Barbecues are bloody brilliant Part 3

Axl

Had a look a few weeks back in B&Q and it didn't seem to compare to Webers.  Didn't look too bad but there was that little something about the build quality that didn't sit right, it didn't feel solidly built as a Weber does.

Look at online reviews people seem to have issues putting them together (usually just a one time problem obviously).

Review by Jean-Christophe Novelli this weekend.

GADGETS GALORE
BLOOMA KINLEY KETTLE CHARCOAL TROLLEY
PRICE: £129
STOCKIST: B&Q
This barbecue on wheels has more extras than a Swiss army knife. It has an adjustable-height grill, built-in chopping board, warming rack, bun tray and utensil hooks.
AMANDA SAYS: The love-child of a Seventies-style hostess trolley and a barbecue, this has enough gadgets to keep any Boy Scout happy, but it took two of us four hours to construct it.
The grill is big, with plenty of room to cook everything at once, but it wobbled worryingly when we moved it.
JEAN-CHRISTOPHE'S VERDICT:  The sausage and burger shrank a lot, probably because this doesn’t allow air to circulate as well as its rivals, which means the meat loses moisture.
The chicken was slightly overcooked, while the sausage cooked unevenly.
RATING: 2/10
BEST FOR: Gadget geeks.

Read more: Is a £1,000 BBQ a waste of money? JEAN-CHRISTOPHE NOVELLI tries out the cooker that grills five chickens at once (but a £10 rival is just as good) | Mail Online

Pecker

Got to agree.

Lid thermometers are definitely not as accurate as a Maverick.  But having had a Maverick and checked it against my lid thermometer, the latter is close enough, particularly when you have a good idea what the Maverick would say through experience.

In a way, the in accuracy us part of the fun.

Guest: Is it ready yet?
Me: Hang on (checks thermapen)...no, not quite.  Have another beer.

Steve W

zed4

Any recommendations for a portable coal BBQ? We're going camping a couple of times over the next few weeks, so thinking of getting one. I'm not sure about spending £55 or so on a Weber Smokey Joe though, anything cheaper?

IronGiant

Insane money, although I have one that is 20 years old

balidey

We take a folding one camping, stainless steel like this one....

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Notebook-Style-Portable-BBQ-Large/dp/B004CKFUW2/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1370893214&sr=8-10&keywords=folding bbq

which works well enough, folds very small, can be taken apart and chucked in the dishwasher at home.
But build quality is so-so. Some sharp edges, a couple of the metal bars on the grill have come loose. But for camping its fine.

zed4

Hmm, folds up small, but looks a bit flimsy. Would fit in my car better than a mini kettle though. It's got to go in a TVR Chimaera. I see Argos and Tesco do a mini kettle like the Smokey Joe, but loads cheaper. Wonder if its any good.

zed4

This looks great, enamelled too, not sure if it has a lower vent though: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Landmann-Piccolino-31374-Portable-Charcoal/dp/B006I2CZY8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1370893632&sr=8-2&keywords=Portable BBQ

Wahreo

The Landmann are pretty well made BBQs.

IronGiant

I have the fold up one for the caravan, we've  had log fire's in it too, with no damage to underlying grass.  Only downside is cleaning grease drips off the frame when bbqing greasy food.  It's one of the best open BBQs I've ever used for not flaring up over open coals.

WeegyAVLover

thanks for the responses.

Like I said I am a novice at this but when I look at the Weber 57cm One and compare it to the B&Q one I cannot see much of a difference in the actual BBQ domes and the B&Q one comes with a whole load of added extras.

Like you have said the build quality may well be a lot better and therefore last longer on the Weber but all I care about is how well it cooks.

If the Weber cooks way better then fair enough, but I would have also thought that would come down to how good the chef is... In this case, not great!

I did read the reviews of the B&Q BBQ and what they all said is "pain and lengthy build" (one of like you said Axl) but also said "good and no complaints".

however this is proper sexy...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Weber-Performer-Deluxe-2013-BBQ/dp/B00A4D43CE/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1370902397&sr=8-10&keywords=weber bbq