Bbq choice?

BUDFORCE said:
I don't agree charcoal is quick.

Not as quick as a gas BBQ, and having both I use the gas BBQ more often then charcoal.

Charcoal is more of a weekend thing, if I just want to grill some burgers or something I'll always use the gas one.

Yes you can get a charcoal one going quick, I don't bother with a chimney starter, I put firelighters under and douse it with white spirit or engine degreaser, gets it going real fast.

But why bother for something you are going to cook quickly, like a burger or chicken off the bone etc, anything like that just easier on gas.

Gas has limitations though, where as charcoal you can do anything a gas one can and lots of things a gas can't.
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I agree gas is quicker starting off although I find cleaning my gas Weber a pain. Like someone pointed out here you save on cleaning time with the kettle.

I’ve been thinking of treating myself to a Kamado Joe although it’s a lot of money. I could get a Weber kettle and Smokey Mountain for less.

In fairness the build quality of the Weber’s are second to none. The kettle would last many years.
 
Cant help think that the reason most people say "wow my weber has lasted a decade" is because its probably been used 15 times and been in a shed. Its hardly worth raving about.

Saying that my weber 47cm one has been uncovered and exposed in corner of garden for 6 years. Probably only been used 10 times mind.

I imagine a cheaper one wouldn't have fared much worse.
 
Hedge said:
Cant help think that the reason most people say "wow my weber has lasted a decade" is because its probably been used 15 times and been in a shed. Its hardly worth raving about.

Saying that my weber 47cm one has been uncovered and exposed in corner of garden for 6 years. Probably only been used 10 times mind.

I imagine a cheaper one wouldn't have fared much worse.
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Nope.

Admittedly the Weber goes in the shed over winter, otherwise it's left outside, I use mine a lot, and it's 8 years old and fine.

I had a cheap supermarket one that rusted out to failure in 3 years under the same conditions.

You really do get what you pay for with those.
 
RockLobster said:
The Weber Briquettes are quite expensive. Do people use these or are there any cheaper options?
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No lol.

Just buy it from Tesco.

To be fair there is a difference in quality of charcoal also, but I don't think it's worth it really, I've found most briquettes are much of muchness, lumpwood does vary the cheaper lower quality seems to have much smaller bits where as the posher stuff has larger chunks which work better.

Tesco's own isn't great, but at the petrol station they sell fuel express which is better quality and the same price, it's what I get.

Big K brand is nice stuff, but expensive.

I wouldn't buy Weber branded stuff though you'll be paying a premium for that brand name.
 
Weber briquettes are often on offer at go outdoors. I've been using local British coppiced charcoal recently, I don't think trashing forests elsewhere in the world for our bbqs is ethical really.
 
I use the webber briquettes exclusively, they just seem to last forever and dont leave a nasty chemical taste on food ive found with other brands. I usually cook on them then close the vents and leave them in the bbq until next time, then i rub them on the grates till most of the ash has gone and re use them, usually get at least at least 2 some times 3 bbqs from one “scoop”

i buy 6x8kg bags from go outdoors early in the year when they are on sale for around £8-9 and they last all year. Try to have one bbq a week and if not a full blown bbq i cook steak over the chimney starter quite often cant beat it for flavour.

Also my bbq stays outside all year round under its cover and still looks good as new (gbs master touch) the webber brand covers are complete toilet tho, i had two that disintegrated within a year so replaced with one of the below and its been faultless, still looks as new 2 years later.

Classic Accessories 73422 Veranda Kettle Grill Cover https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000HCN...abc_ZCTM92NQ5WFADFD21NA5?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
 
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NoobCannon said:
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Also my bbq stays outside all year round under its cover and still looks good as new (gbs master touch) the webber brand covers are complete toilet tho, i had two that disintegrated within a year so replaced with one of the below and its been faultless, still looks as new 2 years later.

Classic Accessories 73422 Veranda Kettle Grill Cover https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000HCN...abc_ZCTM92NQ5WFADFD21NA5?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
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Glad you said that. I was put off by the cost of the Weber cover when I bought my MasterTouch almost 4 years ago now and ended up getting this cover:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000JUHJLY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Much the same as the one you linked but it has been faultless - only ever outside, with no additional protection. Weber still looks like new!
 
Do you guys put your meat into the oven after bbq'ing just to ensure its cooked? I do not sure if it's a good idea or not.
 
413x said:
Be great to hear from people who have used both as to if the taste is very different?
Keep reading that gas tastes as good (at best) as charcoal.
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I have a chimney Weber Kettle, a charcoal go anywhere and a Gas. I like weber!

The flavour bars on the gas do a great job but the taste on the kettle when cooking with the lid on (a must) is so much more prominent compared to the gas.

If I have enough time I always go charcoal as it really does make a difference in flavour over the gas
 
413x said:
Yeah this is the toss up I have.
If I want to just cook a few burgers on a sunny evening after work I doubt I'll use a charcoal. Most people seem to say gas is quick. Charcoal is better but slower.
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I mean, it is, you light it let the griddle or whatever get hot then cook.

The hate for gas in this thread is amusing, yeah it's not exactly the same, but I personally just like cooking outdoorsy, I'm SO tempted to buy a charcoal one for the new gaff, but don't fancy forking out too much to not like it and spend even more than I would have just getting a gas one :p
 
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lookitsjonno said:
Lighting a weber is about as hard as faffing with a gas canister.

Pour half a chimney starter of charcoal
Light 2 lighter cubes underneith
Wait for 10-15 mins until it's roaring hot
Pour into BBQ
Cook

It also requires no cleaning (other than emptying the ash tray every few weeks). I've not cleaned mine in over a year, just a quick brush down with some scrunched up tin foil after use and job done. With gas you end up with grease in all the little crevices which tends to smell of old cooking oil after a while.
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You mean, like leaving the gas cannister on? Lol
 
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