Let's Talk BBQ
Outdoor Cooking Equipment => Grills & Smokers => Charcoal Grills => Topic started by: Barry CB Martin on March 07, 2013, 01:00:34 AM
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I gave away my trusty kettle about 14 years ago because I was living on a wooden floating home and charcoal fires on the float was, well, problematic. BUT this week I'm getting a new very basic kettle -- yes, a Weber. Looking forward to it. 8)
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Exercising more of that freedom I see. What size? I was just looking in the window at the Weber store right before reading your post. They are closed here at 1:20 am, but they are nice enough to leave the lights on.
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I am looking at the retail sales numbers for the top seller and I suspect I'm gonna purchase the entry level --- because that's who I am serving with my web site: the new-to-outdoor cooking guy and gal. I want to cook on equipment that is affordable, every day accessable and demonstrate how to "overcome" it as well as exploit the good stuff it's got going for it.
Y'know we get kinda spoiled with all the fancy stuff we have - and I respect and appreciate those who master it. BUT the basic everyday backyard cook is not gonna pay attention to the nuances of some of the stuff we all get into.
I gotta tell you there is just no other professional satisfaction I've ever had than when I get an email or phone call from someone who says, simply - "Hey I tried that sear and hold thing and my steaks were great!" -of- "Y'know I can't believe I never grilled fish on the grates before - wow! cutting them into portion sizes was so much easier than a big ol'side of salmon - and the grill marks were so tasty!"
That my friend is a great reward.
And then there are the few who get crazy into it (ahem Backyard Jack?) and I get to learn from them!
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Enjoy!
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Going back to charcoal Barry? I think a PBC would be a nice addition to your charcoal arsenal. The Kingsford sale is ending soon BTW ;)
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Looking foward to seeing some cooks on that Weber. I just got back into charcoal after about 12 years also. I got a Weber Performer and am relearning the joys of charcoal cooking.
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I haven't seen sales or market share figures for brands and types but I think it would be a safe guess that most folks know what a Weber kettle is.
Hub
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The kettle itself has been unchanged since it made it's debut in 1952.
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WOW, Barry going to the CharSide! Love it can't wait to see what you create with it.
After a few weeks let me know and we'll turn that puppy into an infrared charcoal grill :D :D :D :D
The kettle itself has been unchanged since it made it's debut in 1952.
'Cause I ain't got a hold of one yet ;D ;D ;D
Just kidding, looking to add one at some point ;)
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If Barry is this excited about an entry level Weber, think what he will be like when he graduates to a pellet pooper!!
Art
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The kettle itself has been unchanged since it made it's debut in 1952.
I wish I could say that about myself.....made my debut in 53 ;)
My shed went down in Sandy but standing there in all its glory was my 14 years old last used 13 years ago almost new 18 Kettle. I cleaned it & it looks show room new......out of sandy comes my charcoal days again......Good luck barry! I can't wait to light my baby up again!
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I think the OldSmokey blows away the Weber Kettle
http://www.letstalkbbq.com/index.php?topic=2794.0
They are both very fine grills that have been around a long long time.......
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DANG!!!
I'm excited about this venture into the Char-side, as someone called it. I've been cookin' with gas for years and have only recently begun my on journey on the charcoal path. I can't wait to get some great insight from Barry (and others) as I light my fire.
Seems like info like that would make for a great website or blog...
just sayin'...
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My unit is off brown in color ....dare I make it Jets Green or Cardinal Red...hmmmm
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congrats on your kettle. i've had one for along time. love it. can cook anything on it. enjoy buddy. get a chimney. 8)
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I had a CB940X and a CB offset smoker and a fat boy (rusted out) but now a chance to get a standard grill w/o concern of brand! Jack I will look into the Old Smokey before I pull the trigger.
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Deb & I went to the CharBroil Store in Columbus last Friday. I couldn't believe the selection of grills and the low "as is" pricing. For instance, they has a beesr for $75.00. We have one, so we didn't buy it.
They had 2 (two) CB 940's priced at $250.00 each...like new!
They had the grill top infusers for $5.00 each...in the box. We have 2 (two) so I didn't buy one. Bags of wood chips and chunks in a variety of flavors for $1.00 each...bought several. A very nice cover for TBE and Beesr for $5.00...bought one (1).
They had half racks and leg racks for $3.00...didn't need those.
Also met a couple in there who were looking at the 4 Burner IR grills...SOLD one...they seemed happy.
After leaving CB HQ, we went to Masterbuilt HQ and picked up a 40" smoker as an "In-Warranty" replacement for one that died on us last month. Those folks are committed to customer satisfaction - very nice to deal with.
It took us about 90 (ninety) minutes to get home...we then unloaded all our stuff.
A good time was had by all...
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Sounds like a fun time....nothing like a BBQ store...............
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CJ - well we just happened to drive by Lowe's tonight and the car just naturally parked in front. Miss Laura smiled and said - "OK" - but unfortunately the stocking and display of grills is/was lacking. No Old Smokey at this store. Master Forge some el cheapo Char-Broil unit that was scary-badly made - and a Char-Griller - plus the Weber(s) under $100. That was the upper limit I set for myself on this challenge.
Finally decided based upon what was there and what I kinda thought would work "If I had only one grill" I'll build it and take a photo for the reveal tomorrow. 8)
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CJ - well we just happened to drive by Lowe's tonight and the car just naturally parked in front. Miss Laura smiled and said - "OK" - but unfortunately the stocking and display of grills is/was lacking. No Old Smokey at this store. Master Forge some el cheapo Char-Broil unit that was scary-badly made - and a Char-Griller - plus the Weber(s) under $100. That was the upper limit I set for myself on this challenge.
Finally decided based upon what was there and what I kinda thought would work "If I had only one grill" I'll build it and take a photo for the reveal tomorrow. 8)
Good luck with that grill Barry......Can't wait for the Photo
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Jack, besides the half sized coal thingies and a chimney, is there anything else needed to get cooking? That might be a good one to throw in the trunk of a small car and cook for the guys at work.
I can get one shipped for free to Walmart for $57.
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I have an Old Smokey as well so I will chime in. :) If you get the charcoal baskets and the Weber hinged lid you are ready to grill and cook indirect with your OS! If ya just want to grill you can just use the OS the way it is. If you are going to be monitoring temps you can get a 2" or 3" OS thermometer and you can either mount it on the front of the lid above the logo like the Capt did or you can even mount it on the top of the lid like I did...both ways are great. Oh and get the 22" model, you will be glad ya did.......
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Jack - I plan on calling them next week. I am writing a series of reviews on best grills for under $100.
Speaking of which, I pulled the trigger on a Weber Jumbo Joe. It fit all the criteria:
$59
Proven performance
Solid workmanship
Portability
Cooking capacity for a family of 4
I'll be asking you for your recommendations of other grills (charcoal, gas, electric) priced under $100 for the average family of four.
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Jack - I plan on calling them next week. I am writing a series of reviews on best grills for under $100.
Speaking of which, I pulled the trigger on a Weber Jumbo Joe. It fit all the criteria:
$59
Proven performance
Solid workmanship
Portability
Cooking capacity for a family of 4
I'll be asking you for your recommendations of other grills (charcoal, gas, electric) priced under $100 for the average family of four.
Barry I used the smaller version of that in our motorhome for a few years. Kinda small but cooked really well. You will need a cooking table to put it on as tall as you are. I had a 22.5 Weber One Touch Silver for years, it sells for $99 at Lowes and Academy these days. After about 10-12 years away from charcoal I recently bought a Weber Performer Gold that I am really enjoying, it runs around $250 without the propane charcoal starter. IMHO the 22.5 or 18 inch One Touch Silver grills ($99 and $79) would be a perfect fit a starter grill for the average family. They can be set up for direct, indirect or even smoking.
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I have an Old Smokey as well so I will chime in. :) If you get the charcoal baskets and the Weber hinged lid you are ready to grill and cook indirect with your OS! If ya just want to grill you can just use the OS the way it is. If you are going to be monitoring temps you can get a 2" or 3" OS thermometer and you can either mount it on the front of the lid above the logo like the Capt did or you can even mount it on the top of the lid like I did...both ways are great. Oh and get the 22" model, you will be glad ya did.......
as they say, "one trick pony"
(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o283/CaptJack50/BBQ/OSmokey_005_zpsbc9acf13.jpg)
They sure are purdy when they are new :) Of course, that doesn't last long..cause they are way too much fun to cook on ;)
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So the hinged grate gives you access to load coals? Will it do several racks of ribs without a reload?
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That is one of the best grill designs of all time. I bought my son in law one a few months back. He looked disappointed at first but now he loves it.
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That is one of the best grill designs of all time. I bought my son in law one a few months back. He looked disappointed at first but now he loves it.
I does not look like a lot of fancy grills but for the price and what Capt and Rick have been cooking on theirs makes me want one.
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That is one of the best grill designs of all time. I bought my son in law one a few months back. He looked disappointed at first but now he loves it.
I does not look like a lot of fancy grills but for the price and what Capt and Rick have been cooking on theirs makes me want one.
The OS is low budget but it sure do cook/smoke some vittles. Like CJ said before put the OS up against another cooker.
My WSM is sitting in the storage shed :o
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Fancy cookers don't make good food - good cooks make good food. Sure a "fancy" cooker can give you some tools and opportunities to do some things. And if you have one and use it to your advantage - that is wonderful. But Capt Jack and others are showing us that the most basic cooker can reliably turn out excellent meals. I find that even with (according to SWMBO) too many cookers on the deck, I tend to use the simplest ones - my well rusted CB500X and PBC. I have come to believe that the cooker we believe in will turn out the best food.