Tools of the Trade: Smokenator 1000

The 22.5" Weber kettle is a very versatile piece of charcoal grilling equipment. When outfitted with the hinged grate, a water pan and either the charcoal rails or baskets, it can easily be pressed into duty as a smoker. Unfortunately, even with this additional equipment the space is somewhat limited. A few racks of babyback ribs barely fit, and adding anything beyond that is difficult without placing your food over the direct heat. Adding additional fuel is a delicate science, over the course of a 6 hour smoke you need to add additional coals a few times to keep the temperature up, but adding too much can cause a temperature spike that can have catastrophic results.

Enter the Smokenator 1000- a revolutionary device that converts the Weber kettle into a virtual offset fire box smoker. Not only does it keep the temperatures under control, but it opens up an entirely new area for additional food while smoking. By putting all the fuel along a 6.2" section of the side of the kettle, the rest of the charcoal grate can be used to cook some seriously large items- a whole turkey can fit in there, or even a few more racks of ribs. With the optional hovergrill, you can even exceed the cooking area of a Weber Smokey Mountain.

By stacking unlit briquets in the fuel chamber, then adding lit coals on top, the Smokenator allows you to perform a smaller version of the Minion Method, by keeping the lower vents mostly closed you can control how quickly the coals light, allowing a cooking time of up to 6 hours at 225 degrees without adding additional fuel.

Several configurations are available for purchase. The basic kit includes the Smokenator unit, steam pan, skewer (for stirring coals within the fuel chamber) and instructions for $55.95 before shipping. For $12 more you can add the Hovergrill, which places an additional layer of food 2" above the normal cooking surface. Additionally, a Taylor 5911n thermometer to monitor the chamber temperature is available as a $9 add-on to either kit.

The instruction manual (which I have managed to misplace) is very well written, and includes instructions on how to set up the initial load of fuel as well as making sure the vents are adjusted correctly. One unexpected addition was the creator's cellphone number for tech support. You don't see many people willing to give that kind of personal support to their customers these days.

How well does it work? Would you believe exactly as advertised? I opted for the complete kit including the Hovergrill and Taylor thermometer. For the first use I followed the instructions for the initial load of 60 briquets, carefully stacking the unlit coals inside the chamber and adding the specified amount of lit ones on top. Within a few minutes the coals were ready and the ribs (3 racks of babybacks) were added as well as some applewood chunks and chips. The temperature stabilized at 225 degrees within about 15 minutes and stayed reasonably steady through the entire cooking process with only minor agitation using the supplied skewer. Water was added to the unit twice throughout the cooking process. The water not only dampened temperature spikes, but kept much needed moisture in the chamber during smoking. Next time I use it I'll try a lot more food, I never expected it to be quite as easy as it was to maintain the temperature.

For the money, I don't know if there is a better addition to the Weber 22.5" kettles for smoking, and for 2010 there is a new version for the lucky few with the 26.5" One Touch Kettle.

Give the Smokenator a try, you'll be pleased with the results. I can't wait to use mine again.

Tools of the Trade: 5 low-cost accessories for your Weber One Touch kettle

Since many of you already have a Weber, I wanted to put up some info on some "cheap upgrades" for your grill, just in case you didn't already have them. A few of them have different versions, and I'll show the variations so you know which one will work best for what you want to do. These products are all made by Weber, so a perfect fit is guaranteed.

1. Grill Cover- This bad boy can really keep the grill looking fresh for years, but keep in mind that these come in both standard and premium versions. The gray standard version is low cost (under $10 most places) and is great for keeping dust off the grill if you have it stored under an overhang or in a shed, but isn't really well suited to protecting the grill from the elements for long, especially in the winter. I call this the "one year cover" as that's about as long as they seem to last without tearing. The premium black version costs about twice as much, but lasts years longer. Keep in mind that although it seems like common sense, no cover is going to last very long if you put it back on a hot grill.
2. Tool Holder- Unless you have a table right next to the grill, you're going to want a place to put your utensils when you aren't using them. Most propane grills have some utensil hooks built in (and often one or more work tables), but no such luck on their round charcoal counterparts. The good news for you is that this gem of an accessory costs less than $5, and clips right onto the rim of the grill. They make a polished stainless version as well for about twice as much; while it looks a little classier, it has one less hook. Both work on the 18.5" and 22.5" models. For the money, this might be one of the biggest time saving additions you could get.
   
3. Charcoal Rails or Baskets- When setting up the grill for indirect cooking, these little guys keep the coals where you put them; the center section stays at a moderate temperature to keep your food from burning to a crisp before it has a chance to cook through. You could do without them, but for between $9 for the rails and $18 for the baskets, why would you? The baskets are designed to work only with the 22.5" models, but I prefer the rails as they can be clipped more towards the center to give you larger hot zones if you need them. These work perfectly with a hinged grate, as they can be positioned directly below the hinge for drop in convenience.
4. Side Work Table- This one is a really great idea. I move my grill a lot, so I haven't purchased one yet, but when it stops getting tossed in the back of the car all the time this will be one of the first things I buy. The earlier versions were made of wood and clipped to the rim and one of the legs, but the new ones are made of high temp plastic. The newer version seems like it would be a little more stable since it has legs that touch the ground, and it also includes three tool hooks. If you are planning on getting one of these they do make a cover that accommodates the table so you don't have to remove it every time.
5. Rapidfire Chimney Starter- I know we sound like a broken record at this point, but if you only take home one accessory with your new grill, this should be it. Works with all types of charcoal, and lights it quick and easy with no lighter fluid. They last for years if you don't leave them outside. Can be had for under $15 if you get one at Home Depot or Lowes when you're picking up your lumber and sheet rock screws. Grab the newspaper off your neighbor's front porch and light up your coals, you'll be cooking before you know it.
   

One of the big advantages to the Weber One Touch grill series is the ability to control the temperature with the top and bottom vents; the unfortunate part is that the grill doesn't come with any type of thermometer to monitor your progress. Many people go through years of owning a kettle thinking that closing the vent in the top will hold the heat in and increase the temperature when the opposite is actually true. More airflow from the vents means more oxygen for the burning coals, and the temp can go up rather quickly when airflow is increased. Soon we will be writing several articles on temperature control, and even a few product reviews to give you an idea of what's out there.

Grill Profile: Weber One Touch Kettle Grill Buyers Guide

Have you decided on a Weber One Touch but don't know which one would be best for you? This guide should help you make a more informed decision, as the information from most other sources might not make a lot of sense if you aren't already familiar with their product line.

Growing up we always had a Weber kettle in the backyard. Propane grills would come and go, but that well worn black orb on a tripod was always there. My father had already had it for around 25 years when I started grilling my own food, and while it may not have been as shiny as a new one, it worked every bit as well. Even though the design and manufacturing processes have certainly changed in the 50+ years these grills have been in production, the shape is instantly recognizable. These grills are durable, easy to maintain and very well designed. One of the main advantages to the lack of drastic change is the availability of replacement parts should they become necessary.

Although the shape remains the same, some of the features on the current Weber One Touch grills are fairly recent additions. I'm going to focus this guide on the four models that represent the middle of the Weber charcoal grill product line, which I hope will make it easier to understand. Choosing the right one for your needs can be a little confusing, and its next to impossible to get all this info in one place, even from Weber's own site. I am deliberately ignoring the 26.75" version of the One Touch Gold for the purposes of this guide due to the significant price increase (double the cost of the next closest one) and the additional features it does not share with the smaller versions.

All members of the Weber One Touch family have several very important things in common, all of which are improvements over their lesser-priced competitors:

• One Touch cleaning system- on all models there is a lever on the underside that sweeps ashes and debris that have fallen below the charcoal grate through three large slats in the bottom of the grill. There are differences in these, but the function is the same. Earlier versions had several vents on the bottom of the grill instead, but no real way to remove ash quickly; this system doubles as the air flow control for the bottom as well.

• Porcelain enameled bowl and lid- very important for rust prevention. With proper care, the coating on these grills will last for many years of solid use.

• Aluminum no-rust lid vent- this little guy is incredibly important for temperature control, and making it out of aluminum ensures that it wont rust out or seize shut.

• Glass reinforced nylon handles- these were made of wood on the older models, but would crack and splinter once they sat out in the elements for a few years. This newer design is far more durable, but keep in mind that they can get quite hot.

• Heavy duty plated steel cooking grate- each member of the One Touch team has a different one, but the key thing to remember is that they're easily replaceable. Many retailers keep them in stock, and since the sizes haven't changed in a long while, you should be able to get one easily years down the road when yours gets nasty.
  

I recommend selecting the series you want first- this is a selection that will be based solely on features, so I will compare and contrast the various differences in layout and materials.

One Touch Cleaning System:

On the One Touch Silver models, the system is comprised of a lever and three aluminized steel blades. These blades have been coated with a process that bonds them with an aluminum-silicone alloy, giving them increased corrosion resistance over normal steel. They can eventually rust out, especially if soot is able to build up on them holding moisture right against the surface. They are available through Weber as replacement parts should this eventually become an issue for you. Ashes are dropped out of the bottom of the grill into an aluminized steel dish that can be removed (with some effort to avoid making a mess) to discard the cold ashes. As long as you keep the dish clean you won't have a problem, but a gust of wind can easily coat you from the knees down in white ash on a good day, and let charcoal fragments and embers out when the bottom control is used to regulate airflow. On this model, the cleaning system requires simple assembly, but anyone who can follow simple directions will have no problem completing this step in a matter of minutes.

The One Touch Gold models have a slightly different setup that offers a few distinct advantages. First, the internal blades in the system are made of stainless steel rather than the coated steel of the Silver version. The fact that the system is already assembled is a plus, but the biggest difference is the removable high capacity ash can. The whole thing comes out with a simple turn of the handle and can be carried very easily with no drastic ash loss. For people that grill frequently, this can be a major selling point.


Glass Reinforced Nylon Handles:

The One Touch Silver has one handle on the lid and another handle positioned in the front of the grill for rolling it around. For most things this works just fine.

The One Touch Gold adds an additional handle on the rear of the grill to make lifting it easier. Fairly simple addition, but quite useful when repositioning the grill or trying to move it over things, especially when hot.


Heavy Duty Plated Steel Cooking Grates:

The Silver models get the basic cooking grate. These will stand up to years of hard use if kept clean, and the plating is very resistant to chipping, even when coming into contact with metal grill tools every time its used. Handles stick up above the cooking surface so the entire grate can be easily removed (please wear insulated gloves) to tend to the coals underneath. A couple of bricks near your cooking area can make a very easy spot to set the grate down without scorching anything important, and can be quite useful in keeping your food off the ground, something I know I'm a big fan of.

The Gold models get an upgraded version with hinges built into the edges for adding additional coals during the grilling process. This is mainly used when using indirect heat, a technique that is essential to long duration smoking, or cooking anything that would burn if placed directly over the hot coals. It should also be noted that these are available for a fairly reasonable cost (under 20 bucks) should you choose to upgrade later, and work very well with the addition of charcoal rails or baskets that are used to keep coals where you put them. In summary, if you're hyped to have a hinged grate but don't care about the extra handles or ash can (two options that can't be added later if you change your mind), grab a silver and buy this grate as a replacement part- buy a few cases of beer with the money you saved.


By this point in the guide, you should have a pretty good idea of what series you prefer. This next section should be a lot simpler than the previous one. Always best to save the easy parts for last, right?

Both the One Touch Silver and One Touch Gold models are available in 18.5" and 22.5" sizes. While this may not seem like much of a difference, this measurement is only the diameter of the cooking grate. When converted to area, the 18.5" has 268.8 square inches of area, whereas the 22.5" version has 397.6 square inches. The math nerds tell me this is very close to a 48% increase.

This measurement is important in the size of the cooking grate, but also in the outer dimensions of the grill itself. If you do most of your grilling by yourself or with a handful of friends, the 18.5" grill would probably suit you fine, and would be easier to store if you have a smaller cooking area. If you cook for larger groups, or your friends are impatient and have to have all their food cooked at once, go with the 22.5" version. Keep in mind that the lid on the 22.5" is also slightly taller- much better if you plan on smoking a large turkey or making beer can chicken. There are also a few accessories that only work with the larger size, like the rotisserie attachment and charcoal holder baskets. Most of the accessories made by Weber are designed to work on either size.

Also, the 22.5" version is the only one available in additional colors. Both dark green and royal blue are offered in addition to the original black. These options are not usually stocked by most retailers, so expect to pay a little more for the froo-froo fancypants look. I bought mine in blue.

Since price can also be a deciding factor, I priced out the basic black versions in all 4 models at Lowes to give you a baseline:

Weber One Touch Silver, 18.5" - $69.70
Weber One Touch Silver, 22.5" - $89.70
Weber One Touch Gold, 18.5" - $129.70
Weber One Touch Gold, 22.5" - $149.70

These prices are listed online and are current as of 7/30/09- they can fluctuate a little seasonally, but are usually around the same as they are now.

Good luck with your selection, and keep in mind that these grills are designed to last many years with proper use and maintenance. Enjoy!

Charcoal Vs. Gas

Is it even a debate?

An argument as old as Scott, propane versus briquette. For purists, nothing beats the flame of charcoal and I'm definitely with that school of thought. However, for the casual backyard griller, the convenience of propane almost always wins out. Propane requires no prep, has no messy cleanup and lasts longer/is cheaper that charcoal.

Right?

I guess it depends how you value your time, patience and tastebuds.

I've gone completely charcoal in my backyard. The smoker and a charcoal grill are all I need. I grill 4-6 nights a week and am way more impatient than most. My saving grace and the one tool any griller should have is the Weber Rapidfire chimney starter.



Anyone who has ever complained about the setup time of charcoal needs to invest in one of these. At around 15 bucks at your preferred home improvement megalopolstore, it's a cheap deal for an awesome tool. Let's figure your propane grill is new and efficient, it probably takes 5-8 minutes to heat up to searing temperature. I can have a full chimney of briquette's ready to roll in 10. Less time if you use lump natural charcoal. It's simple. Crumple up some newspaper, give the paper a few spritzes of oil(olive, vegetable, whatever. thanks alton!) and stuff it under the chimney and light. The oil will keep the paper from burning too fast and your coals will be glowing in no time.

You cannot deny that charcoal simply tastes BETTER. It adds another element to whatever you're grilling. It's not simply just high heat cooking your meal but a smokey, distinct FLAVOR infusing it's way through your food and given the option, I wouldn't have it any other way.