Weber BBQ Techniques

This method is best suited to smaller cuts.

Think steaks, chops and burgers.
Food that takes less than 20 minutes.
High heat for quick cooking.
Consider foods that you would cook on the hob in your kitchen.
Fully open the lid and bowl vents.
Spread glowing briquettes evenly over the charcoal grate.
Put in the cooking grate.
Place food on the grate directly above the hot coals.

If the barbecue is burning too hot, close the lid vent slightly.

This method is best suited to larger cuts.
Which needs to be cooked slower.
Roasts, whole chickens, ribs, bread & cakes, etc.
Open the lid and bowl vents.
Arrange glowing briquettes on each side of the charcoal grate.
Use fuel holders if you have them.
Pour a little water into a large drip tray.
Place between the glowing briquettes.
Replace the cooking grate. 
Put your food on the grate directly above the drip tray.

If the barbecue is burning too hot, close the lid vent slightly.

Also called Sear & Slide
This method allows you to sear foods directly over the hot coals.
Then slide over to cook through slowly.
50/50 is great for small thick cuts like chicken breasts.
Use for a spatchcock chicken and sausages.
Open the lid and bowl vents fully.
Position glowing briquettes to one side of the grate.
Pour a little water into a drip tray. 
Place on the other side.
Replace the cooking grate. 
Place food on the grate directly above the coals.
After searing; place the food above the drip tray.

If the barbecue is burning too hot, close the lid vent slightly.

For small cuts & food that takes less than 20 minutes to cook.
Light all the burners.
Turn up to full heat.
Allow the barbecue to pre-heat for 5 to 10 minutes.
Place the food on the cooking grate directly above the lit burners.

Using this method, the barbecue works like a fan-assisted oven.Great for roasts, bread & cakes.
Light all the burners and turn up to full heat.
Allow the barbecue to pre-heat for 5 to 10 minutes.
Switch off the middle burner(s). 
Arrange food above the un-lit burner(s).
Turn the other burners down to medium, to lower the temperature. 
Close the lid.

50/50 allows you to cook directly & indirectly at the same time.
Light all the burners and turn up to full heat. 
Allow the barbecue to pre-heat for 5 to 10 minutes.
Switch off the middle and right or left hand burners.
Sear food over the lit burner (direct heat). 
Then move over to the unlit area (in-direct heat).
Keep the lid closed as much as possible.

Switch the burner(s) on full.
Pre-heat the barbecue for 5 minutes with the lid down.
Arrange food on the cooking grate directly over the burners. 
Close the lid.

Switch the burner(s) on full.
Pre-heat the barbecue for 5 minutes with the lid down. 
Turn the outer burner down to low.
Turn off the middle burner (Q3200 only).
Place the food in the centre of the cooking grate. 
Close the lid.

Use a roasting shield & rack when roasting on Q models.
This helps prevent burning the underside of the food.