BBQ turns out to be simple if you know how to use a Weber charcoal grill properly. In this article, we provide such essential information.
A charcoal grill is perfect for a family outing, friends gathering, which is definitely worth having one at home. Due to its convenience and reasonable price, the Weber charcoal grill is favored by millions of Americans.
In this article, we will provide you with detailed instructions on how to use a Weber charcoal grill from A to Z. Read until the end to discover more beneficial tips to better your experience with this type of charcoal grill.
Essential Components Of A Weber Charcoal Grill
Weber Charcoal Grills are products of a US-based company named Weber. This company is renowned for manufacturing a wide range of BBQ grills and accessories. In addition to Charcoal, Weber offers different types of grills such as Gas, Wood Pellet, Electric, and Portable Grills.
Learn more about Weber’s products here
Amongst the products of Weber, Charcoal Grill stays on top of search engines. In the range of Charcoal Grill, the most popular ones are the 22-inch kettle and the 26-inch kettle. The 22-inch kettle is the most common model because it caters to American families.
First of all, let’s take a few minutes to familiarise yourself with the components of this product. We will go from the bottom to the top. As you understand the principle of working, cooking with Weber Charcoal Grill is like a piece of cake.
1. Damper
At the bottom of the product is the metal damper. Its function is to regulate the airflow into the bottom of the grill. To adjust the damper, you use the vent underneath the grill. There is a stick to adjust the amount of airflow from left to right. On the very left is closing the vent, which suffocates the air. When you move to the right, you let more air get inside the grill.
2. Base Grate
Beyond the damper is one grate used as the base. This grate will be intensively heated during the entire cooking process. Therefore, the material to make this grate must be stainless-steel and endurable to withstand the extreme heat of the charcoal fire.
In addition, the base grate must be manufactured with good quality metal. Otherwise, it will melt or release harmful poison.
3. Top Grate
This one is used to cover the surface and place food on the grill. It is different from the base grate, which is heavy and stable. The top grate is lighter and looks slimmer. Depending on the types, top grates have a hinged rate on one side or both sides.
4. Lid
On the lid, there is a thermometer and a temp-control hole to control the heat inside the grill. The function of the temp-control hole is similar to the air vent.
5. Charcoal Brisket
Weber provides a charcoal brisket to hold charcoal briquettes for direct heat. The brisket has a half-circle shape. It is made of hassle-free and stainless-steel material.
How To Cook With Weber Charcoal Grill (Detailed Instructions)
Things to prepare
- Charcoal briquettes:
Charcoal briquettes are compressed carbon blocks to start a fire. Lump coal and charcoal briquette are quite the same. Lump coals are made by burning pieces of wood. However, charcoal briquettes burn more consistently. If you are allergic to smoke, you can use lump coals rather than briquettes as they release fewer ashes.
- Charcoal chimney:
This is a metal tube with a handle, a wide rack, and several holes along the body to let the air travel through. A charcoal chimney is a tool designed to get the charcoal ready before cooking. Heating charcoal briquettes in a chimney beforehand is not a waste of effort.
A charcoal chimney is usually made of aluminum or silver to suffocate the heat of inside charcoal. Before grilling, light a paper with a lighter or a match and put it amongst briquettes. When charcoal briquettes reach the desired temperature, put them into the grill.
Step-by-step Guide
Step 1: Ignite a fire
First of all, you should have charcoal briquettes filled in the chimney, then use tumbleweeds as a fire starter. After the heat is evenly spread in the chimney, transfer all of them into the grill.
To get the charcoal burned, it may take 15 minutes. When you see charcoal becoming gray and ashy, it is time to remove them from the chimney and transfer them to the grate.
Step 2: Set zones
Pour a considerable amount of charcoal into half of the base grate. Cover up nicely with the top grate. Then, crack the vent to grasp more airflow. At the moment, you have two zones: indirect and direct.
The direct zone is beyond the charcoal as food would be grilled with the direct heat of the charcoal. The indirect zone is where food does not directly compose with the burning charcoal.
Step 3: Decide the cooking time
Recall the chef’s recipe to figure the ideal time for your dish. How long does it take to cook your food? The 20-minute set is the milestone. If it takes you more than 20 minutes, heating beyond the indirect zone is suitable. Otherwise, it will burn your food, or the food will get too dry.
Step 4: Adjust the flame
Look underneath the grill; there is an adjustable vent. The air goes from the vent up to the grill to burn up the fire. Have charcoal filled in the grill, then move the stick to the right to open up the holes underneath the grill to let the air flow into the grill.
Refer to this video for a better understanding:
How To Clean Weber Charcoal Grill
Step 1: Clean the bottom
Firstly, users remove grates, take out all the ashes, and adjust the vent to get rid of the remaining ashes. Next, clean the bottom with soap and a brush.
Step 2: Clean the grates
To clean the grate, use a brush that should have long-handled and stiff wires. Not having a brush in hand? Use a tong with a cube of aluminum as a substitute. Then, pour some oil into a tissue and clean once again on the surface.
Step 3: Clean outside
To clean outside the grill, users can use soap or spray with a soft towel. If you rub with tough scouring pads, scratches will be left on the surface.
See more:
- How To Use A Charcoal Grill For Beginners (A Complete Guide)
- How To Start A Charcoal Grill Without Lighter Fluid (5 Effective Methods)
Bonus Tips For Effective Use Of A Weber Charcoal Grill
1. Retain the moisture of food
You should have some water in the tray for a long cooking process since food will get dry when being grilled. Don’t worry about too much liquid as hot temp makes water evaporate. By doing this, you will enhance the moisture and make the food juicier later. When you grill chicken or pork ribs, this tip helps retain the juiciness, which makes your dishes tastier.For your information, here is the link to teach you how to grill chicken with this product.
2. Control the temperature
There are lots of questions regarding the vent because controlling the temperature is critical. It significantly influences the dishes’ quality.
It is suggested that users should adjust the vent after the temperature in the grill stabilizes. In case it doesn’t, you will not reach the accurate new temperature when changing the vent.
It takes 15- 20 minutes for the temperature to stabilize. Within cooking time, the temperature may fluctuate 10 to 15 degrees. For instance, you should wait until the temperature is at 300 degrees constantly for several minutes without changes, then you can change into a new temp.
3. Avoid flare-up
Flare-up is dangerous while grilling as it may cause accidents or burn food. Meats with fat or oil should be left in the grill for less than 20 minutes. Just so you know, most types of meat – including burgers, bacon baps, steaks, pork chops, lambs – can be burned if being exposed to direct heat for more than 20 minutes.
For direct heat cooks, users set the low heat for the first 30 minutes to balance the temperature inside the grill.
Note that juice from meat might drop down the charcoal and cause a flare-up. Should you opt for well-cooked steaks, they should be cooked longer than 20 minutes with indirect heat.
Conclusion
That’s the end of our guide and tips on how to use a Weber charcoal grill. Follow the instructions above, and you’re good to go when dealing with this product. Don’t forget to share with your friends, and come back for more insightful articles.