If time allows we continue cooking until the ribs are completely done and make note of the total cook time. Lesley Stockton is a senior staff writer reporting on all things cooking and entertaining for Wirecutter. Her expertise builds on a lifelong career in the culinary world—from a restaurant cook and caterer to a food editor at Martha Stewart. She is perfectly happy to leave all that behind to be a full-time kitchen-gear nerd.
Beginners will quickly be able to learn the correct damper positions in order to achieve a consistent temperature, as we did. One thing to note is the inaccurate temperature on the built-in dial. We observed off readings and ended up relying on a secondary thermometer.
An average 15- or 20-degree difference across the quickest and slowest patties in a batch was the norm in our testing. Red flags are raised when we begin to see differences in the 30- to 40-degree range. We measure out 5.3 ounces of 80/20 ground beef and press them into uniform patties. Those patties go into a grill basket and we insert a temperature probe into the center of each patty at a 45-degree angle. Weber’s feels like a cash grab at $90, but I own one, and it has suffered several years of the crazy heat and sun of my porch in the summer and Seattle’s wet winters.
Case in point, I cooked a cowboy (rib) steak, a thick ribeye with a bit of actual rib, that puttered along in the indirect zone at 225 degrees until the internal temperature came up to 110 degrees. At that point, I cranked up the left burner and sear burner on the direct side and put the steak over the hot spot to give it a dark crust. If you grill regularly or you enjoy grilling on weeknights, when time is at a premium, you should invest in a gas grill. A good one costs $400 to $900, but it will serve you well for years. That’s more than twice the price of a quality charcoal grill, but if you prioritize speed and convenience, the higher price is worth paying.
If other parts of the grill, like the knobs or ash catch, break, they can be replaced. Even if those parts are no longer under warranty, it’s more affordable to replace them than to buy a whole new grill. You can increase the longevity of your grill by keeping it covered when not in use, and storing it inside during harsh weather. A good gas grill should last a decade or more, provided that you clean it after every use and protect it from the elements. Weber, which makes all three of the grills we currently recommend, guarantees all major parts on our picks for at least 10 years. We can only imagine the crawling and contorting one must do to hook a full tank of liquid propane in that small cabinet.
Adding a few small chips of wood to the charcoal will give your meat a more traditionally smoked flavor. Placing a pan of water underneath the grates where you will be putting your meat will help to catch drippings, keep the meat more moist, and enable the smoke to adhere better to the meat. The SmokeFire EX4 has a 20-pound pellet hopper, as well as a DC-powered engine designed to prevent auger jams. It can even walk you through the grilling process, letting you know when it’s time to flip food—a handy option for novice grillers.
To help you keep the good vibes (and good food) going, we cooked burgers, barbecue, and chicken on seven top-rated grills—and researched dozens more—to find the best. No grill matches its combination of exceptional performance, durability, and value. If you want to use a wood pellet grill, you’ll definitely get great-tasting food, though you’ll have to plan in advance to have pellets on hand.
If you want your grill to last, don’t cheap out on a budget model. But also don’t overpay for extras you won’t use, such as a rotisserie or a side burner. Although this grill can still accommodate a cut-up whole chicken or six to eight burger patties at a time, cooking for a large crowd means standing at the grill for a few hours. We didn’t officially test the Spirit II E-210, but we did test its predecessor, the Weber Spirit E-210 (our former top pick).
Through Bread Pay™, we offer easy and affordable financing options so you can pay for your purchase over time. A full line of flavors to fire up the best tasting grilled meals. Michael Sullivan has been a staff writer on the kitchen team at Wirecutter since 2016. Previously, he was an editor at the International Culinary Center in New York. He has worked in various facets of the food and restaurant industry for over a decade. With its thick, rustproof cast-aluminum firebox, this grill will last for years.
More than a steakhouse and BBQ, Weber chefs are the grilling experts for seafood and vegetable specials as well. The Hess Collection Shirtail Ranches wines are carefully crafted for restaurants. weber bbq A collaboration between Winemaker and Chef,these wines were crafted with food pairing in mind. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy the perfect pairing of Hess wines and Weber grilled cuisine.