AIR/GAS MIX?

Q I'm about to buy a new BBQ. The Weber sales guy tells me BBQs

with knobs at the front don't allow the gas to mix with air properly resulting

in a weak flame and less heat at the front compared to the back. Coincidently

the Weber knobs are further away from the point of ignition which allows air

to adequately mix and results in more even heat over the entire cooking area.

True? Is it really that important?

Brett

Mona Vale

NSW

A Hello Brett - your answer is yes and no.

Yes he's right about variance from the front to the back of the standard
cast iron burner. But, by the time the flame heats up the diffusing media
(rock/ceramic/metal bars) and then the actual cooking surface (cast iron in
most cases) any variance from the front to the back of the cooking surface
would be slight in most barbys.

And even if you had a barby where the difference in zone temperatures was
more marked, it could work in your favour. An area that always remained
slightly cooler than the main grill area could be handy for cooking more
delicate items such as asparagus spears or eggplant etc.

I think the salesman means that the more even ignition is probably a
significant factor with some Weber barbys because of their design. If you
take a close look at the Weber Genesis, Summit and Flat Top ranges you will
notice there is not a lot of stuff to act as a heat diffuser. The jets heat
up relatively thin 'Flavoriser Bars' and some models feature a stainless
grill surface made up of welded 8mm rods. This arrangement simply cannot
provide the same sort of heat storage/diffusing properties as rock/ceramic
briquettes topped with cast iron plates - that's why the level of flame must
be consistent.

But it does look sexy and is supposed to be easy to clean and would heat up
and cool down much more quickly than the bog standard old backyard four
burner. And, of course, the salesman would get a better commission for
selling you a more expensive barby.

Back in your court, Brett.

Cheers

BBQ Blue

 

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