MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
He likes meat. He likes BBQs. It makes sense to me.
Or is there an alternative we could consider?
Meat eating Webber BBQ owner here.
Just buy it, cook him great food. He'll enjoy it but feel the male urge to burn meat on open fire and take over cooking duties. Sorted.
They last.
This is much more STW: http://www.biggreenegg.co.uk
Mind you, last summer I managed to smoke both pork and brisket on a knackered secondhand gas cheapie! 😀
Mine's been sitting out in the scottish rain for three scottish winters and still looks brand new. If the question is persuading him to get a webber one rather than the one you've got or instead, or instead of buying an other make then them being properly specced and manufactured is one good reason
If you're talking about a gas Weber, we've now got 3 x Weber Q's.... [as they're mostly alloy] they last a very long time and are good to cook on.
Just buy one.
Our (ssshh) gas BBQ died a death last year, just bought a Weber and it's fabulous (for a BBQ), used it twice and knocks spots off ones we've incinerated with before. Go for it. I did get persuaded to buy MrsSpud a new outside table/ chairs set too... Summer is looking good already!
I'm working on him for the table and chairs too!
Surely no man needs convincing to buy a Weber. Have you had him checked? Also recommend a starter chimney.
Press, bent cheap steel for how much?!!!!
Tell him his manhood is threatened! Every man should have a weber AND you can smoke meat in them easily.
Slow smoked ribs, brisket, chicken etc etc.
A starter chimney is a MUST. Cook steak on it whilst the coals are getting ready.
Tell him he is not a man until he has a Weber.
We had a cheap Weber clone. It was shit and didn't last.
We then had a cheap gas BBQ. See above
We picked up a modest Weber cheap as an end of season display clearance at B&Q (£50 ish) and it's brilliant and still looks like new.
My only regret is not buying one of the fancier models but I am hoping a stove thermometer will fix the lack of temp gauge and one of those charcoal starter things will make lighting it as good as the fancier ones with it built in.
Having a kettle barbecue (not specifically Weber, but a large round top one) is great. Just do a steak via indirect heat, it's amazing.
With regards Weber - my wife wanted us to get one 8 or so years ago. It's been out in the back garden continuously, without a cover. It's not rusty, nor has it decayed.
What are you all on about with your starter chimneys? Do you mean I can't just get a basic model?
Edit - nooooo, it's gas I'm after!
it's gas I'm after!
Then buy any. You don't need a weber (and it's not real BBQing 😉 )
Gas! GAS! [b]GAS![/b]
actually those portable weber gas things are pretty good. But still not as good as a proper Weber IMO and you have the faff of renting a bottle etc.
Starter chimneys make lighting it a breeze, even a man with soft hands could do it. 😀
Mine replaced a gas bbq and my only regret is that I wished i'd bought the smaller Weber. Less manhood, but uses less charcoal and faster to heat. They are excellent. Cooking on them is a joy.
Argh. Is gas not the way to go then? A kettle would certainly be cheaper!
I need to have a think about the pros and cons of each one. I just figured it'd get used more often if it's gas.
I've got a gas Outback and two charcoal Webers. It's horses for courses. Both are great but different. Gas is quick and easy and convenient. Charcoal and smoking a big joint of meat is an all day pleasure. When my Outback dies I'll buy a big gas Weber to replace it.
Are you sure your husband is a real man?
A don't bother with gas with lumpwood charcoal and a chimney starter a charcoal bbq is ready to go in 10 mins and its super easy to clean
In true stw fashion, I now use wood in my weber instead of charcoal. Our gas bbq has stood unused for 2 years now.
My weber is over 20 years old and still going strong!
We have had a couple cheap kettle barbeques and they have been rubbish.
We got a Weber as a wedding present and it is spot on. Loads better than the other ones we've had. Looks and feels like it will last for years.
We bought one of their starter chimneys and it is brilliant. We use a few scrunched up balls of paper and a couple of firelighters in the bottom of it, stack the briquettes on top and it is ready to go really quickly.
I changed from cheap gas bbq to a charcoal Weber with gas assisted starting. The basic bbq is great but I'm not convinced about the gas starter.
I'm surprised that Stu needs persuading to buy one.
Price up and check the size Weber you want, then go for the next size up 😉 the weber charcoals are excellent even though they cost a bomb, last, invest in a chimney as stated above makes starting them a sinch and quick too
First thing on my list when I moved home and it 8 years old, been out in all weathers and it still look like it will outlast me!
Another weber owner here. Cooks well but knock me sideways I agree with hora - the legs at least are cheap crap, not good enough for the money.
We have a weber spirit gas bbq which we have used for the last 3 years. While not cheap, it is undoubtedly the best BBQ I have ever used. As we pull it into the garage after use, I expect it last decades as it's sooo well built. Probably cooked 30 or so times on it and it looks as good as new.
It was an absolute doddle to put together too - you pay for quality.
We went from gas to a Weber charcoal BBQ and it seems to take no longer to get it ready to cook on, and the food tastes night and day better.
As above, get a chimney starter.
Happy Webber owner here, you won't regret. did a whole duck on it this past weekend, mmmmmmmm still drooling slightly.
With webers own brickets it still take a while with the starter chimney to get them white rather than flamey or am I leaving him too long?
The Weber briquettes take longer to get white for cooking but last a lot longer. So I use them only when I need to do several rounds of cooking.
Has anyone got a cover for their Weber they can recommend....the grey Weber one I have is useless.
we went for a Cadac safari(gas) - as it does more than bbq and it packs well/fits in the motorhome(has external gas point) - turned out to be ideal and is a keeper
I just figured it'd get used more often if it's gas.
It undoubtedly will.
I often fire ours up to cook bacon in the morning, quick burgers/sausages for the girls lunch - doesn't have to be 'an occasion' to use use it but it does make some meals a bit more fun.
With webers own brickets it still take a while with the starter chimney to get them white rather than flamey or am I leaving him too long?
The weber briquettes are OK, but not brilliant. They leave a very yellow ash which is disconcerting. I tried the restaurant grade lump from teh wholesalers, but it was mostly slag.
The best stuff you'll get which is relatively easily purchased are the aussie heat beads. Despite sounding like a sex toy, they are very good indeed.
http://www.hotsmoked.co.uk/charcoal-firelighters/australian-heat-beads/prod_146.html
Has anyone got a cover for their Weber they can recommend....the grey Weber one I have is useless.
Agreed the grey ones are shite (crack in no time). They do a black one, which I have for the smoker and it's been brilliant.
http://www.bbqworld.co.uk/weber-barbecues/accessories/weber-57cm-premium-cover.asp
Keep an eye on this if it comes back into stock at this price...
http://www.calor.co.uk/weber-portable-gas-bbq.html
Meat eating Webber BBQ owner here.
+1. Spatchcock chicken, with the lid on tastes fantastic and cooks in about 45 minutes.
As for the cover, a cheap B&Q one lasts longer than the Weber one.
The only thing I don't like about ours is it's top heavy, so can blow over in a strong wind.
Christ, I'm veggie and even I own a Weber. Tell him to man up!
The black Weber cover is much better than the grey one. Get one at the end of the summer though, when a lot of places discount accessories (I think I got ours from John Lewis for about half price).
I use ours all year round. Did the Christmas Turkey on it last year - I'll never do a turkey any other way from now on. The Weber briquettes last a long time, but as above I'm not over keen on the yellowy mess they leave behind. Decent lumpwood can by lit and ready to go within 15 minutes or so.
Since getting ours, I've never once thought "I wish I'd got a gas one".
Anyone got any opinions about the sweet spot for the 57cm Weber? Seems to be a big price range.
Any bells or whistles worth paying for over the cheapest model?
I've got a chimney starter for the mini BBQ already.
Edit: isn't google marvelous?
http://www.riversidegardencentre.co.uk/blog/weber-57cm-barbecues-differences/
Feature wise, the lid holder on the Master Touch is far better than the hook you hang your lid off on the Premium.
Hmm. £73 uplift from Original to Master. Must be quiet the hook!
I'd get a mastertouch if I were buying now. It has the gourmet system which allows you to buy stuff like pizza cooking stones and other stuffs.
ChrisHeath - Member
Feature wise, the lid holder on the Master Touch is far better than the hook you hang your lid off on the Premium.
What he said. Also the compact is too small height wise to get a chicken stood up, so no beer can chicken on there.
Oh, and I have some BBQ books saved electronically (good ones). I [i]think[/i] (have to check) I could put them on a cloud thingy if anyone is interested?
Mail in profile. If there's interest, I'll set up a sharing thing.
Heh. Fashion is a wonderful thing. I live in the land of the Weber and I don't know anyone that owns one.
If you want the macho crap that goes with the stw lifestyle, don't get a gas bbq. If you want ease of use, less mess and plan to use it as a more regular option to cook food (especially for less than a party), get gas.
Get a Weber and do some pork ribs or brisket like this, (which you can't do on gas) gas is only slightly easier if you get a starting chimney and doesn't reach the same temps for charring etc..
Mines coming up for 6 years old now out in all weathers, no cover and it's still fine.
I live in the land of the Weber and I don't know anyone that owns one.
Well plenty do.
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20130720/ISSUE10/307209979/webers-bbq-secret-quality-sells
Market researcher Euromonitor International estimates the Palatine-based company accounted for 35 percent of U.S. retailers' $2.5 billion in grill sales last year. Weber's closest competitor has less than half its market share
Perhaps you just don't know very many people?
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I can't stop my father using his when I visit in South Africa.
The word 'estimates' somewhat devalues that 'statistic'.
Weber also make gas bbqs and sell a lot of them. I seem to know people who would rather cook and eat than wait first.
Amazon US current best sellers:
[url= http://www.amazon.com/Best-Sellers-Patio-Lawn-Garden-Freestanding-Grills/zgbs/lawn-garden/3480667011/ref=zg_bs_nav_lg_4_3480665011 ]http://www.amazon.com/Best-Sellers-Patio-Lawn-Garden-Freestanding-Grills/zgbs/lawn-garden/3480667011/ref=zg_bs_nav_lg_4_3480665011[/url]
If you want ease of use, less mess and plan to use it as a more regular option to cook food (especially for less than a party), get gas.
TooTall - post reported for excessive correctness (very un-stw 😉 )
The word 'estimates' somewhat devalues that 'statistic'.
Yes, I'm sure you know better. As usual. 🙄
You really don't like your macho posturing challenged with either facts or common sense do you? There is a place for charcoal grilling, but for most people, life is just too short and they have a lot of other things to do.
I was going to point out on the other thread that competition grilling is a totally different world to back yard bbqs, but then noticed it was yours too so I left that one alone. See - I do care.
You really don't like your macho posturing challenged with either facts or common sense do you? There is a place for charcoal grilling, but for most people, life is just too short and they have a lot of other things to do.
So how do your summer parties work - an extension lead and a microwave? No wonder people who know you hide their barbeques when they see you coming.
So how do your summer parties work - an extension lead and a microwave?
Got my gas grill on the deck at the back of the house. Just like most people around here. I tend to grill a couple of times a week from this week until late September so it gets used a lot.
You really don't like your macho posturing challenged with either facts or common sense do you?
Macho posturing? 😆 Saying it again doesn't make it true.
You have provided neither facts, and certainly not common sense, just you usual superior, dour, sneering dismissiveness ("you're all idiots and I know better") to an otherwise nice thread (and then accuse [i]others[/i] of being too "STW"!). Thanks for that.
I have 3 Webers - a gas one for convenience, a charcoal 57cm for when we have a bit more time and a go-anywhere for the campervan. All do great things in different ways.
Got my gas grill on the deck at the back of the house
Why?
for most people, life is just too short and they have a lot of other things to do.
Apparently in your world it's all about speed and convenience = a microwave and couple of Tesco ready meals and the jobs done? So cook in the kitchen and carry outside is they way to go, save all that fannying with a gas thingumy as well. Unless you're talking shiyte, which you probably are.
In my world, and I suspect most other people's, life isn't too short to enjoy yourself, and i enjoy cooking over coals. Several times a week if the weather's up to it.
I won.
After a couple of days wondering whether to go charcoal or gas, we're going charcoal. Master Touch.
So, according to you lot I need:
BBQ
Aussie heat beads
Black premium cover
Wrecker's BBQ cookbook
Anything else!?
Got my gas grill on the deck at the back of the house
Why?
Because you hide the girly gas one round the back while real men sit out on the front porch with a fat steak on their charcoal BBQ and a 6 pack in the beer cooler 😀
NZCol - Member
I have 3 Webers - a gas one for convenience, a charcoal 57cm for when we have a bit more time and a go-anywhere for the campervan. All do great things in different ways.
How do you find the go anywhere Col? Really close to getting one for this summer and it won't take up too much room when we move to Oz in August.
Real Men this, Real Men that...
Real men make their own cooking equipment. Do it right* or not at all.
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http://static2.stuff.co.nz/1355161742/484/8062484.jp g"/> [/img]
*angle grinder and/or gas axe plus welder mandatory
wallop - Member
I won.After a couple of days wondering whether to go charcoal or gas, we're going charcoal. Master Touch.
So, according to you lot I need:
BBQ
Aussie heat beads
Black premium cover
Wrecker's BBQ cookbookAnything else!?
Chimney starter.
Couple of good quaility fish slices / tongs / a pair of tongs for moving coals around / a pair of welders gauntlets (Screwfix).
Lumpwood charcoal. I find a mix of lumpwood and briquettes gives better results.
Meat thermometer.
[url= http://www.amazon.co.uk/Webers-Complete-Barbecue-Step-step/dp/0600621111 ]Weber Cookbook[/url]
squirrelking - Member
Real men make their own cooking equipment. Do it right* or not at all.
squirrelking wins with his DIY cooking equipment. I like! Very manly.
You need ventilation and ash removal duct somewhere in that DIY BBQ unit.
😀
edit: that Polynesian ground cooking should be whole pig rather than tin foil wrapped. 😛
Not mine sadly 😳 but I do plan on having one (plus matching smoker).
Get a Weber and do some pork ribs or brisket like this, (which you can't do on gas)
I got the Pitt Cue BBQ book Xmas before last and as I already had an old gas barbecue I tried doing slow cooked smoked brisket and pork on it. Burners on low on one side, off on the other. Tray of water and smoking wood (bits off my apple tree or walnut worktop offcuts) on the hot side, meat on the cold side. Sugar thermometer stuck through a hole in the lip to monitor the cooking temperature. Cooked it for 6-8 hours.
Succeeded in making both awesome pulled pork and smoked brisket. The latter was some of the best meat I've ever eaten. So you can do it on gas - you just need to find a way to get the smoke happening and with either method you need to have good rubs and/or sauces.
I'd like to get into proper charcoal barbecuing but I'm generally very short of time and I don't want to spend a bunch of money on something I might not use so much. Putting effort into good food is always worth it - I started curing my own ham a few months back and I've done three so far (not whole legs!) and they've been fantastic.
Top tip - find a proper local butcher and get to know them! I've had some fantastic meat from mine. If you fancy steak, get some well aged picanha (rump cap), cook it whole and then slice and quickly sear the sides.
That pitt cue book is awesome!
I have all of ingredients to make some BBQ sauce but haven't had the time as yet.
I've put some books (not pitt cue) in a dropbox folder, let me know if you want the share (mail in profile).
I have all of ingredients to make some BBQ sauce but haven't had the time as yet.
Does that have the 'mother sauce' in it? I need to build an extension to give me enough space for a big enough fridge for all the sauces and marinades for that book (I am actually planning this...)
No mother sauce, but it does need chipotle ketchup so I need to make that first. Chipotle peppers aren't easy to come by though....
I have the smallest Weber and a larger cheap b and q one and much prefer the Weber.
Can you do a whole chicken or a slow cooked joint in the small Weber?
Chief let me know what butcher you use next time I see you as I plan on doing a lot of bbqing this summer! Homemade bbq sauce is next on the to do list!