One of the things I've wanted ever since I moved into the new place is a decent gas grill--something that's not cheap and breakable but also not so large that it doesn't make sense for a single guy and his cats.
A few weeks ago, while visiting the local Orchard Supply Hardware (something I've been doing frequently), I browsed their selection of grills and found the perfect solution: The Weber Baby Q Gas Grill.
This little grill is great. It took all of 5 minutes to unpack and assemble. I can use standard propane cylinders on it (much like I would for a small torch) and the lighting mechanism has worked flawlessly so far. Temperature control is straightforward. The only thing I might add is a decent grill thermometer, but so far I'm getting along quite well without.
I acquired and used the grill for the first time while my parents were visiting. (It was a housewarming gift from them.) Since then I've used it four times (chicken, beef/steak, and kebabs (twice)) and definitely see it getting a lot more use this summer. I can't wait to attempt salmon and possibly swordfish.
If you're looking for a decent sized but still portable grill that's rugged and inexpensive, look no more. This is it.
See Also:
- The Weber Baby Q Grill on Amazon.com
- The Weber Baby Q Grill on Weber.com
- Baby Q Accessories from WeberStuff.com
- Outdoor Living on the Weber Baby Q Grill
- Baby Q inspired ideas on Tribe.net
Posted by jzawodn at June 19, 2004 10:33 AM
I personally prefer the Weber Go-Anywhere charcoal grill. It's perfect for smaller jobs. I think the big Weber tubs are too huge and waste a lot of charcoal/gas unless you're cooking for at least 12 people. One nice feature of the little Go-Anywhere is that when you're done, you can close the vents to snuff out the coals from lack of oxygen, and save the unburnt charcoal for next time. That saves about 1/3 the charcoal you'd normally use. Very economical.
Yeah, but due to various environmental concerns, charcoal is frowned upon in the Bay Area. (People still use it, but they also suggest you don't on spare the air days).
Personally, I prefer a gas grill because it's basically an outdoor oven, and there are some things I like to cook and not give a "smokey" taste.
Jeremy, if you *do* want to get a smokey taste, pick up one of the smoker boxes they sell near the grills. Add soms wet mesquite chips to it, put it in the cooler part of the grill and it'll do the job quite nicely.
The environmental concerns about charcoal are primarily due to the lighter fluid, not the charcoal. You can buy charcoal chimneys that require no lighter fluid, and get the coals hot in about 15 minutes. That saves even more money.
Ah, I sit corrected, then. Personally, I prefer charcoal chinmeys because they can be used as really nice focused heat generators that put a helluva sear on tuna. One less bit of guilt for my pleasure.
Thanks!
I just remember this because I lived in LA when they banned charcoal lighter fluid due to excessive hydrocarbon pollution. So the charcoal companies stated selling chimneys, and put rebate coupons in the newspapers so you could get one free. Of course they were trying to preserve the market for charcoal.
Recently I heard that they've invented a "reformulated" lighter fluid with emissions within the new legal limts, so it's back on sale in LA. Chimneys are still preferable since they have no hydrocarbon emissions.
Anyway, that's one of the reasons I like the Weber Go-Anywhere, its venting system works like a chimney, easy to light, easy to extinguish.
I used to live in the US. Then I moved back to Europe. I paid BIG money to bring my Weber BBQ back with me. But it was going to be worth it. Did I mention that I loved my Weber BBQ.
Needless to say, I could not bring the tank. No problems. I will just buy a new one...
Wrong. Different types of fittings and whatever made it impossible to buy a new tank for a US Weber BBQ. This was a hard blow for me.
I tried using my BBQ with coal a couple of times. Just wasn't the same.
This happened almost three years ago. I am no longer in therapy. Overall I am happy.
Who needs a Weber BBQ anyway..... (mine had a red hood *sigh*)
For some odd reason, I thought of this old blog entry when I watched "America's Test Kitchen" today. They rated portable grills and the Weber Q series tested as #1. They took special note of its even heating, the big burner element that developed high heat rapidly, and the cast aluminum grilltop which works better than wire rack grilltops.
Dear Sir: I bought a Q grill; however, it is the Thane Q and not the Weber. It's a space age grill...not to large which is OK with me. My question though is why did the maker choose to pit a big light in the center? I would prefer more cooking area. Any thoughts on this?
Sincerely Jake
HEY JEREMY. EXCUSE THE CAPS. MUCH EASIER FOR ME FOR OVER 56 YEARS.
RE Weber Baby Q Grill
Some random bits scribbled by Jeremy Zawodny
HARBOR FREIGHT AND NORTHERN TOOL BOTH HAVE BERNZOMATIC TANK ADAPTERS FOR $16-22 TO USE TO REFILL EITHER SHORT FAT OR LONG THIN 1 LB TANKS. HOPE THIS HELPS YOU RECYCLE TANKS. BUT I UNDERSTAND IT IS ILLEGAL TO TRANSPORT THOSE TANKS "AFTER" YOU REFILE THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SPENCE
I know this is an old post, but pretty high up on Google search, so I wanted to add my comments:
My partner received a Baby Q from his parents, and we haven't used it much until this summer. I love this grill! One thing I wanted was a more smokey flavor for our veggie burgers and kebabs, and jrconlin's suggestion about a smoker box and mesquite chips is the perfect answer! I was surprised to see that smoker boxes are very inexpensive, and since there's only two of us, won't take up too much room on the grill. I can't wait to try it out.
