, it is wasteful.

 

[stranded]

Well, it's still something solid that you burn - takes time to light, time to heat up and, unless you are cooking for 10, there is going to be fuel left over and still burning after you've finished. I guess you could drop it over the side, but however you look at it, it is wasteful.

The cobblestone takes less than 5 minutes to reach full temperature and seeing it light is a part of our pre-dinner entertainment - we don't get out much!

 

[Carmel2]

My old man was over the moon and still is with his http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?399060-Cobb-BBQ-s&highlight=Cobb

 

[RichardS]

We are very happy with our stainless steel disposable BBQ holder. The clamp stays permanently fixed to the pushpit rail and it takes 2 seconds to slide on the holder, insert a BBQ tray and light her up. We use it about twice a week and a new BBQ tray costs about a quid these days. No handling charcoal and no washing afterwards.

Richard

 

[GrahamD]

Like others have said, you don't so much get a conventional barbecue, more of an oven. This means there is much less chance of eating blackened incinerated meat, but at the same time it is more difficult to sear steaks and to cook them properly rare. However, we love ours as it is so versatile in so many other ways. Roast chicken is a favourite, as is belly pork. Good for mackerel as well. We have even managed a successful barbecue on the boat in a torrential rainstorm. We rolled up the back of the (centre) cockpit tent and cooked with the Cobb on the rear cabin.

 

[PhillM]

I don't know how you managed to make a dry chicken in one. This is the thing I cook most often in the Cobb and it always comes out great. I use the standard heat plate with the wire rack above it as the chicken shouldn't be resting on the hot plate. The chicken seems to be roasted and steamed at the same time making it incredibly moist. I have even thought about using it at home for chicken it is that good.

My zip also gave up but this seems to be a common failure in zips in general. I don't understand what is melting on other people's as there is nothing near the heat on mine that is melty.

Swimbo didn't marry me for my cooking skills

 

[ratbag]

i find it really handy, i have a mount for it on the push pit rail that i bought from cobb australia, i use a small blow torch to light the cobblestones , no big issue to clean, can't really fault it.

 

[Heckler]

I don't know how you managed to make a dry chicken in one. This is the thing I cook most often in the Cobb and it always comes out great. I use the standard heat plate with the wire rack above it as the chicken shouldn't be resting on the hot plate. The chicken seems to be roasted and steamed at the same time making it incredibly moist. I have even thought about using it at home for chicken it is that good.

My zip also gave up but this seems to be a common failure in zips in general. I don't understand what is melting on other people's as there is nothing near the heat on mine that is melty.

I agree whole heartedly with you! Mine is magic! The only issue is swmbo is pernickity about cleaning it, so I leave it to her!
S

 

[temptress]

I agree whole heartedly with you! Mine is magic! The only issue is swmbo is pernickity about cleaning it, so I leave it to her!
S

+1 had ours over 5 years now - fantastic. I can sit with it on my lap and BBQ. We no longer use the 'cobb' bricks but instead use a few normal charcoal bits with a solid firelighter to get them going. Cooked everything on it form roast beef to curry to whatever - even used it in the morning by adding a coal or 2 before we sleep to do a fry-up.

 

[SamanthaTabs]

Agree with other comments that it's more like an oven than a barbecue. Brilliant for larger joints, butterflied leg of lamb was the best as was chicken (baked whole in a sea salt crust) and fish in baking paper parcels. Not so good for meat skewers, steaks or chops as it doesnt sear.

Zip corroded but so do loads of zips etc when left in an outside locker.. I thought it a faff to clean so sold it and currently looking for an alternative. This year just bought some disposable barbecues to enjoy a picnic on secluded beaches :encouragement:

 

[anniebray]

Lidl are currently doing a BBQ similar in design & size to a Cobb . It does not have an oven function, convection BBQ only & has a battery powered forced air system. It is branded "Florabest" & looks like a copy of another similar design branded "Lotus". I believe that it can be used on any surface without damage. Lidl in Crowthorne have had a pile of them in stock for about 3 weeks at £39.99 which don't seem to be selling so maybe they will be offered at reduced price soon ! BTW ,The Lotus price starts at £100

 

[PhillM]

Just had a chat with a really friendly and helpful chat at Cobb. Sounds like the grommets have got a bit old and sagged, hence my problem melting the top ring. Spares readily available, so I will disassemble mine at the weekend and order the bits I need to get it back into service.

 

[dom]

Just had a chat with a really friendly and helpful chat at Cobb. Sounds like the grommets have got a bit old and sagged, hence my problem melting the top ring. Spares readily available, so I will disassemble mine at the weekend and order the bits I need to get it back into service.

My goodness; Cobb BBQs seem as tricky to maintain as an Ebby on a bad day

 

[greeny]

http://www.lotusgrilluk.com/

Try one of these - easy and the results are really good. It uses a small amount of charcoal and has a small battery powered fan inside that helps initial ignition and adjusts the heat as you cook. The AA batteries seem to last forever. The outside stays cool enough to sit it on the table. Good for cooking for 2/3 but no good for 6. We got the basic one and are very happy with it.
(no connection with company, - happy customer.)

 

[PhillM]

My goodness; Cobb BBQs seem as tricky to maintain as an Ebby on a bad day

But isn't that the point of boating? Everything has to take four times longer than the one at home, cost ten times a much and be constantly in need of attention. That's why we call it a hobby.

 

[mlthomas]

I found this on yacht Pipit's site - they seem to like it

http://www.yachtpipit.com/FoodAndDrink/CobbTips/

 

[dslittle]

Use ours all the time - last time about three hours ago on the beach... As above, we have even used it in the cockpit tent on a rainy day (with plentry of ventilation). Brilliant bit of kit.