There's lots vegetables that taste good off a grill too.

I would get the best grill you can.

LOL DC, that's why I bought the small fire pit! But we don't really have a space for that either. It's about the size of an upside down garbage can lid and now lives in its box in the garage. Barely enough room for the pit, but then there's the issue of where to store the firewood . . . We have enough now for about a half hour fire. I got it mostly to take with us when we go to the beach. Yes, it may just be that he needs to play with fire on a regular basis. Perhaps the butane burner will suffice, he really loves to crank that baby up when we go on camping trips. It makes a great jet engine noise!

Neighbors on all sides of me have the outdoor grill tables on their patios, and they often tantalize us with their dinners. Silly me has to have all these trees and shrubs and plant containers blocking the yard instead.

Get the man his grill!!! The point is he wants one!! If I long for anything that is in his power to get me my man gets it for me and I love him for being thoughtful. You won't regret it!
Joann

IMO you're right that a gas grill doesn't give you much flavor, but that's kind of besides the point. It's just one of those things. He needs his grill.

Yes you do....I can't imagine living without a grill....and no those George Foreman things really don't to the thing at all.
I have a friend living in a retirement complex in Florida in a condo. Tiny little patio but in one corner she has a little gas grill...she has potted plants a couple of small sculptures...and the grill. It's just big enough for 3 steaks or a whole chicken, a fish, 3 or 4 porkchops, 6 to 8 skewers of vegetables.
If you want to make him a happy camper....buy him a little gas grill.
Linda C

But the money I save on the grill goes towards our dream house with a big honkin' outdoor fire pit, grill station, screened in summer porch, orchard, koi pond with waterfall . . . (just kidding about the pond, sort of . . . )

LOL, I hear ya' folks! Any reccomendations? Think SMALL!

Here's a photo of the backyard, and YES, I see that spot for the grill, but this photo was shot in May and that spot is now taken up with two chairs and pots of tomatoes, peppers and herbs. It's the only full sun spot.
{{gwi:29624}}

We have a great big charcoal grill standing in the yard for when the kids are home or we have company, but Hub and I use the little tiny tabletop charcoal grill for just the two of us all the time. Light the charcoal with a chimney, it's ready to grill a steak, burgers, fruits, whatever, in less than 20 minutes, with plenty of heat leftover to cook a small pork or beef roast for tomorrow night under the dome while we are eating our dinner.

It's a little kettle grill with a dome lid (looks like a miniature Weber), cost us $15.00 last summer, got used at least once or twice a week for about 3 or 4 months last year and at least a dozen times so far this summer; it's still going strong! And we're only just now finishing our second bag of charcoal. When the little grill is cool, the ashes go in the compost heap or get sprinkled around the plants and the grill goes back in the garage.

It's ideal for us. If your bf is maintaining his residence, you can use his big grill there and still enjoy grilling at your place. Does the grill have to be gas?

Well, you don't really have table top room so I would get a free standing grill to begin with. You have do have enough room and that's a pretty patio, btw!

I am partial to Webers as the customer service is the best I have encountered, the grills work perfectly all the time and do the job with ease.
There's all price ranges.

I have a gas grill, not very big, and it's on wheels. It lives under the carport. I roll it out when I want to use it.

I was watching Dr. Oz yesterday and the guest said that meat cooked on a grill, especially if it's charred, is a carcinogen.

That probably won't stop me from grilling my burgers, but it's something to consider - and maybe a way to talk the BF out of it!

Lpink, there's no logic nor reason to it! I've never known a man that didn't want his grill. If there's room for YOUR pots there's room for HIS grill! lol

Nice patio, BTW.

/tricia

I am a man who loves to grill, but in your case, I would vote against getting one, especially a gas grill, since as you say the flavor is not that much different from grilling indoors. I would recommend that you get a Hibachi grill instead, which uses charcoal and is portable and easy to store. You might need to get a stand for it as well, however.

If I am going to grill outdoors, it will be with charcoal unless our gas is turned off (as in after an earthquake). Since he has his own place with grills, you should consider spending more time over there, especially during the times when he wants to grill.

Lars

A good gas grill can also be used as a smoker with wood chips.
I use mine with chicken all the time.
I don't think it compares to anything inside..you can't get the grill taste unless you have some flare ups.

I forgot to mention how pretty your yard is! I can see why you don't want some honkin' big grill out there. It's so pretty.

Your yard is lovely - no question about it. And yes, you need a grill. I would opt for a charcoal grill over a gas one though. I have both and the gas is convenient, but the flavor is inferior. Plus, a little hibachi (like Lars mentioned) doesn;t take up much room and can be stored out of the way and some are even cute :-)

Good luck and yes, every guy deserves his grill!

Alexa

Here is a link that might be useful: hibachi options

I'd go with a hibachi. We had one when we lived in a townhouse. Easy to store away plus you get to use charcoal (buy lump rather than briquet). I don't think gas grilling is "barbecuing". Others disagree. Tell your guy that real men need a real fire not one that turns on and off with the flip of a switch or turn of the knob. ;-)

I think he would love it, and if you can get him to cook, that would be my motivation! I also have to add, I think your yard pocket is quite charming!

No problem. Just clear cut some of those trees, and there will be plenty of room for the grill - and the motorcycle. Yeah, that's what I suggest. Make sure you pass that on, hear?

I have a nice enough gas grill, and I could live without it, but I'm odd that way. In general, it comes with the chromosone, and the, uh, um, you know.

Oh, for God's sake get the man a grill. If he likes propane there are some small patio style grills available with still enough room to do steaks (or veggies for you) that don't take up much space....3 feet wide that also have infrared technology. You don't need the huge mega grills....especially for 2 people...and if you care for this guy like you say you could move a potted plant or two. Jeesh. Give me a break! Sorry, but I don't have understanding over a few potted plants vs. giving your 'loved one' a few feet of space for something he enjoys. Bring on the haters!

Duane

I'm with you Duane.....
If you want to please him....buy him a grill...or even "allow" to put his grill on "your" patio.
Relationships are about compromise and doing what you know will make the other happy. This isn't about a grill but about giving space on"your" patio.
Get him a little propane grill...free standing but small so he can pop out there and grill as teak or bratwurst whenever he wants.

I am with John.

Chop down the trees and make room for this.

dcarch :-)

Here is a link that might be useful:

My only concern about the hibachi sized grills is that they are indeed for two or three people.
Grilling is frequently about entertaining also and the extra inches of a regular sized grill most likely won't go to waste given how often you entertain.

For just my wee family, I like being able to grill fish, chicken, and vegetables- which take up a lot of room- all at the same time, for a couple days meals.
Saves on propane- another point - since I know you are economizing.

Take a ride. Go look at some grills. They don't have to be gigantic. Measure, come home and see where it might fit. If you .. both.. really think you can't find room for a normal one, get a low table to go in front of the two chairs and get one of those small table top propane grills. We have one for camping that sort of looks like a lantern, you open it up and it actually holds a fair amount of stuff. You can get an adapter and hose for a regular 20# propane tank to save on money, instead of those small canisters. I'd shove your big table back into that corner and put the chair on outside and the side toward the house. Think you might gain some room there. Good luck, lol.

Yes....a man needs a grill. I agree with the others.

We have a full size gas grill complete with side burner, etc. We also have a little portable (see link) that runs on a camping propane cylinder that we use all the time for jus the two of us.

Your yard is adorable, by the way! I love the cobble stone and brick!

Linda

Here is a link that might be useful: poratble gas grill

As everyone else has said - the man needs a grill. I'd have to say though I wouldn't want a gas grill. To me that's just an outdoor gas range and things taste the same as they do when you cook them on an indoor gas range. However the man needs to have the kind of grill the man wants. Though I got the kind of grill I wanted and the man of the house took it over as his own since grilling is the man's domain�.

Search on ''marine grill'', you'll find various small stainless steel grills, some that can be mounted to a boat's railing, a post, or other elevated support. BF might enjoy making something that swings into action, and tucks out of the way after, maybe with a shelf that also swings to and fro. The idea is - something the size of a Hibachi, that runs on a regular propane bottle, has 10K+ BTU, and won't rust away.

I forgot to add that I love your yard and I have nothing against potted plants :-)

Duane

Well, BF's preferred method of "grilling" is cooking something in a cast iron pan on his gas grill at home. We have this little fire pit I bought that I think can double as a charcoal grill. I like to do all kinds of "over the fire" cooking but just don't anymore due to time and space constraints. I'm working 60 hour weeks, which includes commuting 2.5 hours three days a week and sometimes more depending on if I need to attend an event. My kitchen is tiny and it is a "one butt" kitchen so I think BF would like to be able to get outside and cook and not have me in his way while I'm making a salad. Unfortunately the sink is practically on top of the stove inside.

BF is spending tomorrow with his son who is living back at his house. They're having a barbecue, lol! So I'll be heading out to Sears to see what they have. I've already been looking at Target, K-mart, Lowe's and Home Depot when I've been there on other errands. We have the one burner butane stove with a carrying case for camping, and a white gas Coleman stove for taking to outdoor parties and larger venues.

Here are a couple possibilities I've found online.

Char Broil Patio Bistro
CADAC Carri Chef Delux Gas Grill

As nice as the ones with side trays are, I think we can use the patio table for the accoutrements, due to space saving considerations. But I like the idea of something on a base so it can just be set up and ready to go whenever needed. Eventually we will come up with some kind of set up for our fire pit too, but first, a cage for the compost bin, redoing that awful patio at the back of the yard, and setting up the fountain. Yes, I am an over the top gardener!

"Well, BF's preferred method of "grilling" is cooking something in a cast iron pan on his gas grill at home"

So he is just cooking in a black iron pan ON the grill - sort of using it like a camp stove? He isn't actually grilling the food on the grill grates? Also, one you linked is infra-red... I'm not sure how that would work with a black iron pan on it.... or am I confused about how you are going to use it?

A

You can do a lot better than Sears...

Here is a link that might be useful: char broil gas grill

Yes A, that's what prompted this whole post. Seemed to me that BF's way of using the grill was basically like an outdoor gas stove. His reasoning--ease of use and ease of cleanup. (He has an electric stove at home too, BTW). But I think we've established that a man needs his grill, no matter what the logic behind it. :) Maybe I'll get us a cast iron Lodge grill pan to go with it.

Tell him that with a grill there is no clean up....no fry pan tow ash....just turn on the grill and any grease burns off while it's preheating...
That's the wonderful thing about a grill...no roasting pan, no frypan and if you grill your veggies directly on the grill no veggie pan. I can cook a whole meal on the grill with nothing tow ash but the prep board and knife.
Linda C

I'm new here, so I'm trying to tread lightly. :-)

My vote is to let the man have his grill. I used to exclusively use my large custom smoker/grill. Occasionally I'd burn charcoal, but I also used pecan wood from trees that shed limbs regularly (best flavor for smoking and grilling, IMO). My wife agreed with the flavor, she just was inconvenienced too many times when my coals weren't ready as promised ... so she insisted we add a gas grill back to the mix and we decided on a Weber Q.

The Weber Q line uses the small propane canisters, and they are usually enough for five meals. The grill itself has enough grill space for four large steaks, and the grate is cast iron (best searing and heat transfer). You can use the smoker box with chips, but I also use a drop or two of Liquid Smoke. Oh... the footprint of this grill is smaller than your microwave oven. You can use it on a tabletop, or buy the little wheeled stand.

My old smoker/grill weighs as much as my truck and it's a true "man's" grill. But, during the last couple years, the Weber Q has proven to be one of my favorite grills ever. FYI - it is also well built. No elements have needed replaced. The starter still works as well as it does the day we bought it.

You both win.

Here is a link that might be useful: Weber Q

This is what I have...I think this one is "gender neutral"....

Here is a link that might be useful: Q 300

lpink, I don't grill, ever. I don't even care about grilled food all that much, I'll eat it if Elery wants to grill it. (shrug) Like you, I can't see all the shouting about grilled vegetables, I like them as well or better roasted. And I don't like grilled corn AT ALL, anyone else can have my share. We had chicken on the grill tonight. It was OK, but would have been just as good in the Nesco.

So, do you NEED a gas grill? Heck no, and if it were just you, I'd say forget the grill entirely, it would be a waste. If the BF "needs" his grill, though, I think you'll have to make some room for it, whether or not you ever discover the "allure of the grill". Hey, at least it's a way to cook outside when it's hot!

Your yard is looking good, BTW.

Annie

Annie, you make perfect sense. The problem is logic has no bearing on this issue. I know I'm showing my age but remember the song 'I am woman, hear me roar!'? Well, I am man and see me grill!

It's more about the toy than the food. (This may get points deducted from me just for saying that - but that's okay...I will just retreat into my man-cave - yes my garage has the t.v. and cable hookup :-)

And I have the big gas grill, the Weber charcoal grill and the Traeger wood pellet smoker. Overkill? Oh sure. But I can play with fire, smoke and/or combustible gasses anytime I want!

Duane

If you are going to get a grill, get a gas grill. The "instant on" aspect is really the best thing about a gas grill. Turn it on, wait a few minutes and you are ready to grill. I use mine all the time, for meat, veggies, even fruit. I never grill meat inside, neither stove top or broiler - it's just too messy.

It's usually just me, so my grill isn't very big, just big enough, since I usually only light one side.

Duane, you're cracking me up here. LOL

We do have a fairly big gas grill with side burner, which comes in handy for cooking outside in the summer or cooking smelly things any time of year. We also have this little gas grill that I really like. It's a Q, but it's a Thane Q bbq grill. It's no longer sold, but I found one on EBay. Check out the pics of it closed too. It looks like part of a spaceship. It has two independent sides and I've made chicken or burgers on one side and the veggies on the other, so it's larger than it might look.

Here is a link that might be useful: Thane Q Grill

When I replaced my grill last year, I did quite a bit of research. You're not asking for recommendations, but I will say unorthodoxepicure's suggestion of a Weber Q is probably right on. Most people love them, they have a small footprint and parts are replaceable, not to mention Weber's legendary customer service.

Lpink,

John made a great suggestion of considering a marine BBQ. We have a Magma gas grill on the port side of our Nordic Tug. They're great & the perfect size for just the two of you & your small garden.

Take a look...this link is to just one. Do a search under "Marine BBQ" & lots are available from West Marine. For some reason, the site wouldn't let me link to the whole list.

/tricia (Magma makes great products, BTW. Also, they have covers for winter available.)

Here is a link that might be useful: Magnum Marine BBQs

Following Duane's lead here... Stand by your man(and his grill) and tell the world you love him(and his grill). Love, love Tammy Wynette. LOL

Yes to the grill and I agree your backyard looks GREAT!!

I have a gas, charcoal, smoker, and a small fire pit for burning and small fires. Y'all know I love to play with fire. : ) No, cable in the garage yet(jelous here Duane) but that's next on the list.

David

I've been grilling BF the past couple of days on his views about getting a grill. He says, "We don't need one, we won't use it." But I know he has been eyeing that little Weber one whenever we go to K-mart or the hardware store. I like the little front tray part on the marine one Tricia posted. I think the cheif plus for us about having a gas grill would be ease of use and the chance to have some outdoor cooking space to supplement our tiny kitchen. My stove area is claustrophobic to say the least. It would give BF a chance to cook without having me in the way making the salad or whatnot. As it is, cooking together is a study in patience in my "one butt" kitchen. We dream of having our own place someday, with room for a big garden too. I've had some rounds of illness that have made it hard just to keep up with what I have here. BF is my rock, G-d bless him!

BF has a covered back patio at his house just off the kitchen back door so he can grill year round and he definately has used it as a kitchen extension since his kitchen is almost as small as mine, albeit maybe a little bit better laid out. I don't see us grilling in the winter when the patio is full of snow. We'll not be covering our tiny patio for a good long while, if ever. I do have an extra patio umbrella though, so maybe I could leave it set up over the grill in the winter, lol!

BTW, anyone who doubts the benefits of vegetation for combating the heat island effect should hang out in my yard. It is probably 10 degrees cooler out there than it used to be when I just had a big ol' wooden deck on the back of my house. I never went out there in the summer, it was hot and I felt like I was on display for the whole row/neighborhood.

That Magnum marine grill is sweet. Polished stainless, apron, I'm sure you can adapt it to a full-size propane tank. That grill would make my eyes light up. Plus, it ''looks'' a lot more expensive than it is. Hint, hint.

You know he is only saying that right, 1pinkm? lol He wants one, so get one as a surprise gift for him. I wouldn't even wait for his birthday. Get him one just because. NancyLouise

OK, in answer to the question, "Do we need a gas grill?" the answer is "probably not." BUT, does my long suffering sweetheart deserve to be spoiled on his birthday--Heck YES! The big day is Sunday and I got him a grill. In the end, I went with the Weber Q100. I liked the Magnum marine grill better, (what's not to like about an all stainless gizmo named "Magnum") but I was able to get the Weber easily at my locally owned hardware store. The kicker was it comes with a collapsable stand with wheels so we can tuck it away in the corner of the yard when not in use. I think BF is going to enjoy using it. He has to cook three days a week anyway since I am on the road commuting 2.5 hours those days. Plus now I know what to get him for all his other present-deserving events--more grill tchotkes! :)

And for those of you worried about my honey having to live in the girlie house, we're turning the larger of the two guest bedrooms into a man cave for him, complete with printer, computer, big screen TV, surround sound stereo and a little mini fridge. Plus his mug collection and electric guitar! And the basement has a room that will eventually become his workshop, when I move all the mostly empty boxes out of it.

Aw, LPink, you're such a good girl. That is a nice one and I'm sure he'll love it and will realllly appreciate that you got it for him. Sounds like you two are doing quite well at integrating him into your home. Smiles. Happy Birthday to your BF.

Prediction....YOU'LL love that grill! Just slice up some fat onions and tomatoes....zucchini, egg plant.. portobellos....sprinkle with Kosher salt, olive oil and whatever strikes your fancy....
AND....no greasy pan to wash!
Good choice! he'll be a happy camper!

I'm still not sure I get this grilling thing. What's the difference between cleaning the grill and cleaning a pan? Seems to me the grill will get dirty with use just as any other cooking utensil would. I don't want food residue attracting mice and skunks to the yard. I lived in the wilderness for three months, and we cooked everything over an open fire. We still had to do dishes. In fact we had to be very hygienic or otherwise we'd get bears in camp. And no cooking with tinfoil and then throwing it out in this eco-domain.

After you are done cooking, you crank the heat to max, close the lid, and walk away for 15 min. All the food on the grates is carbonized, nothing left for critters to eat.

A grill doesn't need a scrub in the sink....
What John said,,,
But I do the burn it off as I am pre-heating....

Lpink, the booklet that came with your Weber should explain what John's saying for care & clean-up. Take your dinner from the grill, crank it to max for 10 minutes, close the lid, walk away, enjoy your meal...go turn-off the grill & you're done, nothing to wash. Even if you use BBQ sauces & the grill's a mess...the heat will work the same as the clean cycle on your oven.

/tricia