Volcano II vs Cobb

[matt s]

My buddy brought along the cobb grill on our last trip and let me just say it cooked a mean steak with something like 5 or 6 brickets. Coals lit fast and we used it for Dinner, lunches and even did bacon on it one morning. I was very impressed to say the least.

Locally I cannot find one, but did stumble across the Volcano II for around the same price point as I see the cobb online.

Anyone have experience with both? Both are given good marks by users, but I have seen no comparison evaluations.

Looking at the Volcano it seemed more involved (moving parts like the leg stands etc.) and heavy than the cobb. The cobb does not pack down quite as small though.

The propane availability on the Volcano is nice I suppose, but certainly not why I would choose one over the other. This is about charcoal grilling for me.

Let me know, as I am wildly dropping hints around the house for my birthday next month.

[RHINO]

they are different animals with the cobb being able to cook like an oven and the volcano is really just a grill.
i think if your interested in something like that the cobb is really the better way to go, more versatile i think.

[Flounder]

Volcano sent us a stove to try out about a month ago. Here's my thoughts:

It's really slick. It truly does pop open and fold closed in a single motion. Getting out of the bag and ready for charcoal takes about 5 seconds. Getting it ready for wood takes 1 second, but fitting it out for propane takes a few minutes. At first I thought it was too small, but having used it a few times, the size is perfect for stowing in a overland rig. My one nit-pick would be with the durability of the steel. If you bang it around in the bag, even just a tad, the rounded shape of the stove becomes less round. It bends easy enough to get bent in and out of shape.

Seems like a nice product.

[tdesanto]

I've been using my volcano II for quite a while now. I now carry it on it's side in the Horizon and I know it must bounce around back there. It is still round and still deploys/ stows quickly without issue.

I wish I could be more helpful, but I don't have any experience with the Cobb grill.

I have, however, been very happy with the VII grill.

[targa88]

No experience with Volcano. However, have been running the Cobb for almost 2 years. Works great. Very versatile (different configurations: griddle, fry pan, grill, wok).
Maybe not the fasten gun in the west - but cooks a lot with little fuel

[Binder Lou]

I've had a Volcano II for a few years. I've grilled on it, set a Dutch oven in it and put a wok on top of it. When finished cooking I drop pieces of oak into it and have a nice warming fire. It sets up and collapses with ease and stores nicely in its nylon bag. It is a simply perfect design and excellent quality.

[matt s]

Hmmm lots of positive thoughts for both units.

Now I am really stuck! I think I am going to talk my buddy who has the cobb to come look at the volcano with me and we can compare the two. I wonder if the store would mind if we brought the cobb in to set it side by side???

[farrdg]

Interesting question, I have been looking at both as well. I really like the versatility of the Volcano 2. Cooking on it with a dutch oven or in using it as a small raised fire pit is a big plus, not to mention the easy clean up and storage size. The Cobb sounds great too since it uses less fuel, can be used for baking, but cannot be used as a fire pit. I would really like to hear your comparison of the two if you get a chance. I like to use charcoal or wood for simplicity and that great taste.

[Errant]

I picked up a Cobb at a garage sale last year, NIB with all the accessories. Very neat little grill! Sadly, I don't really use it much at charcoal fires are almost always banned unless in a designated campground fire ring (and if can build a fire, I've no use for a grill).

I've also looked at the Volcano and thought it would be cool to have, but again, doubt that I would be able to get a whole lot of use out it.

[F5driver]

I picked up a Volcano II last month. For a lid I'm using one of an old Kingsford grill which really helps. I'm very happy with this setup.