April 6, 2016 is a day that I will never forget. First, my brother turned 24 that day, but it happens every year, unlike the 2nd event that happened that day. Indeed, on April 6, 2016, it was more than 60 years after revolutionizing the world of BBQ by inventing the charcoal BBQ that we know today, that Weber revolutionized the world of Kamado BBQ by launching a masterpiece of technology: The Weber Summit Charcoal.
Let's start from the beginning, there are several ways to BBQ and while they are all great, some are more popular than others for several reasons. The "Kamado" type generally consists of a charcoal BBQ designed to maintain extremely stable heat whether at high or low temperatures. Most Kamados are made of ceramic and while some companies have tried to make them with other materials, to date nothing has equaled ceramic.
This is where Weber came in, this company probably powerful enough to buy all the ceramic Kamado factories and companies and have them made in their name. But Weber doesn't do that, they innovate. This is after several years of studies, tests and probably all kinds of questions about why get into this industry when you already control almost all the markets for other types of BBQ. The answer is simple: they specialize in steel and not ceramic, they are known for having revolutionized the charcoal BBQ, gas BBQ, electric BBQ and portable BBQ and even their Smokey Mountain smokers have an undisputed reputation so why not continue in this direction? In addition, although ceramic BBQs are very efficient, some features could be improved.
I still remember 6 months before the launch, the Weber representative contacted me to come and present me an exclusive revolutionary product. Being a bit overloaded, I offered him a virtual meeting but there was no way he was going to risk spreading the product images on the internet. A face-to-face meeting was mandatory.
I quickly changed my schedule because a revolutionary product is good, but when it's Weber who announces it to you, you know it's going to be a revolutionary product! The next day, he was in my kitchen with his computer and I was ready to see and hear what the future would bring us...
A charcoal BBQ, of a perfect size (24'' grill), equipped with a propane igniter like the Performer, the possibility of putting a heat diffuser to transform it into a smoker, sturdy stainless steel grills, the incredible air circulation control system and "One-Touch" cleaning system, the main grill equipped with the "Gourmet" system which allows you to use a pizza pan, a cast iron grill for searing, a wok, a chicken holder on a can, a plancha, a Korean grill and even a waffle iron for incomparable versatility and especially the possibility of putting the charcoal on 2 different heights to sear a steak at 2000 degrees or cook a brisket at 225 degrees for 12 hours... all that was really good but a tank and a lid designed with 2 walls to create an air chamber which allows this BBQ to have one of the best insulators available: air.
Indeed, although ceramic is an excellent insulator, the way the Weber Summit was designed and engineered also makes it efficient on the insulating side. The inside of the lid acts as a reflector and repels heat instead of absorbing it, plus the insulated air chamber in the lid heats up and creates an incredible barrier for heat which makes the BBQ so efficient.
I still remember the morning the BBQ arrived at our Laval store, the rest of the order was still being unloaded from the truck but I was assembling my new toy and in less than an hour, the whole team was all fired up, ready to see the result that would come out of it. I was very confident but I must admit that the bar was high to compete against the already available and very popular ceramic Kamado. In less than 10 minutes, I experienced my first disappointment... the thermometer did not indicate more than 600 degrees F, but the BBQ had exceeded this temperature and by far!
Of course I wasn't really disappointed because when the needle goes around the BBQ, you know it's hot! First test: Successful!
Now, we had to know what it does at low temperatures. Weber's One-Touch system is incredible, practical, easy to use and efficient, as you know, even with a $149 Kettle, you can manage to keep a low temperature for hours. However, with the Summit's insulation, the same amount of air could keep the temperature too high in the BBQ and thus make it less efficient for fans of long cooking. Everything was planned and in the control of this BBQ, there is a "smoker" section that reduces the air intake by more than half compared to regular models.
And it works!
So airtight that after cooking, you close the air inlet and outlet and the charcoal goes out very quickly. It can even be reused for the next meal. Our record: 3 different cookings with the same charcoal. I even saw a test on Youtube where the columnist tested the length of time the BBQ would keep its heat stable at around 225-250 degrees F; result: 50 hours, 35 minutes and 19 seconds.... and this even with strong winds and despite the fact that the BBQ was opened every 6 hours to check if there was still charcoal left... You won't have to cook anything for 50 hours, but this test proves the incredible performance that this BBQ has.
I was lucky enough to work almost 7/7 from 10 to 16 hours a day when our Laval branch opened, so I took the opportunity to cook just about anything on this BBQ. I also took BBQ classes regularly on the Summit Charcoal and the ease of raising and lowering the temperature to cook different foods is unique to Weber. Its weight is also a considerable advantage when you have to move it. Having had to move ceramic Kamados hundreds of times, I must admit that my love for these BBQs has diminished over time.
Since our Laval team no longer needs my services full-time, I no longer have access to my favorite BBQ as often as before. Not having the space to add the Summit to my patio (I already have "a few" BBQs on my patio), I had given up on the opportunity to have this BBQ at home and I took advantage of every event I was at to have it near me and have fun with it. However, after writing this article and now having more outdoor space, I can tell you that I am going to get one right away and that you will be able to follow my adventures with my new favorite toy!
PS: When you buy a Weber Summit Charcoal, you will get a recipe book dedicated to this BBQ sent directly to your home by Weber, I tell you, this BBQ is a complete experience that will change your life forever.
Thank you Weber and continue changing the world 1 BBQ at a time!
And it works!
So airtight that after cooking, you close the air inlet and outlet and the charcoal goes out very quickly. It can even be reused for the next meal. Our record: 3 different cookings with the same charcoal. I even saw a test on Youtube where the columnist tested the length of time the BBQ would keep its heat stable at around 225-250 degrees F; result: 50 hours, 35 minutes and 19 seconds.... and this even with strong winds and despite the fact that the BBQ was opened every 6 hours to check if there was still charcoal left... You won't have to cook anything for 50 hours, but this test proves the incredible performance that this BBQ has.
I was lucky enough to work almost 7/7 from 10 to 16 hours a day when our Laval branch opened, so I took the opportunity to cook just about anything on this BBQ. I also took BBQ classes regularly on the Summit Charcoal and the ease of raising and lowering the temperature to cook different foods is unique to Weber. Its weight is also a considerable advantage when you have to move it. Having had to move ceramic Kamados hundreds of times, I must admit that my love for these BBQs has diminished over time.
Since our Laval team no longer needs my services full-time, I no longer have access to my favorite BBQ as often as before. Not having the space to add the Summit to my patio (I already have "a few" BBQs on my patio), I had given up on the opportunity to have this BBQ at home and I took advantage of every event I was at to have it near me and have fun with it. However, after writing this article and now having more outdoor space, I can tell you that I am going to get one right away and that you will be able to follow my adventures with my new favorite toy!
PS: When you buy a Weber Summit Charcoal, you will get a recipe book dedicated to this BBQ sent directly to your home by Weber, I tell you, this BBQ is a complete experience that will change your life forever.