Think of all the time we spend grooming and maintaining our backyards – decks, patios and hardscaping as well as lawns and gardens. What is the point? To party, of course! The backyard is where we barbecue in the warm months, and sometimes even in the cold. As the temperature drops in many parts of the country, some people retreat indoors with a pot of soup. But intrepid grillers refuse to let frosty weather dampen their enthusiasm and are always looking for the best BBQ tips. I fall into that camp. I’ve barbecued ribs when it was 20 below zero. And I expect my grill to be hardy enough to meet the challenge.
That’s why I was excited to tour the factory where the famous Weber charcoal kettle grill is manufactured. (Though it was a media event, photography wasn’t permitted.) The ambiance was honest, gritty and decidedly low-tech – lots of people operating large, dangerous-looking metalworking machines. It was certainly a fitting setting for manufacturing the grilling tools used for such a primal form of food preparation. But it was also clear that Weber and its employees take great care and pride in creating the products that enhance millions of backyards. Seeing these people work sparked a renewed appreciation for the art and craft of cooking over fire.
The editors and writers attending the Weber Media Event sampled unique (and tasty) recipes at Weber’s Grilling Academy.
In addition to the factory tour, Weber also introduced its new 2013 grills and accessories that we’ll be covering in an upcoming issue of HANDY. In the meantime, check out the Weber Grills Web site for the current product lineup and some amazing grill and BBQ recipes, such as this All-American Steakburger.
Weber All-American Steakburger Recipe
Whether you’re a partisan of charcoal or gas (personally, I think you need both), remember that our forbearers weren’t fair-weather chefs; they had to get out and grill regardless of the weather. So try making a barbecue one of your winter DIY projects. And one parting tip: Stay close to your grill to keep the chill off.
Have you got a favorite grill recipe? Share it wil us in the comments section below.