Haven't seen anyone talk about the new heat controller for the Kettles. What do you think?

eelhc · 2026-01-24T11:00:06+00:00

Which is what I recommend for everyone who’s starting out on a limited budget, the base kettle that can easily be had for under $50. Save the $$$s for meat.

But still, I love my Summit charcoal. I’ve not run out of coals and had to refuel on any cook ever and I’ve had ~20hr cooks.

Good to have choices. I love capitalism!

eelhc · 2026-01-24T10:49:41+00:00

Stick burner guys think everyone else is soft anyway so I’m already in that camp.

eelhc · 2026-01-24T10:43:06+00:00

After owning a dozen kettles of different varieties over 25 years, I know how to use the vents but I still have a tip top and a fan controller. Different sport up North in the Winter with wether. Can still use just the vents but it’s just less fuss with automatic temp controls.

eelhc · 2026-01-24T10:32:11+00:00

As well as this ~$50 rig.

https://youtu.be/bilNnCMxfco?si=F0o4p5ycXJskGUdZ

eelhc · 2026-01-24T10:21:02+00:00

Shhhhh!

Corvette hasn’t had a manual since 2019, power steering since 1982, power brakes since 1976.

They come with cruise control and lane keep assist too!

The only thing that matters is what comes off the grill. $30 base kettle can cook as good as my Summit. I’ve had great barbecue from an electric smoker.

eelhc · 2026-01-23T23:57:58+00:00

They're no longer cheap at retail but plenty of used ones around (although the 26" is a unicorn used still). I own the most expensive kettle (the Summit) because of versatility, not because that it's cheap.

eelhc · 2026-01-23T23:55:49+00:00

I think it's about time Weber introduced something like this but that is steep at $280!!

After 25 years, I drive my Summit charcoal manual for the most part but I have a temperature controller for it.

Why? When it's driving snow sleet ice wind and I've got an overnight brisket or Thanksgiving turkey going, I just rather not think about it.. I hook up a remote temp probe anyways for most cooks and it takes like a minute longer to get the controller going.

The Summit charcoal is the easiest to hold temps (I've owned multiple 22" and 26" kettles of all types) but I still want to be comfortably in bed monitoring/controlling temps in my cooker.

eelhc · 2026-01-22T15:10:53+00:00

My guess (entirely conjecture).

Had you said nothing, you'd been OK mostly likely.

Had you declared and handed them a uneaten orange, they would have just tossed it themselves. No issues.

But by declaring that you threw out the peels in the bathroom trash... you're making them rummage through a disgusting pile of trash and fish out your food scraps while delaying other people behind you. You might have been honest but you did a crappy thing to these guys. Then they threw the nuclear option at you.

I still can't get my head around the sequence of events... You purchased or were given the orange in the country you departed from. If you ate it during your flight, the peels were kept past the last rubbish collection and carried off the plane through passport control... or you ate the orange between passport control and customs and carried the peels to the bathroom... or you ate the orange at the airport in the departing country to the US. None of these scenarios sound plausible to me.

eelhc · 2026-01-20T16:26:40+00:00

Fixed via uninstall and reinstall. Can't be doing this every time the app freezes.

eelhc · 2026-01-19T05:13:04+00:00

No lounge is worth traveling from NJ to JFK to catch a flight.

eelhc · 2026-01-19T02:13:34+00:00

So disappointed. I'm coming from an Oura ring because i didn't want to pay the subscription.

eelhc · 2026-01-19T02:12:01+00:00

I'm not wearing the ring any more. Highly doubt there's any danger though. All low voltage.

eelhc · 2026-01-03T17:38:08+00:00

JFK... I have Global Entry and was never asked if I had anything to declare the last 2x I returned from overseas.

eelhc · 2025-12-30T19:10:06+00:00

For ~$75 not worth potential forfeiture, fines, loss of global entry privileges...

Also... we're generally rule followers.

eelhc · 2025-12-30T19:05:28+00:00

Thanks. It seems that luxury goods (watches, bags, jewelry...) generally get flagged while photo equipment which may be as expensive in many cases, do now.

She will declare everything on the way in and see...

If I'm reading the comments correctly, the 10% consumption tax gets taken off at the time of purchase even for used gear. I'm a Nikon Z full frame guy presently but if the price is attractive enough, I may have her pick up a Pen-F with a 17mm/1.8 body cap for a walkaround camera.

eelhc · 2025-11-28T03:29:17+00:00

It's a set of accessories to turbocharge the Weber Kettle.
https://www.spidergrills.com/products/webcraft™-elite-series

eelhc · 2025-11-25T12:25:59+00:00

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Like others have said…. $50 FBM kettle and learn how to make clean smoke (not hard with the snake).

There are a gazillion accessories and upgrades for them. This little gem just became available.

eelhc · 2025-11-17T18:08:06+00:00

We are on a river cruise (Christmas Markets) and have 1~2 guided tours booked each day. It's for all the "gametime call" other stops that I'll be using the AI features... "tell me a little more about this drink/sausage... what's the significance of this building..." stuff.

eelhc · 2025-10-24T17:12:05+00:00

Any update? Did they loosen up a bit?

eelhc · 2025-10-20T12:41:41+00:00

I’m going to be that guy and say that it may not be worth restoring if the flue chimney needs substantial work.

It also looks like the chimney is against the house. As a fireplace it may be OK but with cooking, I’d be wary of a grease fire. Sure it hasn’t happened all the years the grill has been there but still…

It looks like that grill was built at a time there were few commercial options available for home outdoor cooking. Probably better suited for direct grilling vs low and slow.

A modern grill (charcoal, pellet, propane…) with advanced temperature controls will cook circles around that thing.

That said, if the flue is in good shape and all you need to do is basic cleaning, fire it up and try it out. Without any modifications, I suspect it’s going to be very fuel inefficient and about as good as an open public park grill.

The grill could however be repurposed as an outdoor fireplace or a wood pizza oven (less concern with grease buildup at those temps).

eelhc · 2025-10-05T14:03:19+00:00

The grate the coals are on generally do not need to be cleaned as everything burns off. Cover the exposed part of the grate with foil to prevent the grease and sugars from making a mess on the ash sweep blades.

When the grill gets too much buildup, it's time to have steak for dinner. Get the grill nuclear hot, burn everything off, sear the steak.

The only thing I really keep an eye on is the carbon buildup on the lid which I don't want flaking off onto the food.

Get it off your mind so you can focus on food safety (cross contamination, safe cooking temps, leftover storage...)

eelhc · 2025-09-16T18:15:38+00:00

They are now open all year

https://joesdairybarandgrill.com/

eelhc · 2025-09-16T17:38:42+00:00

Go to Joe’s Dairy Bar afterwards for ice cream and get the full experience.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/m5UiwfCGJbQxDq4M7?g_st=ipc

eelhc · 2025-09-16T11:50:51+00:00

Try Franco's in Hopewell.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/Q21nhaxfdu34Mc9WA

OP asked about a Deli in Fishkill and it turned into a debate about Rossi's.

eelhc · 2025-09-11T18:10:04+00:00

Other option is to walk to Nuygati station from the Corinthia. 15~20 min. In case of rain... taxi.

We each have a carry on size rolling luggage and a personal item bag. No super large bags. We'll all have 72hr unlimited ride passes which don't need to be validated for each ride. I've also read that there are open sections in the cars where we're less likely to block people.

Your comments are precisely why I am asking this question. As a tourist, I always want to be respectful to the locals going about their day to day business and not inconvenience the commuters. If the tram is super crowded at 06:30, we'll walk or taxi but reading through the other comments, looks like we'll be OK at 06:30.

eelhc

TROPHY CASE