How does this grill do with smaller meals? I often cook on the 22" Weber and love it. But there's only 3 of us (and we don't eat very much). Can I cook 2 steaks on this w/out using an entire bag of charcoal?I would like a better grill for larger slabs of ribs and I'm confident that this one would do it. But I hate to spend the money for a large amout that I would only cook 1-2 times a year.TIA How does this grill do with smaller meals? I often cook on the 22" Weber and love it. But there's only 3 of us (and we don't eat very much). Can I cook 2 steaks on this w/out using an... » Read More How does this grill do with smaller meals? I often cook on the 22" Weber and love it. But there's only 3 of us (and we don't eat very much). Can I cook 2 steaks on this w/out using an entire bag of charcoal?I would like a better grill for larger slabs of ribs and I'm confident that this one would do it. But I hate to spend the money for a large amout that I would only cook 1-2 times a year.TIA « Show Less
500011
Your gonna spend $1,299.00 on a grill and your worried about wasting money on coal. Go to Weber's site and read up on how to best use their grills. The information there is wonderful.
500012
yes essentially you just want to pile your coals, however many you decide to use, in one spot on the grill and just cook over that. Because the grill is bigger using it as an oven (like indirect cooking) efficiently would require more coals to maintain the same results. But for direct cooking methods just use the amount of coals you need and cook directly over that. You do not need to fill the entire kettle.
1204218
It does not take but a few hot briquettes for a warm side and 7-8 for a hot side. Try reading a few bbq books on grilling. The picture shows way too much charcoal for a couple pieces of meat!
832817
I just buy a new grate every season (no pun intended) from Lodge. Costs about a sawbuck with shipping. Every 3rd year I buy a new grill because Amazon always has them about 1/3rd off (~67 bucks) a couple times a year as it is at the time of this posting. I love the grill and use it almost daily every summer and keep it in the garage "off season" but the grill top always rusts and I don't want to deal with constant seasoning after every use. Makes it too much work. It's cheap enough to replace the top for me. All the time (and oil) saved is worth it.
1111404
The grill is perfect for 1,2 or more portions. I use mine for the 2 of us and the reason I went with the 1 touch is that this grill will save on your charcoal for the next time you use it. It seals up and extinguishes the coals pretty quick and they definitely are reusable with a few added for the next grilling. I bought a 1 touch for my son and he loves it. Good luck.
1580236
I would say that it does a great hamburger & hot dog. It may take a little longer to cook them but the flavor is great. As far as the steak goes, you will have a hard time charring or searing it cause the grill just can't get that hot. The flavor is awesome though. You can buy some special charring grates from REC TEC. I am thinking of trying them at some point. I use this unit for all of my grilling. It takes a little longer to cook everything but let me tell you it is worth every second to get the smokey wood flavor.
704111
I've used it grilling with indirect heat on thick NY Strips on my Weber. Rub steaks down with Webers Chicago Style steak rub, then throw a small chunk of Oak on the coals and cover, turning occasionally. The smoke & rub bland well together. These chunks do burn well in a grill or smoker
1752377
We got this grill and there are just 2 of us at home. We cook for just the 2 of us and also for when we have people over, very flexible grill. We have no problem putting charcoal in one side of the grill, and in fact, it means you are able to move things to the side to keep warm. There's a lot more control than you would think for this size.
1373433
Hello, I have this grill and I love it, well you could also get him the portable cart that goes with this grill, the 20lb adapter hose to use the 20lb tanks instead of the 1lb tanks that cost an arm and a leg. I have the Weber Q Griddle and I freaking love it! Cookes bacon and eggs and anything else you would use a griddle for. Take care!!!! p.s. I have all these items i reccomended to you and love them all.
2169053
In terms of grill-top space, yes. One gotcha is that only 4 of the 5 heat radiating plates under the grill top are actually heated. So that #4 row is always kind of dead -- or at least not as hot as the others. So 4 rows will cook fast and one row will cook slowly. It always seems silly to me that Weber tried to skimp on that.
992533
I just smoked two full racks a couple of weekends ago. I used a Weber rib rack on the lower grill, and this held 3 half-racks upright, and I laid the last half rack flat on the upper grill. All were spaced far enough apart to get smoked and came out great. You could probably use another rib rack on the upper grill to get 3+ full racks done, but it'll be a tight fit at that point.
1517123
It is. Weber makes charcoal grills that vary about 4 inches apart in diameter. Most people just don't mention/ or know about the fraction of an inch, which really hardly matters. If U can get over the $300 price tag, it truly is a very solid and functional grill. A Thanksgiving turkey done on the Weber is unbelievably easy, and delicious, while freeing up the oven for the all important desserts!
379336
The food actually tastes grilled with a good hint of char. If you want full-blown charbroiled, try a yakitori grill. They have them on Amazon. The ones that last are expensive though. My wife has been using this for over a year and enjoys grilling on it. She just used it a few nights ago and still loves it. I noticed she is sensible in using the grill, always being mindful of the instructions. I enjoy watching her grill skewers and steak. The food always turns out great with no left overs... especially when she cooks with BBQ sauce. She uses it for steaks, shrimp, vegetables, anything on skewers, chicken and pork chops... The food actually tastes grilled with a good hint of char. If you want full-blown charbroiled, try a yakitori grill. They have them on Amazon. The ones that last are expensive though. My wife has been using this for over a year and enjoys grilling on it. She just used it a few nights ago and still loves it. I noticed she is sensible in using the grill, always being mindful of the instructions. I enjoy watching her grill skewers and steak. The food always turns out great with no left overs... especially when she cooks with BBQ sauce. She uses it for steaks, shrimp, vegetables, anything on... » Read More The food actually tastes grilled with a good hint of char. If you want full-blown charbroiled, try a yakitori grill. They have them on Amazon. The ones that last are expensive though. My wife has been using this for over a year and enjoys grilling on it. She just used it a few nights ago and still loves it. I noticed she is sensible in using the grill, always being mindful of the instructions. I enjoy watching her grill skewers and steak. The food always turns out great with no left overs... especially when she cooks with BBQ sauce. She uses it for steaks, shrimp, vegetables, anything on skewers, chicken and pork chops... « Show Less
1985706
Hi Dana, I grilled twice and it was a lot of smoke too. Even I tuned to minimum gas, it still burned the meat. I am trying also figure out if there is better way to do it. On the same boat. Stephen
393041
If using it propane, it can hard to get it at a super low temp in the dead of summer. Like I can't smoke fish in the summer because you smoke fish at around 150 degrees. But I've never had any trouble keeping it around 200-225 for smoking pork, beef, or poultry. It's very easy to get it hot for grilling (around 500) on propane. I don't do charcoal a lot but I would assume it would be easier to get your own temperature depending on how many coals you put in.
2231395
This is a great BBQ, I cook everything on this BBQ. I have purchased a second grill. I love it cooks everything very well.Ribs, steak, flap steaks. Tri tips baked potatoes, corn onthe cob, fish. Just everything. Good luck and enjoy:-)
222564
Depends on what cut meat your cooking . Also are you cooking slow and low or hot and fast . I do both types of cooking and grill 5 times a week a bag last me about 20 to 25 cooks . This is the best lump coal I have found .
969264
As good or better overall. I have the 14.5, two 18.5s and the 22.5. The 14 is nice for small cooks. I overloaded it once and had to add charcoal. If you stick to smaller cooks, you won't have that problem. I have had no issues with temp control on it. Either using water or without water. Have roasted chickens in the 320-335 range and have smoked fish at 200-225 and also have done ribs and butts in between.