***** Official 2015 BBQ Thread - Sun is out, time to broil!! *****

[GSVBagpuss]

A couple of things to watch out for:

* You might find it easier to light your coals if you first light a chimney of cheaper coal/lumpwood. Restaurant quality stuff is awesome but can be a pain to light sometimes. You'll probably be fine but it's also probably worth making sure you can light things properly before it's 6am in the morning and you have to delay your smoking by a couple of hours If you don't want it to be a waste of coal during your test look up chimney afterburner BBQing.

* I'm sure you already know this but add on at least a couple of hours on to the time you expect to finish. If you finish early you can always just let the meat rest, which will only improve it. Whereas if you finish late you'll be ripping it apart before it is at it's best.

* I can't remember if you've already said but have you got a thermometer for monitoring temperature and such?

* Just a question really, but what wood and rub are you going for? The BBQ pit boys one is pretty good from memory though I prefer the general meathead memphis rub on amazing ribs. I tend to use my own mix these days though, just based on what I like.

Answers -

Got a chimney so will grab a smaller bag of easier stuff. Looks breezy on Cook day.

Will plan for it to run very much longer than planned!

Yep, had one already

Not sure on the wood - that was tomorrow's googling challenge. I've got cherry, apple, hickory, maple and another that escapes me right now. Both recipes I'm following are simple rubs which makes sense to me - try a simple flavour first and see what the family taste buds like.

 

[Housey]

So I am going to purchase a new BBQ this year as my 10 year old outback really should be retired and frankly, I want some charcoal in my life. So, lets say I want something that allows me to both gas and charcoal cook, what are my options. Budget to play with is 1000 English pounds or there abouts, no it doesn't have to cost that much, BBQ me up!

 

[FrenchTart]

I can't advise on the gas side of things I'm afraid.

From the sounds of it you don't want to do much in the way of low and slow smoking - more stuff using direct heat (burgers, chicken, etc)? Personally I don't massively see the point in gas so I'd probably just get a very good charcoal kettle BBQ (one of the One Touch Premium Weber models for instance, which make cleaning a little easier) and a chimney starter. Slightly more hassle to get going than gas but you don't have to deal with a gas cannister and for the budget you'll probably get a much more solidly built model.

There's not a lot of love on here for gas bbqs btw so you may find that the advice often comes down to "don't get gas"

 

[FrenchTart]

Answers -

Got a chimney so will grab a smaller bag of easier stuff. Looks breezy on Cook day.

Will plan for it to run very much longer than planned!

Yep, had one already

Not sure on the wood - that was tomorrow's googling challenge. I've got cherry, apple, hickory, maple and another that escapes me right now. Both recipes I'm following are simple rubs which makes sense to me - try a simple flavour first and see what the family taste buds like.

Oh, missed this sorry.

All of those are awesome. I personally would probably go for cherry as I really like it and I've used apple way more so I'm a little bored of it

 

[Housey]

I can't advise on the gas side of things I'm afraid.

From the sounds of it you don't want to do much in the way of low and slow smoking - more stuff using direct heat (burgers, chicken, etc)? Personally I don't massively see the point in gas so I'd probably just get a very good charcoal kettle BBQ (one of the One Touch Premium Weber models for instance, which make cleaning a little easier) and a chimney starter. Slightly more hassle to get going than gas but you don't have to deal with a gas cannister and for the budget you'll probably get a much more solidly built model.

There's not a lot of love on here for gas bbqs btw so you may find that the advice often comes down to "don't get gas"

I bought gas as we often have people turn up when the weather is nice and end up in the garden with the BBQ on and gas makes that easier. I do like the idea of a slow cooked meat and that is why I am interested in the charcoal to add that flavour you want. I had a Weber dome thing years ago and it was good but I guess I am looking for one that combines both in a tidy enclosure. I am also considering a Chimnea for the bottom of the garden as we have a lower patio area down there with great views and the idea of all congregating around that late night is really appealing but that would be more about snacks and keeping warm than half a cow.

 

[FrenchTart]

There are one or two gas users here so you might get someone chiming in with something more useful than my advice

 

[Housey]

There are one or two gas users here so you might get someone chiming in with something more useful than my advice

Thanks for it anyway, all appreciated, far more expertise here than Ive got on these things

 

[monkeyspank]

I bought gas as we often have people turn up when the weather is nice and end up in the garden with the BBQ on and gas makes that easier. I do like the idea of a slow cooked meat and that is why I am interested in the charcoal to add that flavour you want. I had a Weber dome thing years ago and it was good but I guess I am looking for one that combines both in a tidy enclosure. I am also considering a Chimnea for the bottom of the garden as we have a lower patio area down there with great views and the idea of all congregating around that late night is really appealing but that would be more about snacks and keeping warm than half a cow.

i would imagine that burning solid fuel in a gas bbq would make a right mess. go for separates. you could always use the charcoal one for little fires instead of a chimnea

 

[Glaucus]

You have a gas stove inside you pansy.

 

[Maccapacca]

This is what happens when you indirect cook too much

 

[chief barker]

A fag butt in the ash catcher?

 

[Maccapacca]

A fag butt in the ash catcher?

My father

 

[GSVBagpuss]

Oh, missed this sorry.

All of those are awesome. I personally would probably go for cherry as I really like it and I've used apple way more so I'm a little bored of it

Will do and report back

 

[MrMagoo]

I have a Weber Genesis E330 (Gas) BBQ and really like it.

I did have a charcoal one before but the gas is good for me as I usually leave things to the last minute, it can do indirect heating, I have a Rotisserie, smoke box and a selection of wood chips so it can do a variety of things (including a good homemade pizza in a few minutes) and it's large enough to cook quite a lot at the same time which is good for when friends come round.

Always keep an eye on this thread for ideas, might even post some pictures of food soon

 

[MrMagoo]

Chicken...

First attempt at chicken with a BBQ rub using the Rotisserie.

Tasted lovely

 

[Housey]

Looks tasty that.

 

[Maccapacca]

Nice leg of lamb from the butchers. Jabbed crosses and stuffed with fresh garlic. Rosemary, salt and pepper with olive oil and more garlic in a bag ready for later.

Reckon about hour and a half to two hours in the bbq.

 

[Glaucus]

Lamb leg on the BBQ is amazing. Apparently one if my best bbqs despite being so easy.
Make some home made Turkish flat breads to slice it onto.

Got a boneless pork shoulder on, trying cauliflower pancakes with it & franks red hot sauce. Not going to be ready for probably another 4 hrs.

 

[monkeyspank]

looking at that green mixture made my mouth water

 

[Poppy]

So i bought a couple of 12kg bags of restaraunt lumpwood charcoal from CPL in ilkeston the other day after getting bored of buying supermarket stuff (****). I opened one of the bags, every piece is as big as a clenched fist. Some pieces are as big as a childs head! Awesome! £10 a bag too.