Cadac Carri Chef 2 BBQ Paella Pan Combo Review – Overview
How to write a Cadac Carri Chef 2 BBQ Paella Pan Combo Review when you’ve only owned it for a week? Well, we’d owned a Cadac many years ago, which we loved. However, I did manage to destroy it whilst having a family BBQ. I remember it well, it was a beautiful sunny day, surrounded by family and friends. We were younger and more foolish then and I’d maybe drunken my weight in beer. Of course, those who know me know that I’m lightweight in two areas. My physical weight as well as my legendary ability to probably drink the weight of a gold fish.
Anyway I digress, one thing lead to another and well, there was nothing even the best burns Doctor could do to save the Cadac. it involved too many fatty sausages and some slightly reckless behaviour on my part.
I spent years denying it was my fault and basically blaming the design of the Cadac. Of 
course, it wasn’t. Because of this I couldn’t buy a Cadac to replace it. Besides, they’re not cheap. I eventually bought a Weber Baby Q which are actually a similar price to the Cadac, but of course I couldn’t by one. We had this BBQ for about 5 years and, well, all good things of course come to an end.
Worn Out
It was getting a bit worn and needed replacing. We toyed with the idea of getting a coal BBQ, but it’s a lot less practical. On shorter trips away in the caravan we’d take a disposable BBQ, but could never get the temperature right. It was either too hot, with flames burning everything or we’d leave it too long and the embers were in capable of keeping a tramp’s hands warm in the spring.
I’ve recently joined Social Media (Yep, late starter) and Twitter & Instagram seem to be obsessed with Cadac’s, almost to the point where you’re starting to think they are Cadac employees, or in some way rewarded for their loyalty. I mean we loved our Cadac, but some of these people are fanatics. After a while though it does start to rub off. I mean, all these people can’t be wrong, and they certainly couldn’t ALL be being paid by CADAC?
Just to be clear I’m not being paid for my Cadac Carri Chef 2 BBQ Paella Pan Combo Review. Nope I’m doing it just to help other people, I know, just weird right?
We went off to GoOutdoors to buy one, we were going on holiday in the caravan and wanted to take a BBQ with us. GoOutdoors only had one and it wasn’t exactly what we wanted. You know when you want something and can’t get it…It makes you want it even more? Well, I’m like that, that’s why I have an iPhone. Apple never seem to make enough when released and when on comes out you get one straight away as you can’t possibly wait if there isn’t enough stock. I know it’s a marketing gimmick, but I fall for it every time.
We got back from Go Outdoors and I scoured the internet and God only knows it needed a clean!
So, we bought the BBQ as well as the Braai Plate. We bought this as an option as the supplied grill has holes in it and we also wanted a flat surface to cook eggs, for example, on. I’m paranoid about fat dripping through the holes…
Cadac Carri Chef 2 BBQ Paella Pan Combo Review – Unboxing
This is how it arrived. Very well secured and good to see 
they didn’t use another box to put it all in when there’s absolutely no need. So, full marks there. You’ll see on top the optional plate we purchased and the rest it the BBQ and the Paella Pan (47cm).
On the subject of the Paella Pan, I think it’s the weirdest thing to call it and I mentioned this to CADACUK on twitter and they asked me why I thought it was weird to call it that? So, who cooks paella in the UK? Apparently more people than I thought, so what do I know? Not a lot when it comes to Paella obviously. For the record I’ve only had Paella once as a lad on my first holiday abroad with mates.
We were on a boat off the coast of Ibiza and they had the BIGGEST pan I’d ever seen of Paella. Most importantly, I had a hangover and since then I’ve not been able to face it. In fact if it was up to me I wouldn’t ave even bought the pan because it says “Paella” on it. But these things are n’t always up to me!
Putting it together is a bit fiddly to start with, but you only have a few bits to screw together for the first time and after that it’s easy enough. Have a look at my video at the bottom of the page, if I can do it, anyone can!
Cadac Carri Chef 2 BBQ Paella Pan Combo Review – Accessories
You can buy CADAC’s in a “combo” set. Now you have to be careful when comparing prices from retailers as there are different sets. Now, these Amazon photo’s are called “affiliate links”. If you click on an item and buy it, we get a small amount from Amazon. It won’t cost you any more to purchase and it’ll be invisible to you and I promise it won’t hurt a bit. I think the Government would call that transparency. So, that’s me being transparent…
If you take a look on Amazon now, you’ll see different prices for seemingly the same thing.
- versatile, easy to use BBQ for garden and camping use, diameter 47cm
- Light-weight anodised aluminium legs
- piezo ignition and variable heat setting
- Dome with stay-cool handle and thermometer. Dome clips on back and acts as a windshield and splash-back protector
- Porcelain enamelled dome with stainless steel heat deflector
- includes Paella Pan as an extra
- Includes Grill 2 Braai plate as an extra
- Cadac Chef Pan & 47cm Paella Pan Combo
But look closer, some are slightly different and you can even see the grillo which is a smaller version. A couple of times I almost bought the wrong thing thinking I was getting an absolute bargain. CADAC are one of those products you don’t normally see in a sale.
There’s a Chef’s Pan, which is like the Paella Pan but without handles. You can also get a bag for the CADAC as well as a leg bag. Both of which we have. In fact I’ve just bought them writing this article!
- Manufactured from durable oxford polyester Drawstring top with push lock Length: 75cm approximately Diameter: 12.5cm approximately Colour: Grey
- Drawstring top with push lock Length: 75cm approximately Diameter: 12.5cm approximately Colour: Grey
- Length: 75cm approximately Diameter: 12.5cm approximately Colour: Grey
- Diameter: 12.5cm approximately Colour: Grey
- Colour: Grey
- 1 cm thick pizza stone with holder
- Diameter: 33 cm
- For Carri, Citi, & Eazi Chef, Grillogas, Elektroofen
- Chef: With the Chef-Passerole 50 you can conjure up the most delicious dishes in no time at all! Whether you are frying vegetables, meat or fish, this pan ensures perfect results and a tasteful meal. Thanks to its lightweight construction and the environmentally friendly GreenGrill ceramic coating, you can cook not only gently, but also healthy. Perfect for those who value quality and enjoyment
- Cooking plate: with a generous diameter of 45 cm, this hotplate offers plenty of space to prepare all your ingredients without any problems. The 2.5 cm high cooking surface allows even cooking, so that your food is perfect. Ideal if you want to prepare larger quantities or different dishes at the same time – for a stress-free cooking experience!
- STORAGE: This barbecue accessory comes with a handy carry bag, which is ideal for storage. So your accessories not only stay well organised, but are also protected from damage. Perfect for on the go and for safe storage after grilling – so everything stays in top condition!
- Material: This barbecue accessory is made of aluminium.
- CADAC: For 75 years, CADAC has provided people with everything you need for an outdoor meal. From portable gas grills for camping holidays or boat trips to innovative electric grills and trendy gas grills for the garden or balcony. This is outdoor living with taste!
- Cooking grate for Carri Chef 2Â and Citi Chef 48.
- Cooking grill with non-stick coating.
- Diameter: 47 cm.
- With stand
- Enamelled roasting tray
- Comes with carrying bag
- Grilling: prepare the most delicious dishes with this grill plate. Grill your vegetables, meat or fish and ensure a delicious meal. This grill plate has a diameter of 45 cm and is coated with GreenGrill ceramic.
- Grill surface: the grill surface is half ribbed and half smooth. So you can always choose how you want to prepare your food
- STORAGE: The barbecue accessories come with a handy carry bag, which can also be used as a storage bag. So you avoid damage
- Material: This barbecue accessory is made of aluminium.
- CADAC: For 75 years, CADAC has provided people with everything you need for an outdoor meal. From portable gas grills for camping holidays or boat trips to innovative electric grills and trendy gas grills for the garden or balcony. This is outdoor living with taste!
- Ø47 CM
- Non-stick coating
- For Carri, Citi, & Eazi Chef, Grillogas, Elektroofen
- Model number: 5758
Cadac Carri Chef 2 BBQ Paella Pan Combo Review – Bags
You get bags for everthing, except the legs. Therefore, it all packs away really neatly and it’s obvious CADAC have spent some time on this. Even the lid has a place outside the back and is held in place with elasticated straps.
You can see from the photo that the Paella Pan is in it’s own bag and so to is the BBQ grid and the Braai Plate, which are tucked in the bag as you can hopefully see from the photo. It’s quite heavy, but at least it’s all in one place. Even the legs tuck in the bottom again, held in place by elasticated straps. Maybe with a bit of pushing and shoving the Paella Pan might also go in at a stretch.
Cadac Carri Chef 2 BBQ Paella Pan Combo Review – Assembly
Putting it all together on site is a breeze. Screw the legs in, place the blue gas ring and black pan holder (they might technically be called something else) connect to gas and you’re off. If you don’t have an external gas point on your caravan you can use an external bottle. I’ll show you how easy it is to assemble here (please excuse the baggy “tracksuit bottoms” ) :
Cadac Carri Chef 2 BBQ Paella Pan Combo Review – Cooking
Naturally, price and design are important. However, most importantly what’s it like to cook on? I hear you ask and I’ll finally give you my opinion. Now, you might like to take my opinion with a pinch of salt, excuse the pun. I’m no Jamie Oliver, but in someways that’s a good thing. I can tell you what it’s like to cook on from a normal person’s point of view. Someone that doesn’t really cook at home, in fact, cooking wise I’m your typical male. Does no cooking at home, but merge the outside and fire and I’m the first with a pair or tongs and a chef’s hat, I might sometimes wear a novelty apron.
Gas On, Gas Off
The gas lights like a dream, it’s so quiet I’ve had to check it’s a light. On my old Weber there was a button you pressed in “Clunk”. With the CADAC it’s a smooth turn of a dial and you’re done.
The heat on the plate is adjustable easily and effectively. Of course you can still burn stuff, it’s you doing the cooking after all, not the BBQ. With the lid on you can see the temp of the BBQ by looking at the dial, very useful. On the subject of the lid you can take it off and hang in on the side of the BBQ.
Having read that back, I’ve not told you what it’s like to cook on. Well, it’s easy, with the lid on it cooks quickly and evenly. With the Paella Pan you don’t use the lid. The coolest part of the BBQ plate is the outside and the hottest is near the middle, basically where the gas rig is.
When using the Paella Pan, use the pot stand, which you can also use for putting a kettle or pot on.
Cadac Carri Chef 2 BBQ Paella Pan Combo Review – Conclusions
Well made and sturdy. Not “cheap” but good value for money and will last you years if you don’t use it when drunk and using the fattiest sausages on the planet hence causing CADAC-mageddon
If you don’t need something quite so big they make the Grillo. Although there’s only two of us, we didn’t think the Grillo was that much smaller anyway and it certainly isn’t that much cheaper that you’d go for it IMHO
After being a previous CADAC owner I’m pleased to be back after a several year hiatus.
Have a look here at the cover and leg bag for the CADAC
Please comment below if you have anything to add, or if you have any questions that a caravanning fool is able to answer…
- versatile, easy to use BBQ for garden and camping use, diameter 47cm
- Light-weight anodised aluminium legs
- piezo ignition and variable heat setting
- Dome with stay-cool handle and thermometer. Dome clips on back and acts as a windshield and splash-back protector
- Porcelain enamelled dome with stainless steel heat deflector
- versatile, easy to use BBQ for garden & camping use, ø 47cm
- anodised aluminium legs
- piezo ignition and variable heat setting
- dome with stay-cool handle & thermometer
- incl. carry bags
- includes Paella Pan as an extra
*Last update on 2024-12-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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