Was considering different hot dog grillers, came across this one. Looking to be able to cook at least 5 foot longs at once. Will this one work?
835619
We don't cook foot longs at our theatre but after trying a steamer we found this griller to be very satisfactory for gently cooking our bun length franks and keeping them warm without scalding. The machine will handle only 3 foot longs.
835620
I don't think it can accommodate that many large hot dogs. As I recall, we cook about 4 regular hot dogs at one time. Having said that, we do love the product.
1561044
I don't have that cooker, because of its inferior design and quality of construction, compared to other similar units. I returned it to the store where I bought in less than one day without even firing it up. There are other units out there at comparable cost that are much better designed and constructed. Regardless of what you use, I would recommend that you should plan on cooking several relatively small portions rather one huge batch all at once.
962894
Thirty nice sized hot dogs! It does a fantastic job cooking and keeping them warm. I LOVE my griller!
1232680
Jason, I've had a hard time getting it up to the desired smoking temp when it's cool & windy or just cool. I think one of the problems is that they only recommending using 12 or so starter coals. Yesterday I increased this number to 20 or so and that seemed to work better. I'll keep fooling with it and could see using up to half the coals in the chimney starter. And I've found that I need to have the top holes open more than the 5/16 they recommend. I'd say open them all the way up and then throttle them down. I also think it makes a big difference and significantly slows down the process if the meat isn't close to room temp to start. But I'll tell you, the more I use the device the more comfortable I feel with it. I'm having a retirement get together this coming Sat so started preparing for that this weekend. Using a rib rack I smoked 6 full racks of ribs on Sat and 6 more on Sun. I'd never have dreamed that 6 racks of ribs would fit on the Weber but they did. I baby sat the Sat batch pretty closely but once the Sunday batch was up to speed I only looked at about once/hour to stir the coals, add water & wood. We ate one last evening and it was good but will put the rest in the oven for 2 or 3 hours to get them more tender before serving. I hope that this (long) answer is of some help and encouragement. Dave McCartney, Marion, OH dkmcpa@yahoo.com
1440301
I successfully mounted the brackets on the side of Weber Kettle grill and use it with a "Fill It and Grill It Rotisserie Basket" to roast chili peppers. I'm sure it would work equally well cooking things on the spit with out the basket. The nice thing is the small motor housing slips right off and is stored in a drawer so it's not exposed to the weather. I'm usually dissatisfied with anything that people sell me anymore but I really like this product.
1858182
I have never tried to BBQ a raw piece of meat. It definitely is hot enough to BBQ shrimp or thin fish, but the diameter is under 4", so it would take too long a time for 4 or more people each taking a turn to make an appetizer. You could re-heat up to two skewers of a thin, long piece of meat on a bamboo skewer. I don't smell chemicals and use a glob of sterno into the bottom, because the can won't fit. The restaurant near me uses the Pu-Pu Platter Grill just to re-heat, so that is all I've tried to do at home when serving a PuPu Platter filled with cooked egg rolls, samosas, peanut chicken skewers and Chinese ribs. I have never tried to BBQ a raw piece of meat. It definitely is hot enough to BBQ shrimp or thin fish, but the diameter is under 4", so it would take too long a time for 4 or more people each taking a turn to make an appetizer. You could re-heat up to two skewers of a thin, long piece of meat on a bamboo skewer. I don't smell chemicals and use a glob of sterno into the bottom, because the can won't fit. The restaurant near me uses the Pu-Pu Platter Grill just to re-heat, so that is all I've tried to do at home when serving a PuPu Platter filled with cooked egg rolls, samosas, peanut... » Read More I have never tried to BBQ a raw piece of meat. It definitely is hot enough to BBQ shrimp or thin fish, but the diameter is under 4", so it would take too long a time for 4 or more people each taking a turn to make an appetizer. You could re-heat up to two skewers of a thin, long piece of meat on a bamboo skewer. I don't smell chemicals and use a glob of sterno into the bottom, because the can won't fit. The restaurant near me uses the Pu-Pu Platter Grill just to re-heat, so that is all I've tried to do at home when serving a PuPu Platter filled with cooked egg rolls, samosas, peanut chicken skewers and Chinese ribs. « Show Less
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.
1293046
I have used this as a "grill" only once. As stated earlier, the grate is well below the lip of the barrel, so getting to burgers and other items that require you to use a spatula to flip them is difficult. Hog dogs and brats are easier to turn with tongs, but it is a long cook on them based on the distance away from the coals, in my experience. Based on the sear I like on steaks and chops, I have not even tried to grill them on this.Don't get me wrong, I LOVE this smoker and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for one, but this is not the best grill I have ever cooked on. I have used this as a "grill" only once. As stated earlier, the grate is well below the lip of the barrel, so getting to burgers and other items that require you to use a spatula to flip them is difficult. Hog dogs and brats are easier to turn with tongs, but it is a long cook on them based on the distance away from the coals, in my experience. Based on the sear I like on steaks and chops, I have not even tried to grill them on this.Don't get me wrong, I LOVE this smoker and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for one, but this is not the best grill I have ever... » Read More I have used this as a "grill" only once. As stated earlier, the grate is well below the lip of the barrel, so getting to burgers and other items that require you to use a spatula to flip them is difficult. Hog dogs and brats are easier to turn with tongs, but it is a long cook on them based on the distance away from the coals, in my experience. Based on the sear I like on steaks and chops, I have not even tried to grill them on this.Don't get me wrong, I LOVE this smoker and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for one, but this is not the best grill I have ever cooked on. « Show Less
1779313
Recently purchased this grill...from setup to use, it works great. The plus are the removal plate that will go into the dish washer or kitchen sink for ease of cleaning. The cord is 5', plenty long. Just a heads up...it's at Sam's Club for $90. Try it, if it doesn't exceed your expectation return with receipt within 90 days. You'll keep it...I'm sure of that...great grill
1623896
It's an open propane flame. I don't think it would be my first choice for hotdogs.
1644629
I know for sure it gets to 400degrees within 4-5 mins. I have truly enjoyed the instant sear it puts on my meat. I do grilled corn, asparagus, onions, peppers, whatever on it. It really locks in the flavor and juice of the meat bc it gets so hot.
1111401
Build a smaller fire with fewer charcoal bricks. Perfect for a couple hot dogs or a couple burgers or a nice rib eye. I think this thing is wonderful for big family get-togethers as well as smaller dinners for two...If storage space is an issue; you could always look at something smaller...perhaps a Hibachi type grill?
1831334
The flame taming and temperature evening will work. The sear will be good. What won't work is the slotted spatula, unless you can come in from the side. Go to their direct web page and you can order custom sizes.
823499
I have used it several times with my barbecue grill. I don't leave it in the meat while cooking, of course, but I will occasionally take a reading while cooking. It works pretty fast (a few seconds), but I would suggest using a barbecue mitt or some other protection for your hand, because even a few seconds over a hot grill can be pretty uncomfortable. It doesn't seem to affect the thermometer, though, and that may be because I shield the plastic part with the mitt, so only the metal probe is exposed to the heat.
2100858
I usually cook 6 .My hotdogs are the longer ones. What I really like is you can lower the temperature and they don't shrivel up.I love mine
522379
It takes about 5 minutes for the grill to heat up. After it's ready, I would say it takes around 15-20 minutes for 8 hot dogs.
587170
It works great. I have yet to use it for anything other than hot dogs , but for that ,It's great. Worth the money.