What outdoor cooking appliance should I get?

May 22, 2019 8:52 AM

My kitchen unfortunately doesn't have a way to vent smoke/cooking odors [no range hood], so I've been avoiding the range and just using the oven. However, I have a backyard where I could cook and extend my options. A lot of outdoor cooking equipment seems optimized for camping (no access to electricity, lightweight), which are not constraints I have. I'm just looking for an easy, cheap range substitute. Should I get a portable burner or something else?

- Some stuff I'd ideally get to cook: getting a slight char on my hot dogs, stir fried cabbage, fried rice

- I WILL have access to electricity, and weight is not a concern.

- I know grills are popular but they intimidate me. If there's something that's ultra easy and beginner-friendly though, I'm all ears.

Thanks!

posted by estlin to Home & Garden (13 answers total)

What about an electric grill? There are tabletop versions, too.
posted by soelo at 8:57 AM on May 22, 2019 [2 favorites]

I'm assuming you don't want to deal with propane or charcoal, which is why you find a grill intimidating. If you're able to get over any concerns you may have in acquiring a propane tank and hooking it up to an outdoor appliance, your options increase tremendously. A propane grill is pretty much like using a gas range. There's also propane flat top griddles, wok burners, etc.

If you're used to just electric burners and don't want flames, then I think your best replacement is a portable induction burner. Set it outside on an appropriate height, plug it in, use it like a normal range with compatible pots.
posted by Karaage at 9:10 AM on May 22, 2019 [3 favorites]

Propane griddle all day. I love it so much. Me singing its praises previously.
posted by supercres at 9:14 AM on May 22, 2019 [1 favorite]

I have the smallest propane grill that comes with a side burner, picked up for $100 which means it's a little janky and I've already had to replace the handle but it does the job.

However, if you have electricity relatively nearby you could do like I do and get a folding table, bed risers if you're tall enough to really want counter height, a cutie tablecloth if you like, and then the electric world is your oyster - I love my electric skillet (the high sides are better than a griddle for fried rice, cooking regular rice and pasta, etc) and my grill-griddle. Depending on your weather etc you can bring them inside when not in use, or store them under the table in a Rubbermaid/Sterilite etc (or in SoCal I often just throw a plastic shower curtain over everything to keep the dust off).

I put any electrical appliances - especially that grillgriddle - in a half-sheet baking pan when I use them, inside or outside, because they are prone to drips and spatters and the pan is easier to take to the sink to clean instead of the counter under the appliance.
posted by Lyn Never at 9:28 AM on May 22, 2019 [1 favorite]

If you are avoiding the range specifically because you don't have a vent/hood/exhaust, I don't have one in my 100- year old house either and I use my stovetop all the time. Sure, I don't deep-fat fry things, and I probably have to clean my cabinets and kitchen tchotkes more often, but it can be done!
posted by sarajane at 9:55 AM on May 22, 2019 [12 favorites]

If you are wiling to take it in when you aren't using it, induction burners are really amazingly hot and with the ability to quickly change the temp. I adore mine. They only work with magnetic cookware, so if all your pans are aluminum, you'll need to get a steel pan or two.

For stir fry and fried rice, I really like outdoor woks. I can't get my indoor range top hot enough but with this, it's great. Of course, we live in Minnesota, so there are months I'm unwilling to use them.
posted by advicepig at 9:58 AM on May 22, 2019 [3 favorites]

Note: if you get that wok, get some properly long utensils. Don't burn your hands using those tiny short things it comes with.
posted by advicepig at 10:00 AM on May 22, 2019 [1 favorite]

If you are avoiding the range specifically because you don't have a vent/hood/exhaust, I don't have one in my 100- year old house either and I use my stovetop all the time. Sure, I don't deep-fat fry things, and I probably have to clean my cabinets and kitchen tchotkes more often, but it can be done!

Yeah, in my experience living in several apartments and houses, residential range hoods are best rated on a scale from "Non-existent" to "Just Makes Noise" to "Essentially Useless". Go ahead and stir fry that cabbage indoors.
posted by Rock Steady at 10:54 AM on May 22, 2019 [5 favorites]

An electric smoker.
posted by tman99 at 11:14 AM on May 22, 2019

Note: if you get that wok, get some properly long utensils. Don't burn your hands using those tiny short things it comes with.

Also, consider the other weather conditions and plan appropriately - a guy i follow on Instagram who makes a lot of really tasty looking thai food on his brooklyn rooftop using a shitty basic propane burner just spent a while in the hospital when the thing tipped over in the wind spilling a wok full of frying-temp oil on his leg.

(this is very unlikely to happen, but its worth considering how well anchored any equipment you end up getting will be)
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 11:17 AM on May 22, 2019 [5 favorites]

If you want something small and cheap to try things out with before you make a big decision, you can get a gas burner at an Asian grocery store. They are inexpensive and easy to use.
posted by Quonab at 11:26 AM on May 22, 2019 [2 favorites]

I moved from a 1-bed apartment with a crappy range hood to one without one, and my entire apartment smells like food noticeably more often now, please believe OP that this is an issue.

My workaround is open windows and fans, which is more doable now the weather is nice where I am. Having my entire place smell like yesterday's dinner is not delightful and I'm following suggestions.
posted by momus_window at 11:52 AM on May 22, 2019 [2 favorites]

If you happen to be near an Aldi, they've got those little butane single-burners for like $12 right now. I already have one (and cans of butane from a nearby restaurant supply, which is the cheapest I can find them) in my emergency supplies but I poked at an open one at my Aldi and it seemed as good quality as the others I've used.

But definitely if you want to use propane, get something that has some kind of sturdy footprint or is meant to operate on a tabletop.
posted by Lyn Never at 11:55 AM on May 22, 2019 [1 favorite]