My Grilling Set-Up – and a Weber giveaway!
My cooking takes a delicious turn in summer, moving from the Simple Bites kitchen to the backyard patio and the charcoal grill.
The patio is shady in the afternoon, and leads onto our sprawling back lawn where the kids play. I love being able to simultaneously grill dinner and jump in on their games, whether we’re tossing a football or slinging a frisbee.
When cooking out of doors, fresh herbs are within reach for meals like Sage-Scented Chicken with Grilled Lemon. The overflowing garden inspires dishes such as Grilled Zucchini Salad with Feta-Mint Dressing and Spinach Salad with Grilled Strawberries, Asparagus and Walnuts.
Today, I’m sharing my charcoal grilling set up and the outdoor kitchen space I frequent from May through October. Be sure to read all the way to the end for a Weber giveaway you won’t want to miss.
My Patio Grilling Set-Up
A Weber charcoal grill and a small outdoor workspace are all I use for grilling up a storm all summer long. I’ve seen those impressive outdoor kitchens, with the built in mini fridge and pizza oven, but I like my simple set-up.
I’ve organized a small outdoor kitchen around a salvaged enamelware sink with a reclaimed barn wood frame (that was a DIY project of summer’s past). It’s a dry sink, meaning it’s not hooked up to plumbing, but it’s still great for washing veg and prep work. Any small table near the barbecue would work, however, so long as you have a place to set your marinades, seasonings and a few tools.
I keep pots of herbs on the sink so I remember to finish my dishes with torn basil or a sprinkling of mint. A few fresh herbs elevates grilled meats and fish, salads and sides, and adds an extra perfume to summer cocktails as well.
All images by Alison Slattery
Cooking with Live Fire
I’ve tried a few different barbecues and gas grills and find that I am truly happiest when I’m cooking over live fire. This must stem from my obsession with campfire cooking.
The charcoal grill is decidedly more domestic than an open campfire, but requires more effort than turning a knob on a gas grill. Personally, I love puttering around a grill and maneuvering the coals to get the right amount of heat.
My grilling equipment:
- Weber Original Kettle Premium charcoal grill 26-inch
- Lump Charcoal
- Weber Rapidfire Chimney Starter (pictured above!)
- Char-Baskets
- Metal bid with lid (for storing charcoal) I use IKEA’s KNODD
- Heat-resistant Grill Mitts
- Tongs
- Grill Brush
Grilling extras: Cedar Planks, Metal Skewers, Basting Brush, Meat Thermometer, Premium Grill Cover. These are nice to have, but not essential.
The Weber Rapidfire Chimney Starter is really what turns up the heat in a short amount of time. It’s designed to quickly produce hot coals for cooking and is where I start the fire every time. Once the edges of the charcoal start to turn white – and the chimney interior glows red hot – I transfer them into the two char baskets to hold the embers.
The chimney also helps me eyeball how much charcoal to use. Filled to the top, it provides enough coals for me to grill an average family meal.
Lump charcoal or briquettes? Hardwood briquettes or Kingsford? This is something you’ll have to play around with to see what you like. Briquettes do burn longer than lump charcoal, but most of the time I am doing a quick grill (boneless chicken, fish, vegetables…) and don’t need much more than 20 minutes of fire.
I use mainly lump charcoal, which gives the food that fantastic clean wood aroma so desirable in live fire grilling.
I won’t get into the two-zone fire, measuring heat, tending the coals or any of the other live fire grilling tips and techniques because this post is just about my tools and equipment. Should you wish to learn more, however, I highly recommend Weber’s Charcoal Grilling: The Art of Cooking with Live Fire.
Grilling is such serious business, apparently! Really, though, if you want to get serious about grilling over charcoal, leave me a comment and ask your questions. If you like to putter in the kitchen, perhaps with a summer canning project or an epic baking bonanza, chances are you’ll also love perfecting the art of grilling.
Chicken kebabs, fresh Quebec corn, garden vegetables, and yes, even a wheel of Brie – throw it all on the grill and cook up a feast. Serve this with a pitcher of sangria or my raspberry rhubarb party punch and you’re all set.
The best part of life-fire grilling? When it’s over and we are sitting down around the table with friends, passing platters heaped with simple grilled food. For me, this is the highlight of summertime living. Psst! Watch for a few of these recipes to come soon to this space! Trust me, I wouldn’t leave you without the recipe for those grilled chicken and peach kebabs.
GRILL GIVEAWAY!
Thanks to my friends at Weber Canada I have an amazing giveaway today for my Canadian readers.
** This giveaway has ended. Congratulations to Cynthia G of Victoria, BC. A bit thanks to all who entered.**
One Canadian will win a Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill 22″! It’s exactly what I use, just a wee bit smaller (I rock the 26″) and you are going to love this beauty!
Guess what? The winner may pick the colour of the grill – choose between copper, green, crimson and black – and then it will be shipped straight to your door.
To Enter: Leave a comment on this post and tell me what is your favourite grilled meal to enjoy during the summer months.
Giveaway ends Tuesday, July 17 at 12PM EST. Winner will be selected at random and announced here on this post.. Giveaway is open to Canadian residents only.
Good luck to all!
I love when DH grills steak or steak kabobs.
My favorite is pork tenderloin or lamb, any kind!!
Your sight Rocks. I love grilled Vegetables; the flavors burst. Chicken also….wait I Love everything grilled.
Kabobs of any kind with a side of halloumi and pineapple spears!
I love the flavour of grilled pizza with fresh tomatoe sauce
Chicken kebabs with oregano , lemon and salt…. Greek style and of coarse bbq roasted potatoes!
How simply you treat the vegetables is inspiring! Can’t wait for the recipe for the chicken kebabs!
we are meat lovers…so any meat really but just got into grilling stone fruit. Peaches and Plums get such a great flavor over charcoal.
Steak and shrimp with grilled corn on the cob
I’ve been considering a smoker so that I can make a beef brisket more often, but I think this barbecue would be a better investment. Thanks for sharing! Along with a slow-and-low saucy brisket, I LOVE roasted corn on the cob.
Oh I just love your enamel sink ! You are so clever.
We adore grilled corn – in the husk and (sorry to be so traditional) a big old steak with lots of fat grilled rare and sliced. That does us for dinner, sandwiches for lunch and salad for dinner the following night. The dogs get treats too.
Keep up your lovely posts and cookbooks. They are much enjoyed
Fresh sardines are our favourite on the bbq! After washing them we salt them ahead of time, and then grill them till they are very well done and somewhat charred on the outside. The traditional accompaniments are boiled potatoes and kale or collards. Delicious.
I love everything grilled and smoked! Starting with a good kabob and veggies and ending with grilled fruit!
How awesome! My favorite thing to make on the grill is any type of chicken + roasted veg kabobs!
I love grilled salmon and asparagus!
We found really delicious Italian chicken sausages that are great on the grill, served with sweet onions and banana peppers grilled in packets, marinara sauce & toasted rolls. Cheese is an optional but wonderful addition. Thanks for the giveaway!
Filet of rainbow trout with veggie kebob and mixed salad
Cooking outside is my favourite! And grilled veggies are the best 🙂
I love making chicken and sweet potatoes on the grill
Everything BBQ’d is better, but steak, potatoes, onions and mushrooms makes the perfect meal! Grilling brie, what a great idea!
We love grilling chicken, burgers or salmon!
I make a recipe I have called Sticky Apricot Chicken. Don’t have a grill right now so have to settle for a cast iron
I love to grill vegetables that are in season and then some fresh salmon!
Summer is the season for all things grilled and I live for grilled and well spiced meat with fresh vegetables grilled or in a salad or both.
Love a good flank steak with chimichurri sauce on summer night!
I love grilled Veggies ,the flavors are amazing, Thai salmon, artesian pizza ,chicken , steak , shrimp…. burgers. Aggghhh. I love everything grilled.
Lamb burgers and harissa
Oh I love smoked grilled pork back ribs and grilled veggies. Thanks for the chance.
My fave meal has to be brochettes and grilled veggies! Delish on a hot summer night!
Chicken or beef kabobs are my favourite go to summer meals. Even better when you have fresh garden zucchini and other veggies to go with it. Yum!
Chicken kabobs with sweet peppers and pineapple! Yum!
A nice leg of lamb with some Mexican street corn is at the top of my list
I love to grill a slab of watermelon that I then cube up and add to an arugula salad with a balsamic dressing, yum!
Salmon on a cedar plank! YUM!!!
I love grilling sliced potatoes and onions in a foil packet…. Thanks for the great giveaway!
My husband is a wonderful cook and he is a master on the grill. His favourite thing to grill is ribs. Your photo of the grilled brie and veggies has me positively drooling! That is a must do this weekend! Thank you for the inspiration!
Yogurt-marinated chicken and truly whatever veg I have on hand (everything tastes better grilled).. always finished off with halloumi and peach skewers! Gonna head straight to the market now… thanks for the inspiration and the chance to win!
Flank steak, zucchini, and asparagus.
My favourite meal is grilled lettuce with zucchini! In the summer I feel like all I want to eat is veggies! I worked hard to grow them, and all winter I miss them, so why not.
Best lettuce to grill is romaine. Yarm yarm.
I love a good grilled striploin! Also, chicken kabobs with veggies and halloumi cheese is great too! We love grilling all year but it’s so much fun in the summer
We love cooking from the BBQ25 book when we have time for a really special feast, but I love the smell of corn-on-the-cob and the taste of grilled zucchini! Pick me! Pick me! 🙂
chicken and corn on the cob and zucchini and pineapple !
My favourite thing to grill is pork souvlaki!! Greek night is a fave at our house and served with salad and lots of tzatzki is the only way to go!
I love any kind of grilled fish with a side of grilled veggies such as zucchini, asparagus and onions.
Pork and lamb souvlaki are our family’s favourites. I love grilled veggies too, asparagus, mushrooms… Yum
I love grilling ,and especially your suggestions !Thanks.
Our new favourite to grill is the pork tenderloin with mojo from your new cookbook!
Wow, what a fantastic post and opportunity! Thanks for the rundown on your set up. Our preference here is grilled kebobs, always making sure they have cherry tomatoes! I also love grilled onions and buns for burgers!
I love to grill chicken!
Grilled zucchini is a must for the bbq!
While on vacation this past winter, we spent a day visiting my son’s friend in Melbourne, Australia. They treatec us with the most delious bbq on his “Webber”! He loves his “Webber”! And I would love to win this fantastic prize!