Barbeques - Gas or Charcoal
Discussion
In answer to the chap who asked if any of the charcoal brigade had used gas have to say yes.
We used to have a cheap tesco kettle thing and frankly never got the hang of it. Hindsight it was me being crap with a crap barbecue using crap charcoal.
So we got an outback gas grill. Managed to get some decent meals and it certainly allowed one to fire it up and be grilling quite quickly. But there was something missing and never managed to figure out indirect heat and smoking for some reason. So got a weber smokey mountain.
This was and still is a piece of piss to use and get fantastic results. Temperature so steady and controllable. There has also been the benefit of seeing just how quick the chimney starter gets things going.
So when the outback got the tin worm and the replacement burners corroded through a second time a 57cm Weber one touch premium arrived and if the charcoal is decent and not in ratty little pieces then 15 minutes after applying the light you are spreading the coals and another 5-7 you are cooking. Not as quick as the outback but not far off.
What's the surprise is that it's more controllable than the outback. Maybe the outback wasn't a particularly good one. Maybe the burner size was a bit small for the grill size. Don't know but apart from a small portable wouldn't go back to gas fwiw.
But I can see the merit of gas but not for me now got it sussed.
We used to have a cheap tesco kettle thing and frankly never got the hang of it. Hindsight it was me being crap with a crap barbecue using crap charcoal.
So we got an outback gas grill. Managed to get some decent meals and it certainly allowed one to fire it up and be grilling quite quickly. But there was something missing and never managed to figure out indirect heat and smoking for some reason. So got a weber smokey mountain.
This was and still is a piece of piss to use and get fantastic results. Temperature so steady and controllable. There has also been the benefit of seeing just how quick the chimney starter gets things going.
So when the outback got the tin worm and the replacement burners corroded through a second time a 57cm Weber one touch premium arrived and if the charcoal is decent and not in ratty little pieces then 15 minutes after applying the light you are spreading the coals and another 5-7 you are cooking. Not as quick as the outback but not far off.
What's the surprise is that it's more controllable than the outback. Maybe the outback wasn't a particularly good one. Maybe the burner size was a bit small for the grill size. Don't know but apart from a small portable wouldn't go back to gas fwiw.
But I can see the merit of gas but not for me now got it sussed.
FiF said:
In answer to the chap who asked if any of the charcoal brigade had used gas have to say yes.
We used to have a cheap tesco kettle thing and frankly never got the hang of it. Hindsight it was me being crap with a crap barbecue using crap charcoal.
So we got an outback gas grill. Managed to get some decent meals and it certainly allowed one to fire it up and be grilling quite quickly. But there was something missing and never managed to figure out indirect heat and smoking for some reason. So got a weber smokey mountain.
This was and still is a piece of piss to use and get fantastic results. Temperature so steady and controllable. There has also been the benefit of seeing just how quick the chimney starter gets things going.
So when the outback got the tin worm and the replacement burners corroded through a second time a 57cm Weber one touch premium arrived and if the charcoal is decent and not in ratty little pieces then 15 minutes after applying the light you are spreading the coals and another 5-7 you are cooking. Not as quick as the outback but not far off.
What's the surprise is that it's more controllable than the outback. Maybe the outback wasn't a particularly good one. Maybe the burner size was a bit small for the grill size. Don't know but apart from a small portable wouldn't go back to gas fwiw.
But I can see the merit of gas but not for me now got it sussed.
We have the same BBQ line up, and I think your comments are spot on.We used to have a cheap tesco kettle thing and frankly never got the hang of it. Hindsight it was me being crap with a crap barbecue using crap charcoal.
So we got an outback gas grill. Managed to get some decent meals and it certainly allowed one to fire it up and be grilling quite quickly. But there was something missing and never managed to figure out indirect heat and smoking for some reason. So got a weber smokey mountain.
This was and still is a piece of piss to use and get fantastic results. Temperature so steady and controllable. There has also been the benefit of seeing just how quick the chimney starter gets things going.
So when the outback got the tin worm and the replacement burners corroded through a second time a 57cm Weber one touch premium arrived and if the charcoal is decent and not in ratty little pieces then 15 minutes after applying the light you are spreading the coals and another 5-7 you are cooking. Not as quick as the outback but not far off.
What's the surprise is that it's more controllable than the outback. Maybe the outback wasn't a particularly good one. Maybe the burner size was a bit small for the grill size. Don't know but apart from a small portable wouldn't go back to gas fwiw.
But I can see the merit of gas but not for me now got it sussed.
With a 57cm kettle and WSM I feel I have a grill for all occasions.
I particular love just how well my Weber products are made though! They feel rock solid.
Elderly said:
Medical researcher friend advises against charcoal:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benzo(a)pyrene
Yes. But everything is going to kill you. It is only a matter of which one gets to do it first. Sex will kill you. Smoking certainly will. What you eat will kill you. What you don't eat will kill you.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benzo(a)pyrene
In the mean time one may wish to enjoy some pleasures (in moderation) knowing the risk but taking it with a pinch of salt (which will kill you).
I'm 49. Barbecue hasn't got me yet. Might still.
Don said:
Elderly said:
Medical researcher friend advises against charcoal:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benzo(a)pyrene
Yes. But everything is going to kill you. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benzo(a)pyrene
avoid health food versions only of peanut butter!) 3 4 Benzpyrene IIRC is
the most carcinogenic substance known to man.
I’ve just ordered myself a Weber Genesis II E-410 gas BBQ online, having having a look at a pretty good selection at the local Wyevale and a local shop. I got a free pizza stone thrown in and a fairly decent discount against the (somewhat lumpy) RRP.
I’ve been very firmly in the charcoal camp for the decade I’ve had my Weber kettle. I love cooking outdoors, whether it’s a BBQ or an open fire and love smoking and slow cooking over charcoal. I’ve always considered that the ‘proper’ way of doing it. However, I have wanted to cook outside after work to enjoy the garden and evenings in the brief summers we get and, with the littleun needing to get to bed, cannot afford to wait even the 20 mins for the chimney to get going.
I have heard very good things about this BBQ and will look forward to many more culinary delights and relaxing evenings outside, but during the week! Oh, and I really, really want to try a suckling pig in it.....!
Has anyone else got one who could give their experience with it? Or with the Bluetooth thermometer (i3?) thing. Seems a bit gimmicky to me tbh.
I’ve been very firmly in the charcoal camp for the decade I’ve had my Weber kettle. I love cooking outdoors, whether it’s a BBQ or an open fire and love smoking and slow cooking over charcoal. I’ve always considered that the ‘proper’ way of doing it. However, I have wanted to cook outside after work to enjoy the garden and evenings in the brief summers we get and, with the littleun needing to get to bed, cannot afford to wait even the 20 mins for the chimney to get going.
I have heard very good things about this BBQ and will look forward to many more culinary delights and relaxing evenings outside, but during the week! Oh, and I really, really want to try a suckling pig in it.....!
Has anyone else got one who could give their experience with it? Or with the Bluetooth thermometer (i3?) thing. Seems a bit gimmicky to me tbh.
Manners2001 said:
I’ve just ordered myself a Weber Genesis II E-410 gas BBQ online, having having a look at a pretty good selection at the local Wyevale and a local shop. I got a free pizza stone thrown in and a fairly decent discount against the (somewhat lumpy) RRP.
I’ve been very firmly in the charcoal camp for the decade I’ve had my Weber kettle. I love cooking outdoors, whether it’s a BBQ or an open fire and love smoking and slow cooking over charcoal. I’ve always considered that the ‘proper’ way of doing it. However, I have wanted to cook outside after work to enjoy the garden and evenings in the brief summers we get and, with the littleun needing to get to bed, cannot afford to wait even the 20 mins for the chimney to get going.
I have heard very good things about this BBQ and will look forward to many more culinary delights and relaxing evenings outside, but during the week! Oh, and I really, really want to try a suckling pig in it.....!
Has anyone else got one who could give their experience with it? Or with the Bluetooth thermometer (i3?) thing. Seems a bit gimmicky to me tbh.
Respect. It’s not easy coming out. I’ve been very firmly in the charcoal camp for the decade I’ve had my Weber kettle. I love cooking outdoors, whether it’s a BBQ or an open fire and love smoking and slow cooking over charcoal. I’ve always considered that the ‘proper’ way of doing it. However, I have wanted to cook outside after work to enjoy the garden and evenings in the brief summers we get and, with the littleun needing to get to bed, cannot afford to wait even the 20 mins for the chimney to get going.
I have heard very good things about this BBQ and will look forward to many more culinary delights and relaxing evenings outside, but during the week! Oh, and I really, really want to try a suckling pig in it.....!
Has anyone else got one who could give their experience with it? Or with the Bluetooth thermometer (i3?) thing. Seems a bit gimmicky to me tbh.
Manners2001 said:
I’ve just ordered myself a Weber Genesis II E-410 gas BBQ online, having having a look at a pretty good selection at the local Wyevale and a local shop. I got a free pizza stone thrown in and a fairly decent discount against the (somewhat lumpy) RRP.
I’ve been very firmly in the charcoal camp for the decade I’ve had my Weber kettle. I love cooking outdoors, whether it’s a BBQ or an open fire and love smoking and slow cooking over charcoal. I’ve always considered that the ‘proper’ way of doing it. However, I have wanted to cook outside after work to enjoy the garden and evenings in the brief summers we get and, with the littleun needing to get to bed, cannot afford to wait even the 20 mins for the chimney to get going.
I have heard very good things about this BBQ and will look forward to many more culinary delights and relaxing evenings outside, but during the week! Oh, and I really, really want to try a suckling pig in it.....!
Has anyone else got one who could give their experience with it? Or with the Bluetooth thermometer (i3?) thing. Seems a bit gimmicky to me tbh.
This really is the trade off for gas. When you have small children the whole situation of a generally more chaotic and emotionally charged household than normal does favour the swiftness of gas. I’ve been very firmly in the charcoal camp for the decade I’ve had my Weber kettle. I love cooking outdoors, whether it’s a BBQ or an open fire and love smoking and slow cooking over charcoal. I’ve always considered that the ‘proper’ way of doing it. However, I have wanted to cook outside after work to enjoy the garden and evenings in the brief summers we get and, with the littleun needing to get to bed, cannot afford to wait even the 20 mins for the chimney to get going.
I have heard very good things about this BBQ and will look forward to many more culinary delights and relaxing evenings outside, but during the week! Oh, and I really, really want to try a suckling pig in it.....!
Has anyone else got one who could give their experience with it? Or with the Bluetooth thermometer (i3?) thing. Seems a bit gimmicky to me tbh.
But a gas bbq is like a vegetarian sausage. Not really a bbq but desperately trying to look and taste like one.
Now our children are 6&7 everything has calmed down considerably and being able to think far enough ahead to light a proper bbq in time has become possible once more.
Testaburger said:
You’re a tranny, according to the rules!
On a serious note, as a hardened, smelly, eyebrowless charcoal user with a face like a surfacing miner - I have heard great things about that grill. Get some pictures of your food up ASAP.
I think the politically correct term is 'transgender' thank you very much! On a serious note, as a hardened, smelly, eyebrowless charcoal user with a face like a surfacing miner - I have heard great things about that grill. Get some pictures of your food up ASAP.
I've got to build the thing first - apparently it's a 2-4 hour prospect depending upon how handy you are......!
Blooming good excuse to raid the local Butcher for all his best cuts though!
Manners2001 said:
I’ve just ordered myself a Weber Genesis II E-410 gas BBQ online, having having a look at a pretty good selection at the local Wyevale and a local shop. I got a free pizza stone thrown in and a fairly decent discount against the (somewhat lumpy) RRP.
I’ve been very firmly in the charcoal camp for the decade I’ve had my Weber kettle. I love cooking outdoors, whether it’s a BBQ or an open fire and love smoking and slow cooking over charcoal. I’ve always considered that the ‘proper’ way of doing it. However, I have wanted to cook outside after work to enjoy the garden and evenings in the brief summers we get and, with the littleun needing to get to bed, cannot afford to wait even the 20 mins for the chimney to get going.
I have heard very good things about this BBQ and will look forward to many more culinary delights and relaxing evenings outside, but during the week! Oh, and I really, really want to try a suckling pig in it.....!
Has anyone else got one who could give their experience with it? Or with the Bluetooth thermometer (i3?) thing. Seems a bit gimmicky to me tbh.
I've got one of these and use it for absolutely everything at the moment (our oven doesn't work!). I've got the iGrill which is useful for long cooks - we do whole chickens and even the Christmas turkey, lets you keep an eye on things without opening the hood and loosing all the heat. It's a bit annoying that it's Bluetooth though as it goes out of range all the time - wifi would be a really good improvement. But really, a decent digital thermometer is all you need when slow cooking big hunks of meat.I’ve been very firmly in the charcoal camp for the decade I’ve had my Weber kettle. I love cooking outdoors, whether it’s a BBQ or an open fire and love smoking and slow cooking over charcoal. I’ve always considered that the ‘proper’ way of doing it. However, I have wanted to cook outside after work to enjoy the garden and evenings in the brief summers we get and, with the littleun needing to get to bed, cannot afford to wait even the 20 mins for the chimney to get going.
I have heard very good things about this BBQ and will look forward to many more culinary delights and relaxing evenings outside, but during the week! Oh, and I really, really want to try a suckling pig in it.....!
Has anyone else got one who could give their experience with it? Or with the Bluetooth thermometer (i3?) thing. Seems a bit gimmicky to me tbh.
When doing pulled briskets and pork I add a smoker box and use different woods to experiment with flavours. Current favourite is simply apple wood with pork as it gives a fairly mild flavour and good colour.
The Weber was delivered yesterday. It was a big, heavy box....
I started assembly at about 20:30 last night, on my own, despite it saying it was a two man job. All I can say is it's a blooming monster - I could barely lift the main carcass out of the box! Build quality is impressive, instructions were simple to understand and, utilising my powerfully built Director type physique ,I (only) just about managed to get it together in an hour and a quarter!
On reflection, it probably wasn't a good idea to start building it in our snug which is only perhaps 4x5m - could have done with a little more room. That rug is, I think, 7ft long to give you a sense of scale.....
Went with the 'Smoke' finish - I think it looks the dog's danglies.
Picking up some gas on the way home tonight, then will give it an inaugural burn up on Thursday hopefully!
I started assembly at about 20:30 last night, on my own, despite it saying it was a two man job. All I can say is it's a blooming monster - I could barely lift the main carcass out of the box! Build quality is impressive, instructions were simple to understand and, utilising my powerfully built Director type physique
,I (only) just about managed to get it together in an hour and a quarter!On reflection, it probably wasn't a good idea to start building it in our snug which is only perhaps 4x5m - could have done with a little more room. That rug is, I think, 7ft long to give you a sense of scale.....
Went with the 'Smoke' finish - I think it looks the dog's danglies.
Picking up some gas on the way home tonight, then will give it an inaugural burn up on Thursday hopefully!
Manners2001 said:
The Weber was delivered yesterday. It was a big, heavy box....
I started assembly at about 20:30 last night, on my own, despite it saying it was a two man job. All I can say is it's a blooming monster - I could barely lift the main carcass out of the box! Build quality is impressive, instructions were simple to understand and, utilising my powerfully built Director type physique ,I (only) just about managed to get it together in an hour and a quarter!
On reflection, it probably wasn't a good idea to start building it in our snug which is only perhaps 4x5m - could have done with a little more room. That rug is, I think, 7ft long to give you a sense of scale.....
Went with the 'Smoke' finish - I think it looks the dog's danglies.
Picking up some gas on the way home tonight, then will give it an inaugural burn up on Thursday hopefully!
I ordered the same model in Copper 2 nights ago to replace my Natural gas Weber E310 which is in extremely good condition considering it has been outside for 6 years. Came in at £651 delivered (US prices) I am curious if it is in the same ball park in the UK.I started assembly at about 20:30 last night, on my own, despite it saying it was a two man job. All I can say is it's a blooming monster - I could barely lift the main carcass out of the box! Build quality is impressive, instructions were simple to understand and, utilising my powerfully built Director type physique
,I (only) just about managed to get it together in an hour and a quarter!On reflection, it probably wasn't a good idea to start building it in our snug which is only perhaps 4x5m - could have done with a little more room. That rug is, I think, 7ft long to give you a sense of scale.....
Went with the 'Smoke' finish - I think it looks the dog's danglies.
Picking up some gas on the way home tonight, then will give it an inaugural burn up on Thursday hopefully!
Will their be Tariffs placed on Weber grills like they did for Harley Davidson bikes?
h0b0 said:
I ordered the same model in Copper 2 nights ago to replace my Natural gas Weber E310 which is in extremely good condition considering it has been outside for 6 years. Came in at £651 delivered (US prices) I am curious if it is in the same ball park in the UK.
Will their be Tariffs placed on Weber grills like they did for Harley Davidson bikes?
Certainly cheaper in the US then. I paid £879, with a free pizza stone (£40ish?) thrown in and free delivery. However, with shipping and local taxes etc etc it's probably to be expected. We also have the added bonus that most things just seem to be more expensive in the UK!Will their be Tariffs placed on Weber grills like they did for Harley Davidson bikes?
From what I have read/listened to on't wireless, the tariffs will be applied to a limited selection of products. I've stocked up on Bourbon!
Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff