Does it still sear steaks well enough without the sear burner?
1965812
I don't have that (the sear burner) but I have seared several steaks right on the grill with no problems at all. I let the grill heat up and put the steak right on it, they come out great.
1965813
For me it does. I am happy with the way it sears steaks. Please note that I don't have a grill with a sear burner to compare it to. I would think that a sear burner addition would just increase the area on which you can sear steaks, by adding that additional burner tube. Having said that, when I bought my grill I wished Weber would make a grill with a sear burner but without the side burner.
1965814
Yes, Just preheat it according to the instructions and place your steaks on direct heat area.
1105066
It does have a non-stick surface but the item is small. Room for one large steak and on the smooth grill part, I would be afraid to fry an egg on it. If you're cooking for one person, it's great.
632327
I guess that would be up to you. I have the E310, it does not have the sear station. My grill has cast iron grates and like prior grills, if I heat it up very high before putting meat on, it will sear the meat. I love the grill. I loved my old more basic 3 burner web grill also, but it wore out after 15 years.I would not pay extra for the sear station.If you are talking about the flavor bars, I like them.
317418
Depends on what you're cooking, but most of the time yes. Not a big deal though. Yesterday I cooked a rock solid frozen 2 inch NY strip steak to perfect restaurant quality medium rare in a little more than 30 minutes. The thing really works...
741834
If you have a micro wave in the 1300 watt power range it does well. It will even sear the meat. I have a 1350 watt micro wave and can turn out a medium well steak seared on both sides in about 6 minutes. The power your micro wave matters.
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.
1582766
I try to keep the temperature low enough to avoid burning but high enough to get a good "crust". I spray the pan with Pam for the grill. Being a widow, I make one hamburger or piece of steak at a time. I haven't had a smoke problem but do have a spatter issue with meat that is too fatty. I think you get that regardless of the pan used. I love this grill pan.
2256322
Yes, it cooks steaks fast and perfectly. Just wish I could get a lid to fit it. I just wash with water, no soap. No, the handle does not get too hot.
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
1528170
not very well. The heat source is too far from the grate to get any kind of sear. If you were just slow cooking something, you could but I wouldn't do burgers or hot dogs on it.
2256325
I've cooked fish, bacon, pancakes, grilled cheese sandwiches and stir fry among other things in my ceramic marble coated cook pan, but not steaks. Everything I've cooked in it cooks with relative ease. I see no reason why steaks wouldn't do the same. The handle stays cool to the touch when cooking. I like that. For cleanup I hand wash with soap and water. I have recently started using a glass top stove and find this pan, along with my other ceramic cook pans, when heated, do not sit flat on the burner. They seem to curve...if that is possible. That's probably due to my cooktop rather than the cookware, because they worked great on my gas range. I hope this helps! I've cooked fish, bacon, pancakes, grilled cheese sandwiches and stir fry among other things in my ceramic marble coated cook pan, but not steaks. Everything I've cooked in it cooks with relative ease. I see no reason why steaks wouldn't do the same. The handle stays cool to the touch when cooking. I like that. For cleanup I hand wash with soap and water. I have recently started using a glass top stove and find this pan, along with my other ceramic cook pans, when heated, do not sit flat on the burner. They seem to curve...if that is possible. That's probably due to my cooktop rather than... » Read More I've cooked fish, bacon, pancakes, grilled cheese sandwiches and stir fry among other things in my ceramic marble coated cook pan, but not steaks. Everything I've cooked in it cooks with relative ease. I see no reason why steaks wouldn't do the same. The handle stays cool to the touch when cooking. I like that. For cleanup I hand wash with soap and water. I have recently started using a glass top stove and find this pan, along with my other ceramic cook pans, when heated, do not sit flat on the burner. They seem to curve...if that is possible. That's probably due to my cooktop rather than the cookware, because they worked great on my gas range. I hope this helps! « Show Less
290241
No. It has one shallow and one deep pan. I highly recommend this item. You can still sear all meats, however, there is no flat grill because you couldn't control the heat. Each pan is one solid drop-in. Regardless, you'll really be missing out if you don't treat yourself to this. I no longer use other pans (except a black iron skillet for cornbread...and steaks). The quality is superb.
1932833
The heat of the sear station is much more intense. I only use it for thick cuts of beef or chops, and never more than a minute or minute and a half per side. I finish the meat over a much lower burner flame on either far side.
1822474
My grill does not have the self-clean feature, but I warm the grates up every time I fire up the grill for 20 minutes on high and have no problem. If I had to guess, if your grill can handle it, the grates can handle it at least as well.
2110143
I have used the griddle on either side. The sear station is not activated unless you turn it on separately from the burners. I have not used the griddle and the sear at the same time.
1079632
It is better than any other electric grill I've used. The grill gets hot enough to sear steaks well...we then have to turn it down. We've been quite satisfied with it.
1632870
Not really. Imagine you put a steak on a cake cooling rack, in a fry pan on a stovetop. It might get cooked (eventually), but it will not have the same effect as cooking on a BBQ.