A Weekend with a Weber Lumin – Mel (eCommerce Sales Manager)
Following on from last weekend’s experimenting I was intrigued by Weber’s claims of the Lumin being:
“High on heat and big on versatility, Weber’s Lumin” electric barbecue takes urban outdoor barbecuing to new heights. This multifunction electric barbecue reaches temperatures over 315°C so sear-mark seekers can achieve high-quality searing, while smoke infusion further enhances that barbecue flavour guests crave”
So just how good is the Lumin at the above? Surprisingly extremely good is the answer. A weekend of rigorous testing put the Lumin through its paces. Having tested swapping the cooking grates for griddles how would it cope cooking traditional British barbecue fayre of burgers and sausages over a hot, exposed element on the porcelain enamelled cast iron cooking grates.
The Lumin quickly and efficiently heats to temperature, I filled the one grate with burgers and utilised a griddle for some tasty fried onions on the other half and closed the lid. The Weber way is always lid closed when cooking, this not only keeps the heat inside but helps food to cook faster locking in flavour and that barbecued taste.
A quick flip of the burgers and there were some lovely sear marks considering the grill was nowhere near maximum temperature. Lid back closed as we all know you “aren’t cooking if you’re looking” and time to get the Brioche buns and cheese ready. Just a couple of minutes later and the burgers were ready to transfer to the griddle and top with cheese whilst leaving the grate clear to toast the buns. The powerful element toasted the buns very quickly, burgers constructed and topped with the onions and served. Verdict all round very tasty.
Round 2 was the good old hotdog. The arrival of sausages in the garden definitely peaked the interest of Luna and Pongo! Hopeful as ever and they know a soft touch when they see one!
The right hand grate was filled with sausages, again no flare ups from them being in very close proximity to the element, great sear marks and really tasty hotdogs were quickly served.
Perhaps the greatest sear example came from the lamb steaks the previous evening, transforming a pale lamb steak to looking like it had been cooked on a steak grill. The lamb was so tender and juicy and infused delicately with the taste of a charcoal grill even though it had been nowhere near one.
For searing the Lumin lives up to its marketing promise, it’s hot, fast, creates impressive sear marks, locks in flavour and the smoky taste of a traditional barbecue.
Anyone looking for a simple, quick, easy barbecue that takes up very little space, can be easily stored, no worries on fuel, just simply plug it in and go, the Lumin is definitely one to consider.
