Is the Weber Kettle the P-bass of grilling? (BBQ discussion thread)

[BartmanPDX]

Howdy!

I'm ashamed to admit that yesterday (the Fourth) was the first day I got out the grill this year. Bad weather and my daughter's situation combined to make this the latest I've ever started grilling. I might have to forfeit my Southern card (I grew up in GA).

Anyway, as I was cleaning off the grill in preparation for the festivites, it occurred to me that the Weber Kettle is kind of like a P-bass -- it might not be the ONLY grill you want in your arsenal, but like a P-bass, it works pretty darn well for almost everything.

There are other grills better suited for different situations -- a Hibachi, for instance, is kind of like a Acoustic Bass -- great for those outdoor situations like pregame parking lot tailgaiting, but you wouldn't necessarily want one as your only grill. Similarly, a big smoker is like an ERB -- great for certain advanced uses, but you probably wouldn't fire one up to just knock out a couple burgers or hot dogs. I see gas grills as being like active basses -- lots of control and versatility making them great for things like fish, but they lack that raw edge that charcoal gives you, just like many active basses don't have that nasty grind of passive single coils.

In the spirit of "no pics = no bass," here's a pic of my #1 -- a Weber Kettle grill with the one-touch propane ignition (you start the charcoal for a few minutes with the propane, then do all the cooking with the charcoal):



And since it was finally a nice day around here, I went ahead and hauled my QSC HPR 122i speakers out into the backyard, plugged them into my mixer (with ipod), and plugged in my bass, rocking out while the steaks were going:



Show your BBQ!

So, is the Weber Kettle the P-bass of grilling, or have I just inhaled too much BBQ smoke?

[the_man_dan]

just a kettle and a chimney is what i need to grill. this is the simple, p-bass and a passive DI box of the grill world.

and the money shot!!!

[Jerry J]

I see that Shenandoah is overseeing the whole affair! Or maybe wondering if you are off your rocker?

I really think that you nailed it with your analogy. I have one of those Treager smokers that can sit at 175 degrees all day and night for some of the best ribs and tenderloin. But the other day I was hankering for a steak with that old charcoal flavoring. Just something about it that all the other fancy-schmancy grills/smokers just don't do. I still have my baby Weber so I may have to knock the cobwebs off of it.

Hey I half expected to see the IP sitting out on the patio.

[BartmanPDX]

Nice!

I've played around with fancy propane grills and such but always return to the classic Weber charcoal kettle. Like a P-bass for classic rock, it just WORKS.

The IP is heavy and rain was threatening (it IS Portland), so I didn't get bold enough to drag out my rig.

[Jerry J]

Originally Posted by the_man_dan

just a kettle and a chimney is what i need to grill. this is the simple, p-bass and a passive DI box of the grill world.

and the money shot!!!

That's it! p-bass and passive DI! I use to use a coffee can with holes punched in the side for my starting chimney. So I guess I was using a Beringer DI?

[JimB52]

Grilled some Swordfish and Grouper yesterday. Tasted great.
My Weber 22" kettle has lived it's entire life outdoors. 7 years in 100 degree to 0 degree weather. Rain, snow, ice, nothing seems to faze it.
Looks almost as good as the day I bought it. It's predecessor lasted 18 years under similar conditions. Basically bulletproof.

[McHaven]

[hover]

tho I have a propane grill, I prefer a charcoal / wood smoker. I had a real nice one until a tree limb took it right out. I WILL have another soon. SOON.

Propane people just have no patience. At LEAST put some good lava rock and mesquite on yer top plates. Add some damn flayvah

[sloasdaylight]

There is nothing better than getting a good weber grill going nice and hot and cooking some burgers or steaks over open coals. A grill is something you experience, not replace your oven with.

[BartmanPDX]

Originally Posted by JimB52

Grilled some Swordfish and Grouper yesterday. Tasted great.
My Weber 22" kettle has lived it's entire life outdoors. 7 years in 100 degree to 0 degree weather. Rain, snow, ice, nothing seems to faze it.
Looks almost as good as the day I bought it. It's predecessor lasted 18 years under similar conditions. Basically bulletproof.

The Weber at my parents' house has been outside, in Georgia, since 1975. Still rocking strong. I made some incredible pork shoulder on it last year.

I'm charcoal all the way too, hover. Old school like that. I'm OK with using propane to start it (no newspaper/lighter fluid odor), but gotta have the charcoal flavor for cooking, IMO.

Come on TB, lets see some grills!

[beelzelboss]

I have no pics, but we have a "hybrid" type of grill. It is a gas grill, but it has a layer charcoal above them, so it will radiate heat after you turn the gas off, because the coals are lit, I like it because you can make it just get really really hot, or you can make it precise.
Next to it hooked up to the same gas line is a single stove top. Both sets are bullet proof, have lasted 14 years without major problems (the only issue we have is the sparker, all I do is just go under, as there is a gap and shove the lighter in).

I love it, but it has uneven heating, the back left part is the hottest, and the left is coolest, by a lot, but it has been that way since we bought it. the entire grill is put into our counter top outside, makes it look really clean.

The only picture I have is me searing some aweeessoommmee huuuuggeee lamb chops. I grilled them soon afterwards to make a perfect medium-rare pieces of meat. Here are the pics. And some pre-grilled steaks.

[XigXag]

Are you suggesting that I slap my grill?

I cant wait til my gas grill dies(was a gift) and I can replace it w a weber.

[Bard2dbone]

I was raised charcoal and my wife was raised gas. A few years back, we had a tired old smoker that rusted through on a leg joint and had to be retired. My wife 'helpfully' got ne a grill for my birthday (tomorrow, by the way). It was gas.

I can count the decent steaks I've made on that thing on my fingers. I miss the evenness and predictability of charcoal.

Her best friend bought the house two doors down from us. Her housewarming was yesterday. I donated the grill so she would have one. Every yard needs a grill in it. And hey, that means we need a new one and it's my birthday. I think I'm picking it out this time.

[FL Knifemaker]

I've owned a number of Webbers over the years but much prefer my little Egg these days.

I pretty much worked all weekend and the family was away. I did find time to cook a steak though

[BartmanPDX]

Originally Posted by Bard2dbone

I was raised charcoal and my wife was raised gas. A few years back, we had a tired old smoker that rusted through on a leg joint and had to be retired. My wife 'helpfully' got ne a grill for my birthday (tomorrow, by the way). It was gas.

I can count the decent steaks I've made on that thing on my fingers. I miss the evenness and predictability of charcoal.

Her best friend bought the house two doors down from us. Her housewarming was yesterday. I donated the grill so she would have one. Every yard needs a grill in it. And hey, that means we need a new one and it's my birthday. I think I'm picking it out this time.

Nice! Pick out a good one, Bard! Charcoal all the way, baby!

FL_Knifemaker -- I darn near bought myself one of those Green Eggs last year. I've never seen one in person but have heard great things about them. Maybe I need to add one to my arsenal some day, but I'm still happy with the Weber, which I've had for over a decade (the newer Weber models like mine have a plastic cooktop instead of the stainless one on mine).

[MJ5150]

Hey cool Bart.....the wife and I were just looking at that grill yesterday at Home Depot. Do you like it? I don't get how the gas part works....does it come on for a set amount of time to light the charcoal and then shut off automatically?

-Mike

[MJ5150]

Originally Posted by FL Knifemaker

I did find time to cook a steak though......

That isn't a steak, it's a bicycle seat.



-Mike

[blendermassacre]

Originally Posted by MJ5150

That isn't a steak, it's a bicycle seat.



-Mike

For fat guys...

[becker4567]

BartmanPDX,
After a close and in-depth examination of your Weber, I would say your BBQ grill is more like a PJ bass. Best of of both worlds. Like a PJ that has both P bass and J bass pups, your grill has both propane and charcoal as fuel. A gas grill is the J bass of grills as a pure charcoal one is the P bass. Both get the job done, just a little differently. As a big PJ fan, I have just gotten a case of GAS for your Weber!

[Auzzie-Phoenix]

don't forget there's always the option of the oil drum grill. Get yourself an oil drum, an angle grinder, heavy duty hinges, some angle steel, grate material steel, and a welder.... and don't forget to put a chimney on it.... wheels are a bonus, depending on your creative ability.