The oven alternative

There is just something about the taste of food cooked over a charcoal fire. No - it is not the black edges I am talking about, it is the smoke flavor. Meat tends to just soak up the taste of the mesquite or hickory charcoal.

This Weber One Touch Silver Grill is our alternate oven in the summer. When the temperature is in the 90's outside and the temp inside is around 70 -- who in their right mind wants to turn on an oven and heat up the house? NOT ME!

This grill is big enough to cook hamburgers, hotdogs, brats, steak, or chicken for the whole family. The lid is dome shaped so the smoke and heat stays in. When the coals are spread and lit properly, the grill will cook evenly.

There are adjustable air vents on the lid and down below. The bottom ones are used to control the fire and the top ones are for controlling how much smoke stays in. *** Always use a pot holder or towel when turning the vents!! -- They are hot!! ***

This grill does require some assembly when you buy it. As I recall, I spent about 15 minutes putting mine together. It was not real difficult. Be sure to tighten the screws and bolts about once a month because they have a tendency to work themselves loose.

The grill is very durable and will last quite a while if you take care of it. I suggest putting it inside a shed or covering it when it is not in use. Not only will this keep the wind from blowing it across the yard, it will keep the racks from rusting.

I also suggest cleaning the racks after each use. You don't want anything to start growing on them. About once a week, I dump all the charcoal out of the grill and clean the inside where the charcoal sits. This prevents the vents from clogging and charcoal from piling up on the side.

This is a good, all-around grill for family use at home or in the park.