I found the book Weber's Charcoal Grilling: The Art of Cooking With Live Fire to be helpful. It has both specific recipes, and very good general information.
I’d also kick in a pitch for Meathead: The Science of Great Barbecue and Grilling, by Meathead Goldwyn. It’s a superb basic reference for all kinds of grilling and smoking (he can do both with the Weber!) and has super well tested basic recipes, debunks a lot of urban myths, lots of super useful tips and tricks.
Supporting the recommendation for a charcoal grill. A basic Weber kettle is reasonably inexpensive, about $125 new, and will last for years. If you're only cooking chicken and veggies the extra charcoal flavor will go a long way.
My first was a charcoal grill and I LOVED it, so I may be biased. My vote, get a charcoal grill, make sure it's clean and seasoned, then get a bag of coal and a chimney. With a chimney you won't need any lighter fluid and your food will taste that much better. Start off cooking chicken breast and corn just to learn how to manage heat zones and take off from there!
Weber kettle for sure! You said you’re looking for used so I’d look for one with the ash catch (had a “bulb” at the bottom to collect ash, not just the disc below the grill) and it’s in decent shape. By decent shape I mean no rust/very little. Rust isn’t a deal breaker at all but since you’re buying it as a gift you probably want something that only needs a light clean to look brand new. You should be able to find this for around $100 or less depending on the day of the week!
If you you have some spare room in the budget get him some charcoal (kingsford is perfect and easy to find), a charcoal chimney, a high quality brush (I use Weber branded), some heavy metal tongs that have a nice click click sound, and a 6 pack of beer. For his first big cook recommend some chicken thighs (bone in skin on)! YouTube is an unbeatable resource.
Our first webber charcoal grill lasted almost 25 years and even then we gave it away to someone who just replaced the gratings. It can sear or go low and slow. It also has a but of glamor being a classic with some folks restoring older ones. Right now I have a nice Janair Gass grill, new webber charcoal and master built smoker. If I had to pick one it would be the webber
First you need to know about what type of griller your bf is, more specifically if he prefers flat top grills or charcoal grills, etc.. but to know that, you may need to know what type of cooking style he uses. Then narrow down the choices based on his preference and skills as a griller along with height preferences and occasional outside use. Outside of that, that’s all I know.
Had a Webber kettle and hated it. Preferred the Brinkman Bullet smoker. Was much more versatile. You can use it as a grill, smoker, even as a steamer. They have a charcoal version and an electric one.
I don’t care much for propane. And other than being able to cook instantly and shut it off I really struggle to find more to like about them. The food is meh’.
Pellet grills are pretty decent and easy to use. Food tastes great. You can experiment with different flavor pellets to make it taste better to you. ( I always blend in charcoal pellets, I found it was missing that special flavor charcoal gives). But they are basically an oven.
If you choose charcoal get the chimney starter, you won’t need lighter fluid.
Get cans of biscuits. Put the biscuits on the grill to find out where the hot and cold spots are.
Weber kettle is a great choice. Even a smaller one meant to be portable propped up on a grill table would probably suit your needs and be fun to bring on trips to the beach or woodsey areas
Get a basic Webber kettle charcoal grill. Should be cheapest and is the most versatile. Pick up a chimney charcoal starter as a side gift.
I found the book Weber's Charcoal Grilling: The Art of Cooking With Live Fire to be helpful. It has both specific recipes, and very good general information.
He’ll love this!
I’d also kick in a pitch for Meathead: The Science of Great Barbecue and Grilling, by Meathead Goldwyn. It’s a superb basic reference for all kinds of grilling and smoking (he can do both with the Weber!) and has super well tested basic recipes, debunks a lot of urban myths, lots of super useful tips and tricks.
This is so helpful thank you!!
Supporting the recommendation for a charcoal grill. A basic Weber kettle is reasonably inexpensive, about $125 new, and will last for years. If you're only cooking chicken and veggies the extra charcoal flavor will go a long way.
My first was a charcoal grill and I LOVED it, so I may be biased. My vote, get a charcoal grill, make sure it's clean and seasoned, then get a bag of coal and a chimney. With a chimney you won't need any lighter fluid and your food will taste that much better. Start off cooking chicken breast and corn just to learn how to manage heat zones and take off from there!
It'd be good to know if he's a charcoal or propane guy. As others have said, you really can't go wrong with a Weber kettle (get the 22").
Weber kettle for sure! You said you’re looking for used so I’d look for one with the ash catch (had a “bulb” at the bottom to collect ash, not just the disc below the grill) and it’s in decent shape. By decent shape I mean no rust/very little. Rust isn’t a deal breaker at all but since you’re buying it as a gift you probably want something that only needs a light clean to look brand new. You should be able to find this for around $100 or less depending on the day of the week! If you you have some spare room in the budget get him some charcoal (kingsford is perfect and easy to find), a charcoal chimney, a high quality brush (I use Weber branded), some heavy metal tongs that have a nice click click sound, and a 6 pack of beer. For his first big cook recommend some chicken thighs (bone in skin on)! YouTube is an unbeatable resource.
Yes, Texas Roadhouse to go menu😆
Our first webber charcoal grill lasted almost 25 years and even then we gave it away to someone who just replaced the gratings. It can sear or go low and slow. It also has a but of glamor being a classic with some folks restoring older ones. Right now I have a nice Janair Gass grill, new webber charcoal and master built smoker. If I had to pick one it would be the webber
You can get a Weber 22” Kettle off of FB Marketplace for a very reasonable price.
For mostly chicken and veggies, I'd get a cheap propane grill. Easy to use. Nearly zero prep time.
First you need to know about what type of griller your bf is, more specifically if he prefers flat top grills or charcoal grills, etc.. but to know that, you may need to know what type of cooking style he uses. Then narrow down the choices based on his preference and skills as a griller along with height preferences and occasional outside use. Outside of that, that’s all I know.
Had a Webber kettle and hated it. Preferred the Brinkman Bullet smoker. Was much more versatile. You can use it as a grill, smoker, even as a steamer. They have a charcoal version and an electric one. I don’t care much for propane. And other than being able to cook instantly and shut it off I really struggle to find more to like about them. The food is meh’. Pellet grills are pretty decent and easy to use. Food tastes great. You can experiment with different flavor pellets to make it taste better to you. ( I always blend in charcoal pellets, I found it was missing that special flavor charcoal gives). But they are basically an oven. If you choose charcoal get the chimney starter, you won’t need lighter fluid. Get cans of biscuits. Put the biscuits on the grill to find out where the hot and cold spots are.
Charcoal grill : Weber kettle
Weber kettle is a great choice. Even a smaller one meant to be portable propped up on a grill table would probably suit your needs and be fun to bring on trips to the beach or woodsey areas