Cheap Kettles any good to start with?

Charcoal cookers (such as Weber Kettles)
alex_m_84
Posts: 14
Joined: Thu Dec 17, 2015 2:33 am

Cheap Kettles any good to start with?

Post by alex_m_84 »

Hi everyone,
Just getting into barbequing after buying a Ziggy triple grill a month ago.
I've been looking on here at rubs and other info and stumbled across the kettle BBQ section and the "Low and Slow" cooking method using charcoal and heat beads.

I want to give this a crack and was looking at cheap kettles.

Are the cheap jumbucks at bunnings any good to start with or will they just frustrate me trying to maintain temp?
If they are no good, what is the next step up? I see Masters have the Weber Compact Kettle BBQ Charcoal 57cm for $215 and the one touch silver for $329.
What are the differences stepping up to these?

At first I though they're all the same, but the difference in price tells me there must be a benefit to spending more?
Groovy Gorilla
Posts: 371
Joined: Fri Nov 07, 2014 11:56 am

Re: Cheap Kettles any good to start with?

Post by Groovy Gorilla »

My second weber was from a second hand store $60 or $80 it was a while ago and I cant totally remember.
Check out ebay or gum tree

If you live near brizzy heres a cheap one
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/bardon/b ... 1098391974
Image
chilling while grilling
alex_m_84
Posts: 14
Joined: Thu Dec 17, 2015 2:33 am

Re: Cheap Kettles any good to start with?

Post by alex_m_84 »

I'm over in Bunbury WA.
I'd be better off with a second hand weber than a new cheapy then hey?
Mixin
Posts: 264
Joined: Sat Oct 19, 2013 10:43 pm

Re: Cheap Kettles any good to start with?

Post by Mixin »

Definitely start off with a 2nd hand one. I had about 4 second hand ones before I bought a new one (which is my "special" one) and I've since bought several more.
I tend to leave 1 or 2 at key relative's houses, as they keep asking me to BBQ, and pulling down & transporting kettles was getting tiresome. It's also a good way to spread the "collection" out :D :D :evil:
Weber Kettle Fanatic....
Main go-to: Blue 57cm OTG
Fire restriction option: Black 57cm M/T butchered with a Weber gas conversion.
GMG DC for the lazy smoky cooks.
Weeknight special: Q200
Problem? What problem?
Mixin
Posts: 264
Joined: Sat Oct 19, 2013 10:43 pm

Re: Cheap Kettles any good to start with?

Post by Mixin »

Also - avoid the compact kettle. It's really only good for direct grilling, as there's not enough depth like the real kettle.

There's a deluge of compacts on ebay all the time, so don't get caught out.

The photos people take often don't show the compact's side profile (or bolt-on legs) so I find the easiest way to tell is the cooking grille is almost at the top on a compact, not a couple of inches down the bowl like the normal kettle.
Weber Kettle Fanatic....
Main go-to: Blue 57cm OTG
Fire restriction option: Black 57cm M/T butchered with a Weber gas conversion.
GMG DC for the lazy smoky cooks.
Weeknight special: Q200
Problem? What problem?
gnol
Posts: 1142
Joined: Sun Jan 22, 2012 1:33 pm
Location: Werribee

Re: Cheap Kettles any good to start with?

Post by gnol »

Mixin wrote:Also - avoid the compact kettle. It's really only good for direct grilling, as there's not enough depth like the real kettle.

There's a deluge of compacts on ebay all the time, so don't get caught out.

The photos people take often don't show the compact's side profile (or bolt-on legs) so I find the easiest way to tell is the cooking grille is almost at the top on a compact, not a couple of inches down the bowl like the normal kettle.
Disagree Mixin, 8)
If you can get a compact even cheaper they are quite capable of cooking low and slow.


http://www.aussiebbq.info/forum/viewtop ... er+compact
Mixin
Posts: 264
Joined: Sat Oct 19, 2013 10:43 pm

Re: Cheap Kettles any good to start with?

Post by Mixin »

Not enough height for the Xmas turkey or 2 standing chooks though.
Weber Kettle Fanatic....
Main go-to: Blue 57cm OTG
Fire restriction option: Black 57cm M/T butchered with a Weber gas conversion.
GMG DC for the lazy smoky cooks.
Weeknight special: Q200
Problem? What problem?
gnol
Posts: 1142
Joined: Sun Jan 22, 2012 1:33 pm
Location: Werribee

Re: Cheap Kettles any good to start with?

Post by gnol »

Good point Mixin.
But I reckon you could do 2 chooks side by side.
Bill44
Posts: 618
Joined: Sun Jan 22, 2012 4:04 pm
Location: Gorokan, Central Coast NSW

Re: Cheap Kettles any good to start with?

Post by Bill44 »

gnol wrote:
Mixin wrote:Also - avoid the compact kettle. It's really only good for direct grilling, as there's not enough depth like the real kettle.

There's a deluge of compacts on ebay all the time, so don't get caught out.

The photos people take often don't show the compact's side profile (or bolt-on legs) so I find the easiest way to tell is the cooking grille is almost at the top on a compact, not a couple of inches down the bowl like the normal kettle.
Disagree Mixin, 8)
If you can get a compact even cheaper they are quite capable of cooking low and slow.


http://www.aussiebbq.info/forum/viewtop ... er+compact
I agree, I've had one for 24 years and still use it when there's too much for the full sized one. Many a chook or Xmas pork has been done on that little pet.
Bill
Cast Iron Hibachi
Jackeroo Mini Spit
18 1/2" kettle
57cm Kettle
6 Burner Gasser sausage sizzler only.
alex_m_84
Posts: 14
Joined: Thu Dec 17, 2015 2:33 am

Re: Cheap Kettles any good to start with?

Post by alex_m_84 »

Thanks for all the replies.
I'll keep an eye out for a cheap second hand one.

I'll try to get the 57cm weber
alex_m_84
Posts: 14
Joined: Thu Dec 17, 2015 2:33 am

Re: Cheap Kettles any good to start with?

Post by alex_m_84 »

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/capel/ot ... 1097877823
Is this a good buy or should i try to get it for less?
yakabot
Posts: 621
Joined: Sun Nov 18, 2012 5:40 pm

Post by yakabot »

If it really is brand new, looks like a good buy to me.
Muppet
Posts: 405
Joined: Thu Oct 02, 2014 4:50 pm
Location: Wild West

Cheap Kettles any good to start with?

Post by Muppet »

Great deal, I'd grab it. In fact if your not interested say and I'll drive there tomorrow :)
Baby steps...
Current Weaponry - Saffire Kamado, Treager Junior, Outdoorchef 57, Performer 46, 'Fooseball' Grill, Hibachi
Mixin
Posts: 264
Joined: Sat Oct 19, 2013 10:43 pm

Re: Cheap Kettles any good to start with?

Post by Mixin »

alex_m_84 wrote:http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/capel/ot ... 1097877823
Is this a good buy or should i try to get it for less?
That's a ripper deal. It says used but like new, and I don't doubt it from the condition.
Weber Kettle Fanatic....
Main go-to: Blue 57cm OTG
Fire restriction option: Black 57cm M/T butchered with a Weber gas conversion.
GMG DC for the lazy smoky cooks.
Weeknight special: Q200
Problem? What problem?
alex_m_84
Posts: 14
Joined: Thu Dec 17, 2015 2:33 am

Re: Cheap Kettles any good to start with?

Post by alex_m_84 »

Bugger, it's getting picked up today. I've got first dibs if the sale falls through so fingers crossed no one turns up :)
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