These are going for $329 new and ~$150 second hand.
Unfortunately my wife has some crazy idea that there is such a thing as too many BBQs so I won't be getting one
Some people were able to price match at Masters when this was on a couple of years ago so worth a try if you don't have membership.
I have spoken to a solicitor who has confirmed this is grounds for divorce. Given her unreasonable towards life's essentials (like multiple bbqs), I'll be getting the house and kids!
For camping I prefer to cook over a campfire. More natural experience (not much fun sitting around a Weber at the end of the night) and leaves more room for beer in the car.
My wife also thinks there is such thing as too much sex, tv and beer.
Surely she just means all at the same time?
Is this limited to one store?
Dunno, I'm new to Costco and didn't consider it would be store specific.
Saw this at Auburn (NSW) yesterday.
can anyone speak from experience on how this compares with the Jumbuck Charcoal kettle from bunnings?
Yes, the jumbuck kettle is flimsier, thinner steel and feels a lot more cheaply made
I've had both, don't waste you money on the jumbuck. It's utter crap, mine lasted about 8 months till I had burned through it. Webber is fine after 3 years
Thicker steel, better quality enamel. I believe the screws on the cheaper bunnings barbies aren't stainless so you'll see rust streaks coming out of the holes. The Weber barbecues my family has owned have lasted at least a decade with no breakage or indication that any parts will need to be replaced any time soon. Take note of the broken barbecues on the front lawns during hard trash collection day - most of them tend to be the cheap bunnings ones.
Yep, i've used a couple of the cheap ones. Didn't last more than a few years. @simulacrum's comments are spot on.
However, I bought the first one for 25 and the second one for 40. So cost wise, I'm still ahead after 6 years. BUT for many of those years, I was NOT happy with the state of the BBQ.
i was able to get masters to price match late last year. masters price was around $329, and they beat it by 10% as per their price guarantee, but after some back and forth conversations. Masters staff didnt know what was going on, but store manager approved it
Thanks OP. I've been waiting for this for a while.
For me, it is the wife who wants this BBQ. I was content with my Gas burner but not her…
charcoal for entertaining, gas for daily cookups
Charcoal is too annoying otherwise for daily cooks
If my charcoal BBQs weren't stored in the garage they'd get used much more than gas.
Cook indirect and sear at the end…you'll never go back. Even if you slowly get the meat up to temp in the oven and sear over coals it's worth it.
Close the vents when you're done and left over coals can be used next cook.
If you're having trouble lighting coals then get a decent chimney.
Never use self lighting coals for cooking…your food will taste like kero
I would have agreed before I got a chimney starter. Now starting the coals takes me 2 minutes, then I leave it alone for 20 minutes and by the time I'm back they're ashed over and ready to go.
Honestly it's worth the few minutes. I light the charcoal when I pull meat out of the fridge. It's fully lit before the meat has come to room temp ready for cooking. The flavour is incomparable. Get your hands on some fruit wood pruning (apple, pear, plum, apricot, etc) to throw on the coals when you cook with indirect heat with the lid on. Your taste buds will thank you.
Google "reverse sear" as the cool kids are calling it now.
Definitely get a charcoal chimney. Speeds the whole process up dramatically.
We also have a high-pressure wok burner at home. Light's a chimney full of coals in only a few minutes when I'm in a rush.
once you go charcoal, you'll never go back to gas. can recommend this barbie. nice find mate
Once you go black you never go back?
Did they have any good charcoal or accessories in stock to go with this? I have been eyeing off some of the Weber accessories and tools but they are mighty expensive.
Agreed, good deal on the kettle BBQ but it's the Weber accessories that always get you.
I felt it was the other way around - can find discounts on Weber accessories as eBay sales, Good Guys sales etc, but never see the Weber themselves on sale. I've been hoping to see the Baby Q with the higher lid on sale, but nada! I could've bought a garage full of trolleys, plates and scrapers by now though
Not much in the way of accessories. They sell Kingsford briquetes which have a big following in the US but not cheap at $35 for 17kg. Can't imagine they're THAT much better than Heat Beads but haven't tried them so couldn't say
They have a nice liking Kamado too but at $1K it couldn't really be called an accessory.
What accessories do you need for a kettle that would be worth buying genuine? Don't get me wrong, Weber make sensational gear but it's difficult to justify the cost of their accessories over here.
None of the accessories are probably worth buying genuine, I just like the look of them. I like their chimney and heat proof gloves (they are super overpriced and I am being sucked into the Weber brand). I am sure you can buy a cheaper alternative - just not sure about which other brands are decent quality.
How much are Heat Beads normally? Looks like Bunnings have 16kg for $24 so about $1.50 a kg. The Kingsfords you mentioned worked out to about $2 a kg. Unless you go through a lot I don't think the price difference is too much to worry about.
From what I've seen that's pretty standard price for Heat Beads but can be had cheaper on special.
Does depend on how much you use. 50c/kg is still 33% dearer but I'm keen to try them out.
great deal, but not sure I need this after getting the akorn from Bunnings earlier this year
Was waiting for Masters to go on sale, but damn this price is hard to beat. Gonna go pick one up tonight!
Hi all, i got one of these last year or the year before from costco..although its a great price.. keep in mind that its usa sourced and not aus stock. There are some differences.. costco one does not have the thermometer in the lid.. does not have the small door in the grill to access coal while still cooking.. i think also did not come with some accesories that the aus model came with.. because of this bunnings for example did not do a price match.. surprised masters did.
Bunnings sell webers?
Have never seen Bunnings sell Weber bbqs…
But if what you're saying is true, that's a bit of a bummer.
great info here, saved me the time of being disappointed rocking up there and seeing it didnt have the thermostat :(
Can easily buy a temperature gauge off ebay, drill a hole in the lid and mount. I'm about to do this on a weber kettle that I found left out for garbage collection, just waiting for the temperature gauge to arrive in the mail.
Let us know how you go
Thanks OP. I changed my mind because it is missing parts that are crucial to me.
Stock thermometer isn't very accurate, better of getting a Maverick thermometer off ebay with the money saved. The grill "doors" are however a nice to have
Got one from Costco Docklands. This is a great deal imo. The stock thermometers are unreliable anyway so who cares. Better off getting an igrill for the money you save" http://www.amazon.com/iDevices-IGR0001P5-iGrill-Mini/dp/B00I…
Would someone be so kind as to show the differences between the Costco and the Australian stock variant? What exactly is missing?
Was hoping for more detail…
That guys post tells you everything that is missing wtf..
Not 100% but the display model at Auburn was missing the charcoal holders. Not sure if they were just not unpacked? The AUS model has a temp gauge. Also I believe that the AUS model has rapid fire charcoal grate. This was not on the US model that Costco source.
Not selling in Adelaide :-(
None in Ringwood either… :/
Nil stock crossroads NSW
OMG…. Seriously, there is no such thing as 'too many bbqs' - just all the more toys to cook with.
Just as there is no such thing as, too many Dinner Sets, Coffee Cups, Coffee Makers, Wine Glasses, and tea pots.
Yes, I confess now - I have a slight penchant for all of the above!
I was successful getting Masters to price match! The store manager realised the model numbers were different, then rang someone to discuss. To my surprise they said they would still price match but no extra 10% cause the AU model had extra features. Either way for the AU model for $199 i wasn't going to argue. It was the Masters in Penrith and i got the last one on display.
Any chance you could upload a copy of your receipt with your details blacked out, as when I attempted to do the same an uppity manager said if I couldn't prove Costco were selling it at that pice he wasn't going to do it. Picture of the deal wasn't enough because it wasn't dated.
Try another time for a different manager (or try another Masters), play dumb and be polite and friendly. Take an uppity manager as a challenge rather than an obstacle.
The deflection technique of the deal not being dated should have only slowed you down, not ended the negotiation. If the manager won't call Costco then whip out your phone and do it yourself. They'll confirm current pricing and you'll be in a stronger position.
Did I mention to be friendly and polite.
Hey Ozbragain
All great tips most of which I tried, they claimed it wouldn't matter if I called costco as they would need something "physical" to send back to head office. I guess it was late in the shift and he wasn't feeling particularly giving.
Nearest masters isn't so easy to get to so if possible I would like to come better armed if they are feeling unhelpful. Rather than wasting another trip.
Photo or phone call on their own may not be enough but together they're fairly solid evidence of competitor's pricing.
A more valid concern would be the Costco membership fee or that your local Costco isn't stocking the item.
Good luck.
None in Costco Moorabbin
too many BBQs??? Put her on so we can neg her.
These are a great little unit. especially for camping.