Archive for the ‘Guide’ Category

The Facts about the Charcoal Weber Grill

Saturday, July 11th, 2009

A good grill needs more than just powerful features; it must also be strong enough to withstand the rigors of daily use. Few can fit that requirement, but the 18 1/2-Inch One-Touch Gold Charcoal Weber Grill does, and gives much more.

The 18 1/2-Inch One-Touch Gold Charcoal Weber Grill has several features that lift it above the standard charcoal grill. The charcoal briquette holders are very strong and suitable for both indirect and direct grilling; moreover, the hinges on the side have been so designed so that it can be lifted up with ease, making the process of adding a briquette trouble free and straightforward.

Cooking with the 18 1/2-Inch One-Touch Gold Charcoal Weber Grill is also very simple; you can just place the pan in there and add the meat or vegetables. Due to the fact that there are side openings, you can put in more charcoal (if necessary) without affecting the cooking process. If you prefer the direct approach, all you need to do is insert the charcoal at the bottom of the grid.

To eliminate the need for having cans nearby all the time, the 18 1/2-Inch One-Touch Gold Charcoal Weber Grill comes with an ash bin of its own. Not only is the container large enough to hold a lot, but the unique One Touch Cleaning System built in means you only need to press one button to start the clean up process. Instead of having to take away all the ash yourself, the system will do it all. You just need to remove the ash can.

The 18 1/2-Inch One-Touch Gold Charcoal Weber Grill also comes with a lid and bowl made up of very strong porcelain and mixed with steel. The handles on these two components on the other hand, are reinforced with nylon supported glass. Such is the structure of the grill that it can withstand being rained on and even if it is used on a daily basis, the common problems that afflict other grills –namely rust and color fading- will not occur here.

The 18 1/2-Inch One-Touch Gold Charcoal Weber Grill has a ten year warranty. The unit also comes with a cookbook which will help novices learn the rudiments of grilling their favorite foods easily.

Compact yet powerful, the 18 1/2-Inch One-Touch Gold Charcoal Weber Grill is ideal for people living in apartments or those who do not need such a large space hugging grill.

Choosing the Right Weber BBQ Pit

Saturday, July 11th, 2009

When choosing the right Weber BBQ pit for family use, make the investment worth it. The grilling equipment will not just be for fun barbecue parties or cook-outs but for frequent practical cooking use for generations to come. Weber BBQ pit sets are durable grill apparatuses.

What grill pit is more convenient for the family? There are several Weber BBQ pit models to choose from—charcoal, gas, and electric. The key in choosing the right Weber BBQ grill is see what grill fuel is available in the locality. Some places have gas tanks for gas-powered grills. If gas tanks for such grills are not available, then an electric Weber BBQ pit is the right choice. For camp-outs or outdoor picnics, a charcoal Weber BBQ pit is appropriate.

Then, consider the available space for fitting a Weber BBQ pit. Most grills are placed in the backyard or a garden corner. Or a nook beside the swimming pool. Measure first the area where a Weber BBQ pit is being considered then base the size and shape of the Weber BBQ pit to be bought from this dimension. Consider also the design of the Weber BBQ pit—if it would go well with the garden or backyard motif or the general look of the backyard.

A Weber BBQ pit for family use only may be of the standard or smaller sizes just right to fit in small spaces in the porch or in a shed in the backyard. For serving bigger groups, like in barbecue parties, buy a bigger Weber BBQ pit that suits the intended frequent use accordingly.

If the charcoal Weber BBQ pit is planned for regular camp outs, make sure to bring lots of charcoals sufficient for the trip. Running out of charcoals for fuel when the food being grilled is half-way cooked can be a big problem. A small gas-powered Weber BBQ pit is a better option for grilling several food items.

Finally, smoking is also a grill option that needs careful consideration. It is better to use electric or gas Weber BBQ pit devices than a charcoal-type. With electric and gas grill pits the heat can be set to a fixed degree, without worrying if the fuel would lessen in heat strength. Unless of course a power failure happens or the grill tank runs out of gas. A charcoal Weber BBQ pit is not advisable for smoking purposes because it can suddenly run out of fuel.

Wood Species that Flavor Your Weber Grill Recipes

Saturday, July 11th, 2009

An important factor to learn in cooking flavorful meats in your Weber grill smoker is the kind of wood that you should use to generate the smoke that will lend the flavor to your recipe.
Each wood species has its own distinctive aroma and flavor due to the amounts sugar, proteins and other compound that make up its molecular structure. That is why as they burn, the smoke from different species emits different aromas and lend distinctive flavor to the meat. Wood for Weber grill smokers are grouped into two general categories:

Strong Flavored Species

Walnut emits a smoke with an overpowering flavor that is why it is recommended that it be used together with other milder flavored species. Oak emits a strong mellow smoke and works well with most meats. Mesquite is a strong flavored species and is popular for barbeque, sausages, lamb, beef and venison. The most popular wood for smoking in a Weber grill is Hickory. It imparts a strong assertive flavor to lamb and beef.

Mild Flavored Species

Two smoking wood that work well with light meats like poultry, pork and sausage is Maple and Birch which impart a sweet-flavored smoke. Another similar wood that gives off a flavor typical of nutty trees is Pecan which has a very mellow flavor. Ash is a fast burning wood with a mellow flavor that is why ash chips and sawdust should be well soaked in water before using them so that they would emit a good quantity of smoke in your Weber grill. An abundant species in the Pacific Northwest is Alder, which can be used for smoking almost any type of meat. It is traditionally used in preparing smoked salmon.

Flavor of Fruit Woods

The wood of fruit trees tend to impart to the meats the same kind of light to mellow sweet flavor that are as enticing as the fruits that they bear. Some of the more popular fruit woods used are: Apple, Apricot, Cherry, Peach, Pear and Plum.

What Wood Species to Avoid

If there are wood species that work well with meats in your Weber grill, there are also wood species that you have to avoid because of the turpentine-like taste that their smoke could impart. Most these are the oily soft wood variety such as Cedar, Cyprus, Elm, Eucalyptus, Fir and Sycamore.

The next time you use your Weber grill give your smoking wood equal importance as the spices that you will put in your meat because these could make or break your cooking.

Winter Storage Tips for Your Weber Grill

Saturday, July 11th, 2009

As autumn signals the approach of winter, storage of your Weber grill is next on your list of to-do chores and it’s time to bid good-bye to family barbeque and hamburger cookouts. After all that wonderful summer grilling, perhaps you are wondering what to do with your new backyard cooking equipment. Are you going to let it sit all winter under the snow where exposure to the elements may irreparably damage it, or are you going to pack it up and give it the care it deserves? Here are some winter storage tips that will help lengthen the life of your trusty barbeque grill and save you lots of money in the terms of cost of replacement parts.

After all that grilling last summer, your Weber grill would have certainly accumulated a thick coating of sticky soot, grease and food particles that would corrode your grill and burners and give anything that you would cook on it next year a bad taste. Not to worry because removing all that gunk is not really hard as it seems. The easiest way to go is to dismantle your grill and strip it down to the shell. Once you’ve done this, wash it down with warm soapy water and give it a good rinse from your backyard hose. Scrub the grates with a nylon pad to remove stubborn grease. Be sure to dry the grates thoroughly to prevent rust. If you have a gas fueled Weber grill, clean out the burners as well and poke their gas jets with a piece of wire to remove any obstruction.

This is a good time to check out parts of your Weber grill that are rusted out and need replacement. Try to purchase one during the off-season because you might find one that is cheaper at this time. Otherwise, just take note of the store that carries the part in its inventory and purchase it when they roll out their grill products come spring or summer and taken your grill out of winter storage. This is also a good time to repaint parts that are sorely in need of a painting job. If you feel up to it, then go to your nearest hardware and buy a canister. Your dealer will know what spray paint to give you once you explain your purpose.

Now, it’s time to reassemble your squeaking clean Weber grill. Then, to make sure that it is completely dry, fire it up one last time for about forty minutes. Spray a thin film of cooking oil on your grill’s metal parts as added protection from the moisture build-up during the long winter. Storage of your grill is easy after you’re done with your clean-up job. Just drape a well-fitting covering or tarpaulin over your Weber grill and park it in a nice safe place inside your garage.

Before you put your Weber grill in winter storage, be sure to remove the propane bottles and store these in a well-ventilated place that is protected from moisture of the cold winter. Storage of these gas bottles in an enclosed area like the garage may present the danger of fire or explosion if a gas leak occurs.

Why Buying Weber Grills Online is the Way to Go

Saturday, July 11th, 2009

Those who have been shopping on the Net for a long time will already realize the benefits of buying items there. If you are still new, here are some of the perks you get when shopping for Weber grills online.

The first is just sheer convenience. Anyone who has tried shopping in a real store will know how difficult it can be. If there is a sale, you will have to jostle your way among the crowds to try and get to it. Another problem is that if you do not buy Weber grills online, the products you will get are limited. If that barbecue set you have been looking for is out of stock, it can be frustrating.

If you shop for Weber grills online you will experience none of these discomforts. For starters, you do not have to go out of your home. There is no need to worry about where to park your car, getting a speeding ticket, or coughing up money for the gas. You just go online and start clicking.

Another of the perks of shopping online is that you can go window shopping more easily. It can be tough to move from one store to another. For example if the store is crowded you will have to jostle around to even get to the exit. If the other shops are far away, it entails further traveling and walking and by the time you get to the other one you would be too exhausted to start comparing prices.

By looking for Weber grills online instead, you can just open several windows or tabs of your web browser, line them up side by side and compare the prices. If you are still not sure, you can bookmark those sites, and go over some forums and ask around. A lot of the online stores already have forums for specific products, so you need not go far to get the info you need.

When it comes to prices, buying Weber grills online are cheaper. There are a lot of stores that offer discounts but also the other factors that we have already mentioned (like the traffic, gas etc), actually add up to the total costs you can save. If you shop online, you do not need to compute those additional costs and expenses.

As Web technology continues to grow, the people who buy Weber grills online will increase, and the ease and convenience will grow. If you have not yet gotten to shopping for grills on the Net, now would be a great time to get into it.

Where to Get Weber Grills

Saturday, July 11th, 2009

Because of their widespread use, finding places that have Weber grills for sale is not hard. To make sure that you get the right ones, consider the following options.

The first place where you should look for Weber grills for sale would be your favorite store. If you live in the city there should be several retail stores around you that sell the product. If you have been buying from these shops on a consistent basis, you would already know if it is reliable and thus not only would you get the grill you need, but also any other accessories or replacement parts you may require down the road.

If the store that is offering Weber grills for sale is new, look around first. Is it well stocked? Do they sell top of the line models? If they only peddle second hand types, are the products still in good shape? Besides the price, look at the service they provide; if you are going to need customer support, they have to be reliable and helpful.

Another location where you can find Weber grills for sale would be the World Wide Web. There are currently several well known online shops on the Net that sell a wide array of Web grills and accessories. To buy, you just need to register, fill in a simple form and start making purchases. If you are new to online shopping, there is no need to be concerned about the security of conducting financial transactions online, as it is very efficient.

Of course there are also Weber grills for sale from the manufacturer and its licensed suppliers and dealers. If you would rather buy there you can do so easily. Just look for the ones that are nearest your city and make the necessary inquiries.

There are also online stores that have used Weber grills for sale. If you want to buy older models that are still functioning, you can find them online easily. In this case however you need to be a little bit more circumspect. It should be stressed however, that because Weber grills are so durable, it is very possible that you will be able to get one that is still very serviceable.

Obviously there are a lot of Weber grills for sale, but finding the ones you need can be trying at times. But if you go out and purchase in any of the places suggested above, you will always get the right one for the job.

Weber Grill Repair: When the Grill Starts Being Uncooperative

Saturday, July 11th, 2009

Weber grills are built durably to last. With enough care and proper handling, people can enjoy them for years. But all good things have to send sometime. When the grill starts refusing to cooperate, it’s time for a Weber grill repair.

When the grill has been in demand through the years and one day it starts going awry sometimes, always have a Weber grill repair or check up first before using it, especially for a special occasion. Some of the complaints are about an electric or gas Weber grill that goes against the heat setting. When the owner sets it to low heat the grill uses high heat on its own. These are complicated situations that need a major Weber grill repair done by a Weber technician.

Sometimes it’s a mere creaking of the hinged grill grate or a rusty one. Even stainless steel sometimes gather some rusts in its nooks and crannies. This is just a simple Weber grill repair. It probably needs some cleaning and oiling. Cooking oil would do. Then wash the grate, pat dry, and apply a thin layer of oil again before storing. If the hinged grate is deformed, the hinges might need replacement, so replace the whole grate for a sure Weber grill repair.

When the gas Weber grill seems to emit flames smaller than what they should be, it might be the burner tube needing some cleaning or replacement. Sometimes, food sauce or juice drippings get into some tube openings and cause the burner tube to release constricted flames. So check for some obstructing stain or dirt. If the burner tube still won’t work, then have a Weber grill repair by replacing it with a whole burner tube set.

Warming racks are often replaced when they start being uncooperative—like when the food holder of the rack begins sagging or the food begins slipping through it. When a grill warming rack is not often cleaned they tend to deform with use. So get a replacement warming rack for a Weber grill repair. Broken or deformed warming racks often cannot be fixed or temporarily remedied.

Gas grill catch pans also often give owners some trouble after years of use. This grill part prevents food debris from falling underneath the gas grill and later cause trouble there. When the pan gets too dirty and greasy and is neglected, it succumbs to rust damage over the years. When the pan gets into this trouble the gas mechanism in the grill may be affected. So better replace the whole catch pan for a sure Weber grill repair.

Using the Features of the Weber Grills Home Page

Saturday, July 11th, 2009

The Weber grills home page has a lot of things going for it, and if you own one of these grills, it would be a good idea if you spend some time getting to know this site, as it does have some useful elements.

If you are new to grilling one of the sections that will interest you will be the “find a recipe” link. It is true that the grills often come with a booklet containing some recipes. However, there are a lot more on the website. Once you click the link you will find the recipes there organized by type (beef, pork, appetizers, desserts, vegetables, fish, etc), making it easy for you to find the type of dish you want to cook or learn about.

The Weber grills home page is updated on a weekly basis, so you always have something new to try out. There are also free downloads of more recipes and there are instructions for direct and indirect cooking, smoking, grilling and two very useful features: a metric conversion table and charts of herbs. If you are serious about being a grilling expert, there is a link for finding cooking classes in your vicinity. There are also featured recipes, which give you the chance to try out something interesting every time you visit the page.

If you are still looking for a grill, check out the “find a grill” link on the Weber grills home page. There you will see the products that they are selling, and also its features. The characteristics are displayed, so you will have an easy time deciding which is best for your needs.

If you want to find a dealer, there is also a link there that will allow you to do so. The bookshelf section allows you to look at books about the products, and the “store” link on the site gives you the chance to see other accessories and related items to help make your cooking and grilling easier.

The community section gives you the chance to share your story and experiences using the grill or any of their products. If you have questions or comments there is a feedback section and there is also a support section available.

The features on the site may be numerous, but they are well laid out, and you will have no problems accessing or using them. The Weber grills home page combines the essentials for a truly productive and helpful website, and you should take advantage of it.

Used Weber Grills: to Buy or Not to Buy

Saturday, July 11th, 2009

Instead of spending money on new products, why not get used Weber grills instead? This question has no doubt crossed the minds of many people who are considering getting a grill. The answer however, is not a simple yes or no but hinges on several factors.

For a lot of people the main reason will be the price. Those who prefer to buy used Weber grills do so because it is cheaper than splurging on a new one. As long as you buy from a reliable source, you need not worry about getting a defective product. If it is a little outdated, it does not matter as long as it serves your needs. If you are only going to use it for basic grilling it would be able to do the job.

The fact that there are several accessories available today is another argument for those that prefer used Weber grills. After all, you can buy several utilities to complement and augment whatever shortcoming the grills may have.

However, those who do not like used Weber grills will say that newer models are actually cheaper. They liken it to an investment for the future. A lot of the models now are very strong and robust, and whatever you pay for now you will recuperate through years of service, much longer than those of used models.

Other advantages of newer models over used Weber grills is that you will not have to buy as many accessories for it, and should the need for replacement parts come up, you will find it easier to get them. They will also point out that it will become easier for you to get help online should any questions arise, as more people are likely to be using it than those older versions.

Here are a few things that you might want to consider when deciding if you want to buy used Weber grills: if you have the means, then get new ones. These products are very strong so you can expect to use them for a long time. But if you would rather spend money on the accessories instead, and buy second hand models, be sure to get them from reliable sources.

Ultimately, the question of whether buying used Weber grills will depend on your inclination and personal preferences. But by contemplating some of the guidelines as suggested above, you will be able to evaluate the situation more clearly.

Tips for Buying Weber Grills

Saturday, July 11th, 2009

So you want to buy Weber grills, and while there are a lot to choose from, that actually becomes quite a dilemma in itself; which one do you buy? Here are a few suggestions.

The first thing that you have to consider will be, what kind of backyard grilling do you plan to do? If you have a large family, or are the type who likes to host birthday parties, reunions or invite friends along very often, then it would do well for you to buy Weber grills that are large. The key feature to look for would be the cooking space and the warming rack. The bigger models’ sizes range from 600 to over 1,000 sq in. With these kinds of grills, you can serve up virtually everything you can imagine.

For those with medium sized families or only invite a few friends over, you may want to buy Weber grills that are in the medium size range. The sizes are actually subject to opinion, but generally those between 400 to 500 sq in can be labeled in this category.

Finally, if you like go out camping, you should go out and buy Weber grills that are portable. These are lightweight; some of them can be carried easily and fit in a trunk, but even then, they have a lot of cooking space in spite of their size, going up to 189 sq in, enough for several steaks.

Other factors that you will have to consider if you want to buy Weber grills will be colors; since you will likely be using it in front of your friends and relatives, might as well get something beautiful. Other considerations will be the grill type; charcoal, natural gas, propane, etc. If you do not know the difference between them, a little research into the background will help, so that you can make a more efficient selection.

As you go over and buy Weber grills, you might also want to go over the various accessories available. These include mitts, barbecue sets, saucing systems, work tables, handle lights, covers, tank adapters and more. The type of Weber accessories you choose will depend on the grill you have bought.

In the end, the question of how to buy Weber grills will be answered by evaluating your own needs and requirements. By doing so, you are going to end up with the grill that you need and can use.