Need help deciding on first kettle purchase

[Josh G]

The most important question: What are you going to cook for your first cook?

I vote Burgers

[toolhead]

Your experience may vary.
I use lump and briqs...im transitioning off kbb blue to stubbs briqs and lump bc of the amount of ash kbb blue produces.  Also the total burn time and reuse of lump /stubbs i think evens out actual cost

[addicted-to-smoke]

I use either lump or briqs too. Kingsford is cheap, but ONLY if you buy it on sale, and it really only goes on sale a few times each year. I won't pay the $10/bag normal price. I'd rather get a smaller bag of hardwood briquettes or pay more for lump. Hell, for $10 Kingsford offers their Hickory or Applewood infused stuff and it's better charcoal also. Why? Because KBB produces a LOT of waste ash AND the blue smoke it emits while starting up makes baby Jesus cry. It is consistent however.

The experienced charcoal griller needs exposure to both lump and briquets, to know how to use them as they come 'round the bend. Get some disposable nitrile or whatever gloves for dealing with it cold. A galvanized bucket from Wal-Mart is good for dumping ash into prior to dumping into the trashcan.

[Grizz]

You're gonna LOVE IT!  Had my Cooper performer deluxe now for eight months and I don't regret the purchase!  I started out using KBB, but I've pretty much switched over to Stubbs and Royal lump.  Just seemed like a lot more smoke and ash with the KBB.  But, man, those double bag specials in the spring.....no, no.   Resist.  Anywho, BEWARE! Because once you break that bad boy in you'll want to accessorize!!  My personal favorites:  Roti Ring with a Napoleon Shish Kabob Wheel.  Check ebay, got a good deal on a roti ring with a burnt out motor that I replaced with a battery operated one.  Above all, ENJOY!!!

[feeshrman]

You're gonna end up trying both, the lump and briqs. Go ahead and get them both and let us know which you prefer.  My money is on the hardwood lump.

[Loonysup]

She's ready for her first cook.   Steaks are in the fridge waiting.  Going to give it a go with the lump charcoal for starters. 

Thank you again everyone for getting me this far. 




David

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[MeatAndPotatos]

Its god damn nice isn't it?

Looks even better in pictures then in your diagram

[guitarfish]

Nice, thur so purty! Make sure to post up some pics of your 1st cook

[jcnaz]

Nice!

[firedude5015]

She's ready for her first cook.   Steaks are in the fridge waiting.  Going to give it a go with the lump charcoal for starters. 

Thank you again everyone for getting me this far. 




David

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Beautiful. .and now I want a copper..dangit. you will love that cooker

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[MikeRocksTheRed]

If you mentioned that your gasser was also copper I must have missed.  Nice choice getting the matching performer.  Can't wait to see how your first cooks go and how you like it!

Since you have never cooked on a weber charcoal kettle before, it would be cool if you keep a good log of your first dozen cooks or so and document it in the cooks section for future 1st timers!

[Loonysup]

I sent my wife to the store to get ground chuck to make burgers for the inaugural cook and she came back with these ribeyes.    Said the grill needs to be broken in properly.   Good woman!!!




David

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[guitarfish]

Yup, you have a good woman. I'm sure she's glad you finally made a decision

[WNC]

Congratulations on the purchase! The performer looks great there, and I'm thinking you probably won't even need move out of the patio, you should be good given the size of those screens, just make sure the doors to the house are closed.

Your wife sounds like a keeper for sure!

Can't wait to see how the cook goes!

[Craig]

That's a badass looking Copper! Awesome first purchase!