Can I use the side burner with pots and pans? I know it is listed as a searing grill, but I would miss the versatility of the side burner I have now.
208830
You should be able to. The grill on the side burner has two levels: raised for searing and lowered for pots and pans. I haven't used it for that purpose yet but don't see a problem. Just start out on the lowest heat and increase as needed.
208831
Yes, I had 2 pots going this weekend at the same time. The grate has 2 levels, raising it for searing and leaving flat to use at as a large burner.
208832
You can use the side burner with pots and pans. The side grate as two height settings. You are supposed to use the lower one (grate close to ceramic element) with pots and pans and the higher standoff when searing meats. I love that side element (searing grill) compared to my old grill which had the standard side burner.
1131182
The pan will probably get as hot as you want it. The problem you might have is the side burner will not take a large diameter pan because it will hit the side of the grill hood.
297789
To be honest it depends on your situation. The sear station is not like on other grills that I have owned that is separate from the other elements. I used it a lot on my Charm-glow to get a nice sear on i my meats. However the sear station on the Weber does not appear to work that way or at least I don't use it that way. I just use it as an extra element to maintain consistent heat overall. The side burner is nice to have as I have used it alot when cooking beans and sauces. If you are on a budget then I would say skip it. However if you have the cash get it its nice to have and not use than to not have and need. Come to think of it now that I am typing I did use it once. Hope this helps.
1589657
It says you should not. I left burner on low for a little too long with not much in pan and it did leave a discoloration. I am someone who used to cook on high and have had to adjust but from all I read you shouldn't be cooking on high anyway. I really am liking the pans. Ives vey surprised at how light weight they were and almost was turned off by this thinking they were cheaply made but I am really liking them.
816610
Has anyone used this grill with a separate skillet or grill on top of the grates. For instance, to cook bacon and eggs outside when camping?
95294
Yes Rachel, they can. What I do is light the burner and then turn it down some before placing the pot on the burner; I'm not sure whether that's really necessary or not but I do it to keep the flame from discoloring the outside of the pan/pot. I am assuming that your stove is the same as mine, i.e. you have to turn it to high for it to light. I actually bought this set for a rental unit but I would not hesitate to buy them for myself-they are very nice. Hope this helped.
1993968
I have both pieces and they work well together. Hint: when the frying pan is heating, lay the press in the empty pan to heat right along with the pan. Then, when you add the food, it will grill on both sides. We grill mostly vegetables but it is great for Panini sandwiches, meat etc.
595503
You can, but there is no lip so grease would just run off the sides. I use cast iron skillets on my grill for meat.
1166145
I imagine you can do such with the roasting pan and the device set on 'broil'. But I prefer to use one of those small, portable Weber propane grills: Weber 1520 Propane Gas Go-Anywhere Grill. It's superb for burgers and brauts and any other similar activity. But, it's definitely an out-door thing. If you can't do outdoor, then I guess you're sort of stuck with this device. Or one of those electric grill things...which I've no experience with, as I can do outdoors.
1201579
Yes you can. It is very versatile and easy to do everything in one pan. I have used it to saute vegetables for soup and brown pot roast before cooking it.
297790
To be honest it depends on your situation. The sear station is not like on other grills that I have owned that is separate from the other elements. I used it a lot on my Charm-glow to get a nice sear on i my meats. However the sear station on the Weber does not appear to work that way or at least I don't use it that way. I just use it as an extra element to maintain consistent heat overall. The side burner is nice to have as I have used it alot when cooking beans and sauces. If you are on a budget then I would say skip it. However if you have the cash get it its nice to have and not use than to not have and need. Come to think of it now that I am typing I did use it once. Hope this helps. To be honest it depends on your situation. The sear station is not like on other grills that I have owned that is separate from the other elements. I used it a lot on my Charm-glow to get a nice sear on i my meats. However the sear station on the Weber does not appear to work that way or at least I don't use it that way. I just use it as an extra element to maintain consistent heat overall. The side burner is nice to have as I have used it alot when cooking beans and sauces. If you are on a budget then I would say skip it. However if you have the cash get it its nice to have and not use... » Read More To be honest it depends on your situation. The sear station is not like on other grills that I have owned that is separate from the other elements. I used it a lot on my Charm-glow to get a nice sear on i my meats. However the sear station on the Weber does not appear to work that way or at least I don't use it that way. I just use it as an extra element to maintain consistent heat overall. The side burner is nice to have as I have used it alot when cooking beans and sauces. If you are on a budget then I would say skip it. However if you have the cash get it its nice to have and not use than to not have and need. Come to think of it now that I am typing I did use it once. Hope this helps. « Show Less
1187228
You can use the side burner for both, the grate can be raised about an inch or so for cooking/searing, then lowered flush for pots and pans. The side burner grate for that model comes with a cast iron grate that needs to be highly maintained due to the high heat burning off the seasoning of the grate. I ordered the stainless sided burner grate separately as it's low maintenance. Hope that helps
2257564
I have cooked with pots, pans, and cast iron skillets on the grill portion with no issues. You want to be careful to no scrape the non-stick coating off the grill by sliding the pots and pans around. That is the only drawback I can see so far.
1343026
I think it cooks significantly slower without the proper pot and pan. Plus, the disc gets really hot, hotter than a pan bottom by far, due to the lower heat conduction. I use a thin steel black enameled pot for heating oil for french fries. It's dirt cheap and works fine. I never use the disc. For frying and boiling, get the induction pan. Its the cooker and the pan that makes the whole thing awesome; using the disc defeats much of the efficiency and speed of the heat flow.
177207
This is why I bought this product. You can indeed sear with it. Returning it to the warming unit and proceed with whatever it is you want to cook. So I can highly recommend it and it being 7QT it works get for large crowds. Happy Cooking.
520127
I'm not sure - it is a single unit without the sturdiness of a stove's underpinnings, but I have found the issue is more the diameter of the pot or pan. If the pan registers as being too small (less than 4"), the burner will not activate - I have used a full size stock pot and had not problems, but I haven't used a lobster pot which I think may be to broad to be used effectively.
1078585
Hello,This is a good product for grilling burgers, chicken, steak etc. directly on the grate. I have never used it with cast iron pans. I think depending on how heavy the pan is, it may be ok. If you put too much weight on the grill, it may start to loosen up the spike that you bang in the ground that holds it in place. If you put a rock or something to support it on the opposite side of the spike, it should be ok