Lookin’ Ain’t Cookin’ by Kevin Kolman
We have an old saying here at Weber that is considered the golden rule in grilling. If you're lookin', you ain't cookin'. Every griller should live by this mantra and always remember it as a golden rule upon which great grillers are built.
So what does it mean? Simple, keep the lid closed when you are grilling. Grilling with the lid open is a bad habit which is done by amateur grillers. Weber grillers know the key to perfect back yard grilling is keeping the lid closed. Grilling with the lid closed is a very simple tip which many people overlook. If you are looking to raise the level of your grilling abilities this step is essential. By keeping the lid open the grill will lose heat and will cause your foods to be grilled longer. By keeping the lid closed you allow the Weber grill to do what it was designed to do, grill!!! By keeping the heat inside the grill, food will grill faster and be more flavorful.
One major advantage to grilling with the lid closed is controlling flare ups. Weber grills are designed and engineered to eliminate flare ups. This is done by our legendary flavorizer bar system. The flavorizer bars system is the heart of Weber® Gas Grills. A single row of Flavorizer® Bars eliminates annoying flare-ups by vaporizing juices and creating the smoke that gives every meal that barbecue flavor. I can't even tell you how often people ask me how to control flare-ups and how to get better grilling results. Grilling with the lid closed is the best possible way to achieve both. I know is seems very simple but keeping the lid closed is the single best way to grill foods properly and get the best possible grilled results. For the charcoal lovers out there, the genius of a Weber kettle's design is that it allows hot air to circulate throughout the grill. This circulation allows for perfect convection style grilling. By keeping the lid closed throughout the grilling process flare ups are virtually eliminated and food is grilled to perfect.
Again it's important to recognize that Weber grills are designed and engineered to grill your food to perfection. I know it might be difficult at first but one of the most important things you can do is trust your Weber. I promise it will not let you down.
Mar 22, 2012
8:43 AM
Kevin says...
Hi RPerez07,
You are on the right track. Always clean the outside of the lid when the grill is cool. A mild class cleaner like Windex will do a great job restoring the porcelain lid back to its glass finish. Another thing I can recommend is wiping down the inside of the lid when the grill is warm with a soft, damp cloth. This will help remove some of the carbon build up that can happen overtime when you grill. Keep up all the great work and Happy Grilling!!
Mar 22, 2012
8:38 AM
rperez07 says...
Hi Kevin,
Thanks for the suggestions. The only thing I have to clean the outside of this grill is Windex and paper towels. I usually do this after I'm done cooking and once it has cooled down. Once I clean it, I put the cover on it. Is this the recommended approach? Will Windex harm the surface of this E-310?
Thanks again!
Mar 21, 2012
3:18 PM
Kevin says...
Hi RPerez07,
Congrats on the new Weber Genesis E-310! Truly one of my favorites because the performance of this grill is second to none. There are a couple of things you can do to prevent surface rust. One, cover your grill. This reduces salt water that may collect on your tables and stainless surfaces. Two, never use harsh chemicals or SOS pads to clean the tables. Also, always use a microfiber cloth cleaning with the grain. Three, Weber recommends cleaning the outside of your grill every two weeks with a non-toxic, non-abrasive cleaning formulated to use on stainless steel. Remember, try to wipe clean all residue on the tables and if you are noticing a film on the tables, remove that too. Some polishes can discolor under intense heat and make your surfaces look worse, so keep that in mind if you are using a polish. I know this will help keep your grilling looking like new for years to come. Happy Grilling!
Mar 21, 2012
2:32 PM
rperez07 says...
Hi Kevin,
I just bought a Weber Genesis E-310 ... What can I do to prevent the sides from experiencing any rust in them? I have had the grill for about two months and have recently started to see some brownish marks on them, as if rust is starting to kick in. I did get a thick, Veranda BBQ cover so its been well covered since day one. Please advise, thanks!
Jul 27, 2011
9:44 AM
Kevin says...
Hi StoopidMonkey81:
This is a very good question. I always recommend using chips vs. chunks inside a gas grill. The best practice when smoking with a gas grill is either using a Weber smoker box attachment (Weber sells these) or using the drip pan method. When using the drip pan method, you soak the chips in liquid, place them in an aluminum foil pan, cover with foil and place a few holes in the top. Once that is done you can set the drip pan underneath the grates (on top of the Flavorizer bars) and start grilling. Either way will get you the most consistent smoke over time and the best results.
I do though recommend using chunks on a charcoal grill because for the application they work the best. Hope this helps. Let me know how it comes out. Happy Grilling!!-Kevin