Frequently Asked Questions
Weber Flame Safeguard Device
What is a flame safeguard device?
A flame safeguard device is designed to stop the flow of gas to an appliance in the case that the gas flame goes out – for example, if the flame is blown out in windy conditions.
Can I connect my Weber gas barbecue to the piping or gas supply of my caravan or boat?
To comply with the updates to the Australian and New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 5263.1.7:2020 (Gas appliances: Domestic outdoor gas cooking appliances), you should not connect a gas cooking appliance to your caravan or boat if:
- it was manufactured post recertification and carries a permanent marking stating “Do not install in, or connect to consumer piping or gas supply system of a boat or caravan” (printed on data label on Weber barbecues); and
- It does not have a flame safeguard device fitted.
If your Weber gas barbecue does not have the permanent marking on the data label, stating “Do not install in, or connect to consumer piping or gas supply system of a boat or caravan,” it was manufactured prior to recertification. The updates to the standard are not retrospective, so do not apply to these barbecues. For further information, please refer to this NewsFlash from the Australian Gas Association.
We recommend you contact your caravan’s insurance company and review your policy’s Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) if you have any questions regarding your policy’s inclusions.
Can I use my Weber gas barbecue connected directly to an LP gas bottle alongside my caravan?
Yes, the updates to the Australian and New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 5263.1.7:2020 (Gas appliances: Domestic outdoor gas cooking appliances) do not apply to barbecues connected directly to an LP gas bottle.
When will Weber’s flame safeguard device be available?
Our innovative flame safeguard device for the Weber Baby Q has been reviewed and accepted by all Australian State and New Zealand Gas Regulators and is in the final stages of certification. It will be launched later in 2023.
When it’s made available, can it be retrofitted to a Weber Baby Q?
Yes. It will be available as a retrofittable device to suit both newly purchased ‘out-of-the-box’ Weber Baby Q barbecues and in-market Weber Baby Qs (Q1000 and Q1200).
Will new Weber Baby Q’s be available to purchase with the flame failure device already fitted?
No. It will only be available as a retrofittable device to suit both newly purchased ‘out-of-the-box’ Weber Baby Q barbecues and in-market Weber Baby Qs (Q1000 and Q1200).
Connect Smart Barbecue Hub
Set up instructions
SET UP INSTRUCTIONS
First Steps
1. Download the Weber Connect App from iOS App Store or Android Google Play Store.
2. Unpack the contents of the box and charge the Weber Connect Hub using the cable.
3. Wake the Weber Connect hub by pressing down on the device – refer to the instructions in the box.
How to Pair
1. Open Weber Connect App and select "Pair Device"
2. Once your smartphone recognises the Weber Connect Hub select "Pair Now"
3. Confirm the pairing by pressing down on the device
4. Select "Continue"
Updating your Software
1. Software update may begin automatically and can take up to 30 minutes
2. You'll need to leave your phone near the device while the software is updating
Connecting to WiFi
1. Connect to WiFi in the Weber Connect App settings tab for remote monitoring of your device
Is there a sleep mode for the Weber Connect Smart Barbecue Hub?
The Weber Connect Smart Barbecue Hub will automatically enter power saver mode after one hour if at least one probe is plugged in and no activity is detected. After an additional eight hours of inactivity, the device enters sleep mode. The Weber Connect Smart Barbecue Hub will enter sleep mode after five minutes of the last probe being unplugged.
Weber Connect Smart Grilling Hub cleaning, storage, and maintenance
To clean the Weber Connect Smart Barbecue Hub, use a clean, damp cloth to wipe the device clean. Once cleaned, store your device indoors. You can purchase a travel and storage case to further protect your Hub. Refer to www.weber.com for details.
Weber Connect Smart Barbecue Hub LED display
Off The LED display will be off when the Weber Connect Smart Barbecue Hub is off.
Setup Required When turning the Weber Connect Smart Barbecue Hub on without having connectivity set up, the LED will blink orange. This indicates that connectivity should be set up.Connecting When the Weber Connect Smart Barbecue Hub is actively working towards identifying a WiFi network and establishing a connection, the LED will pulse green.
Connected Once a connection is established, the LED will be solid green.Error Various connection errors can occur, and in this case, the LED will blink red. If this is visible on the display, attempt to connect again.
Powering the Weber Connect Smart Barbecue Hub on and off
Power on
Press and release on the Weber Connect Smart Barbecue Hub display to turn the device on.
The Weber Connect Smart Barbecue Hub will remain on:
· for five minutes after the last probe is unplugged.
· for one hour if at least one probe is plugged in and no activity is detected. The device will be on. A button press or physical motion will wake up the display.
· for eight hours if at least one probe is plugged in, no activity is detected and the display has turned off. A button press or physical motion will wake up the display.
Power off With the device on, press and hold down on the display for two seconds to turn the device off.
Weber Connect Smart Barbecue Hub charging and battery life
After purchasing the Weber Connect Smart Barbecue Hub, charge the device using the included power cord until the charge icon (lightning bolt) on the display illuminates green. The icon will pulse while charging and turn solid when fully charged. The device can be used while charging.
<= 5% Very Low Power (Red/Blink) | Plug in or you may lose your cooking state.
<= 20% Low Power (Red)
<= 50% Medium Power (Amber)
<= 100% High Power (Green)
To check the battery status, press down on the device when no probes are connected.
Is my Weber Connect Smart Barbecue Hub okay to be exposed to wet weather?
The Weber Connect Smart Barbecue Hub is weather resistant and safe in wet conditions. It is important to store in a dry place when not in use.
SmokeFire
Why should I use Weber pellets?
SmokeFire was developed and optimized to work with Weber pellets. Other pellets may have a different size and shape profile which may affect the performance of SmokeFire. It is important to use “fresh” pellets as older pellets may have absorbed moisture which can cause issues with pellet flow and barbecue performance.
How do I use the SmokeBoost feature?
SmokeBoost is a flavour mode that adds an extra kick of smoky, wood fired taste to your food.
How to Use SmokeBoost:
Smoky flavour penetrates cold, raw meat best. That is why it is important to select SmokeBoost at the beginning of your cook to add the smoky, wood fired flavour to your food.
SmokeBoost is a flavour mode and not a setting for your entire cook. It is important to return to the required temperature to cook your food after using SmokeBoost.
When you activate SmokeBoost, it cools and adjusts to a temperature range between 74◦- 93◦ C, dependent on ambient condition. If you are activating SmokeBoost when your barbecue is set to a high temperature, the barbecue will cool down into the SmokeBoost temperature range. This will take up to 20 minutes to get to SmokeBoost and will increase the overall cook time.
Why am I seeing ash in my cookbox?
SmokeFire is designed to direct ash and grease downward, avoiding food as much as possible. Wood naturally produces ash while burning, so there is a possibility with any pellet barbecue to find ash inside of, and below, the cookbox.
Weber Engineers took great measures to uniquely design a pellet barbecue that directs ash down and into an enclosed system. This helps ensure very little ash reaches the cooking grill area. You'll notice more than usual the first time your barbecue is used, and that is okay.
We recommend cleaning the burn pot and cookbox after the first cook by pushing the ash into the ash and grease drawer with the cookbox scraper provided. Do this once the barbecue has cooled down.
We believe the barbecue will reach optimal performance using Weber premium hardwood pellets.
Why am I seeing ash on the outside of my barbecue?
Wood naturally produces ash while burning, so you can expect with any pellet barbecue that some ash may blow out and onto the outside of the barbecue. This can easily be wiped down with a soft cloth or paper towel. SmokeFire was designed to ensure ash collection is as easy-to-maintain as possible with a unique ash and grease collection drawer.
Why am I seeing embers coming from the ash drawer on my barbecue?
The embers have very little energy left in them and are similar to what you might see with a charcoal barbecue. As a pellet reaches the end of its burn, it will become small enough to fall through the fuel grate and into the ash drawer. Our ash and grease management system helps funnel this into one, easy to clean area.
To help lessen embers escaping the grease drawer, make sure that the drawer is shut completely, and the drawer enclosure is cleaned out.
Why is my barbecue not reaching the set temperature?
It’s important to make sure you've downloaded the latest version of the Connect app and updated your barbecue to the latest software and firmware.
The quality of the pellets you are using can also impact the performance of your barbecue. We recommend using Weber pellets for best results.
If you continue to have any issues reaching your desired temperature or have any issues updating your software, reach out to the Customer Service team and we will be happy to help you!
Why am I receiving a notification to replace my glow plug every time I barbecue?
If your barbecue is functioning and you can see the glow plug turning orange when the barbecue is started, then simply dismiss the notification, and continue barbecuing. Go to the Menu screen >Glow Plug Replacement > Confirm Replacement - to clear the prompt.
If you are not seeing the glow plug ignite, please reach out to us and our Customer Service will be happy to help troubleshoot.
How do I know that my barbecue has actually shut down if I’m doing it remotely through the Weber Connect app?
You will receive a notification that your barbecue is shutting down within the Weber Connect app. You will then receive a notification when the barbecue has completed the shutdown process.
Do I have to use the shutdown function when I finish cooking?
The shutdown process is imperative to achieve success on your next cook. This process clears the burn pot and the auger. A clear burn pot makes ignition on the next cook possible. A clear auger reduces risk of pellet jams. This process will take around 15 minutes to complete.
Why is it important to download the app?
It’s important to conduct a firmware update as soon as the SmokeFire is assembled and turned on. Make sure you have a reliable internet connection and follow the instructions in the manual and in the app to complete this process. If there are any issues, contact our Customer Service team.
What can I expect from Weber Connect app updates?
SmokeFire’s integrated smart barbecuing technology is continually improving. Along with its ground-breaking step-by-step barbecuing assistance, Weber plans to evolve its technology by giving you an array of additional, connected features. Stay tuned!
How do I update my SmokeFire software?
First, confirm you are on the latest Weber Connect app version.
Pair to SmokeFire through Bluetooth. Once paired, software will automatically update within the app. This will take about 25 minutes. We recommend leaving your phone on the side table during this time for optimal range and connection strength during the update.
When software has been updated, the firmware will automatically start to update in the app. This will take an additional 15 minutes.
For all updates, pair your SmokeFire to the Weber Connect app via Bluetooth. Updates will not occur if connected via Wi-Fi.
What is a barbecue firmware update vs. an app update?
A barbecue firmware update is a special type of software update that directly affects SmokeFire’s performance. Firmware updates include, but are not limited to, performance enhancements and added features to the barbecue itself.
An app update is specific to the Weber Connect app features. Examples of app updates typically include new app features, design, and ever-evolving information and content specific to the Weber Connect app.
For example:
Weber Connect App update – Weber Connect app enhancements. Does not require updating your barbecue.
Weber Connect Software update – Software that enhances SmokeFire’s controller screen, features, and smart technology. Does require updating your controller software via the Weber Connect app.
Barbecue Firmware update – A special enhancement that affects SmokeFire’s barbecue performance. Does require updating your barbecue via the Weber Connect app.How do I check my app version?
Open the app > More Menu (three dots) > Settings
Version is listed at the bottom of the screen.Difficulty Pairing with Weber SmokeFire
If you are experiencing issues pairing to your SmokeFire via Bluetooth, power off the barbecue via the physical switch for 30 seconds and power it back on. If this does not help, initiate a factory reset via the Menu settings.
If you are still experiencing issues pairing via Bluetooth, try the following as typical steps for troubleshooting a Bluetooth connection:
· Switch your device Bluetooth off and on
· Close and reopen the app
· Click ‘forget device’ on your app settings and try pairing again
If this still presents an issue pairing, please contact the Customer Service team.
Charcoal
What can I cook on my Weber kettle?
The Weber Kettle is extremely versatile and by using both the direct and indirect cooking methods, you can cook a huge variety of food on your kettle. Anything from delicious outdoor roasts, barbecued chops, sausages and steaks, smoked fish and poultry and even pizzas, desserts and bread. The Complete Australian Barbecue Kettle Cookbook is a great comprehensive guide and will teach you how to use your kettle to cook all these things and more.
Should I have my vents open or closed when cooking?
When cooking on your Weber Kettle you should always have the vents open. By closing the vents, you starve the fire of oxygen, slowing the rate of burning and ultimately putting the fire out. Your vents should only be closed when you’re trying to extinguish the fire.
What fuel do you recommend I use on my Weber Kettle?
There are a number of different fuels available for kettle barbecues in Australia and, in our experience, some are easier to use than others. We recommend that you use Weber Barbecue Briquettes. They are long burning and consistent so you can cook a whole turkey or Christmas ham without having to replenish the fuel. Try to stay away from self-lighting fuels; we’ve found they can leave your food with a strange taste.
How do I smoke food on my Weber Kettle?
Hot smoking food adds a beautiful flavour and aroma to your food. A normal indirect fire can be transformed into a hot smoking fire by adding one or two chunks of hickory wood (or other smoking wood) to the coals on either side of the barbecue. The more smoke flavour you want, the more hickory chunks you add. We recommend wood chunks rather than chips or sawdust when using a Weber Kettle – the chunks smoke for longer and require less attention. If you are going to use wood chips, make sure you soak them in water for about an hour before you put them on.
Premium Gas
Why do I cook with the lid closed on my Weber gas barbecue?
For over 50 years, Weber has been engineering barbecues with remarkable cooking systems. Weber premium gas barbecues are no different. The Weber gas barbecue cooking system has been specifically designed to work best with the lid closed. By using the barbecue with the lid closed you can achieve a unique barbecued flavour you can’t get any other way. You’ll also save gas and money because your barbecue will be more efficient and you’ll keep your barbecue area clean.
By cooking with the lid closed, you’ll find you get amazing flavour in your food. With the lid closed, barbecue smoke created by fats and juices vaporising on the Flavorizer bars below the grill will circulate the food and give it a unique, smokey barbecue flavour. Weber gas barbecue lids are designed to circulate this barbecue smoke around your food before venting. Cooking with the lid open lets all that delicious smokey flavour escape straight into the atmosphere. By cooking with the lid closed your barbecued food will have that famous Weber flavour that you just can’t get with the lid open.
Because the cooking system in your Weber gas barbecue is specifically designed to be used with the lid closed, it’s very gas efficient, using less gas than a traditional four burner barbecue. You might hear some people say that a barbecue needs a high gas output to sear a great steak or cook an Aussie barbecue. That just isn’t true. More often than not, higher gas output is to compensate for a poorly designed, inefficient cooking system. With the lid down on your Weber gas barbecue, you’ll find your barbecue hot enough to sear a great steak, your food will cook more quickly and more evenly and you’ll save gas and money.
Cooking with the lid closed will also help keep your barbecue area clean. Because any fats or juices that spit from food are trapped inside the lid, you won’t have fat splattering all over your deck or veranda.
Will my food taste stewed if I cook with the lid closed?
Definitely not. If preheated and used correctly, your Weber gas barbecue will cook beautifully seared steaks, perfect lamb chops and grilled chicken breasts. Because of the patented Flavorizer bar system, you’re able to cook nearly everything straight on the grill, leaving fat and oil to fall away from the meat instead of boiling around the food like on a traditional flat-plate barbecue.
Where does the fat and juice go when I’m cooking on my Weber gas barbecue?
The Flavorizer bar system in your Weber gas barbecue prevents fat from dropping into the burners and causing a flare up. Instead, the fat either vaporises on the bars or drops past the burners into the slide out grease tray of the barbecue. From there it runs into the hole in the bottom of the tray and collects in the disposable drip pan beneath.
What are Flavorizer Bars?
Flavorizer bars are a patented invention that reduce the chances of flare ups and fat fires and create the barbecue flavour that makes Weber gas barbecues so unique. The specially angled Flavorizer bars form a roof over the gas burner tubes so that no meat juice or fat comes in contact with the gas flame. Meat juices sizzle and smoke on the hot bars, yet excess fats fall harmlessly into the disposable drip tray below. With the lid closed, the smoke created circulates the food and imparts a unique, smokey barbecue flavour.
Weber Q
What can I cook on my Weber Q?
Your Weber Q is an incredibly versatile barbecue. Using Weber’s cooking system, you can cook perfect steaks, chops and sausages. It is more than just a barbecue though, by using a roasting trivet and convection tray, you can turn your Weber Q into oven and cook magnificent barbecued roasts, pizzas, cakes and desserts. Add a hotplate or breakfast plate and you can cook eggs, pancakes and onion rings.
Should I use a baking dish in my Weber Q when roasting?
We don’t recommend that you use a baking dish in your Weber Q. Apart from the fact that you’ll have healthier, better tasting roasts if you use a roasting trivet instead, you’ll also help to keep your Weber Q clean and tidy.
When using a baking dish, fats and juices collect and boil inside the barbecue. This spits fat and grease all over the inside of your Weber Q. The next time you heat up your barbecue, you may find fat and grease dribbling from the edge of your lid onto the floor or other parts of your Weber Q. To avoid this, always roast on a roasting trivet as described in the handbook that came with your Weber Q.
Can I line my Weber Q with alfoil?
You should never line the inside of your Weber Q with alfoil. Using alfoil can prevent fats and juices from running down into the disposable drip pan. If fat pools in pockets created by the alfoil, it can catch alight and cause a fat fire. Lining your Weber Q with alfoil can also interfere with the ventilation of the barbecue. Without proper ventilation, your Weber Q may not operate properly.
Why do I cook with the lid closed on my Weber Q?
For over 50 years, Weber has been engineering barbecues with remarkable cooking systems. The Weber Q is no different. The Weber Q cooking system has been specifically designed to work with the lid closed. By using the barbecue with the lid closed you can achieve a unique barbecued flavour you can’t get any other way. You’ll also save gas and money because your Weber Q will be more efficient and you’ll keep your barbecue area clean.
By cooking with the lid closed, you’ll find you get amazing flavour in your food. With the lid closed, barbecue smoke created by fats and juices vaporising on the hot grill bars or hotplate will circulate the food and give it a unique, smokey barbecue flavour. Cooking with the lid open lets all that delicious smokey flavour escape straight into the atmosphere. By cooking with the lid closed your barbecued food will have that famous Weber flavour that you just can’t get with the lid open.
Because the cooking system in your Weber Q is specifically designed to be used with the lid closed, it’s extremely gas efficient, using less than half the gas of a traditional four burner barbecue. You might hear some people say that a barbecue needs a high gas output to sear a great steak or cook an Aussie barbecue. That just isn’t true. More often than not, higher gas output is required to compensate for a poorly designed, inefficient cooking system. With the lid down on your Weber Q, you’ll find your barbecue hot enough to sear a great steak, your food will cook more quickly and more evenly and you’ll save gas and money.
Cooking with the lid closed will also help keep your barbecue area clean. Because any fats or juices that spit from food are trapped inside the lid, you won’t have fat splattering all over your deck or veranda.
Cleaning
How should I clean my Weber kettle?
To clean the grill of your Weber kettle, we recommend that you use a steel brush to scrape food remnants into the bottom of the bowl. If you have a One-Touch cleaning system, you can then use the lever to sweep the contents of the bowl into the ash catcher. After every 5 or 6 cooks, remove the cooking grill, soak in hot soapy water and clean with a nylon scourer.
To clean the porcelain enamel parts of your barbecue, use hot soapy water and a nylon scourer. The barbecue should be cleaned regularly to prevent large amounts of grease from building up. And remember, prevention is better than cure: always remember to use a drip pan in your kettle when roasting meat and cook foods with high fat content (like lamb chops and sausages) on a hotplate to help keep the barbecue clean.
I have something that looks like paint peeling from the inside of my lid. What is it?
Don’t worry, it’s not paint. All Weber Kettle lids are made of porcelain enamel coated steel, which will not peel. What you’re seeing is actually a build up of carbon that has collected on the inside of your lid. It’s a normal bi-product of the cooking process. After building up, the carbon will start to peel – normally from the centre of the lid outwards. It will look a lot like paint, peeling off in small sheets with one dull side and one shiny side. This build up can be removed by using hot soapy water and a nylon scourer. To prevent the build up, use a piece of paper towel to wipe the inside of the lid after each cook while the lid is still warm (NOT HOT).
Is there an easy way to get the coals started?
Actually there are a few tricks, and any one of them will help: using a good quality charcoal, using Weber’s special Lighter Cubes, and using a “chimney starter.” You can get these accessories…
How do I clean my Weber Q grill?
For day to day cleaning of the grill, the best method is to use a Weber grill brush.
- After pre-heating your barbecue on high for 10mins, while the grill is very hot, brush along the grill bars where food residue remains, alternately you can clean your grill this way while it is still on after cooking.
- It’s not necessary to wash your Q grill in water after every use but the grill should be washed in hot water and detergent after every five or six cooks to remove excess grease.
- It’s handy to re-oil the grills from time to time. Simply remove from the bbq and pop some oil on; spray oils can be good for this. When you place them back in the bbq simply heat up the bbq on low for 5-10 mins to re-seal the grills. (If you use your trivet a lot, for roasts or pizzas etc this can prove beneficial)
- Try to keep the grill protected from the elements, particularly if you live near the sea or have a pool. Salt from the ocean and chlorine in the air can contribute to corrosion.