There are lots of innovations going on when it comes to the kitchen, from more-affordable sous vide machines to ovens that take videos of your meal while it’s cooking, so you’re not tied to the stove all evening. But what about outdoor cooking? When it comes to grills, there are lots of cool accessories, but no one’s really reinventing the device itself. Probably because grills work so well as is, except for one area: portability. Lugging a Weber to a tailgate is bad enough, but don’t even think of trying that with your propane grill. Even the Weber Q isn’t ideal to take on a hike, because it weighs 31 pounds.
The eight-pound GoBQ breaks the typical outdoor, packable grill mold, as it folds up to duffel-bag size, so you can actually fit it in your backpack. It’s actually made of fabric instead of metal, so it’s collapsable.
Made from silicone-coated fiberglass fabric, which is FDA-approved, the compact grill can endure temperatures over 1200 degrees Fahrenheit (648 degrees Celsius). You have have seen similar substances in baking mats, though those tend to top out at around 450 degrees Fahrenheit in terms of what they can withstand. The high-tech, heat- and flame-resistant material also cools down quicker than metal, according to the Chicago-based developers, so you don’t have to wait as long before packing up to go home. Plus, the fabric insulates the heat, keeping the outside cooler and, thus, slightly safer.
For on-the-go roasters, the charcoal griller reportedly folds up or breaks down in 20 seconds, like a camping chair, and sports a 14-by-14-inch grate, which allows plenty of grilling space to feed a family, including that great uncle who tagged along.
With over $6,000 raised toward its $30,000 Indiegogo fundraising goal, the team hopes to stay on track for its August delivery date, just in time for an end-of-summer camping trip. Early-birds can nab the first 50 GoBQs for $99 each, though those are quickly running out. The next level starts at $120, and neither includes the $14 shipping charge.
