Scotch: Current favorite- The Arran (anything by them), Glenmorangie 12yr Lasanta, sherry cask finished. The Balvenie Double Wood, also like Oban 18yr, and The Glenlivet Nadurra (Oloroso sherry cask finished) among others. Neat please.
About meReal name: Aaron
Location: Farwell, Michigan - near Clare (dead center of lower peninsula).
Occupation:
Healthcare- Licensed & Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) at MyMichigan Health, a University of Michigan Health System.
Coming Soon: The Start'NGrill charcoal kettle grill. Thoughts?
I'd love for you to take gander at the new coming-soon Start'NGrill. A pal found it and sent this to me. It has auto/timed electric charcoal ignition. A nifty idea? A time or trouble saver? Or, a solution in search of a problem?
I get it's a non-US production, it kinda made me "home" sick for the time I lived in Europe... but I guess my thoughts are... who preloads their kettle with charcoal? I don't use my charcoal cooker much, but when I do the routine is usually cleaning up the ash a few days after the last cook and loading it up the same day of a cook. I assume this thing is battery powered, which if so cool but how do you charge it how long (and honestly why) does it power USB devices? Why is this better than just using a torch or chimney?
I do really like that very large metal working surface, though I'd prefer it was stainless. The lower storage wire rack looks nice but is limited to the heat zone of the cooker.
Depending on the cost it looks like a very solid competitor to the Weber offerings
It is cheaper than a Weber Performer (Kettle grill with a table), but is it made with cheaper materials? If I had that much trouble lighting charcoal, I'd buy an electric charcoal starter for ~$40 and save the rest.
Currently not impressed, but maybe that is because charcoal is all I have ever used.
Scotch: Current favorite- The Arran (anything by them), Glenmorangie 12yr Lasanta, sherry cask finished. The Balvenie Double Wood, also like Oban 18yr, and The Glenlivet Nadurra (Oloroso sherry cask finished) among others. Neat please.
About meReal name: Aaron
Location: Farwell, Michigan - near Clare (dead center of lower peninsula).
Occupation:
Healthcare- Licensed & Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) at MyMichigan Health, a University of Michigan Health System.
As of now, w/o much time spent perusing and pondering, I lean toward meh. I mean, like IAGTTD above said, who pre-loads their charcoal? I only rarely do it the evening before an early morning cook, so I can go out at 5am and light it real quick with no fuss. I suppose in those cases pushing a button (or using an app) is physically easier, but lighting a starter cube or tumbleweed isn't too hard either.
To me this seems geared toward hot & fast grilling- with the intention of lighting a larger pile of charcoal, and less for low & slow, so early morning wouldn't likely be a thing here. I see no mention of steady low & slow temps.
LSG Adjustable Grill/Smoker, MAK Pellet Grill, Large BGE with Several Attachments from the Ceramic Grill Store, Weber Genesis E335 Gasser, Cast Iron Pans & Griddle, Grill Grates, Mostly Thermoworks Thermometers, Anova SV Stick, BBQ Guru Controller and Fan
It appears to me they are trying to use some of the technology of pellet grills into a charcoal kettle type grill. I've had a pellet grill (and a few others) for about 20 years and like it but not interested in this unit at all.
“Who does not love having some yummy barbecue? But, what about the annoying charcoal ignition? Not only it is annoying in general but also ruins your party while your guests are enjoying their aperitive.”
“So many people we know have stopped barbecuing at all because of this issue. Others shift to Gas and electric options where there is a lesser fuss. However, nothing assures foodies of the unique and authentically yummy BBQ more than cooking on a wood fire. So, is it really possible to enjoy a great BBQ without having to go through all that hassle? Well, there surely is!”
You don’t know how many times I’ve almost quit BBQing because of that annoying process of placing the tumbleweed under my chimney!!! 🙄🙄🙄 Countless times I’ve had guests leave, disgusted, while waiting for the coals to light! When I ask why they’re leaving, the most common answer is…” I was enjoying my aperitive till you had to go and light those damn coals!” ……
This has got to be the stupidest introduction to a product I’ve ever seen…..
Last edited by Panhead John; February 11, 2023, 09:07 AM.
If not cooking outdoors, I am cooking on the stovetop with my 14" carbon steel wok, 12" CI skillet, or in the oven with my two Lodge CI pizza pans, or two dutch ovens. I've also got a nifty Lodge carbon steel grill pan that rocks for veggies outdoors.
This looks like a stripped Performer married with an electric ignition element and a BBQ dragon. No charcoal storage bin, and to be honest, the material looks flimsy - that bottom shelf has very light looking wire.
I think it is a solution to some folks problems, but I'll take the propane ignition on my Performer and/or a chimney over this.
I also wonder who the heck waits until the dinner guests are there to light their charcoal grill?
Not me! I'll have the fire going and ready before even my kids arrive for dinner, much lest real guests, and usually already be cooking and close to done when they arrive. If it's something quick like burgers, I'll have it ready to go on the grill right when they arrive. I will admit that for large crowds these days, I feel like I am gravitating to either low and slow BBQ - butts, brisket, ribs, that cook for many hours in advance, or the flat top (burgers, hibachi, etc).
Playing devil's advocate here, this is a prototype, not a production model. One would hope production models would be on par with similar products out there. And to your other points, I agree, and I'll restate this appears to be for hot & fast grilling which instantly limits it, in my opinion 50% or more.
Comment