The bbq photo & recipe thread

[Harry Flashman]

Have had a chunk of brisket in the sous vide for 36 hours.

Was going to fridge then quickly smoke it in the Weber kettle with thermometer in it so as not to overcook.

But of it keeps raining, I'll oven finish it with liquid smoke - cheating!

[AlvinSultana]

Greshamst said:

What’s the story behind this?! How long are you going to age for?

That particular piece (5 ribs) has been in the dry ager for 25 days so far. It had already been hung for 14 days.

I made an assumption that lockdown would be 6-8 weeks. After which a small family gathering might be permitted and the steaks will be perfectly aged.

You can lose up to 25 - 30% by weight which is why dry aged meat gets very expensive, but the taste is unbeatable. The bark that has to be trimmed from the outside goes into burgers, which are a revelation. (25% bark, 25% pork mince, 50% beef mince.)

[cml24]

I've just tried some Pro Q coconut shell briquettes. Anyone else tried these?

They're satisfyingly rectangular, and £25 for 10kg delivered. They take some time to get going, but as they're so dense they do burn for a long time.

They work quite well in my terrible leaky smoker which is always hard to keep going for any period of time.

In regards to starting, I've put a chimney starter on a lotus grill with the fan turned up. Its a very quick starter!

[Big Tomm]

Hello chaps.

I’ve read through this thread a few times but do not have the innovation or experience to contribute anything of a worthwhile content. I use mainly a gas bbq (yes I know, sorry) and I have a 3 tier smoker that I got as a gift a few years ago which gets used quite regularly and taken on uk holidays with the family.

Reading this thread I started looking at the Webber big green eggs a few months ago, but having just bought our first home I couldn’t stomach the £1000+ price tag.

Today we had an Aldi special buys come through the door and much to my surprise they have their own ceramic egg/Kamado item listed for online order. Now I’ve read through here and seen them mentioned a few times but before I go and impulsively buy something else that I really don’t need could anyone give me any feedback on their own Aldi Kamado if they have one?

There is only the two of us here, and that will be the majority of what it’s used for. We do like to have family over in the summer and I guess the Kamado might be too small for any more than a handful, but I guess I can always fire up the gas grill if needed.

So if you have one, would you recommend one?

[giblet]

PGM said:

Superb, definitely a project for me too!

Let us know how you get on, I’ve been asked to make one for a sibling so would be interested in seeing how yours is and what changes you make

[Mykap]

Hi are you in Germany Big Tomm... I hope your names not a give away?? The Aldi kamado is a mini kamado if that's the one you are thinking of. There is a lot of info on the unit in the Dutch forum https://www.bbqgenootschap.nl/threads/mini-kamado-...

Hope that helps.

We are only two and use a kamado Joe junior which is larger than the Aldi one it's only just about big enough for us but suits our purposes. Also it has less flexible cooking options than the larger versions.

If entertaining you my need something larger or another grill in addition.

Edited by Mykap on Wednesday 29th April 10:43

[giblet]

Has anyone ever used https://www.greenolivefirewood.co.uk/ at all? I’m having to stay away from shops so decided to order some charcoal, lumpwood and wood online. They popped up after a quick Google search.

I placed my order on 13/04, then emailed on 20/04 to add some items and paid the difference on 21/04. Still no sign of the order although the weather has now turned which is typical!

[seefarr]

giblet said:

Has anyone ever used https://www.greenolivefirewood.co.uk/ at all? I’m having to stay away from shops so decided to order some charcoal, lumpwood and wood online. They popped up after a quick Google search.

I placed my order on 13/04, then emailed on 20/04 to add some items and paid the difference on 21/04. Still no sign of the order although the weather has now turned which is typical!

Same here - ordered from them early April via Amazon and 3 weeks later it still hadn't shipped. I canceled and ordered this which turned up next day:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B087776BV3

[number2]

giblet said:

Has anyone ever used https://www.greenolivefirewood.co.uk/ at all? I’m having to stay away from shops so decided to order some charcoal, lumpwood and wood online. They popped up after a quick Google search.

I placed my order on 13/04, then emailed on 20/04 to add some items and paid the difference on 21/04. Still no sign of the order although the weather has now turned which is typical!

I used them for a stash of wood-wool firelighters - they arrived today (FedEx) and I ordered them on the evening of the 20th.

Delays appear to be with the companies selling the products (dispatch times) rather then the delivery companies.

Edit: it's annoying they now have charcoal in stock - I ordered 6 boxes of lighters to spread the delivery cost as they didn't have charcoal in stock at the time!

[Sway]

Mykap said:

Hi are you in Germany Big Tomm... I hope your names not a give away?? The Aldi kamado is a mini kamado if that's the one you are thinking of. There is a lot of info on the unit in the Dutch forum https://www.bbqgenootschap.nl/threads/mini-kamado-...

Hope that helps.

We are only two and use a kamado Joe junior which is larger than the Aldi one it's only just about big enough for us but suits our purposes. Also it has less flexible cooking options than the larger versions.

If entertaining you my need something larger or another grill in addition.

Edited by Mykap on Wednesday 29th April 10:43

It's not the mini tabletop one - they've got the annual 'full size' kamado up for £350 online.

I've not used that one, I know a few that have bought it in recent years. It's a decent 'generic' kamado - with one kaveat.

Unlike the vast majority of the others that are presumably kicked out of the same Chinese factory that have interchangeable accessories (kamado Joe accessories being popular), the aldi one is a little smaller in diameter so they're not compatible.

[tedmus]

Big Tomm said:

Hello chaps.

I’ve read through this thread a few times but do not have the innovation or experience to contribute anything of a worthwhile content. I use mainly a gas bbq (yes I know, sorry) and I have a 3 tier smoker that I got as a gift a few years ago which gets used quite regularly and taken on uk holidays with the family.

Reading this thread I started looking at the Webber big green eggs a few months ago, but having just bought our first home I couldn’t stomach the £1000+ price tag.

Today we had an Aldi special buys come through the door and much to my surprise they have their own ceramic egg/Kamado item listed for online order. Now I’ve read through here and seen them mentioned a few times but before I go and impulsively buy something else that I really don’t need could anyone give me any feedback on their own Aldi Kamado if they have one?

There is only the two of us here, and that will be the majority of what it’s used for. We do like to have family over in the summer and I guess the Kamado might be too small for any more than a handful, but I guess I can always fire up the gas grill if needed.

So if you have one, would you recommend one?

For the price they are a bargain. I got mine last year and have used it loads. not the biggest grill at 16" but with a smaller riser extension to give you another level.

Very versatile and a breeze to maintain temps for low and slow. I've used it as an oven, grill, smoker and pizza oven and it performs brilliantly. the gasket on them is not the best, mine could do with replacing after only 12 months.

They take some getting used to using in terms of heat management but plenty of resource out there to help.

I'll probably upgrade at some point but for now this works for me, recommended at the price.

[giblet]

seefarr said:

Same here - ordered from them early April via Amazon and 3 weeks later it still hadn't shipped. I canceled and ordered this which turned up next day:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B087776BV3

number2 said:

I used them for a stash of wood-wool firelighters - they arrived today (FedEx) and I ordered them on the evening of the 20th.

Delays appear to be with the companies selling the products (dispatch times) rather then the delivery companies.

Edit: it's annoying they now have charcoal in stock - I ordered 6 boxes of lighters to spread the delivery cost as they didn't have charcoal in stock at the time!

Glad to see that others have used them, most companies seem to be having issues with despatch times. The order confirmation email even mentioned delays but I wasn’t expecting it to be this long. Ah well, forecast looks better for Friday and Saturday so hopefully they will be here by then

[craig1912]

Spring BBQ mag out

https://view.joomag.com/bbq-pilot/0121924001587654...
text

[giblet]

Lo behold my supplies have arrived. Now I just need to find a better naan recipe that will work on the inside of the tandoor

[Jambo85]

giblet said:

Now I just need to find a better naan recipe that will work on the inside of the tandoor

Have you tried the curry guy's one? I used the one that is in his red book, he's just published this online which is similar but different:
https://greatcurryrecipes.net/2020/03/28/naan-reci...

Worked well for me,I put a pic of my results on the pizza oven thread.

[Taita]

giblet said:

Lo behold my supplies have arrived. Now I just need to find a better naan recipe that will work on the inside of the tandoor

Solid purchase!

[some bloke]

Big Tomm said:

Hello chaps.

I’ve read through this thread a few times but do not have the innovation or experience to contribute anything of a worthwhile content. I use mainly a gas bbq (yes I know, sorry) and I have a 3 tier smoker that I got as a gift a few years ago which gets used quite regularly and taken on uk holidays with the family.

Hi Tomm, don't discount the gas bbq - smoking purists may insist on charcoal but I have had great results with gas, cooking at family get togethers. You may have to block a big gap in the back (I used a few layers of tinfoil but I'd make an alloy sheet if I had my own) and use woodchips or chunks on foil for smoke. I found it easy to keep the temps steady and did a 13lb brisket on one - came out awesome. All you need is a heat source and smoke and you're laughing - the meat doesn't know where the heat is coming from.

[Harry Flashman]

some bloke said:

Big Tomm said:

Hello chaps.

I’ve read through this thread a few times but do not have the innovation or experience to contribute anything of a worthwhile content. I use mainly a gas bbq (yes I know, sorry) and I have a 3 tier smoker that I got as a gift a few years ago which gets used quite regularly and taken on uk holidays with the family.

Hi Tomm, don't discount the gas bbq - smoking purists may insist on charcoal but I have had great results with gas, cooking at family get togethers. You may have to block a big gap in the back (I used a few layers of tinfoil but I'd make an alloy sheet if I had my own) and use woodchips or chunks on foil for smoke. I found it easy to keep the temps steady and did a 13lb brisket on one - came out awesome. All you need is a heat source and smoke and you're laughing - the meat doesn't know where the heat is coming from.

Agreed - I have a gas barbecue as well and it is way more convenient. I have had pretty good results using a smoker box with woodchips in it.

I tend to use the Weber kettle for smoking joints of meat etc if I can be bothered at the weekend. My wife bought me a Heston Blumenthal Everdure gas barbecue (expensive piece of kit and very pretty, but if I had my choice I would probably buy a Weber as it's a but more functional with multilevel warming grills and places to hang tools etc). The hint was "husband, I love barbecue, but I hate the faff". Suddenly we were barbecuing most nights when I got back from work.

The convenience of gas is underrated, and with proper prep, you can do a lot of what you do on a charcoal grill, on shorter cooks, at least. For tings like burgers, kebabs and sausages etc, I never use the charcoal barbecue anymore. A wet chunk of wood in the gas barbecue gives the hint if smoke required when I need it.

One of the things I love doing on the gas barbecue is a whole side of marinated salmon. Brilliant, and not something you can do on the hob.

[number2]

I've got an Kamado Joe, and am thinking about expanding my outdoor cooking facilities to cover all eventualities... reckon I need a ProQ smoker, a Weber kettle, another Kamado, a gas barbecue and a Morso Forno for pizza and because it looks good.

Only then will I be in a position to cook sausages.

[Type R Tom]

Harry Flashman said:

some bloke said:

Big Tomm said:

Hello chaps.

I’ve read through this thread a few times but do not have the innovation or experience to contribute anything of a worthwhile content. I use mainly a gas bbq (yes I know, sorry) and I have a 3 tier smoker that I got as a gift a few years ago which gets used quite regularly and taken on uk holidays with the family.

Hi Tomm, don't discount the gas bbq - smoking purists may insist on charcoal but I have had great results with gas, cooking at family get togethers. You may have to block a big gap in the back (I used a few layers of tinfoil but I'd make an alloy sheet if I had my own) and use woodchips or chunks on foil for smoke. I found it easy to keep the temps steady and did a 13lb brisket on one - came out awesome. All you need is a heat source and smoke and you're laughing - the meat doesn't know where the heat is coming from.

Agreed - I have a gas barbecue as well and it is way more convenient. I have had pretty good results using a smoker box with woodchips in it.

I tend to use the Weber kettle for smoking joints of meat etc if I can be bothered at the weekend. My wife bought me a Heston Blumenthal Everdure gas barbecue (expensive piece of kit and very pretty, but if I had my choice I would probably buy a Weber as it's a but more functional with multilevel warming grills and places to hang tools etc). The hint was "husband, I love barbecue, but I hate the faff". Suddenly we were barbecuing most nights when I got back from work.

The convenience of gas is underrated, and with proper prep, you can do a lot of what you do on a charcoal grill, on shorter cooks, at least. For tings like burgers, kebabs and sausages etc, I never use the charcoal barbecue anymore. A wet chunk of wood in the gas barbecue gives the hint if smoke required when I need it.

One of the things I love doing on the gas barbecue is a whole side of marinated salmon. Brilliant, and not something you can do on the hob.

I love my weber but have to agree with above, the same principle works well with gas and really convenient. I have a smoking box I put chips in and light one side and stick the chicken on the other. The same idea of cooking off heat as charcoal and allows for mid week BBQ's.