TIPS AND ADVICE
FROM THE BARBECUE EXPERTS
To sizzle all year round you just need the right barbecue, the right tools, the right advice and of course the right food. To help you get on track, Weber® – the barbecue experts, have put together a number of expert tips.
Choose the right barbecue
Should you choose a charcoal barbecue or a gas barbecue? This is really your first decision.
Are you convinced there's nothing like the taste and smell of food grilled over hot coals? Do you take a certain pride in your ability to get the fire started and keep it properly tended while you cook? Do you need that hands-on, primal experience?
Or do you want a perfect fire at the push of a button? Do you appreciate the precision temperature adjustments gas grills can provide? Would you rather avoid the whole charcoal set-up and the post-cookout ashes?
Whether you're in the charcoal or gas grill camp, you're in luck. Taste tests indicate there's no significant flavour difference either way. The choice is strictly personal.
Consider how you plan to use your grill - will you grill every night or just on special occasions? Will that change over time? Is cost an issue? While gas grills are initially more expensive, they generally cost less to operate in the long run. Both are great choices - pick the one that's right for you!
Choose the right tools
Vegetable baskets, roast holders and rib racks make barbecuing much easier. Take a look at the stylish Weber accessories and lifestyle products for the latest ‘must haves’ and some great ideas about making grilling more versatile.
Lumpwood or briquettes?
Lumpwood charcoal is generally a poor quality source of barbecue fuel. It burns too rapidly creating excessive fly-away ash that can contaminate food. Lumpwood charcoal is initially less expensive but ends up costing more in the long run. In contrast Weber® premium beads give you an even distribution of heat, allowing for better control for better cooking results. Other benefits include an extended burning time and the ability to save remaining briquettes for your next barbecue by closing all vents and replacing the lid when extinguishing the flames.
Firing up 1-2-3 Ignition
A Weber® Rapidfire® Chimney Starter ensures successful charcoal lighting every time and will have the coals ready in about 30 minutes. It is simple to use.
1. Fill the chimney starter with briquettes, then place 2 or 3 firelighters on the grate underneath the chimney starter. Ignite with Weber’s Matchless Flame Lighter and wait until the coals are glowing.
2. Due to the design of the chimney starter, the briquettes will quickly get hot, reaching the best possible temperature in the shortest time.
3. After approx 30 min. when the coals are covered in a grey ash tinge you can arrange the hot briquettes on the bottom grate. For your own safety always use a Weber@ Barbecue Mitt.
Look out for Weber’s paraffin lighter cubes because they are smokeless, odourless and non-toxic so they do not spoil the taste of your food.
TIP: If you love the aroma of burning coals but loathe the lighting, then we have the PERFECT MATCH, the Weber® Performer® charcoal barbecue with the unique Touch-N-Go™ gas ignition system that ignites the briquettes with the push of a button.