Gratuitous pics of new setup...
Discussion
Well it's a good day for me, I happened to be in my local BBQ supply store getting some coals, and happened upon their demonstrator model Primo Oval ceramic grill for sale. I use ceramics, so I know all about this, though I literally JUST cracked mine by pushing it over! It has a new base and lid, so only the hinge and grates are used.
It comes with all the accessories, firebox divider, lower drip pan racks, upper "double decker" racks, an electric starter and the trolley which was cut with a plasma torch to fit the little guy in. Not bad for $350!! It cooks like a monster. I did some 5 hour ribs yesterday at 225f, then opened up the vents and it hit 750 in 10 mins to sear steaks. After closing the vents, it all died down in a short while, altogether using about 2 dollars worth of coals, so it's an efficient little bugger, too..
Really looking forward to competing with this, as I think the shape lends itself better than my last Big Green Egg in terms of heat distribution around typically non-circular meats. May not be as brill for Pizza, though..
Now I'm on Photobucket, I'll be adding to the pictures of food threads....
It comes with all the accessories, firebox divider, lower drip pan racks, upper "double decker" racks, an electric starter and the trolley which was cut with a plasma torch to fit the little guy in. Not bad for $350!! It cooks like a monster. I did some 5 hour ribs yesterday at 225f, then opened up the vents and it hit 750 in 10 mins to sear steaks. After closing the vents, it all died down in a short while, altogether using about 2 dollars worth of coals, so it's an efficient little bugger, too..
Really looking forward to competing with this, as I think the shape lends itself better than my last Big Green Egg in terms of heat distribution around typically non-circular meats. May not be as brill for Pizza, though..
Now I'm on Photobucket, I'll be adding to the pictures of food threads....
Edited by Papoo on Thursday 6th August 00:11
Mobile Chicane said:
^^^ That's awesome. Presumably you cook with 'it' in situ with the racks and implements around it? I like that.
Yes, pretty much. We don't live in the biggest appartment, and space is limited. I've never had a table with decent work & storage space around it, mostly all the tools & gadgets piled into a big plastic box, so it's a rare treat to have everything on hand. I'm pretty taken with the performance of the Primo, which is nice. Shall be putting it through it's paces this weekend for sure.Riddler, it's basically a BBQ/grill. It's made from ceramic. The advantage of that, is that it's incredibly insulated, so you only need a tiny amount of coals lit to achieve a decent temp. This can hold anywhere from 185F to 900F+. It's efficiency also means that once you shut the grills, the fire goes out, leaving you with a ton of unused charcoal. Cooking on a gas grill every night costs us around $15 a month. This will be around 20. Still works out cheaper than the cooker, especially as it heats our place up (we're in Arizona, where at this time of year, the A/C struggles!).
You can also place ceramic bricks between the grate and the fire, on lower racks. This is for 'indirect' cooking - low & slow bbq ribs/briskets/pulled pork etc..
My main attraction to ceramic grills is that if I'm cooking on a 'normal' sheet metal smoker for 18+hours, I have to constantly monitor the vent settings, and add fresh-lit charcoal every hour to maintain temps. This will burn at 250F for 16 hours on one load, having to adjust the vent maybe once in that time.
For everyday grilling - burgers, chicken breasts etc, the main difference is efficiency, though in my opinion, the insulation better maintains moisture within the meat..
So, in short, it's just a very easy to operate, fancy charcoal grill and BBQ/smoker..
Edited by Papoo on Thursday 6th August 02:16
The Riddler said:
Thats me sold, where do i purchase?
PS.. Never got my Imitation American Cheese.
I was about to mention the spray-on cheese! I can't receive PMs as my email is basically keeling over. All I need is you address, I promise I won't stalk you!PS.. Never got my Imitation American Cheese.
I don't know where you can get them in the UK. I know Denmark sells them. There are a couple of brands that will ship to the UK for sure, I'll have a poke around.
You will be a fan. It's not the cheapest grill, but it'll last for 25 years if you're not a penis like me and push it on the floor.
Papoo said:
Well, no idea if this is allowed by those in ivory towers, but I have a 'gag' email address assigned to my wife's dog. It's rubroo@hotmail.co.uk
Send your address to that and I'll be sure to send you the extra-airated version. CFC's and all. Free of charge, too. I'm nice like that.
Haha, thats great! Sure you dont want anything for it? Other than the picture of course. Send your address to that and I'll be sure to send you the extra-airated version. CFC's and all. Free of charge, too. I'm nice like that.
Email should be on its way.
Papoo said:
It comes with all the accessories, firebox divider, lower drip pan racks, upper "double decker" racks, an electric starter and the trolley which was cut with a plasma torch to fit the little guy in.
Excuse my barbequeing ignorance but how does an electric starter work with charcoal?!?OzzyR1 said:
Papoo said:
It comes with all the accessories, firebox divider, lower drip pan racks, upper "double decker" racks, an electric starter and the trolley which was cut with a plasma torch to fit the little guy in.
Excuse my barbequeing ignorance but how does an electric starter work with charcoal?!?prand said:
OzzyR1 said:
Papoo said:
It comes with all the accessories, firebox divider, lower drip pan racks, upper "double decker" racks, an electric starter and the trolley which was cut with a plasma torch to fit the little guy in.
Excuse my barbequeing ignorance but how does an electric starter work with charcoal?!?
For fanning coals, there's sometihng great called the BBQ Guru. it comprises of a unit that goes in the vent, a thermometer that goes in the meat, and a thermometer that clips on the grate. You set the desired grate temperature, and it blocks air to cool, and fans air to heat it up. It's quite impressive that it maintains the desired temp to + or - 2f.
Cotty yes sir. Only quite a recent thing, but I've started doing BBQ competitions. Only entered ribs so far, but so far so good. It's not a bad way to spend a weekend I guess, and you learn a ton. I hope one day to open a real pit bbq restaurant, so I guess decent competition results give some credibility, and get your face known in those circles.
Thanks for the info, I had never heard of an electric starter but as I so far refuse to turn to the dark (gas) side I bet its a lot easier than faffing about with firelighters, burnt fingers etc. Will have to look to see if they sell them over here.
I know that the US takes it BBQ's a lot more seriously than us but that coal fanning kit however just seem like withcraft
Bet it helps with long term temperature regulation though - a whole new world of potential expense is opening up to me!!
Shame we only get the opportunity to use one in bearable weather for about 10% of the year though...
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