What to cook on my first Weber?

[pitdaddy0904]

Recently was given a free COS from a friend and had my first solo bbq experience (all the other times I was the "sous-chef" to my dad). Smoked some baby backs (came out o.k. for a first try),some brats, and hot dogs (the brats were a hit). Needless to say after that experience I was completely hooked and I'm nothing if not a man who does his research, so I bought a weber kettle premium model (master touch was sold out everywhere near me) and I'm seasoning the grill as we speak. After spending a cumulative 12 or so hours reading every article I could get my hands on at amazingribs.com, I think I have all the necessary tools and at least some of the knowledge to really get cooking. All that being said, I've reached a point where I'm just overwhelmed with all of the things I've learned and the things that I need to learn from practice. All this in mind my big million dollar question is what should I grill?? Everyone says pork butt is the way to go but my old lady is a bit picky and isn't too keen on it (although I could probably sway her if I really tried). I'd prefer to make some steaks, but even then I don't know which steaks I should get! I have a Costco nearby, so I have large cuts at a reasonable price at my disposal. I'd prefer to smoke something, but I'm certainly not opposed to plain old grilling. Thanks to everyone in advance, I'm really looking forward to being a part of this community, yall seem like a real good bunch.

[Red Man]

You could reverse sear some thick steaks or just keep flipping thinner steaks over the coals. The type of steak doesn’t matter, just use your preferred cut or experiment to find your preferred cut.

[Red Man]

If you want to smoke something you could do a small roast or a chicken.

[barelfly]

Welcome, from the Land of Enchantment!

steaks would be great. I’d highly suggest a tri tip - not a long cook and lets you do a mid-temp style cook at 250-275, then get the coals hot for a sear. Tri tips are great and are usually a hit with everyone you serve!

get to know how the cooker works a few times before you do a long cook. Start with steak or tri tip, then some chicken, then some ribs, then the longer cooks. Once you understand how the cooker reacts to vent adjustments and such, as well as starting your charcoal, you will be set up for some great cooks!

regardless, enjoy that new cooker! And show us some pics too!

[Richard Chrz]

I’d break in a new Weber with some hot dogs or burgers, just in the spirit of a cook out.

[HawkerXP]

+1

[Mosca]

Decided to say the same. First thing I thought was burgers. Burgers on the kettle are more complicated than you think, but still can’t be fu… screwed up. It’s a heat management thing, learning the distance/coal volume equation.

[Panhead John]

Congratulations Pit Daddy and welcome to The Pit! I like your enthusiasm and eagerness to learn. Don’t let all the info. overwhelm you though. There’s enough friendly and helpful people here, you’ll be cooking like a true pitmaster in no time. You made an excellent decision on getting a kettle grill, I think everyone here will agree, it’s probably the most versatile cooker out there. You can grill or slow smoke like a pro, with the right accessories. Do you have an SnS insert for it yet, or a vortex? While you don’t have to have an SnS for smoking, it makes the job easier and can help produce some great cooks. The Vortex is another accessory that’ll turn out some of the best and crispiest chicken wings you’ve had…..among other things it can do is put a great sear on steaks and chops etc.

My advice would be to grill a few things first, burgers and dogs, steaks, pork chops…something easy. This will help you with learning your kettle a little bit before doing longer cooks. Just another little tip here, buy wood chunks for help with some smoke….don’t get wood chips, they burn up way too fast. Congrats on your new kettle and keep us posted, with pics, on your first cook!

[Bad Hat BBQ]

I would start by cooking things your wife/girlfriend LIKES and then start branching off from there....BBQ and outdoor cooking does not always need to be un-healthy. There are great options for poultry, fish and veggies.

[Purc]

Welcome to The Pit from Texas. Congrats on the Weber Kettle. I'm on my second kettle in 45 +years of grilling and smoking. You can do almost anything on your kettle. Just set up the coals and grill to do what you want. Thick steaks with a reverse sear or flip, flip, etc method. I love Tri Tips smoked then reverse seared with the SnS attachment but you can just set up 2 zone cooking or low and slow/smoking with your charcoal arrangement. Regardless, have fun. Trial and error is part of the experience. I also have the Vortex and Cajun Bandit rotisserie accessories for the kettle. And yes, start off on what she wants!

[smokenoob]

Welcome to the pit! I say start simple. There is a lot going on. Figure out getting the right amount of coals and starting the coals in the chimney, putting the coals in the weber. Oh heck, where do I put the chimney when it’s red hot getting everything together, go simple put some burgers and dogs on there and smile about your success!

[barelfly]

Ha! Your avatar…double take, especially when FireMan posts after you

[FireMan]

Just sayin, don’t wanna influence you to much, but I think ya oughta do a half side of Bison, yessir. Welcome, eat good & have fun!

[smokenoob]

Which side?

[Smilner]

Steak/shrimp/veggie kabobs sound good today

[RonB]

What others have said - something you know your wife likes.

You said you want to smoke something. Does your wife like beef? How about a chuck roast? It cooks the same way a butt cooks, but it's a shorter cook. Pulled beef sammies are great.

How about chicken? If you spatchcock a chicken, you can build your fire on one side of your Kettle, and place the chicken on the other side. Keep your pit temp above 350°. If you are using the dome thermometer, try to keep the temp above 400°.

How about pork? Chops hot and fast are always good, or a pork loin seared and then finished away from direct heat is also mighty good.

Once you decide, start a new topic in the appropriate subject if ya need help.

[Angryfish]

Congratulations and welcome to the pit.
You may not know it yet, but you have entered into a wonderful world of vast possibilities.
Why, anything is possible, including making the wife happy. (good luck)
A lot of decisions will be made along the way.
Papa always said “Good decisions come from experience, and experience comes from bad decisions.”
Don’t sweat it too much. Have some fun, make some mistakes and learn along the way.
Get the basics down, practice until you can’t make a mistake, then push yourself to do something epic and ascend to a new level of confidence.

Ken

[RichieB]

Welcome from Western Massachusetts. I would start off simple by grilling something. An easy cook thats can include some smoke. A thick steak at least 1.5" or better. RibEye works but any cut as long as it's thick. You need a reliable digital meat thermometer too. Here's the recipe below. You can find it on the free side. This is my preference for doing steak on the Kettle. Good luck and remember, no pictures, it didn't happen.

https://amazingribs.com/tested-recipes/beef-and-bison-recipes/how-grill-better-steakhouse-steaks-recipe/

[Donw]

Welcome from Maryland. My son just got his first kettle. After a brief consultation with dad his first grill was a tri-tip. His family loved it. Not sure where you are located and if tri-tips are easily available. For a second choice some nice grilled pork chops are always a hit around here.