is the sear station worthwhile?
1285164
Yes it is helpful. I use it sometimes on low heat setting to offset the first and second burners. It creates a more equal heat depending the your meat selection.
1285165
I bought this grill from Amazon at the beginning of last season, it has been wonderful, see my review for details about delivery and assembly. But honestly, I have yet to have a reason to try the sear station feature. I cook meat, chicken, fish and vegetables, and there is enough fine control over heat using the main three burners that I have never found a need for the sear burner.
2110145
I use mine on the right side and not over he sear station, but I'm not sure it matters.
1380654
You really need to analyze your work flow. While I could see cycling a few items in and out overlapping their preparation, it's not ideal. You are going to have swings in temp, especially if you are putting frozen items in. I've used sous vides for years in a restaurant environment and one of the best things about them is how they mostly remove time as a cooking factor. If you were going to make steaks for a group and had a few people arriving at 6 and a couple of people that couldn't make it until 8, you could put all the meat in at the same time and there would be almost no difference in the outcome. Extended cooking times break down and soften meats but a small variance of a few hours won't do much. I love my SVS because it sits on my countertop and I use it four or five times a week. That being said, the Polyscience circulating units are much more powerful, precise and better suited for cycling items in and out of the bath because they actively circulate the water. They are very compact and portable and allow you to use a vessel of your choosing. On the downside, they cost a lot more, require setup and most people don't have them insulated as well as a SVS. (Ping pong balls are the best trick in the world if you go with a Polyscienc type unit, if you cover the top of the water with them, you bath will be well insulated and it's effortless to get things in and out.) Sorry for yammering on... Seriously though, get a sousvide and it will open up a whole new world of culinary possibilities. Just don't get on the "everything is better out of a sousvide bandwagon, it's just not true."
2110146
You can place it wherever you want, as the griddle will heat-up evenly regardless. If I'm just using the griddle only, I'll put it over the sear station so I can heat it up faster. But if I'm needing the sear station for something that I need to sear prior to going on the griddle, I'll use it on the other side and just have to give it a little extra time to get up to temperature. I use it over the sear station more than not though. Hope that helps.
1032717
IF let's off a fair amount of smoke. I was not very happy, and would net rocommend. For me, the problem I had was it got too hot, even on the lowest of settings for my gas burner. Also, it's impossible to clean, without scraping of the coating. the last time I used it was to sear tuna. I let it sit for a day and scrubbed very hard to remove the residue. I used a sponge,then a soappad, becasue the sponge did nothing for the black residue ledt behind. I scrubbed so hard some of the costing rubbed off, and there is still residue left? Hope you have better luck and this was helpful
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.
937606
I found it to be less than satisfactory in regards to heating water for much of anything... I ended up using it as a Point of Use booster on a existing hotwater line after Plumbing a hotwater line to the point where. I had purchased this unit for originally. I hope that gives you enough info to come to a conclusion.
637549
Almost any good quality sear will be fine, the gel is generally more comfortable especially for longer rides.
1055345
The heat output of the newer design from Weber really puts a lot more than the older generations. I have the NG model with the sear burner between the two left burners. This gives a lot of heat concentrated on this area. In other words, the searing power is more than adequate. If you check the models that run on a propane will put out even more heat, if the NG model is not hot enough for you If you have an older weber genesis , you will be pleased with the new ones performance. Get the one with the sear (4th) burner. I can even make a small batch of fries with the side burner while I am cooking steaks. Good luck! Gh for you
747690
I agree with all the above comments. Its a learning process versus other BBQ but it is worth spending time learning how to make it work . I have been using mine for over a year and it keeps surprising me as wooooo this is good bbq. Easiest is steaks and hardest to do is chicken but once you get the wood/air/fan speed level combination the concept is amazing. I quit using my other barbecues. That's how good this is. (for example 2 faux filet Costco quality is about 10min of use from the start of the BBQ using 1 or 2 pcs of wood)
965341
Not too bad to clean because it's outdoors. It will grill without sear marks. I would suggest keeping the griddle inside because mine did rust even being seasoned with oil and a cover!
955774
No. It heats up with 8lbs of meat. It's a light duty. Gear is plastic. Go the next step up in size and you should be good.
297788
"Sear station" is just an extra burner between the left and middle burner. I find that it helps get the heat up faster even when you are not trying to sear, and when I am smoking, I use that burner under the smoker box. You also get a side burner on the 330, which you don't get on the 310. I like it for outside frying in a cast iron skillet -- fries, fish, and chicken -- so I don't smell up the house. We found that the extra $ for both features was worth it.
1238683
First maybe someone needs them on the Craigs list so try that first . Some people will cut out the bad bars and make up 3 or 4 grids instead of 2 grids because it saves $50. Its a smart thing to do , cooks the same and is just smart if part of the grid is still good.Second , recycle them for the metal
1834389
I have this model and it works great. Prime Rib, chicken is awesome on it. Found pork roast smoked up the room too much from fat on roast but it was good tasting.
1802753
You'll be fine, it will put it at around 5.5lbs - unless you adjust the transfer bar to tip the sear sooner
1744871
Yes it will be well worth it. I first came across this item at a yard sale it was brand new and I gave $2 for it! I still have it and have used it for a few years I use it almost daily. I recently purchased this one for my mom as a gift and was very happy to pay this price! It has a switch you hold down for the heat get it as hot as you want it then release when it cools down you just press and hold again you can't burn yourself. Very well worth the money!! I highly recomenned it!