General

New 2018 Weber Spirit II & Genesis II Gas Grills

New Spirit II Grills For 2018

“Word on the street” is that Spirit is the next line of Weber gas grills to be completely redesigned for 2018. This follows the revamping of the Genesis line of grills in 2017.

Spirit will be rebadged “Spirit II” just like Genesis was renamed Genesis II last year. There will be two models—E-210 selling for $399 and E-310 selling for $499. Liquid propane models are available in four colors: black, red, ivory, and sapphire; natural gas models come in black only.

These grills mimic the 2017 Genesis II design in terms of low-profile lid, open cart design, and iGrill 3 compatibility. There is conflicting information on whether these grills use the GS4 High Performance burner system used in Genesis II, but the photos below seem to show the GS4 badge on the right side of the control panel. Continue reading New 2018 Weber Spirit II & Genesis II Gas Grills →

Restore

Deciphering Serial Numbers On Old Weber Gas Grills

Serial number on Weber Genesis 2 gas grill

Sometimes one of the challenges to restoring an old Weber gas grill is just being able to identify which model of grill you’ve got.

A couple of months ago, I posted some information on The Virtual Weber Bulletin Board about deciphering old Weber gas grill serial numbers. It comes from Dave Weaver, a TVWBB member with inside information on how the older grills were serialized.

Continue reading Deciphering Serial Numbers On Old Weber Gas Grills →

General

Grilling Is A Year-Around Lifestyle

Gas grill burner knobs

As Weber grill fanatics, you and I don’t need anyone telling us that grilling is a year-around activity (addiction?) for most of us. So when the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association published their 2017 State of The Barbecue Industry report with the headline, “Grilling and Barbecuing Is a Growing, Year-Round Lifestyle”, I was not the least bit surprised.

You can read the complete press release using the link above, but here are the most interesting statistics that stood out to me from their 2017 consumer survey.

Continue reading Grilling Is A Year-Around Lifestyle →

Recipes

Bone-In Strip Steaks With Shallot Oil

In May 2017, I watched a Facebook Live session in which Harry Soo of Slap Yo’ Daddy BBQ grilled a steak using shallot oil as an added flavor element. I had no idea what shallot oil was, how it was made, or how it tasted on a steak, but I wanted to find out.

I searched the web, found several recipes for shallot oil, and picked one from New York Times Cooking that looked easy.

  • 1 cup peanut oil
  • 2 cups (about 7 oz.) thinly sliced shallots, Asian or European
  • Yield: 1 cup oil + 1 cup fried shallots
Shallots at the supermarket
Shallots at the supermarket

I went to the supermarket and bought 1/2 pound of shallots, which ended up being two shallots. No clue whether they were Asian or European, but I suspect the latter. Having never cooked with shallots before, I had no idea they would be as big as they were; I was expecting something smaller like a head of garlic. Continue reading Bone-In Strip Steaks With Shallot Oil →

Accessories, General

New 2017 Grilling Cookbooks

Last week I posted about the latest, greatest Weber cookbook for 2017 titled Weber’s Greatest Hits plus other great Weber cookbooks going back several years.

This week, let’s wrap-up with more new 2017 grilling cookbooks that you might consider adding to your cooking library.

New 2017 Grilling Cookbooks

Salt Block Grilling: 70 Recipes for Outdoor Cooking with Himalayan Salt Blocks

Salt Block Grilling: 70 Recipes for Outdoor Cooking with Himalayan Salt Blocks

Amazon.com says, “Over 70 all new recipes for grilling traditional and nontraditional dishes on a Himalayan salt block from salt expert and best-selling author of Salt Block Cooking, Mark Bitterman.

“Everyone who loves the excitement and pleasure of discovering new cooking techniques will enjoy this guide to grilling and entertaining with salt blocks. The introduction is your salt block owner’s manual, with everything you need to know to purchase, use, and maintain salt blocks with confidence. The six chapters that follow are divided into over 70 recipes organized by key ingredients: Meat, Seafood, Poultry, Vegetables and Fruit, Dairy, and Doughs. You’ll find recipes for Salt Seared Smoked Pork Belly, Lamb Satay with Mint Chutney and Spicy Peanut Crumble, Salt Seared Tuna Nicoise Salad, Hot Salted Edamame with Sesame, Shiso, and Szechuan Pepper, and Salty, Smoky Walnut-Chocolate Chunk Cookies.” Continue reading New 2017 Grilling Cookbooks →

Accessories, General

Best Weber Grilling Cookbooks

Weber is known for its popular series of grilling cookbooks, each with easy-to-follow recipes and beautiful photography. I own all of these books and find them to be an indispensable part of my cookbook library.

The Must-Have Weber Grilling Cookbook

If you buy only one Weber grilling cookbook, it ought to be this one:

Weber's Greatest Hits: 125 Classic Recipes for Every Grill

Weber’s Greatest Hits: 125 Classic Recipes for Every Grill

Amazon.com says, “In the ultimate gift for every griller, from beginner to veteran, Weber rated, debated, and curated its entire recipe collection, with help from its most enthusiastic fans. Here in one gorgeous package are the ultimate go-to recipes for every occasion.

“The book includes all-new photography, fun stories from Weber’s rich and often hilarious history, and special features such as the Top Ten Grilling Dos and Don’ts.

“Whether building a better burger or smoking competition-worthy ribs, Weber fans will delight in these classic standards and contemporary inspirations.” Continue reading Best Weber Grilling Cookbooks →

Restore

Genesis Platinum Series II Restoration by Jeff MA

This 1996 Genesis Platinum Series II restoration by TVWBB member Jeff MA of Fitchburg, MA is one of the finest, most comprehensive restorations you’ll ever see of a Weber gas grill.

Restored Genesis Platinum Series II in blue by TVWBB member Jeff MA

It features almost everything you might encounter in a restore project, including frame repair, firebox cleanup, screw hole repair with QuikSteel, a little welding, repainting, polishing, parts replacement, logo emblem refinishing, new propane tank scale and hose connector, plus a brand new side burner for good measure.

Continue reading Genesis Platinum Series II Restoration by Jeff MA →

Recipes

Chicken Quesadillas On A Weber Gas Grill

Making chicken quesadillas on a Weber gas grill is so easy that I hesitate to tell you how to do it…but I’m going to tell you anyway!

Grilled chicken breasts

Start by grilling a few boneless, skinless chicken breasts using your favorite rub or marinade. If you don’t have a favorite, try Slap Yo’ Daddy BBQ Jailbird Chicken rub. Grill the breasts over MEDIUM heat to 160-165°F, let rest for a few minutes until you can handle the meat, then cut or shred into bite-sized pieces. Continue reading Chicken Quesadillas On A Weber Gas Grill →

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