Latest news with #WeberLumin
Telegraph
23-05-2025
- Telegraph
Weber Lumin review: This electric BBQ convinced me to swap from cooking on gas and charcoal
What is the Weber Lumin? Weber is best known for its charcoal and gas barbecues; its Spirit gas model is our Best Buy for the latter category. But as a brand it has a selection of electric models too. The Weber Q is its most affordable, the Weber Pulse adds digital controls and the Weber Lumin offers a more polished design, sitting in the middle of the electric barbecue range with a starting RRP of £559. The Weber Lumin comes in two sizes (the smaller one is conveniently called Weber Lumin Compact, £369) while there are options to buy an additional stand (which is what I tested), depending on what you want to use it for. It's fairly portable, so easy to store, but also gives you enough space to cook for the whole family. Interesting features include a steamer tray or the ability to add woodchips for smoke, while the grills themselves can be washed in the dishwasher, which is really convenient. JUMP TO: How we test electric BBQs For this Weber Lumin review I tested the barbecue at home over the course of six weeks. I cooked a number of barbecue recipes, trying both low and slow cooking as well as high-heat searing, to test the full range of capabilities. I was interested in how easy it was to use, from setting it up to getting cooking. I wanted to find out how portable it was and how solid the stand was – as well as test the accessories that came in the box. I also assessed the controls, both to see how easy it was to adjust the temperature and how long it took to reach high heats. And I considered how easy it was to clean at the end of the process and how safe and sturdy it all felt. Ultimately, I wanted to know if the Weber Lumin could produce results like a traditional charcoal model, or the best gas barbecues and see how the design aided the production of authentic and tasty barbecue food. Why you can trust Telegraph Recommended Our thorough, real-world tests will always help you find the best product. No manufacturer ever sees Telegraph Recommended reviews before publication and we don't accept payment in exchange for favourable reviews, nor do we allow brands to pay for placement in our articles. All opinions are based on independent expert opinion and our hands-on testing. Visit our Who We Are page to learn more. Ease of use Score: 10/10 The Weber Lumin comes either with or without a stand. If you go for the latter, then there's little to do out of the box. The main barbecue arrives in one piece with the accessories inside the lid, so you'll be set up in under 10 minutes. Its plastic base is attached and either functions as a table stand or slots onto the top of the folding stand if you want to use it more like a home barbecue. Essentially, it's a portable barbecue that's well suited to more permanent use too. Opt for the stand and the sturdy plastic construction will require some assembly. Even that only takes about 10 minutes; there's just one tricky part which is getting the stand's folding struts in the right places. But the instructions make that clear. The lid isn't as domed on the Weber Lumin electric grill as it is on some rivals. So, you'll have to check that your food isn't too tall – a large whole chicken might need spatchcocking before you cook it. But I think that gives better results on the barbecue anyway. There's a 1.8-metre cable which may or may not be long enough, depending on your garden (I tested it using an exterior socket). It can be easily removed for storage, while the grills on the Weber Lumin are dishwasher safe. A plastic scraper comes included, so when the barbecue is cool, you can scrape off the mess. I also used a wire bush – which Weber recommends. Unlike some models that have fancy non-stick coatings, you can scrub these a little harder to get them clean. Safety Score: 9/10 When it comes to safety, if you're using the Lumin on a tabletop, then you'll find it's perfectly solid and stable. Importantly, you can easily open the lid without the risk that it's going to topple over and there's a large, user-friendly handle to the front. One of the nice features is that part of the base pulls out so you can easily access the drip tray. Oils (or other fluids) can drain away from the body of the barbecue, which is helpful if you're cooking something with a lot of fat or water. Best of all, it's just a foil tray, so it's easy to replace or dispose of if you don't want to clean it. There's also a plastic shelf that slots into the side of the base. You can't put anything hot on it because it will melt and it can't take a lot of weight. But it's perfectly suited for holding your utensils and refreshments. As for the stand, my only criticism is that it doesn't fasten to the main barbecue, so you'll have to remember that when you want to pick up and move it. However, easy separation with no tools and a folding stand mean it's easy to store once you're done cooking. There's a little wobble to the stand if you start pushing it around, but I didn't find it unsafe at any time during my testing. Control Score: 9/10 While the Weber Pulse has digital controls, the Weber Lumin is a little different, because you just have a clicky dial that turns on the barbecue and controls the temperature. Icons on it show low, medium and high heat, with positions indicated for smoke and steam functions. This isn't as advanced as a barbecue as the Ninja Woodfire which has a more comprehensive digital control and timer, or the Char-Broil Smart-E (both reviewed in my guide to the best electric barbecues), which has a large display showing the digital temperature. These alternative models also beep to tell you when they have preheated. The Weber Lumin instead has a traditional thermometer set into the lid, so you can see the temperature at a glance. Neither approach is definitely better. On one hand, digital controls have appeal, but on the other, the Weber Lumin is incredibly simple – you just turn the dial and that's it. In comparison, with the Ninja Woodfire you have to select the cook mode, any smoke functions, heat level, cooking time and then press start. Some might find that's more fussy than necessary. Cooking on the Weber Lumin is easier and more like a conventional barbecue. There's one downside to the Lumin controls though: the LED isn't bright enough to see on sunny days, so if you have no power, you won't notice until you're back at your barbecue and find that it's still cold. Otherwise, as you use the thermometer built into the lid, the dim LED doesn't make much of a difference. Features Score: 10/10 There are two grill plates and the advantage here is that one can be removed and replaced with something else, meaning you can prepare different foods at once. It comes with a tray that can act as a steamer (if you fill it with water) or as a smoker. Weber recommends its own brand wood chips which come in a range of flavours and it includes instructions for smoking, steaming, searing, food warming and barbecuing from frozen. This makes the Lumin really versatile, with the option to buy a griddle pan or an expansion kit which includes additional trays, so you can use the whole barbecue for steaming or keeping food warm. The Weber Lumin has 2,200W of power and will heat up to 315C. It takes about 15 minutes to reach those temperatures and you'll get lots of heat to sear the outside of your steaks with classic barbecue grill lines. You can easily maintain a cooler temperature if you just want to slow-cook a joint of meat. This is one of the benefits of electric cooking – you don't need to think about how you arrange your charcoal for an eight-hour cook, you just turn the dial, get the barbecue to the required temperature and off you go. I found low to be around 170C, medium settled at 250C and high reached the advertised 315C. But the ambient temperature makes a difference and I took these readings on a warm day, so it might be cooler when the weather isn't as nice (if you're brave enough to cook outdoors then, that is). Results Score: 9/10 I was impressed with the food that I cooked on the Weber Lumin and one of the reasons for this is its design. The slotted grills are like a traditional barbecue, allowing fats and juices to drip through onto the heating element (something not seen on all electric barbecues), which makes smoke. Then you have the option for wood chip smoke as well, meaning you can add extra flavour. It's a little more authentic than the Ninja Woodfire, which is more like using an outdoor air fryer. And that's one of the reasons why I like the Lumin: it behaves like a barbecue. I tested this with a pork fillet which really took on the smoky flavours. The downside is that it's messy. While the grills themselves are easy enough to clean, the base of the barbecue will get burnt-on mess too. As mentioned above, it scrapes off easily enough, but it's a bit fiddly to get to because the heating element is in the way. It's removed via a couple of screws, but be prepared, just like a conventional barbecue, to spend a little more time cleaning here. The best thing about the Weber Lumin is that it quickly gets up to heat. I often found I needed to cook at a higher temperature than I expected but that meant some really authentic steaks and burgers, with seared lines on them. Setting it to medium for a slower cook works perfectly well too. Technical specifications The Weber Lumin is my favourite electric barbecue, but there's a lot of interest in the Ninja Woodfire Electric BBQ and Grill too. We're comparing these models so you can quickly see how they differ. The Ninja is more affordable and offers many cooking functions, but it has a smaller cooking area and the results are less like cooking on a barbecue than the Weber Lumin. Should you buy the Weber Lumin? The Weber Lumin is a great alternative to a charcoal or gas barbecue, with the advantage of easy cooking controls, minimal assembly, choice between a stand and table top use, great authentic flavour and easy grill cleaning. It's a little on the pricey side – although the Weber Lumin Compact is cheaper – and doesn't have digital controls and all the functions that some rivals offer. The results I achieved were great, with the smoking box adding appetising woodsmoke flavours. More than any other electric barbecue, the Weber Lumin is the most like a conventional one. Yes, if: You're looking for an authentic barbecuing experience You want a grill that will give you really high heat You want something portable No, if: You want precise temperature controls. You're on a budget Weber Lumin FAQs How to clean Weber Lumin? The grills on the Weber Lumin are dishwasher safe so are easy to clean. A plastic scraper is supplied, but they can also be scrubbed with a wire brush for easy cleaning when hot. The base of the Lumin is a little more difficult, but you can remove the heating elements for access to the bottom of the barbecue for deeper cleaning. How long does the Weber Lumin take to heat up? The Weber Lumin takes about 15 minutes to heat up to high temperatures. You simply rotate the dial and can check the temperature using the thermometer in the lid. Does the Weber Lumin produce a smoky flavour? Yes, the fats and juices are free to drop onto the heating element, producing smoke and contributing to the smoky flavour. The Weber Lumin also comes with a smoking tray, so you can load it with wood chips to add extra wood smoke to your cooking. Is the Weber Lumin portable? The Weber Lumin weighs 16kg (the Lumin Compact is 12kg) and has easy lifting points on the base. This makes it easy to move around. It's not as portable as the Ninja Woodfire, which has large handles, or the Cadac E Braai, which is a smaller and more compact electric barbecue.
Sydney Morning Herald
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘A sartorial middle finger': The $8500 clutch shaped like a coffee cup
LISTEN | Pregnant pause Amy is a Canadian doula, a non-medical person who provides emotional and physical support during a birth. One day, she receives a call to remotely assist a woman named Kaitlyn, who's totally alone in another state, is pregnant as the result of rape, and is about to deliver a stillborn baby. What follows is days on the phone, with Amy barely eating or sleeping, emotionally spent from shepherding Kaitlyn through crisis after crisis. It turns out that Kaitlyn was lying about everything – and Amy isn't the only birth worker she has deceived. The podcast The Con: Kaitlyn's Baby is confronting and baffling. Since Kaitlyn's motive wasn't money, points out host Sarah Treleaven, what could have prompted her to attempt such a callous deception? Barry Divola SHOP | Smoke, no fire Big flavour, small footprint: meet the Weber Lumin, the electric barbecue that's changing the way Aussies grill $649). Sleek, compact, and channelling serious, retro-suitcase vibes when closed, the Lumin smokes, sears, steams, defrosts and warms with just a flick of a switch, hitting sizzling temps of more than 315C in just 15 minutes. Perfect for small balconies, eco-conscious cooks and lovers of gourmet outdoor cooking, it even delivers that iconic, smoky Weber taste, thanks to a clever, smoke-infusing tray. Available as a stand-alone, or upgrade with a custom stand ($249). Frances Mocnik WEAR | Love them, love them not Few shoes are as divisive as rubber clogs. For the past decade, the staple footwear of hospital staff and chefs has risen through the workwear ranks to fashion's front row, appearing on runways for luxury labels Balenciaga and Simone Rocha. Now, Crocs is tackling the middle market by collaborating with Finnish label Marimekko on floral-print footwear that even your nana might like ($135). Wear as camouflage while stopping to smell the roses. Damien Woolnough SEE | Book mark It's that time again, when Sydney readers come together to see and hear their favourite scribes holding forth, in person, on all things bookish. As usual, Sydney Writers' Festival (May 19-27) has a star-studded calendar. Have a browse to get your favourite dates in the diary now. (Liane Moriarty and David Nicholls discussing the art of the book-to-TV deal with Claire Nichols, perhaps? Or Marion Keyes lifting the veil on her favourite mistake in the company of Holly Wainwright? Maybe you're in the mood for some fortune-telling, as Barrie Cassidy asks three political experts what the next four years are likely to bring in 'Trumpocalypse Now'.) Good Weekend will be there, too, of course: don't miss a live edition of everyone's favourite Saturday-morning ritual, The Quiz, with Benjamin Law and Brian Yatman (May 24). And later, during an on-stage Dicey Topics, Law will be chatting to Torrey Peters (author of Detransition, Baby and Stag Dance). Both events are free.
The Age
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
‘A sartorial middle finger': The $8500 clutch shaped like a coffee cup
LISTEN | Pregnant pause Amy is a Canadian doula, a non-medical person who provides emotional and physical support during a birth. One day, she receives a call to remotely assist a woman named Kaitlyn, who's totally alone in another state, is pregnant as the result of rape, and is about to deliver a stillborn baby. What follows is days on the phone, with Amy barely eating or sleeping, emotionally spent from shepherding Kaitlyn through crisis after crisis. It turns out that Kaitlyn was lying about everything – and Amy isn't the only birth worker she has deceived. The podcast The Con: Kaitlyn's Baby is confronting and baffling. Since Kaitlyn's motive wasn't money, points out host Sarah Treleaven, what could have prompted her to attempt such a callous deception? Barry Divola SHOP | Smoke, no fire Big flavour, small footprint: meet the Weber Lumin, the electric barbecue that's changing the way Aussies grill $649). Sleek, compact, and channelling serious, retro-suitcase vibes when closed, the Lumin smokes, sears, steams, defrosts and warms with just a flick of a switch, hitting sizzling temps of more than 315C in just 15 minutes. Perfect for small balconies, eco-conscious cooks and lovers of gourmet outdoor cooking, it even delivers that iconic, smoky Weber taste, thanks to a clever, smoke-infusing tray. Available as a stand-alone, or upgrade with a custom stand ($249). Frances Mocnik WEAR | Love them, love them not Few shoes are as divisive as rubber clogs. For the past decade, the staple footwear of hospital staff and chefs has risen through the workwear ranks to fashion's front row, appearing on runways for luxury labels Balenciaga and Simone Rocha. Now, Crocs is tackling the middle market by collaborating with Finnish label Marimekko on floral-print footwear that even your nana might like ($135). Wear as camouflage while stopping to smell the roses. Damien Woolnough SEE | Book mark It's that time again, when Sydney readers come together to see and hear their favourite scribes holding forth, in person, on all things bookish. As usual, Sydney Writers' Festival (May 19-27) has a star-studded calendar. Have a browse to get your favourite dates in the diary now. (Liane Moriarty and David Nicholls discussing the art of the book-to-TV deal with Claire Nichols, perhaps? Or Marion Keyes lifting the veil on her favourite mistake in the company of Holly Wainwright? Maybe you're in the mood for some fortune-telling, as Barrie Cassidy asks three political experts what the next four years are likely to bring in 'Trumpocalypse Now'.) Good Weekend will be there, too, of course: don't miss a live edition of everyone's favourite Saturday-morning ritual, The Quiz, with Benjamin Law and Brian Yatman (May 24). And later, during an on-stage Dicey Topics, Law will be chatting to Torrey Peters (author of Detransition, Baby and Stag Dance). Both events are free.
Irish Examiner
26-04-2025
- Lifestyle
- Irish Examiner
The best barbecues and outdoor kitchen kit for al-fresco life
We can't help ourselves — it's a primal pull. Barbecue season is just around the corner, and with the garden finally open for al-fresco entertaining, there are multiple ways to celebrate your personal outdoor space. Balconies make some of the most enviable and versatile of sun traps, but if you have a rangy patio, put it to work in multifunctional, handsomely staged areas every generation can enjoy. Clear back the whole area, retain what you already have that's clearly working, and add some key pieces to enjoy that seasoned steak or perfect pizza in comfort. There's a bold air of experimenting this year with new BBQ techniques including flat griddles, app-controlled smart electrics and gas, together with traditional charmers fired by seasoned wood — still hotly defended by traditionalists. The expression 'hybrid' for any barbecue means gas or electric cooking with additional wood-smoke flavouring you would expect with charcoal fuel or wood-fired BBQs — that's it. Be aware of the environmental impact of your outdoor cooking and heating. This Weber Lumin multifunction electric barbecue reaches temperatures over 315C leaving those signature sears on your steak while smoke infusion enhances that barbecue flavour guests crave. The Lumin can keep food warm so everyone can easily serve themselves (and come back for seconds). A quality buy for a balcony or smaller garden, it's also suitable for indoor use on a heat-resistant counter; €599 Weber. A Celtic scorcher means anything over 20C (70F) or light rain fizzling over a special night of outdoor dining. The durability, quiet action and sleek aluminium detailing of this Cassita II has made it a market winner. It includes a torsion-resistant OptiNut roller tube for widths up 5.5m. Optional lighting bar in LED provides warm, white atmospheric light, dimmable with BiConnect remote control. From €3,500 to your design Outdoor. For a budget alternative, seek sun sails (from €110 at or pick up a light Dyning canopy wedge at Ikea for €40. Full outdoor spec kitchens don't require an entire patio to be a delicious inclusion. With stout covers and some overhead protection, you can use these hotspots year-round. The Buschbeck Oxford, bathed in ambient blue light, offers all you need in a single alfresco galley; 23.7kW of cooking power includes four burners, a rotisserie-ready rear burner, an additional burner on the worktop, a double-walled hood, an extra warming rack, two large drawers and a generous sink. The built-in fridge/wine cooler can carry a refreshing 65l of bottles, cans and chilled goods; from €4,000, outdoorliving. Ninja's range of electric barbecue grills, smokers and air fryers includes hybrid woodfire technology to char up real wood pellets for authentic smoky flavours. Many models facilitate what is termed air frying, but this is best understood as a small convection oven. The company's most popular model is still riding high after three years of competition, and with a 6m cable, it's ideal for a balcony situation. This model includes its woodfire pellet starter pack, pellet scoop, crisper basket and chef-created recipe guide to help you master grilling; €300, suppliers include currys. Expect to see app-enabled BBQs in every showroom this year, but don't ever take your mind off a lit barbecue, even a digitally teased model. Weber's Spirit Smart tenderly guides you through endless cooking processes and recipes. The Spirit features digital, real-time food temperature and readiness countdowns on your phone and on the barbecue itself; €899, Weber. An investment piece you can use for focus and to flank your principal doors for outdoor occasions, these handsome concrete bioethanol Jar Manual models are hefty and glam. Designed by architect Christophe Pillet, Jar is a portable fireplace unit for outdoor and indoor use. It offers a warming look rather than ferocious heat. Bioethanol produces no smell, ash or smoke; 77cm high, from €2,119 bioheat. This Outsunny hammock chair might cause a scrum at your next outdoor feast (so you might want to get two). With thick rock supports and a steady sway, it can be suspended from strong branches or timber overhangs on your patio. The thickly padded cushions feature poppers to remove covers for cleaning, and a blessedly wide seat. Maximum load 105kg. From €70 depending on design, we love this tropical blossom, aosom. Real napkins are not only a sustainable choice but add class to a dining situation outdoors. These pretty green embroidered napkins from Penneys are just €6 a pair, with French rustic-style plates, asparagus side dishes and lily embossing priced from €6; Primark. Outdoor rugs can be used in transition spaces and high-traffic patios with equal ease. Look for good traction in high-fashion prints to bring that room-outdoors styling into focus. Most rugs come in polypropylene or recycled plastics that will slough off rain (when they can prove surprisingly slippery). Hang your rug up over a wall or fence to air and dry periodically to prevent a reaction between the latex and any wood decking. Spot clean with water and a mild detergent. To extend the rug's longevity, store it in a clean, dry place during winter. We love the Kasuri by Sanderson in Indigo, €495, rugs. George Foreman's grills remain a knockout in mid-sized indoor/outdoor barbecues with the versatility and convenience of electricity and kitchen-to-patio use. Tightly engineered, with submersible parts depending on the model, they are often duped but rarely surpassed. The 23450 offers two sides with independent heat control. We love the built-in drip tray, adjustable angling, and health benefits with the grill sliding away up to 42% of the fat when grilling burgers; €100, multiple suppliers. Outdoor lighting has thrown off the cables and leads with battery power, solar charging and USB operation illuminating summer 2025. Fatboy makes a range of wonderful rechargeable lamps, including its celebrated Edison range, €545 for a standard lamp in a squat or lofty form, lights.
