Morning BabyQ Rehab

[Cody Bratton]

As some of you know, my 23 year old wants (now, not the last 10 years when I’d offered), to learn how to grill. So I figured I’d give her her first grill, and at your guys recommendations, I settled on the Q100 - or BabyQ. This morning I decided it was time. In about 2 1/2 hours I got it all done. As I’m not wanting to go full rehab on something she’s probably going to abuse the crap out of.

Being she’s young and new to grills, I will be ordering the SS grates for it because the originals are porcelain coated cast iron and already chipping, and I know she doesn’t have the maintenance and upkeep mentality for CI.

Now I’m headed home to decide if I want to start another actual rehab, or just a clean and flip.

Cheers

 

[LMichaels]

Great idea except for the stainless grates. On the surface they look and sound like a great idea. But be aware the grate design of a Q is integral and vital to it's proper operation. Due to the dispersal characteristics of the cast in place "heat shields" over the burner(s) and these also being integral to not just shielding the burners but actually dispersing heat properly throughout the surface of the grate

 

[Jim Weber]

You haven't been following any of the discussions on the Q grates have you.... The Qs are MEANT to have the heavy CI grates to cook properly --- the burner actually heats the grates and the grates are what do the cooking instead of the heat of the burners.... Just clean those up and season them or get a new set of CIs if you feel like it. Put a thermometer on it so there is at least some indication of what is going on in the grill.

 

[Jim Weber]

Doh --- LM beat me to it.....

I've been using my Q 2200 almost exclusively now for the past 2-3 weeks --- I LOVE it! But I'm still learning how to use it properly.... I'm finding that you let it heat to ~400-450 (425ish seems to be the sweet spot) and put the food on and just let it go for a while - rotate 90 degrees for the same time for some killer grill marks - flip and repeat. Burgers are AWESOME! - chicken I'm still working on the timing..... brats were a failure - split and leaked cheese everywhere/uneven cooking - going back to smoking for 2 hours for them.

 

[Cody Bratton]

That’s what I was going to ask. Anyone have a thermometer recommendation?! I’m aware of the grates and the cooking with the Q. I’m just nervous about them going to from lack of use/upkeep.

 

[Jim Weber]

Its surprising that the REAL Weber one is so cheap --- right on par with the cheapest knockoffs....

Amazon.com

May as well get one that says 'Weber' at that price. You may have to cut the locating tab (easy) or drill the hole for locating (harder).

It would be wise to teach her that there is NEVER a reason to take the grill over 450 --- the grates hold so much heat that its just silly to do - and by doing so you are only burning off the grease that keeps the grates from rusting. The grill does NOT react quick to turning the burner down/off so its best not to get it too hot.

I've been finding that I'm cooking with the gas valve ~1/4-1/3 open most of the time and it still pushes 450....

 

[LMichaels]

That’s what I was going to ask. Anyone have a thermometer recommendation?! I’m aware of the grates and the cooking with the Q. I’m just nervous about them going to from lack of use/upkeep.

Well it will either be the grates or the burner as those SS ones don't properly shield the burner. And it will not cook properly as intended. I have bought these twice. https://www.amazon.com/Uniflasy-Cooking-Grates-Weber-Q1000/dp/B07PNNYKXZ?tag=tvwb-20 and quite honestly they're so cheap, just toss them once a year and call it a day. And I compared them side by side in every way I could and could not tell them apart from OEM

 

[Cody Bratton]

Its surprising that the REAL Weber one is so cheap --- right on par with the cheapest knockoffs....

Amazon.com

...

that one should fit flush, shouldn’t it? there’s just no bezel.

Well it will either be the grates or the burner as those SS ones don't properly shield the burner. And it will not cook properly as intended. I have bought these twice. https://www.amazon.com/Uniflasy-Cooking-Grates-Weber-Q1000/dp/B07PNNYKXZ?tag=tvwb-20 and quite honestly they're so cheap, just toss them once a year and call it a day. And I compared them side by side in every way I could and could not tell them apart from OEM

This is the set I’m looking at. I did see a set of coated grates with a new burner tube. I haven’t fired it up yet to see how the flame looks. That could also affect my decision

 

[Jim Weber]

It won't be 'flush' but should sit flat against lid.... best and only option really.
You may have to figure out hole sizing so it looks right - may require a washer or two on the back also. I haven't done one myself yet - but wouldn't hesitate to add one ---- it sucks looking at a grill and wondering 'Is it hot yet? How hot is it?'.

 

[Cody Bratton]

I’m the same. Regardless of temp accuracy it also can tell you if you’re out of gas.

One side isn’t liking to light. I blew it out really well. So I’m wondering if I’ve got some plugged holes. The burners aren’t horrible so she may be getting a new burner & grate set.

 

[Jim Weber]

I've been fighting similar problems with my 2200 burner --- decent looking burner that seems to plug easily or sections that have trouble lighting...... I went thru it the other day with a pic into each hole, but not sure how effective that was --- I'm gonna go dig for a small brad nail and cut the head off and chuck it in the drill and hit all the holes next --- THAT should be fun.....

 

[LMichaels]

that one should fit flush, shouldn’t it? there’s just no bezel.


This is the set I’m looking at. I did see a set of coated grates with a new burner tube. I haven’t fired it up yet to see how the flame looks. That could also affect my decision

That is the product that really IMO is not to the task. Yeah it keeps the food off the burner but nothing more really

 

[Samuel]

I would get her new burners, but that is just me.

 

[LMichaels]

Too bad I didn't know you wanted a Q while you were here. I have that Q220 in the back garage in great shape and actually quite clean (good burner and grate paint in good shape) I'd have been happy to cut some kind of deal with ya. I was gonna keep it for me but since getting the Ninja honestly don't have use for the Q anymore.

 

[Cody Bratton]

Too bad I didn't know you wanted a Q while you were here. I have that Q220 in the back garage in great shape and actually quite clean (good burner and grate paint in good shape) I'd have been happy to cut some kind of deal with ya. I was gonna keep it for me but since getting the Ninja honestly don't have use for the Q anymore.

I appreciate that, but this is one of two that I have. The other is the bigger with the foldable tables that I’ll likely hang on to. Being so many of you guys love these things! I’ll have to find out for myself someday!

I’m going to wait out until prime days, hold off on SS and buy a grate/burner kit for it. Here she is on a cart I found during junk days.

I think it’ll be a great little unit for a kid’s first grill.

 

[LMichaels]

I appreciate that, but this is one of two that I have. The other is the bigger with the foldable tables that I’ll likely hang on to. Being so many of you guys love these things! I’ll have to find out for myself someday!

I’m going to wait out until prime days, hold off on SS and buy a grate/burner kit for it. Here she is on a cart I found during junk days.

I think it’ll be a great little unit for a kid’s first grill.

Hey a Q200 was my oldest daughter's first grill while she was in college in Chicago at UI Circle. I found a guy selling it on CL, he lived near Streeterville and was kind enough to take it to her, set it up, instruct her how to work it while he was visiting a friend in the area. I didn't even have to drive down there. I simply wired her the $$$, she paid him, he'd cleaned it up and everything for her. She still has it. It's the OG Q200 before it was even called a 200 it was called a BigQ IIRC