Recommend me a barbecue

Amp34 · 28 Jul 2016 at 18:54

CHokKA said:
Where on earth did you hear / read that? That's just not true. You can grill perfectly on a Weber 57cm both with the lid and without. I do it all the time, and when I was growing up my father did the same and his Weber is over 25 years old! Food cooks quicker and more evenly internally with the lid on, obviously, but you can sear, cook and grill however you like. It's all about how you set the coals up more than anything else! When I do large cuts of meat, the lid is always on, but for burgers and sausages, if I feel like standing by the fire attending the meat then the lid stays off, and if I fancy just sitting down for a bit to relax then the lid goes on.

I picked up my Genesis-310 a couple of months ago. I'm still not entirely sure if it's broken tbh. I literally can't cook anything with the lid up, I can put my hand an inch over the grill for a while and not have to remove it. It still reaches 500f with the lid down though and it's also webers "motto" not to cook with the lid up.

http://www.weber.com/weber-nation/blog/lookin-aint-cookin

We have an old saying here at Weber that is considered the golden rule in grilling. If you're lookin', you ain't cookin'. Every griller should live by this mantra and always remember it as a golden rule upon which great grillers are built.

So what does it mean? Simple, keep the lid closed when you are grilling. Grilling with the lid open is a bad habit which is done by amateur grillers. Weber grillers know the key to perfect back yard grilling is keeping the lid closed. Grilling with the lid closed is a very simple tip which many people overlook. If you are looking to raise the level of your grilling abilities this step is essential. By keeping the lid open the grill will lose heat and will cause your foods to be grilled longer. By keeping the lid closed you allow the Weber grill to do what it was designed to do, grill!!! By keeping the heat inside the grill, food will grill faster and be more flavorful.

I'm talking gas here obviously, coals are a totally different kettle of fish.

Abyss · 29 Jul 2016 at 08:03

Amp34 said:
I picked up my Genesis-310 a couple of months ago. I'm still not entirely sure if it's broken tbh. I literally can't cook anything with the lid up, I can put my hand an inch over the grill for a while and not have to remove it. It still reaches 500f with the lid down though and it's also webers "motto" not to cook with the lid up.

http://www.weber.com/weber-nation/blog/lookin-aint-cookin

I'm talking gas here obviously, coals are a totally different kettle of fish.

The Genesis isn't designed to be used with the lid up in any circumstances, and even though the charcoal ones can be used without the lid it's not really what they are designed for.

Even when searing meats and cooking somethng fast the lid will in the right circumstances further itensify the heat needed as long as the coals have been properly prepared.

Something isn't right though if you can leave your hand over a Genesis though. With all 3 burners on full it's kicking out some serious heat. Do you by any chance have a US import? The burners are different on the US to European versions due to the standard gas flow rate being different over here. If this is the case you will either need to find a US gas bottle/regulator or get it converted by Weber.

tom_nieto · 29 Jul 2016 at 10:37

Weber compact is good, although I prefer my one touch original as it's got a thermometer in the lid.

Lwills · 29 Jul 2016 at 15:49

Happy to recommend this La Hacienda Pizza Oven/BBQ/Smoker

Was looking for something large enough to be functional but easy to store in the the shed when the weathers rubbish. Fits the bill perfectly for BBQs and making fresh pizzas in it is incredible!

Great fun to get everyone involved too. Had mine for £130 from Argos and there's not a mark on it. Easy to clean by talking the ash drawer out and giving it a blast from the hose.

SPG · 29 Jul 2016 at 17:11

£900 for a barbecue..... WTF

Amp34 · 29 Jul 2016 at 17:54

Abyss said:
The Genesis isn't designed to be used with the lid up in any circumstances, and even though the charcoal ones can be used without the lid it's not really what they are designed for.

Even when searing meats and cooking somethng fast the lid will in the right circumstances further itensify the heat needed as long as the coals have been properly prepared.

Something isn't right though if you can leave your hand over a Genesis though. With all 3 burners on full it's kicking out some serious heat. Do you by any chance have a US import? The burners are different on the US to European versions due to the standard gas flow rate being different over here. If this is the case you will either need to find a US gas bottle/regulator or get it converted by Weber.

I agree, Weber are designed differently to most other BBQs in that respect, where others are largely about the open fire as much as the lid down slower cooking. TBH I didn't realise that when I bought it.

I'm more of a lid up kinda guy with chargrilled outer and warm, but still rare interior. ATM I can only get the oven cooked burger feel on the Weber. Basically I was just pointing out that they are a different style to what you may be used to, especially with cheaper gas BBQ's.

Amp34 · 29 Jul 2016 at 17:55

SPG said:
£900 for a barbecue..... WTF

That is frankly a ridiculous price for a BBQ! No wonder you don't see many in around in the UK.

b0rn2sk8 · 29 Jul 2016 at 22:31

Cook with the lid down, its stops flame ups because there is less oxygen.

Lid down also keeps the heat in and makes the food cook more evenly. If you want a more direct heat raise the coals or add more coal.

If you want a Weber kettle but don't want to pay the price then have a look at the Outback Comet, its not ass good but its a far better value at just over half the cost.

jellybeard999 · 29 Jul 2016 at 22:41

I've just got a b&q kettle bbq i got in the sale a few years ago and would definitely recommend a kettle bbq over a barrel BBQ.

aayzof · 30 Jul 2016 at 11:47

Tepro Toronto for me. Got it for around £130, very good barbecue.

Shimmyhill · 30 Jul 2016 at 21:13

Amp34 said:
Learn to cook properly then.

Something like a steak, burger or the one i just cannot do any more on this BBQ, calamari is much better done with the lid up and direct heat.

The calamari especially is awful, it just dries out rather than sears nicely around the edges.

The option of both lid down and lid up is a better bet. Just turn the flame down a bit if there is too much heat. Basically lid down doesn't work properly when you'r cooking something that just need a short time of high heat, rather than a slower even cook.

You can actually buy a fair few gas BBQs with sear plates on the side now. I didn't realise at the time of buying quite why they were needed as all the previous gas ones seared fine on the main compartment.

As Abyss points out though, the best option is one of each. Coal for when you want the perfect steak and have the time, and gas for when you're just cooking that piece of meat for dinner 3 times a week or when you want to cook something for a long period of time.

Depends if youre cooking a steak or a supermarket steak...

BBQ's are great because you can cook on them in many ways and get a variety of tastes on your chosen meat (even veg for that strange lot

)

Reverse searing a proper thick cut steak requires some lid on cooking followed but a hot sear - I have a weber kettle and a slow n sear for the ultimate steak - near 1000 degrees on the 'hot' side :cool: