Weber's Big Book of Grilling Reviews

• We Refer To This Book As "The Bible"!

  
  By A2GOTY2STOMEAU on 2004-07-20
  The first time I tasted grilled food, many years before Weber existed, I remember wondering why all meat was not cooked over charcoal. As I got older, I started grilling a bit but the recipes were the staples: burgers, steaks and chicken.
  
  Then I purchased a Weber charcoal kettle, which came with some neat, out of the ordinary recipes. I started experimenting, and branched out into growing fresh herbs to season the food. There are now four Weber grills on my deck, including the little "Smokey Joe", for little projects and The Summit gas grille for the big ones.
  
  As a result of a couple of major cooking projects I did for the neighborhood, I was given this book. I didn't know whether it was a thank you, or a subtle way of saying that my cooking needed improvement. What a horizon expanding book it is! If there is anything outside its covers that is needed to teach the novice or improve the good cook, I don't know what it is.
  
  Recipes? Yep, and not a single loser out of 350. Grilling advice? Yep, everything from buying to using to maintaining your grill. There's a section on the uses of fresh herbs, including reduction formulas for the use of store bought seasoning. There are explanations as to why fresh ground black pepper and Kosher salt are preferred.
  
  I have used this book exhaustively since I got it, and have given it as gifts to many, many friends, all of whom are as enthusiastic about it as I am. Simply put, if grilling means burning meat to you, save your money. But if you enjoy the looks of friends and family when you place a truly outstanding meal on the table, get this book.
  
  Cooking seems to intimidate some guys. I don't know why. But Weber's book takes the fear out of cooking, and after a couple of successes, generates a bit of enthusiasm for the next time, both for the cook and the eaters.
  
  

• Big Followup to His First Grilled Effort

  
  By A1OX82JPAQLL60 on 2001-05-17
  There must of been many of us who used Purviance's first effort "Weber's Art of the Grill" because here comes its successor.

  Big describes the difference. Quality recipes, photos and grilling basic advice are all here, but now more of it. Also, more informal recipes I'm discovering which probably will allow its usage more than just the occasional weekend bbq blast.

  So far, pigged out on Greek Garlic Chicken, Disappearing Tenderloins with Pico de Gallo, Grilling A Monster Fish, plus great side dishes of veggies and grilled fruits and desserts.

  Worthy to become a classic standard! Next to my Weber all the time!
  
  

• 100X better than the first book (and that's saying A LOT!)

  
  By A1Q1ASMHWEXME6 on 2003-09-13
  I can't say enough about this Weber book. I purchased this one, and the first one ("Art of the Grill") at the same time, fully expecting to like the first one more. Well, as it turns out, the Big Book of Grilling has been used upon every single grill day (at least 3 days/week) as apposed to the other one, which has only been used a few times.

  The Art of the Grill (the first book) contains some very involved recipes that are very tasty, but not any of the practical cooking tips. The Big Book of Grilling, however, highlights the following:
  * Tips on what to look for when selecting the best cuts of meat at the grocer/butcher.
  * Explaining cooking tips such as when to use direct heat vs. indirect heat cooking, and how to make those cross-grill marks on your steak!
  * A wide variety of homemade marinade recipes.
  * Helpful charts at the end of the book which you can quickly reference when you quickly need to know how long to cook something no matter if it's a porterhouse steak or even a bunch of asparagus.
  * Great side stories, like how to cook enough ham sandwiches for the town of Peoria, IL.

  Just overall, this book has been a godsend when it comes to my grill. I have an older Weber 3-burner model that allows me to easily switch from direct to indirect heating, but the book also compensates for the charcoal users out there. I highly recommend this book to anyone who needs a book full of great grilling ideas and suggestions, or who at least needs a great grilling reference book.
  
  

• Happily Surprised

  
  By on 2001-06-20
  I was a bit skeptical when I saw that Weber was putting out a grilling cookbook. However, even though they promote thier products, the recipes are plentiful and fantastic. I also liked the instructions on how to use the grill one currently owns with simple instructions for novices like myself. Look past the Weber promotion if it bothers you and dig right into the "meat" of the book. The photos are quite appealing and summer is too short to pass this book up!
  
  

• "On The Web!"

  
  By A2UYLBB3MTL4AB on 2001-06-12
  Weber's Big Book of Grilling

  I got so involved in the book, I had to buy another. The arrangement is great-if you don't start with condiments, a rub, a marinade, a sauce, you're wasting a good fire. The assortment and explanations are prodigious, and the commentary is fun. This is a droll friend who just happens to be a great grill chef taking the novice and the "chef d'backyard cuisine" alike along a path of hot coals to a satisfying feast. Lots of Asian and Mexican influence, and fish is treated with familiarity, not like an afterthought. While I don't understand the photo on page 165, the photography like the commentary, feeds the soul as well as the body-- the dog stealing a steak--adds to the family, friends, fun essence of cookouts---the memory-searing seasoning that lasts long after you've licked your fingers clean. Wonderful Father's Day, birthday, hostess or Holiday gift. Turkey or a prime rib on the grill not only tastes great, it frees up the kitchen and gets the guys involved. This book gets you involved.
  
  

• Well-done? Well written!
  By A1JWODBHDWKA42 on 2001-06-14
  What a fun cookbook! Just expecting a few good grilling ideas and some Weber history, I first opened this book to the words "Are you still using lighter fluid? Say it ain't so. . . ." and I was hooked. This tome is packed with sumptuous pictures of everything from Cheesy Onion Quiche (yes, you can GRILL it!) to Teriyaki Mahi Mahi with Mango Salsa. The recipes are tantalizing--but what really sets this cookbook apart is the snappy patter that accompanies the standard instructions. McRae, apparently the writer of the team, has peppered the text with barbecue history, anecdotes, and quotations that make reading half the fun of cooking. The directions--for example, preparing a rib roast--seem eloquently simple and are illustrated with drawings to reinforce your confidence. It's the chatter that I appreciate, however: "And then there's the precocious debutante of the poultry world, the Cornish game hen, which nowadays is neither Cornish nor game." Lots of enticing info you can relate to your guests as you serve up your next barbecue.
  
  
• Average - Sorry Folks!
  By A3NEW1OQL95R23 on 2005-06-16
  I've been grilling seriously now for some time and this book is just average compared to any of Raichlen's books (BBQU) AND I'd say that it would only make an ok companion to his books in your BBQ library.
  
  I knew I'd have issues with this book right off the bat for two reasons that strike right to their credibility...1) gas and charcoal cooking are NOT equal...I have both...but I use gas only for hot dogs or quick items not needing complexity...charcoal and/or a smoker will blow away any gas grill when it comes to taste and how flexible you can be with taste...Weber has a stake in continuing the status quo because they make more $$ selling their gas grills but the superior cooking using charcoal is beginning to be recognized once again...while gas grills sell more...the sales of lump charcoal and charcoal gear has jumped an amazing amount as peope rediscover why charcoal rules the barbecue cooking competitions...not gas...
  
  2) When I look back on the pulled pork sandwich section and see a statement that says "here's strong evidence for North Carolina's claim to being America's 'BBQ Capital'" that came along with two recipes for pulled pork that used a vinegar based sauce I just had to chuckle...my wife is from MEMPHIS...and I've had Memphis, Texas, KC, AND Carolina BBQ and while they are all good in their own right...the order for BBQ taste and national preference as judged in taste tests goes like this...Memphis, Texas, KC, and well behind is Carolina...(KC and TX sometimes swap)...to not include a Memphis style pulled pork BBQ recipe with mustard based slaw topping and to proclaim that Carolina BBQ tops all the others is like not including U.S.'s NFL football in a book on football...focussing on European tackle football (a minor league brand) and then claiming that its World Bowl champion supports Europe's claim to being the football capital of the world!
  
  But I ramble...in short, this isn't the best by far...its basic info. is sparse and often not accurate or it's biased (see above)...you can find better on the web...its recipes look fine and the two I tried were decent...but for a Q-lover and smoker like me they may take it a bit far (what is up with the focus on lamb lately?!)...
  
  I recommend looking at the more realistic and neutral Raichlen's books first...pick this one up if you find it on the bargain rack. (See the Publisher's Weekly review in the item description - it makes part of my case as well...guess I'm a "purist"!)
  
  
• A Ton of Tasty Recipes from the Grilling Guru
  By ASY921MYGXB8U on 2001-05-16
  Chef Purviance has excelled once again. The appropriately named "Big Book" is so deliciously written and beautifully photographed that with the addition of a few dollops of one of Purviance's tasty marinades it too might taste pretty good. But before you start gnawing on the pages of this opus to outdoor cooking, try a few of the recipes. You'll find, as I have, that not only are each of Chef Purviance's creative masterpieces relatively easy to prepare, but that they can be paired to create multi-course meals from appetizers to dessert. The range of toothsome delights in the Big Book not only includes every conceivable food group, but also reflects the culinary traditions of dozens of grill-crazy cultures. Equipped only with my Weber, the Big Book and a few choice ingredients, I intend to conduct a chef's tour of the world this summer, without leaving my backyard. Hail to Chef Purviance and the folks at Weber.
  
  
• Big fat book!
  By AD72MO98VOZB8 on 2002-08-05
  This is an all-around great cook book with nice big pictures, and error free recipes. I've tried several already, and they've all turned out great. I didn't believe I could get good tasting ribs from only 2 hours of cooking, but it really worked.

  The only complaint I have is that I was looking for a standard, straightforward bbq book, and for the most part this is just that, however, certain recipes seem to veer off into the "exotic" realm. I'll use Steven Raichlen's BBQ Bible for crazy exotic BBQ.

  But I guess I can't really complain. The Kansas City Ribs recipe is excellent, and Weber gives great advice on grilling and grilling techniques. Good thing I own a Weber grill.

  A great book to have in your library.
  
  

• Jam-Packed Grilling Guide
  By A4B2S1K33QC47 on 2001-08-27
  From appetizers right through to desserts, you can go grill-crazy with this book absolutely jam-packed with recipes. How to's on barbecuing everything from the traditional beef, lamb and poultry to the less common rabbit, turkey and buffalo. Marinades and sauces are also included because, let's face it, a good piece of grilled meat just isn't complete if it's not smothered with a tasty sauce. So, get out the Weber and dive into this book. There are enough fantastic recipes for a barbecue a day to last a whole year, with some left over for next year.
  
  
• Another Great Book by Weber
  By on 2002-07-11
  I got a Weber Summit grill two years ago, then I went out looking for cookbooks, since I never had owned a grill before and had no idea what to do or where to start. Some cookbooks are strictly for charcoal grills; other cookbooks just didn't have the right kind of directions. It seems like some authors out there don't want to recognize the existence of gas grills. I really like the convenience of a gas grill. I discovered the Art of the Grill cookbook and it had the kind of directions I needed and understood. The recipes in that book are great. The salmon is a snap because you cook it on a sheet of foil, so it's easy, delicious and no cleanup. Even the strawberry pie was wonderful.
  Then along came this latest book. It's even better with lots more recipes and great instructions. I hate grill books that don't have clear instructions on the heat you need, among other things. I have made the stuffed veal chops several times and the sea bass and the simple pork chops that you just marinate for 30 minutes. Vegetables are also easy to grill, and I think they always taste better grilled. The recipes always come out as promised. I have no been disappointed, and I am anxious to try many more recipes that I know will turn out. This is the ultimate grill cookbook.
  
  
• Poem for a Grilling Book
  By A3FVAWZNKW9GX on 2002-06-04
  Roses are red
  just like my meat.
  I grilled some today,
  with a sauce ever-so-sweet.

  The Weber Big Book
  has all that is tasty,
  enticing and spicy
  so go buy and be hasty!

  Whether you like it saucy,
  or covered with rub,
  the recipes and methods
  will improve all your grub.

  Grilling is thrilling,
  as no doubt you do know,
  but Jamie P's methods,
  are the best in the show.

  The Big Book has got it,
  fish, bird, and game,
  and let me assure you,
  your beef won't be the same.

  Now get out and buy this,
  I fully do say,
  just a couple of bucks
  is all that you'll pay.

  Anthony Trendl
  
  

• THE grilling cookbook
  By AVB1JPIVJMP4E on 2002-06-28
  Weber's BIG BOOK of Grilling is out of this world!! I purchased this book along with Weber's Art of The Grill and while they are both great I would pick this one over "Art" for an all around grilling cookbook. This was a VERY well thought out book, it is easy to find what you are looking for and offers great advice for beginners to grilling. It is broken down into food "groups" and then delves into each group with a nice assortment of recipes. The best thing about grilling with an actual Weber grill and using this cookbook is that if you follow the recipe you can't go wrong. It truly can take you from the "You burned the burgers Again!!" to "Wow these are great burgers". I really could go on and on about this book but I won't, just trust me and purchase it, you will not regret it.
  
  
• Lets try for 30 stars!!!!!!
  By A2OZSAE2XGJS53 on 2004-07-31
  The best bbq book I have every had the joy of using (and I have lots of them). Try out the Grilled Asparagus with Tarragon Butter on Page 341. Wow - also the crab cakes - need I go on? The explanations regarding direct and indirect grilling methods are concise and well thought out - I bought one and have more on order for others - enjoy and buy!!!!
  
  
• Weber's Big Book of Grilling
  By on 2001-04-03
  The folks at Weber have poured their years of experience into this masterful compendium of grilling. What truly sets this grilling cookbook apart is that in addition to hundreds of tasty recipes, it masterfully tells the highly entertaining story of Weber's involvement with, and passion for, the grill. Savor the recipes, but read the book. If you weren't a Weber fan before, you will be now.
  
  
• Great marinades - Beautifully organized book
  By on 2001-04-23
  Let me start off by saying that I intended to gift this book to my husband who is one of the few men I know who doesn't (yet) know the grill. Instead I hoarded it, and only passed it on to him after a thorough review. It is so well organized and user friendly. It's a breeze to use. The graphics and photos are terrific, and the retro pictures of the early days of grilling are a kick. I especially enjoyed the recipe for grilling roasted peppers on page 329. Overall a great book. Now I have to get it out of the clutches of my husband.
  
  
• Get Ready to Gain Weight!
  By on 2001-05-14
  This is perhaps the best grill cookbook to come along in a very long time! Follow the recipes exactly and the results are consistently excellent. We'll definitely have to start trying the vegetable recipes some time soon so that we don't completely blimp-out. Easy to find ingredients, wonderful illustrations, fire up the grill!
  
  
• The Worlds Best Grilling Book
  By on 2002-10-02
  If you like to grill - and by that I mean charcoal, not that sissy gas stuff - this is the book for you. The recipes are fantastic, page after page. And not just meat, fish, and chicken. But vegetables! Try the asparagus with tarragon butter. So easy and tasty, you'll never simply steam asparagus again. And deserts and appetizers and, and, and...

  In addition to the great recipes, there are all sorts of hints about grilling, techniques, temperatures, timing and so on. Very useful. I discovered from this book that you can get a hinged cooking grate so that when cooking something requiring additional coals, like a Thanksgiving turkey, you can evenly add coals instead of dropping them through the small standard grill face holes. It's wonderful! Sure, the book could be considered a promotion for Weber and its products. But who cares! After all, they are The King of Grilling, aren't they? The recipes and other information are terrific.
  
  

• Absolutely No-Fail Grilling Everytime!
  By A3URP06DYT92S2 on 2003-01-08
  This book is an absolute must for anyone looking for great grilling techniques & recipes! I am an avid cook & have tried dozens of recipes out of this cookbook - everyone was a hit. Although we don't have a Weber grill, the times & temperatures listed in each recipe guarantees success. You won't be disappointed....
  
  
• Become a GrillMaster!
  By A2EZ4UWHIXXN9N on 2001-07-11
  Being an avid cookbook collector who actually reads and trys out the recipes, I rank this book along with "How to Grill" by Steven Raichlen the two Grilling Bibles every cook should own!

  My family has experienced a dozen different recipes over the last month and they are clamoring for more! Every one has been a winner and the recipes have taken my reputation as a cook to an all time new and higher standard. Easy to follow instructions and photos as well as explaining the "why you do it this way" will enable cooks to experiment with their own creations with insured success.
  
  

• A fantastic book, all around
  By on 2001-07-24
  Publisher's Weekly above has got it all wrong. Yes, the cookbook might mention Weber grills peripherally as it relates its wonderfully well-written anecdotes and stories, but the fact of the matter is that the people at Weber are the best in the world at what they do, and they do only one thing: grill. I own a number of grill books, including the popular and oft-sited ones by Steve Raichlen, and thus far I've found this to be superior in every way. True, I've only had it for a few months. But the stories and writing alone make it worth the (very low) cover price. In fact, not two weeks ago I had to stop cooking, sit my girlfriend down and have her read a particular entry. The writing was intelligent, witty, and overall stronger than much of what I come across in literature today. A great book, on many levels. (Being a giant Weber fan in general, I may be a teeny bit biased, but I swear you won't be disappointed if you buy this book...)
  
  
• Great Grilling Book
  By A10EEPCU4SZO06 on 2001-09-12
  This is the best book on grilling I have seen in a long time-excellent recipes including those for all kinds of mixtures for flavorings. If you own a Weber grill you are in for a treat and even if you don't it is a great book to own. I have tried most of these and all are excellent. My Weber grill out beat all my relatives grills hands down. The only thing I wish it had is a spiral binding so it would lay flat.
  
  
• A Delicious Read!
  By A1605B6OPF5DVG on 2002-03-23
  Although we (my husband and I) have been grilling for over 30 years, we realized that our techniques could use some improvement. This book makes good grilling easy. If you can read and follow simple directions, you can be a grill master. We keep our book near the grill so we can refer to it to check what heat to use, how long to cook, etc. If you want to grill and enjoy your food, buy this book!
  
  
• Webers Big Book of Grilling
  By on 2003-09-29
  Being new to the art of grilling I have found this book to be helpful in every way. From explaining why certain cuts of meat are best for the grill to different grilling methods, I have learned more from this one book than any other resource regarding grilling. Every recipe I have tried has been a hit. Everyone I know is getting this for Christmas!
  
  
• Love my Weber grill, love this book!
  By ACL0T7X1THPAV on 2004-06-16
  I got a new bar-b-que grill last Fall and have been experimenting. It's a Weber Genesis Silver B grill and I love it! So far I have grilled lamb on it for Easter, strip steaks with garlic butter, chicken halves with a dry-rub spice mixture, hamburgers of course, and last night we grilled some marinated skirt steaks for my favorite Mexican food: fajitas! Mmm...
  
  So, this review is about a book that I bought this Spring in conjunction with the new grill called Weber's Big Book of Grilling. I thought I knew how to grill meat before -- it's easy, right? Just slap the chicken or burgers or steak on the hot grill and cook 'til you think it's done. That's OK for your average schmo who's satisfied with burnt-raw chicken or hockey-puck burgers. But there is an "art" to grilling foods if you want to do it right. And this book certainly explains how to do it right.
  
  Selecting the best meat is certainly near the top of the list. I bought some cheap strip steaks on sale at a local market and followed the book's instructions on how to grill them right. They looked and smelled delicious - but were as tough as shoeleather. Now I learned that you generally get what you pay for -- good quality meat costs more. Last night's skirt steaks (USDA Choice, this time!), marinated in a lime juice, oil and herb mixture for a day (OK, I cheated and added some Tequila that wasn't in the recipe!), grilled on direct high heat for only about 6 minutes, made the best fajitas I have had - rivaling some of the best ones I've had at restaurants. The marinade recipe, how to prepare and grill the meat, even a recipe for pico de gallo -- they're all in the book.
  
  I learned through the book how to cook hickory-smoked pork ribs, slowly by indirect heat, on the gas grill. The tangy "basting/dipping sauce" recipe they include with the grilling instructions is excellent -- I never would have thought of any of that on my own.
  
  There is good information about how to select meats (all kinds: beef, pork, poultry, fish), how to prepare them, recipes for sauces and marinades, even sections on grilling vegetables and desserts! The writing is easy to follow, with a sense of humor throughout. There are also some entertaining stories about the origins of Weber and grilling.
  
  Get yourself a good grill, get this book, select top-quality meat, use kosher salt and fresh ground pepper, pour your beer into an iced lager glass, and you're in business!
  
  
• Enter the grilling world from here
  By A3FHE4EYPFSATH on 2004-07-10
  Most grill cook books does not have the detail of this book. I learned to grill with this book two month age. It tells me all the details I need to know. Everyone who tasted my food can't believe I can cook such great food. I have to say that I owe it all to this book. I have since tried 10 recipes from this book. All came out great. I did not have any problem following the directions.
  If you just start to grill, this is the ONE to get. If you are expreienced this can also be a great reference book.
  
  
• Best cookbook I have ever had!!!!
  By A1ZV5XKYA0BOEK on 2001-09-24
  I got a grill for a wedding present, and when I bought this book, my wife has not been able to pry me away from the grill! Everything I have tried from this book has been outstanding. My friends say I've become quite a gourmet. My wife says she will never cook again, which is no great loss.
  
  
• Best culinary gift ever!
  By on 2004-05-03
  I got this as a gift two years ago, and continually find great ideas and great new recipes whenever I open it up. The grilling tips are very useful, not just gimmicks (70/30 salmon grilling method, trussing a chicken, grilling pizza, etc) and the recipes are superb. This should be required reading for anyone who aspires to cooking more than hot dogs and burgers. Delicious!
  
  
• My favorite grilling book
  By A2ZPL1FPLYHQNR on 2007-03-19
  Excellent variety of recipes ensures you won't get bored. Recipes are well written, easy to follow and results are impressive. If you have a Weber, the cooking times are right on (can't say for other mfgrs). Lots of tips, info and diagrams on cuts of meat and how-to's on prep - you can learn alot about grill technique from this book. No nutritional info with recipes. Full color pictures will make your mouth water. Also rounds out the entrees with sections on sides, salads and desserts - you can create your whole menu from this book.
  
  
• A brave new world
  By on 2001-06-05
  An new way of cooking on the grill has changed our life. Formerly a mayo and mustard slap- and- dash school of grilling we now understand that grilled food does not equal burned, scorched fare. We are converts to the subtleties of great marinades and glorious recipes that Jamie Purviance has provided. The art of grilling is easily understood and attained. Try it! We're sold ... and so is every one we invite for to chow down with us.
  
  

• Weber 18600 3-Piece Stainless-Steel Barbecue Tool Set

• Weber's Real Grilling
• How to Grill: The Complete Illustrated Book of Barbecue Techniques
• Weber's Charcoal Grilling: The Art of Cooking With Live Fire
• Weber's Art of the Grill: Recipes for Outdoor Living
• Barbecue! Bible : Sauces, Rubs, and Marinades, Bastes, Butters, and Glazes