Newcomer help..bullet vs horizontal?

[RobinC]

Go for the gold. As someone says you could always buy the lid holder. I have one and never use it. The weber lids have a hook on the inside and once you're familiar with where it is located it is very easy to hang it on the side of the BBQ bowl

Spend the money you save on a chimney starter. Also get a good set of tongs and a good thermometer (you will only hear good things about thermapens)

[keith157]

So that's what its for

[RobinC]

Just taken a look at the john Lewis site and I think that JEC is right - those are European models. The picture of the gold model doesn't look like it has a thermometer on it and also doesn't have the usual heat shield on the handle ( no big deal IMHO )

I'd be tempted to save your John Lewis voucher for something else and take a look at somewhere like www.birstall.co.uk. You can get the one touch premium for about £140 inc delivery

[Robinsonpr]

I got a good deal on the Performer in the end...the one with the trolley and gas ignition system.

Just gotta wait for it to stop raining!!

Cheers all, I am sure to be back with questions once I have assembled it!

[RobinC]

Rain? That's what parasol's and gazebos are for

The performer is a great bit of kit. If I'm just grilling for the family this is the one that I always use. Didn't think that the gas ignition would be a big deal for me but I do like it. Also like have the storage bin under that table.

[Robinsonpr]

Well I was in the shop getting a one touch premium. By the time I added a chimney starter, side table, lid rack (I did really like that), utensil hooks I was up to around £250. The Performer retails at around £400 but I got them down to £310 including a couple of gas canisters. So went for that!

I figure with the gas ignition my wife might be more inclined to fire it up before I get in from work

I got 2 x 10kg of Weber premium briquettes while I was there. £13 a bag. Do I need to be spending this or are there decent cheaper alternatives? Any of the supermarket gear useable?

Also wasn't sure whether to get briquettes or lumpwood charcoal but the shop assistant seemed quite knowledgeable and recommended the briqs. What do you guys think?

I didn't get a temp gauge but I understand these are an essential bit of kit. What sort of thing should I be looking at? Is it mainly to check the temperature inside the grill or to stick in food? Or both?

Any other tips greatly appreciated as this is my first kettle and I am a total novice. Feeling like I have loads to learn but am looking forward to the journey. you guys have already been a great help!

Paul

[JEC]

I really like the Cocoshell Briquettes from Supagrill, you can occasionally pick them up on garage forecourts, I think they are £5.99 for 5 kg or you can order online, be quick though as they aren't being distributed in the UK this year, my second choice would be BigK, you can get a 10kg bag from Wickes of the briquettes. If you want lumpwood charcoal then try to get restaurant grade lump which is much bigger than the marbles you pick up in homebase etc... Whatever you buy make sure it isn't impregnated to make it easier to light, it will just taint your food if you don't fully light it all

[RobinC]

Briquettes tend to burn longer but at a lower temp than lump. They are a more predictable fuel IMHO. I can't say I have a huge preference for one over another. Other may chip in with different opinions. Avoid anything that is labelled with the words instant lighting. You don't wan anything with fire accelerants in it - that just taints the food - and with a chimney starter and gas ignition you shouldn't have any problems getting it lit.

You definitely want to get a Thermometer for measuring the temp of the meat. Most people on here will recommend a thermapen - reconditioned ones are sold on eBay at a good discount.

You do need to know the temp hat your cooker is running at. Whilst the therms in the webers are not perfectly accurate in my experience they've been good enough to work with. If you are gadget minded you may want to look at the marverick thermometers.

There are plenty of tips an advice on he forum but feel free to ask anything you want - no one will laugh, we've all been noobs and are all still learning. One rhing ive always found useful is to keep a cooking log, whatyou oomed, when, what worked, what didnt. Above all enjoy your new hobby

[keith157]

Whilst visiting our local branch of "The Range" I saw they had BigK lump & briquettes if that helps.

[Robinsonpr]

My new Weber Performer is still boxed in the garage, but I hope to assemble it tomorrow and hopefully get it going on Sunday.

I haven't read the manual yet but I'm guessing I need to fire it up with no food first off? Is it just a case of getting it nice and hot and then shutting it down?

I think my first stab at a cook will be Beer Can Chicken...looks fairly straightforward hopefully I won't screw that up!!!

A couple of other noob questions....

Wood CHIPS or CHUNKS? My local B&Q has Jack Daniels chips for £6 a bag, I got that to kick off with. I read about soaking them in water first. Some people seem to say just throw them on the charcoal, some say put them in foil or a smoking tin. What's the difference and what do people recommend?

Still looking at thermometers. The Thermapen certainly seems to be the kiddy but they are very expensive. Ebay has refurb ones for £30 which is half the new price. But would I also need another thermometer to monitor the grill temperature? (I've read that the temperature gauge on the weber lids can't be relied upon...is that true?????)

I can get a Weber one from Birstalls for £11:

http://www.birstall.co.uk/products/webe ... eter_.html

Are these any good?

I also looked at the Maverick ET732 as I do like a gadget But again, expensive. It measures the meat and grill temperature though right?

Also saw this from weber:

http://www.birstall.co.uk/products/webe ... tyle_.html


Help!!!

Paul