WMF Lono Quadro mobile BBQ and the Victron MultiPlus Compact 24/1600/40-16

Though this could have been our first “unboxing blog post” in this article we only describe an already unboxed table grill.

Being able to have fires in the open less and less often it was time to find an electric BBQ alternative – with the constraint that it should run on a Victron MultiPlus Compact 24/1600/40-16 (or any other 1600VA sized inverter). After some frustration we finally found a nearly perfect match: the WMF Lono Quadro.

According to its spec sheet and product brochure, it uses 1250W – which is just under the nominal maximum power of 1280W that the MultiPlus can deliver.

Plus, the BBQ is relatively cheap. With a MRSP of 79.99 EUR it is available for as low as 60 EUR (PP included depending on your location). So, we ordered one of these table grills and gave it a try.

Upon powering up the device it uses its full power (regardless of the dial setting 1 .. 5) which results in a current draw of around 50A as seen on the BMS. The setting of the dial only seems to affect the intervals between heating (drawing current at 50A) and not heating (not drawing current at all).

The initial heating phase lasts naturally longer which results in the fan of the inverter kicking in at some point. But once the BBQ is at its operating temperature the fan is silent most of the time (as the heating intervals are relatively short). With 1250W nominal power consumption and a heat-up time of around 5min this consumes roughly 104Wh – about the same energy to boild 1.1l of water from 20°C.

During the use of the BBQ the inverter is pretty much at its power maximum and so has little to no resources left to power anything else. Though it seems possible to leave a fridge running, it might be better to unplug any consumers during cooking.

But all in all, with this table grill we now can do the BBQ inside (or outside) in our Toyota HiAce – even when we are on the move.

Some additional observations:

• Weight
  The device is relatively heavy – especially the grill plate.
• Size
  The usable size of the BBQ (270mm x 270mm) in relation to its overall dimensions seems quite large (while the whole device is still not bulky).
• Power consumption
  Though the power consumption is rated at 1250W the heating intervals are relatively short which turn leads to a moderate overall power consumption.
• Cleaning
  The grill plate can easily be removed and thus easily be removed (even in a dishwasher if you happen to have one in your car). Also, the drip tray can easily be removed and cleaned. Only the base plate is not meant for dishwashing.
• Drip tray
  If the BBQ is not positioned horizontally (maybe due to the parking position of the vehicle) then the drip tray might have difficulties to catch all the fat that might float around the grill plate.

And this is it for today. Happy BBQing …