i suck at grilling and cooking, anyone know of a good resource for starting?

i cleaned up my grill this weekend and want to try to step up my grilling this spring and use my patio more

3/7/2017 4:53:36 PM

Are you looking to smoke or just grill more?

3/7/2017 7:42:35 PM

for now just grill more

3/8/2017 12:28:00 PM

what kind of grill do you have?

3/8/2017 3:28:27 PM

a basic 4-burner propane grill

3/8/2017 3:46:53 PM

I think the first step should be knowing / mastering your grill temps and understanding where the "hot spots" are. Adjusting airflow (if possible) in tandem with adjusting the gas will help you get nice even cooks. This, along with knowing cook times for whatever it is you're making is key.



[Edited on March 8, 2017 at 3:52 PM. Reason : Don't trust the cheap thermometer on the lid.]

3/8/2017 3:51:14 PM

i have a barnes and noble gift card still from christmas, i was thinking of buying:

Weber's New Real Grilling: The Ultimate Cookbook for Every Backyard Griller
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/webers-new-real-grilling-jamie-purviance/1112434450;jsessionid=741CD14CA6B12FB3CC121A35C6F45464.prodny_store02-atgap03?ean=9780376027986#productInfoTabs

and then a grilling cookbook. the weber book looks like its written for a moron but i guess that's a good starting point and i have no idea what else to use this gift card for.

3/8/2017 4:04:06 PM

Seems like a waste of a GC when you can find most of what you'd want on the interwebs for free.

3/8/2017 4:45:34 PM

All yall can congratulate the second plate winner out of 24 teams at the Carolina Beach BBQ Competition.

3/8/2017 5:32:38 PM

^^ well I gotta waste it on something, the books I read are all on OverDrive

3/8/2017 7:58:37 PM

i have weber's real grilling (not the new one, but the same author) and it is kinda lame. most of the recipes are basic grilled whatever meat with some fancy sauce or topping. you'll get better grilling tips and techniques from youtube. maybe the "new" one is better.

3/8/2017 8:32:21 PM

Honestly the best book I have read lately is Meathead by Meathead Goldwyn or Aaron Franklin's book is amazing.

3/9/2017 8:30:58 AM

gg, str8BL!

3/9/2017 9:54:07 AM

4/12/2017 11:26:34 PM

Was about to get one of the ambient thermometers mentioned in the thread, when I stumbled upon the PartyQ by the BBQ Guru.

https://bbqguru.com/storenav/gurucookerguide?DeviceModelId=61&kitId=149

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkLYQM3ieew

Anyone used this before? I never even considered having a temperature control on the grill, but this would make it really easy it seems like. Definitely wouldn't need it for steaks or anything, but ribs/pork that you want to cook for multiple hours would be nice to not have to keep playing with the vents.

[Edited on April 17, 2017 at 2:28 PM. Reason : .]

4/17/2017 2:28:06 PM

I used an Auber PID fan controller for a while. Worked great. I use a Heatermeter with a servo damper and fan combo unit now. It's awesome.

4/17/2017 3:05:59 PM

i have the cyberq from bbqguru and love it

4/17/2017 8:46:25 PM

Thoughts on the Weber Performance Deluxe?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N634UJK/ref=asc_df_B00N634UJK4953921/?tag=hyprod-20&creative=394997&creativeASIN=B00N634UJK&linkCode=df0&hvadid=167125192708&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1506720611037125137&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9010488&hvtargid=pla-274803717098

We [regular] grill at least two, mostly three nights a week. I smoke a pork shoulder maybe three or four times a year, but would like to do more (and smoke different things), with a nicer grill/smoker. I've had this for the last three or so years:



And I'm sentimentally attached to it because it's my first charcoal grill and I've become a very good griller on it...it's just not efficient as a smoker and it's starting to look like shit.

Wifey has given me permission to get something nicer (not BGE/Kamodo nice) and we saw the Weber Deluxe at a buddy's house and I'm looking into it.

[Edited on April 24, 2017 at 12:08 PM. Reason : .]

4/24/2017 12:08:03 PM

I like my Performer. Just a kettle with a table and gas lighting, though. Not as good for low and slow as the Chargriller Akorn kamado.

[Edited on April 24, 2017 at 12:39 PM. Reason : Akorn is cheaper too]

4/24/2017 12:38:58 PM

Get an Akorn.

You can do much more with it...eg it's way better for smoking than a kettle.

4/24/2017 2:00:24 PM

Well even though I want to do more slow cooking...I'm still going to grill much more than I smoke. This Weber Performer just looks like it will be easier for quicker grills (mind you I've been using a chimney starter for three years...which I'm kind of over).

Pretty much any kettle grill will be a much better smoker than my master forge. So I guess maybe my question should be is how good if a slow cooker is this Weber Deluxe?

4/24/2017 3:26:51 PM

Quote :

"Get an Akorn. "

This x100000000

You will be so glad you did.

4/24/2017 3:31:16 PM

Quote :

"Pretty much any kettle grill will be a much better smoker than my master forge. So I guess maybe my question should be is how good if a slow cooker is this Weber Deluxe?"

The problem is it's hard to maintain a constant temperature since it's so thin, and you'll have to add more fuel all the time since it doesn't retain heat. With the Akorn you'll use much less fuel, and be able to maintain lower temperatures, much longer.

4/24/2017 4:23:28 PM

Quote :

"Get an Akorn."

Love mine so far.

4/24/2017 5:02:21 PM

the akorn is just as good as the performer for regular hot and fast direct or indirect grilling

4/24/2017 7:33:54 PM

This is going to be tougher than I thought...

So I want something that does slow cooking better than my Master Forge..and obviously that's the Akorn...but how "bad" is the Weber at smoking? For example, with my current grill, I might get two hours maintaining around 225 degrees, and then I'm adding charcoal every 45 minutes to an hour. It loses heat like crazy. While I like the idea of setting my temp and coming back 8-9 hours later and it being done...I'm not against adding charcoal a couple times. I like the idea of hanging around the house, watching football, shooting the shit with company, and fucking with the grill while I'm smoking a shoulder or brisket. Will the Weber be right in the middle of my current grill and the Akorn in that regard?

Who has had an Akorn for longer than a couple years? I've read a couple reviews that they don't last that long. I'd like to have this next grill for at least the next five years, hopefully longer. I read one review that shitted on it after 6 months and one that said it was just like new (except had to replace the charcoal grate) after a year.

What's pushing me towards the Weber is not having to fuck with a chimney starter anymore and storing my charcoal in the bin beneath. I'm not a complete lazy fuck, but my grill location (which will not change...just paid for a brand new patio) is about 30 feet from my shed where I keep my charcoal and chimney starter. After grilling and drinking, I'll often leave the shed door open and rain fucks shit up...and just the general going back and forth to even grill a couple chicken breasts is annoying. Basically it's kind of a pain in my ass. I'm leaning towards the Weber unless it's just as shitty a smoker as my Master Forge.

4/24/2017 8:31:05 PM

I've had my Akorn almost 4 years. It's in excellent shape. I own both grills. Get the Akorn.

4/24/2017 10:20:16 PM

Mmm smoked a 6.5 lb brisket for 15 hrs (including FTC) on my pellet smoker. This smoke ring was a thing of beauty!



[Edited on April 25, 2017 at 12:39 AM. Reason : ]

4/25/2017 12:33:27 AM

Don't the Akorns go on pretty big sales every now and then? I feel like I remember seeing that in this thread

4/25/2017 9:06:26 AM

End of summer you can sometimes find them on clearance at Walmart or Kroger for under $300. Used to could anyway.

4/25/2017 10:47:09 AM

Quote :

"I'm not a complete lazy fuck,"

well...you can still get a charcoal bin if thats the only selling point you are worried about

https://www.amazon.com/Buddeez-Kingsford-Kadddy-Charcoal-Dispenser/dp/B00HQE1QT2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1493133310&sr=8-1&keywords=charcoal+bin

I've had a Akorn for years and have had no issue. its a grill, you dont have to baby it. I don't understand people that complain about the grates. Burn that shit off.

Quote :

" and fucking with the grill while I'm smoking a shoulder or brisket."

Not to be that guy, but you should be fucking with it that much anyways. I can smoke for 6 hours on one chimney of charcoal and a little in the pan(maybe less). I have 4 grills currently. Akorn is the only one i use 4-5 times a week.

get a cover for it so you don't have water rusting out the ash pan. This is the only issue i know of.

https://www.amazon.com/Char-Griller-16620-Kamado-Charcoal-Barbecue/dp/B00GJEPTJS/ref=sr_1_2?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1493133435&sr=1-2&keywords=akorn+grill

4/25/2017 11:20:40 AM

Seems to me, you just like the Weber because its a Weber.

I certainly wouldn't pay that much for a Weber Kettle.


https://www.amazon.com/King-Griller-Char-Griller-6520-Kamado-Charcoal/dp/B00EBWBE80/ref=pd_sbs_86_4?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00EBWBE80&pd_rd_r=VPARA5TC15GBYFNDQ2EF&pd_rd_w=yubWk&pd_rd_wg=ftlFY&psc=1&refRID=VPARA5TC15GBYFNDQ2EF

[Edited on April 25, 2017 at 11:26 AM. Reason : Akorn]

4/25/2017 11:21:39 AM

I have no brand loyalties. I've only had propane grills (don't remember the brand) and the low-end Master Forge so far.

I feel like I've been pretty honest why I like each grill:

- Weber would allow me to toss the chimney starter and not have to get in and out of the shed a couple times every time I grill (which is a lot). It also looks a little nicer (wife is big on this since we just had a really expensive house addition and new patio).

- Akorn is the superior smoker.


So I was originally leaning towards the Weber, but I'm pretty much set on the Akorn now. Only thing that might bring me back to the Weber is if someone says they smoke on the Weber all the time and it's awesome.

4/25/2017 12:19:51 PM

I also own both grills, and haven't used the Weber since getting the Akorn. Only time I would is if I was cooking lots of meat.

[Edited on April 25, 2017 at 12:24 PM. Reason : ^ get that one with the cart...feel like that looks better ]

4/25/2017 12:23:35 PM

I got my Performer off Craigslist for $100 or $150 I think. Can't remember.

4/25/2017 12:31:28 PM

I just saw that one with the cart...that actually does look pretty sweet.

4/25/2017 12:38:32 PM

A lot of guys build tables for their Akorns.

4/25/2017 1:30:46 PM

Here is one my buddy built awhile back.

4/25/2017 1:41:37 PM

Looks simple enough even a lawyer could do it.

4/25/2017 1:48:19 PM

We have an infant and my wife just went back to work...I don't even have time to jerk off anymore (hence why I keep bitching about chimney starters and trips back and forth to the shed).

I do believe you guys sold me on the Akorn though.

4/25/2017 2:29:02 PM

Picked up a Green Mountain Davey Crocket recently and everything I've cooked on it so far has been excellent. I want to smoke a pork butt soon, what I have cooked so far has all been shorter in duration but all turned out well. I am not a huge fan of the app that works with it but I'd rather have it than not at all.

4/25/2017 2:39:45 PM

Can you fit a shoulder on one of those?

4/25/2017 6:11:36 PM

I would imagine so. It's not huge but it's big enough for any of my uses for it

[Edited on April 25, 2017 at 6:20 PM. Reason : Depends on the size of course]

4/25/2017 6:18:49 PM

I light my akorn with a small propane torch. It gets hot enough to sear steaks very quickly with no need for a chimney starter or lighter fluid, and the propane has burnt long before I ever start cooking so there aren't any taste issues like lighter fluid can have.

[Edited on April 25, 2017 at 8:36 PM. Reason : Typoooo]

4/25/2017 8:35:37 PM

I secretly judge people that get the poor man's BGE

As far as lighting i either use an electric starter (90%) or a looftlighter (10%) - now that we are getting back closer to pool season i typically will setup the egg with the electric starter before going to the pool and start it about 15 minutes before I get home from our neighborhood pool via a WeMo plug

4/25/2017 9:10:09 PM

i judge people who get a BGE instead of a Kamado Joe

4/25/2017 10:10:16 PM

^ Beat me to it.

Just watched a video comparison of it yesterday.

4/26/2017 7:52:29 AM

I can load my poor man's bge in my truck by myself and I don't have to worry about it cracking. Haters are just mad they spent so much and get the same delicious results as the $300 Walmart grill.

4/26/2017 8:11:57 AM

^yep

4/26/2017 8:29:52 AM

Get the Akorn. You can cook anything in it including slow cooking.

4/27/2017 3:25:07 PM