Weber Q?

Well, after 3 happy years in Logan Square, Science Boy and I are getting ready to move to East Garfield Park. One of the things we will need to buy for the new apartment is a new grill. We have been using our housemates Weber Baby Q for the past 3 years and I have been relatively happy with it. That was a surprise to me, since I was raised to scoff at gas grilling. However, the ease of the gas grill enabled me to use it 5 or more nights a week (even throughout winter), which would most likely *not* be happening if we only had a charcoal grill.

I was going to splurge on the Weber Q 300 after we move (okay, I realize that, as grills go, it's not nearly the most expensive, but it's a splurge for us) since I have been pleased with the Baby Q. But first, I thought I'd ask... Does anyone have the Q 300? Any comments about it? Is there a different Weber gas grill for right around $300 I might want to consider instead?

Thanks so much!
Kat

As you have expressed a preference for charcoal grilling, how about the Weber Performer? It is a charcoal grill with a gas starter. The best of both worlds - the ease of lighting of a gas grill, but with the flavor of cooking with charcoal. I've never had a problem getting hardwood charcoal lit and the grill is typically ready in about 15-20 minutes after lighting. It operates much like a gas starter on a wood-burning fireplace.

I can also vouch for the Performer series. I have a gas grill as well, but almost never use it anymore. The Performer also has a huge workspace next to the grill plus an attached tub for charcoal. It really is great.

Kat, are you interested in the Q or Q300 because you want something that is relatively small/portable? I'm just curious why you prefer this to the E210 or E310 (the former is around $300 and the latter is probably around $400).

* The choice really comes down to what you grill and how much space you can devote the grill.

* If you do a lot of indirect grilling, I'd worry that the 2-burner models (the Q300 and the E210) will not be large enough.

* Naturally, the Q and Q300 are better if you have little space and/or want the ability to take it down.

* Can the Q use 20 lbs tanks? If not, I think that is a big drawback since the 20 lbs tanks are so easy to find and are quite cheap.

* The E310 is an excellent grill. If it's the right grill for you size-wise, but is out of your price range, you might want to look at non-Weber grills that might be a little cheaper.

Thanks for the suggestion. I will certainly look at that and run it by SB to see what he thinks.

ACtually, I don't know that I *do* have a real preference for charcoal anymore. If you had told me 3 years ago that i would convert to the world of the Gas Grill, I would have laughed. In fact I mocked my brother for getting a gas grill when he moved to Phoenix. We just weren't raised that way!

Now, though, I kinda dig the gas grill. To me, it seems easier overall. Plus, I don't have to worry about charcoal inspired carcinogens (although I'm sure there are other health problems I am conveniently ignoring). I read something that theorized the difference between men and women re: gas v. charcoal... On second thought, best not go there right now.

Thanks again!

Peace,
Katharine

bluroses wrote:I read something that theorized the difference between men and women re: gas v. charcoal... On second thought, best not go there right now.

Not sure what you're referring to, but if you're inferring that men prefer charcoal, for the record, I'm a woman.

The Performer is an extraordinary grill and it certainly is a valid compromise between a standard charcoal and a standard gas grill. (Some may argue that you are paying a lot of money for a gas starter when a cheap chimney starter works just as well. This really comes down to personal preference.)

I'll throw out a different compromise solution that might work also (and works well for me): have a real gas grill and a real charcoal grill. I use the charcoal grill most of the time. But I also like having a gas grill in my arsenal because it is quick, easy, and clean. When it's really hot outside, I try to use the gas grill as a replacement for my oven and value the ability to quickly change the temperature inside the grill.

Clearly, the choice depends on (a) how often you'll use the gas and charcoal grills; (b) how much space you have; and (c) how much money you want to spend. You can get a cheap gas grill for $200 and a cheap Weber charcoal for under $100, so the total cost can be in the $300 range easily. If you want a Weber 210 and a Weber charcoal grill, the cost will be in the $300+$100 = $400 range.

Unfortunately you'll be ingesting carcinogens from food cooked on a gas grill as well.

Wow, so many great replies are giving me more to think about!

We will be on the second floor of a two-flat when we move and, while we have *some* space, space will be limited. I was leaning toward the Q partly because of size concerns, but also because I am familar with and was happy with the Q line (though only the Baby Q).

On the Baby Q, I was unable to really do any indirect grilling. I don't know how much I will do in the future. I just like that the option will be there and that I *can* avail myself of it should I desire.

Yeah, I figured there were probably carcinogens with gas grilling as well. I thought I had heard they were less, but I may well be mistaken.

Thus far, I have grilled mostly animal flesh, and a few veggies. The size of the Baby Q doesn't give a lot of space. I am looking forward to trying new things with a bigger grill.

Finally, aschie30 - I read that women are more likely overall than men to choose gas grilling, because they were more likely to value the ease/speed of lighting/heating over the primal need to build a fire. CLEARLY this is a stereotype that is not true across the board -- one of my closest friends would never deign to "ruin" her food with a gas grill! -- but I thought it was an interesting observation.

Can I just say that I absolutley *love* this group? I do! I appreciate your willingness to answer questions and offer opinions!

Peace,
Katharine

Also something to think about with charcoal - where is the smoke going and can you use a charcoal grill on your 2nd story balcony? I grill year-round on charcoal, and in fact my primary grill is an ancient Weber Smokey Joe (I think it's 15" in diameter! ) I also have a Weber Smokey Mountain, and use that a lot as well - both for indirect cooking and for grilling. It's my go-to choice for fatty foods like lamb and chicken with the skin on.

Ooh. Good call! I am definitely going to ask the landlords about that!

Definitely check with the landlord. If they don't let you use a charcoal grill, then you might as well just use your oven instead. (the results will be more or less the same).

I would agree that the gas grill is really akin to broiling. An older gas grill that is coated with grease (seasoned, if you will) produces a better taste, however, so you may want to go the craig's list, freecycle or garbage-picking route if gas is the only option and you have some trust in the general population. Yummy.