First off, terribly sorry that I am so slow to reply to your question.
Secondly, welcome to the world of Charcoal / Wood barbecue and grilling!
My advice for anyone new to charcoal / wood barbecue and grilling is as follows.
#!. There is a difference between grilling and Barbecueing. Grilling is direct heat, coals directly under the items being cooked, and at higher temps. Barbecue is offset / indirect heat and typically at lower temps.
#2. Teperature I have found is best measured in the grill, about 1" or so off the grate surface.
#3. If you are willing to drill a hole, buy a more basic model Weber, and mount your own through lid thermometer. I've done it and the results are awesome.
#4. I agree with the comments about made for BBQ tongs and spatulas being for the most part junk. OXO Good Cook makes some really nice long stainless tongs, get a set, your knuckles will love you for it! IF you can fine one, the Pampered Chef BBQ Spatula is the absolute best I have found, anywhere. And I have been through a lot of spatulas.
#5. Don't worry about spotless grates. It's possible, but you will make everything around your cleaning area horrible, and knock your brains out in the process. Get the grate good and hot, and scrub it with a bristle free coil type brush
https://amzn.to/2TtezNi. The older style bristle brushes can lose a bristle that potentially could find its way into your food. No thank you!
#6. On the former subject, periodically use a grill cleaner to knock the built up soot etc... out of the grill. They make "brushes" that are basically scotch brite pads on a stick, and citrus based cleaners. Follow the cleaners directions and scrub as needed with the scotch brite gizmo.
#7. Slow and sear is really nice, and totally unneccessary. Many of us simply use the offset method. Or better yet, go over the Weber website to review fire configurations for their grills.
https://www.weber.com/US/en/grill-skills/mastering-charcoal/charcoal/fire-configurations/weber-34138.html. The SNS does kind of what the indirect / charcoal basket and foil pan thing does. However the foil pan way also acts as a catch pan, and keeps your grill cleaner in the long run!
#8. This should probably have been #1. But if you are even vaguely considering using lighter fluid. STOP! Get a charcoal chimney.
https://amzn.to/2TqJQQE. NO matter how long you let lighter fluid burn off, the taste ALWAYS gets in your food. Nasty!
#9. Depending on where you live, you don't have to buy a Weber new. And it depends on the model. The "Weber 22 Original Kettle" for example seems to be going for about $109.99 online (Home Depot, Lowes, Amazon etc...) but my local HEB grocery store has them discounted for $89.99. My wife would kill me if I brought home another one!). The Walmart Exclusive Jumbo Joe Premium 22" is $79.99. My ikd 3 wheeler I got off of Craigslist last summer with coal dividers, a condiment tray, and an accessory hook for I think $60.00. I occasionally see Original one touch style 22's on CL going for around $50.00 with no accessories in primo shape.
#10. No need to get high dollar or fancy beyond belief with this stuff. Start with the basics, Grill, starter chimney, lighter, charcoal, metal tongs, and metal spatula and grow from there. I used the cheap dollar store BBQ tongs / spatual sets for a very long time before I was gifted my Pampered Chef BBQ set, no need to be in a hurry...
#11. Not all charcoal is the same. Experiment to see what you like the best. I am personally REALLY liking the Expert Grill briquets from Walmart. They are low dollar but seem to me, possibly incorrectly, but they look like, and seem to cook just like Royal Oak, and it's CHEAP. Kingsford Blue Bag is my second go to. It is commonly available pretty much anywhere.
#12. Want to add some smoke flavor? I've tried chips, hardwood impregnated charcoal, and chunks. I get my best results with chunks, and if I need say some chunks of Pecan to smoke with, check with the neighbors to see if they have trimmed their trees recently...
#13. Get and maintain a good thermometer. I have a remote WiFi thermometer from ProGrill I would NOT recommend, connectivity on that one is wonky at best. I have a Weber Instant read that works flawlessly...
Topic: First Charcoal Grill (Read 2300 times)
