Page 1 of 2

Which Combination Of BBQs?

Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2015 7:13 pm
by JPete
I have a couple of Webers and a 6 burner gas (that i only really use a big gas oven now).

I really love grilling on coals and end up doing a bit of this in the weber...i am making a cage to hold the beads up a bit closer to the grill so i can use a lot less of them.

For roasting, i do use the weber and try and go slow with snake method etc. I do a lot of fast roasting too and i love smoke and spices etc

My wife has saved some coins and said buy any bbq i want...she made me a card with a pic of a big green egg and an offset - so i would kinda like to choose from them.

I am thinking an offset is the one to get, the kamado would be too much like having more webers and the offset would give me a bit more flexibility?

What do you think?

Re: Which Combination Of BBQs?

Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2015 7:53 pm
by Gumb
You are correct in saying a Kamado is like an extra Weber kettle, but they are better so whether you consider that as an upgrade and go that way is a personal choice. I wouldn't be without my kamado (ceramic version like a BGE) An offset is a fire play BBQ. You need to be prepared to attend to it more than a kamado but they are a lot of fun, have much more cooking are than a kamado and are very versatile. An offset like the The Hark tri-fire will give you a small grill in the fire box, a large grill and oven in the main chamber, can do roasts and low and slow and also has the option (which I have) of a rotisserie attachment for very little extra coin. It's a great BBQ.

It's really a personal choice but whatever you get, you can never have too many BBQs. :)

Re: Which Combination Of BBQs?

Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2015 6:12 am
by Bentley
Other then BBQ Competitions...I grill now days a lot more the Smoke/BBQ.

Sounds like you would enjoy something like a Santa Maria grill. No better term to use, I am sure there are grills there just like I am talking about. Basically a rectangle box, with an adjustable rack/grill surface. Great for grilling, would not meet your needs for roasting though, so if that is a factor, probably not a good choice.

Something like this...Although if you have access to a 55 gal drum and a welder, could make one for $200! The nice thing about the Santa Maria's are they have adjustable grates for height, which really comes in handy for the amount of charcoal needed and the temps you want to use for grilling. The spit is rarely if ever used on a true Santa Mari grill.


Was not familiar with the Hark Tri Fire, could not tell from pictures, can you put coals in the main chamber? If so, it would be a nice feature and really probably meet all you needs!

Image

Re: Which Combination Of BBQs?

Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2015 11:30 am
by urbangriller
The Tri Fire offset has charcoal grates in the main chamber, and you can run a rotisserie in it.

I'll throw a third BBQ into the picture seeing as you are a charcoal guy, this one lets you raise and lower the charcoal, so will work similar to the Santa Maria (where you can raise and lower the cooking grates).

The Napolean Pro Charcoal BBQ
Image

have a look here for the features: http://www.aussiebbq.info/forum/posting ... 7&p=142162

Cheers
Chris

Re: Which Combination Of BBQs?

Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2015 12:18 pm
by Bentley
What a good lookin unit and great design with LOTS of space!

Re: Which Combination Of BBQs?

Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2015 7:21 pm
by Narmnaleg
The question I have is: Are you happy with the Weber Kettles? If not, which aspect would you like to upgrade? (Control, cooking area, comfort, etc.)

Re: Which Combination Of BBQs?

Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2015 2:23 pm
by JPete
Thanks i read all the responses a few times - its no clearer :) I will keep thinking about it.

I am pretty tempted to copy the build thread for the offset, but have a few projects on already.

Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2015 2:41 pm
by Bear
I work on the theory that i need 1 of each bbq in the "Bbq Types" subforum.

6 down, 2 to go

Sent from my SM-N910G using Tapatalk

Re: Which Combination Of BBQs?

Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2015 3:25 pm
by JPete
I am just been saving and still havent bought anything...whats the big difference between your WSM/PROQ/UDS type smoker and the offset? I am thinking capacity and the ability to grill on the coals? I think i like something like this http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/THE-NEW-TEXA ... 33aa8fb405

What would happen if i made that chimney twice as high?

I am keen on the offset, but its a bigger investment and i would be doing it based on reading only.

Whats the main difference between the Kamado and the weber is stable over a long period of time temp? Is it roughly the same capacity?

Re: Which Combination Of BBQs?

Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2015 3:39 pm
by ozwaz
Are you happy with the long and slow in the Weber using the snake or would you like something perhaps with more control?

Is grilling on coals your main focus?

Which part(s) of the cooking you do now would you like to be able to do differently?

Re: Which Combination Of BBQs?

Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2015 3:55 pm
by JPete
Weber isnt bad, i do like it. I can light a small fire or a big fire and cook meat to temp...grilling is annoying in it and i often use 2 at once for the extra capacity. I did just have the 3 webers and my 6 burner lined up, but i have started building the patio in and i want to funky it up a bit too http://1drv.ms/1GCpYwH

Maybe the Texas and a weber (and a rambo burner, i have plumbed in gas where the 6 burnr is) would be good mix? (its a little built about spoiling myself too :) ) I was thinking about a Weber Q for super easy grilling?

I think i grill during the week and bbq on the weekends...so i do both fairly equally.

Re: Which Combination Of BBQs?

Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2015 4:10 pm
by steinyboys
I am a bit biased but may I suggest one of these http://www.proqsmokers.com.au/

Re: Which Combination Of BBQs?

Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2015 4:14 pm
by ozwaz
JPete wrote:Weber isnt bad, i do like it. I can light a small fire or a big fire and cook meat to temp...grilling is annoying in it and i often use 2 at once for the extra capacity. I did just have the 3 webers and my 6 burner lined up, but i have started building the patio in and i want to funky it up a bit too http://1drv.ms/1GCpYwH

Maybe the Texas, Kamado and a weber (and a rambo burner, i have plumbed in gas where the 6 burnr is) would be good mix? (its a little built about spoiling myself too :) )

I think i grill during the week and bbq on the weekends...so i do both fairly equally.
You are going to need a serious range hood, especially for the texas if that's all built in. If you have gas right there, I personally would be looking to convert the 6 burner over if you can. I run a family Q off natural gas so it costs very little to cook, wouldn't take too many bottles of gas to pay for the conversion kit.

I don't have one, but a Kamado is about as flexible as you can get. Hold a temp for long and slow or crank it right up and do pizza. Also grills over coals.

Just to throw a spanner in the works, maybe have a look at a pellet burner as an alternative to an offset. Much better control, especially with the GMG and wifi. And with a set of grill grates you can do some searing steaks etc.

Heck, just get 1 of everything... :D

Re: Which Combination Of BBQs?

Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2015 6:05 pm
by JPete
The windows open, but yes i will make a range hood. I am goint to make something a little steam punk that can be lowered and raise, bit like a dome/hood with inline extraction fact and flexi tube to outside.

I want most flexibility for smoking low and slow and grilling. I want easy to get going if i want to just cook a couple of steaks or snags and able to get hot to crackle pork. Be ideal if i dont have to light a huge fire to cook a couple of steaks, but also has enough capacity when i want to do a big cook.

I guess i am in the offset vs pellet smoker place?

I have a bunch of fruit trees and i keep all of the pruned branches at the base of each tree...so when i am bbqing i grab a beer and go and select wood and cut into small bits (tiny chunks, rather than chunks) and i throw handful onto the beads in the weber...can i do this on a pellet grill? How noisy are the GMG grills?

Re: Which Combination Of BBQs?

Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2015 6:09 pm
by Davo
Yep...i vouch for a pellet cooker.....getting more popular now with pellets easier to get.
I had one of the earlier Traegers and loved the food that came off it but i had to sell it in hard times but i'd love another pellet cooker.

Cheers

Davo