Little Wombat Grows Up

A couple of years ago I wrote a review on a great little Aussie BBQ called the Little Wombat invented by Gold Coast manufacturer Grant Sampson.

Last week I got an email from the Little Wombat team asking me to update some details on my original post so I dropped by the new Little Wombat site to see how they were progressing.

I can tell you it hasn't been all roots, shoots and leaves at Wombat HQ!

In the past couple of years, Team Wombat have developed and perfected their BBQ and have now added a great range of accessories including an optional cast iron grill and griddle set, LW apron and an extra bag for camping.

The Little Wombat has been transformed into a full feature, stainless steel BBQ in an amazing compact package for use at home or on the move.

The new tag line "A unique Australian species of BBQ" points to an international focus on Canada, the USA and Europe and best of all the price is still under $300.

If you are in the market for a portable BBQ, why not check out the site and take 90 seconds to watch their video.

Disclosure: I didn't get paid for this post, I am not associated with Little Wombat, I just like and support Aussie innovation and the Little Wombat has that in the bag!

O-Grill BBQ - O for Outrageous

If you don't already have one of those single burner, gas canister driven cookers that morphed from Chinese restaurants to your camping gear about a decade ago you really should get one. They retail for less than $20 and 4 gas canisters cost around $10

Since I love my camping stove, I got really excited when Google alerts tipped me off to the release of the O Grill. A very similar item for BBQ grilling.

The O-Grill comes in 6 funky colours and is a truly portable gas grill that weights only 12 kgs. O-Grill Boasts a full 225 sq inch coated cast iron cooking grid, 9600 BTU Stainless Steel Burner and compact clam-shell design. O-grill sets up in 10 seconds, is easily cleaned and stowed and measures 20.5"x8.5"x23" (525x215x580 mm).

Ok! So how much? In the UK the O-Grill will set you back GBP149 (AUD 310), in the US you can pick one up for $US168 ($AUD240) but in Australia you'll pay the princely sum of $AUD419 for the pleasure of having an O-Grill.

Outrageous! No wonder they are scare as hens teeth on the net. My suggestion the Biji BBQ featured here last week and the single burner $20 cooker. Just as good, half the price!

Biji BBQ - Rough enough for the Bush!

I love Aussie ingenuity and when I saw this great Biji-Barbi, portable BBQ at the recent Brisbane 4WD show, I just had to have it for BBQ Bling!

The Biji is a dished BBQ plate, modelled on the Australian plough disc/shear, with three fold up legs and a practical, long, fold-up handle.

It's small, foldable and ideal for use with a single gas burner or for open fire cooking.

It is easily cleaned and stored and features a neat range of accessories including (possibly the only affectation about this no-nonsense portable barbeque) a canvas carry bag.

According to its designer and manufacturer, Tony Upton, who came up with the idea for the Biji (from "Murrumbidgee") to take on a fishing trip, up to 8000 units have been produced (in Australia) and sold to date.

The Biji comes in Large (430mm/17" diameter) and Medium (350mm/14" diameter); with or without a centre hole to drain the fat and with a range of optional flippers, bags and tools.

Prices are reasonable at $79 for the Large and $67.50 for Medium with a $10 post and packaging fee anywhere in Australia.

While it wont feed the multitudes, it's a great gift for the fisherman or week-end camper and will easily knock up a feed for a small group. Get one here!

Little Wombat Portable BBQ and Fireplace

One of life's most enjoyable pleasures is relaxing around a campfire.

But having a campfire these days is increasingly regulated so Gold Coast inventor, Grant Sampson, turned his talents to the Little Wombat - a compact bbq grill with rotisserie that doubles as a fireplace.

Whether you’re in the backyard, on a beach, or caravanning, the Little Wombat is definitely a nifty gadget. The non vented fire box and double skinned insulation delivers all the pleasure of a traditional open fire with a real safety focus.

The non vented construction means the fire can't drop ash on the ground and the wool keeps the box cool and kid-friendly.

The Little Wombat has been brilliantly designed with specially made cast iron cooking plates, a D cell battery operated rotisserie for cooking roasts and the stainless steel lids double as serving trays.

Dimensions
500mm x 360mm x 235mm High
Total height off the ground with legs extended is 430mm.

Weight is 15kg.

Each Little Wombat comes complete with;

	Fire box
	2 lids/serving trays
	2 cast iron cooking plates plus
	Hotplate Magic for treating plates
	Complete rotisserie
	Canvas carry bag
	Full instructions

The Little Wombat is currently available for $299 + $30 postage incl GST. Order here.

Be sure to tell Grant you heard about his wonderful Australian invention at Charcool.

Try putting lipstick on this pig!

We've been meaning to post a piece on the Ozpig for some time and it has been remiss of us not to feature this truly Australian bbq innovation.

The Ozpig is a portable steel bbq come outdoor fireplace for camping or caravan use.

The original inspiration for the Ozpig's barrel body was a 9kg gas bottle but these days he comes purpose built with detachable legs, chimney, hot plate and diffuser.

This type of fireplace is generically called a choofer and a number of camping sites have pages dedicated to making one at home if you don't want to stump up the $240 for a professionally built one like Ozpig.

The Ozpig is perfect for cooking everything from a roast to muffins.

Your Ozpig comes with 2 warming plates, one for cooking and the second for warming and you can also purchase a diffuser.

Pivot the top plate away and add the diffuser on top of the flames. You now have the option of two warming areas while cooking on top of the diffuser. The diffuser is excellent for toasting bread & muffins. It can also be placed under your camp oven to reduce the heat (stewing).

Having 2 plates and a diffuser enables you to keep your kettle hot on one, your chili or stew hot on another while cooking on top of the diffuser.

With a look only a mother could love, the Ozpig is a great gift for all camping enthusiasts. Weighing approximately 17kgs, the Ozpig comes with it's own vinyl carry bag.

See it most major camping and caravan shows or visit the Ozpig site.

Smoking BBQ Can Kill

It seems so obvious but we'll post it on BBQ Bling anyway. You never know how many potential entrants in the Darwin Awards are reading.

The Otago Times in New Zealand, reports the sad case of 2 South African born men who died and 1 who is seriously injured after taking their charcoal BBQ into their cabin while on a week end fishing trip.

Police said initial indications were that the two men died from carbon monoxide poisoning as a result of using the charcoal-burning portable barbecue in the cabin.

Ben Walker, who runs the motor camp, said it was "stupidity" to take the barbecue into their cabin to keep warm.

"If only I had seen them take the barbecue inside, things could have been different. I feel like crying, I just can't believe it," he told The Dominion Post.

Now, read this: the deaths are a tragic reminder of the risks of using any type of fuel burner in a confined space. Carbon monoxide displaces oxygen in the bloodstream and deprives the heart, brain and other vital organs of oxygen.

The trio were on a weekend fishing trip while their wives were at a baby shower for the seriously ill man's wife in Hamilton.

Bam, Bam on the Tam Tam

Shakespeare once said, "If music be the food of love; play on..." and you can with this niffty MP3 ready portable BBQ from Belgian BBQ manuafcturer, Barbecook.

The Tam Tam portable gas barbecue comes with integrated speakers and MP3 connection in the unit’s base and boasts stereo-quality sound. The music centre and can be powered by AC connection or batteries.

The Tam Tam features a temperature dial and retro-style dome cover and will be available in red and black. When it hits the market next year it is expected to have a recommended retail price of around $AUD150.

The Tam Tam is aimed at the youth market and is "something a lot of people can use when they go to the beach or have a barbecue at home,” according to Babecook.

Now if there was just someway to get it on Google Streetview!