Pro Tour Punditry
Guru
Should it really be this difficult to burn food outdoors?
Mrs Marmion and the Marmionettes have been pestering me to get a BBQ after our last one died a sorry death when the bottom fell out of it a few years ago - it was a basic gas thing with 2 burners and then a layer of charcoal and then the grill; simple. Easy to work.
Today when I went to the local retailer of garden stuff I was met with an array of options none of which seemed to be as simple nor allow me to have a layer of charcoal on top of the gas burners (which kind of then makes it not a BBQ in my mind...). After much discussion I walked out shaking my head - things that looked basic and simple cost a frigging fortune and the rest were so puzzling to either build and/or operate that I'd have wasted away to a pile of bones by the time I got round to cooking anything.
Anyway, my failed attempts were met with much complaining on my return and I was duly informed to get onto the internet and get something sorted. Pronto.
I have found one which seems easy, a simple round kettle with charcoal rather than gas.
http://www.bbqworld.co.uk/weber-barbecues/charcoal/weber-compact-47cm-charcoal-bbq-black.asp
Then I looked at the other stuff suggested to buy with it - lighters, wood chips, various charcoal options, covers, tools, fluids - and I decided it was time to go to the beer fridge an crack open a bottle of pale ale. And then when I get complained at for not sorting it out I can simply have another bottle...
Then I happened upon the excellent idea to ask you knowledgeable lot what your views on the above BBQ and what else I need (and I mean "need" not just some add-ons that will simply rip cash from my wallet with no discernible benefit) - please feel free to suggest more beer as well if you want.
Mrs Marmion and the Marmionettes have been pestering me to get a BBQ after our last one died a sorry death when the bottom fell out of it a few years ago - it was a basic gas thing with 2 burners and then a layer of charcoal and then the grill; simple. Easy to work.
Today when I went to the local retailer of garden stuff I was met with an array of options none of which seemed to be as simple nor allow me to have a layer of charcoal on top of the gas burners (which kind of then makes it not a BBQ in my mind...). After much discussion I walked out shaking my head - things that looked basic and simple cost a frigging fortune and the rest were so puzzling to either build and/or operate that I'd have wasted away to a pile of bones by the time I got round to cooking anything.
Anyway, my failed attempts were met with much complaining on my return and I was duly informed to get onto the internet and get something sorted. Pronto.
I have found one which seems easy, a simple round kettle with charcoal rather than gas.
http://www.bbqworld.co.uk/weber-barbecues/charcoal/weber-compact-47cm-charcoal-bbq-black.asp
Then I looked at the other stuff suggested to buy with it - lighters, wood chips, various charcoal options, covers, tools, fluids - and I decided it was time to go to the beer fridge an crack open a bottle of pale ale. And then when I get complained at for not sorting it out I can simply have another bottle...
Then I happened upon the excellent idea to ask you knowledgeable lot what your views on the above BBQ and what else I need (and I mean "need" not just some add-ons that will simply rip cash from my wallet with no discernible benefit) - please feel free to suggest more beer as well if you want.
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