Volcano grills have been around for a while, and their products are only getting better. One You Tuber who posted a how-to video using her original Volcano grill said it was 20 years old and had seen a lot of use.
Guess what, it still works. With a legacy like that, the newer models of Volcano grills do not disappoint. A Volcano grill is excellent for outdoor cooking. Perfect for campers and preppers alike.
Below is a rundown of Volcano's three primary models.
How We Choose Our Ranking and Rating
First, a quick note about how we decided to rank the three Volcano grills. There were several factors that we considered.
- Ease of Use: We looked specifically at how easy each Volcano grill would be used to prepare meals. Especially those that you make with everyday food storage items.
- Portability: Being able to take the grill with you is an important factor when choosing a cooking system for your emergency preparedness needs. The more portable, the better.
- Available Options: Each grill has a unique set of options and is more suitable for some things than others. We looked at the options and functions of the grills from the standpoint of being used as an alternate cooking device in case of emergencies.
Luckily, the things that make an outdoor grill like a Volcano great for camping, also makes it useful in an emergency.
Volcano Grill Comparison Table
Let’s jump into the grills and highlight what makes them special. We’ll also point out the drawbacks, so you’ll be armed with all the buying acumen you need.
Product | Image | Our Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
#3 The Volcano Fire-Pit Grill |  | ||
#2 The Volcano 2 Collapsible Grill |  | ||
#1 The Volcano 3 Grill |  |
The Volcano Grill Review
#3 The Volcano Fire-Pit Grill
- Heavy Duty Steel Construction, Built for a lifetime
- Huge 24" diameter (430 sq in.) cooking surface, pivots 360-degrees, multiple height settings work to control heat
- Use with Wood or Charcoal. Ventilation System Increases Efficiency.
Coming in last with three stars is the Volcano Fire-Pit Grill. This grill is great for installing in a backyard firepit, so it would be good in an emergency that did not require an evacuation, such a power outage. But the Volcano Fire-Pit Grills weighs in at over 60 pounds and must be installed in a fire-pit. It is also, by far, the most expensive of the three options.
Though it is not the best solution for emergency preparedness, it is still worth your consideration. The Volcano Fire-Pit grill is an excellent option if you already have a fire-pit or are planning to install one. It will take the functionality of your fire-pit to the next level.
You can use either wood or charcoal in the fire-pit. It is great for feeding large groups because of its vast cooking space that swivels out away from the flames. Like all Volcano grills, the fire-pit version has a venting system that channels the heat and smoke upward instead of outward. This feature also allows you to control the temperature.
Unfortunately, it does not have any versatility. It is a fire-pit grill, and that is all.
Pros
Cons
Quality | Price | Our Rating |
|---|---|---|
$ $ $ |
#2 The Volcano 2 Collapsible Grill
Our runner-up is the Volcano 2 Collapsible grill. When not in use this grill is only 5 inches high and about 18 inches in diameter and comes with a carrying case. It weighs 22 pounds which does not make it ideal for carrying over long distances unless you are going by car. But it does make a great outdoor cooking option for an emergency. It is even small enough to store in the trunk of your car if need be.
The Volcano 2 grill has so many useful features that we don’t have space to mention them all. The two best in our opinion are: the easy setup and the cooking power.
To setup of the Volcano 2 grill, you pull up on the handle and let gravity do all the work. Many customers report that as a bonus the Volcano 2 grill is easy to clean and care for properly. When you have finished cooking, and the grill has cooled down, putting it away is as easy as setting it up. Lift from the bottom, and the Volcano 2 grill collapses again, ready for storage.
The Volcano 2 is also the cheapest of the three grills. If you are on a tight budget, it might be a better option for you than the Volcano 2. However, to get the most out of the Volcano 2, you will have to purchase more accessories.
Pros
Cons
Quality | Price | Our Rating |
|---|---|---|
$ $ $ |
#1 The Volcano 3 Grill
- 3-Fuels: Propane, Charcoal, or Wood (connects to standard 20 pound propane tank, or adapter for portable bottles sold...
- Portable: Collapses down to 5", fits in carrying case for easy storage and transportation. Sets up in just seconds.
- Versatile: grill, Dutch oven, wok, bake, roast, fry, fire pit
The winner is the Volcano 3 grill. Although it costs more than its baby brother, the Volcano 2, it also comes with a lot more. Besides, the extra accessories and functionality make the Volcano 3 the most versatile of the Volcano grills.
The ability to use three different fuels sources makes it perfect for emergency preparedness. Accordingly, if you run out of propane, you can switch over to using charcoal or even wood.
Also, the best part is that the Volcano 3 does not require a large amount of fuel to produce enough heat to cook.
Furthermore, several owners confirmed that the Volcano 3 can cook an entire meal with only 15 briquettes.
The Volcano 3 is suitable for use as a long-term alternate cooking device. And, it lives up to the Volcano legacy of being well built and long-lasting. Certainly, if you can fit the Volcano 3 into your budget, it is the ultimate outdoor grill for your emergency plan.
Meanwhile, if you have a Dutch oven, you can use it with the Volcano 3. Like cooking in a wok? The Volcano 3 does that too.
You can even turn the Volcano 3 into an oven or a smoker. Also, no matter what your emergency cooking needs may be, the Volcano 3 has you covered.
Furthermore, many reviewers said it was perfect for use in the cabin or RV as well.
Pros
Cons
Quality | Price | Our Rating |
|---|---|---|
$$$ |
Overview
Grill | Stars | Wood | Charcoal | Propane | Collapsible | Versatile | Large Cooking Area | Patented Heating Chamber | Good Value for Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Volcano Fire-Pit Grill | 3 | YES | YES | NO | NO | NO | YES | YES | NO |
Volcano 2 | 4 | YES | YES | NO | YES | YES | NO | YES | YES |
Volcano 3 | 5 | YES YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | NO | YES | YES |
Buyer's Guide
The Volcano 3 is the clear forerunner for your emergency cooking needs. However, you should still carefully consider which of the three Volcano grills will best suit your needs.
Furthermore, in an emergency, there are some important factors to consider. Such as:
- Firstly, the number of people you need to feed
- Secondly, he probability you will need to evacuate
- Finally, the fuel sources you will have available
You also need to evaluate which option will fit into your current budget.
How Many are you Feeding?
If you have a large family or plan to also cook for the neighbors in an emergency, the small grill size of the Volcanos 2 and 3 might be a deterrent. (Unless you need your cooking solution to be portable.)
Since the Volcanos 2 and 3 are more convenient and less expensive than the Fire-Pit version you might be able to buy more than one grill. Also, that would increase your cooking space without needing a fire pit.
Additionally, the two collapsible grills can also be used with a wok or Dutch oven which can both be used to cook a lot of food at once.
For emergency preparedness, the ease of storing and transporting the Volcanos 2 and 3 make them superior options to the Fire-Pit version. However, if you want to get a Volcano grill for backyard barbecues, then the Volcano Fire-Pit is the perfect choice for you.
Will You Need to Evacuate?
Every area has their own set of possible natural disasters.
Furthermore, if you live in an area that is prone to hurricanes or flooding, then you will probably need to plan to evacuate. In that case, the Volcano Fire-Pit would not be of any use to you. Eventually leaving the Volcanos 2 and 3 for you to consider.
But if you live somewhere prone to snow storms that can block you in for a few weeks at a time, the Volcano Fire-Pit grill might be the perfect fit. Especially if you have access to stockpiled wood that will give you enough fuel to last for an extended period.
Even in a case where a stationary cooking option like the Volcano Fire-Pit would work, the Volcanos 2 and 3 also shine. Also, if the snow gets deep enough that you can't make it out to your fire-pit, then you still need another option for preparing food.
Additionally, a Volcano 2 or 3 could be stored in your garage or basement and pulled out and set up on your porch.
What Fuel Sources Will You Have Access To?
Propane is an excellent fuel source for grilling and cooking. But it comes with some caveats.
Furthermore, it must be handled with care and stored properly. In extreme emergency situations, you might use up, or even lose, your supply of propane.
Charcoal, though easier and safer to store, could still be challenging to restock in the event of a natural disaster. Consequently, if you use up all your propane and then all your charcoal, then you will need a different source of fuel to use.
Luckily, our planet is full of this thing called wood. Also, in a long-term emergency, you are likely to have access to some good sources of wood. And it is a good thing that the Volcano 2 and 3 do not require a large amount of fuel in the first place.
Yes, some natural disasters would make wood difficult to find, but then maybe charcoal or propane will be easy to come by. Certainly the point is that having a grill that can cook using as many different fuel sources is the best. Additionally, that would be the Volcano 3 because of its propane burning option.
But if you don't already have a gas burning grill, or don't want to store propane in your emergency preparedness supplies, the Volcano 2 will do just as well.
What is Your Budget?
Finally, you must visit the cold hard reality of the bottom line. Do you have the budget to purchase the Volcano Grill of your choice?
Let's put the Volcano Fire-Pit grill aside for a moment because it is not the best option for most emergency situations.
Albeit, that means that you need to determine if you can better afford the Volcano 2 or the Volcano 3. The price difference between the Volcano 2 and 3 is not that earth-shattering.
Nevertheless, it's probably going to be less than 100 dollars. But we know that every dollar counts. Especially since purchasing the Volcano 2 or 3 will be an investment in the future.
The best way to compare the Volcano 2 to the Volcano 3 is to look at the accessories that come standard with each one.
Besides, the Volcano 3 comes with more, such as the burner and propane hose. But if you do not need, or probably would not use these extras, you could get away with the cheaper option of the Volcano 2.
There is also the task of balancing the value of what you are getting with the cost. Furthermore, you could buy the Volcano 2.
Then as you get more money in your emergency preparedness budget. Accordingly, you could purchase the extra accessories one by one. But that might not be very cost effective.
Also, the point is that budget will play a factor in your decision.
Conclusion
Finally, though we firmly suggest that you evaluate each of the factors mentioned above. And choose the Volcano Grill that is best for you, we do know one thing.
Also, when it comes to having an outdoor cooking option for both camping and emergency preparedness—we will go with the Volcano 2.
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