Weber Lumin Electric Grill Black (92010901)

Product Information

It’s important to note that you want to leave the lid closed as much as possible when using this function and that the temperature gauge may not be 100% accurate due to the presence of steam in the chamber. At this juncture I should add that there are actually two Weber Lumin models available – a larger 66cm wide model with 1,562 square centimetres of cooking space and the smaller Lumin Compact model I'm reviewing here. It also heats up fast and can be plopped safely on to any outdoor table (the heating element is slightly elevated, so even if you don’t get the dedicated grill stand, you shouldn’t do damage to whatever the grill is sitting on). Especially for an electric, the Lumin is a good grill. It requires fewer compromises than lots of other plug-in models. What can you do with the Weber Lumin? The burgers were defrosted in 15 minutes, and I was able to move them straight onto the grill that was still in place. I then used the steamer set up to defrost the burger buns whilst the burgers cooked. In 30 minutes I had perfectly cooked burgers in a fluffy and slightly warmed bun. The only downside was that the steamer set-up halved the size of the cooking space so this would only be an option when cooking for three people max.

The true advantage of electric cooking is that it offers fast warm-up times and is responsive to changes. These two combinations make the Weber Lumin exceptionally easy to cook on, and far less hassle than gas or coals. In fact, I BBQ a lot more with an electric model than I do otherwise, as it’s just so much easier to get going. Overall, I think Weber really nailed the smoke function on the Lumin grill. For such a small, compact grill, I was extremely impressed by how easy it was to convert it into a smoker. As if grilling and smoking weren’t enough, the Weber Lumin also has a really cool steaming feature that will allow you to steam delicate foods such as vegetables and seafood.But, the proof is in the pudding: how did everything taste? The steak and skewers tasted delicious and had a real smoky flavour, due to the Weber Lumin’s smoking system. I was also very impressed with the gyozas as they were perfectly steamed yet still had an undertone of smokiness too. So, is an electric barbecue as good as a charcoal or gas barbecue? Well, I got to try it out for myself as Weber kindly invited me to their launch event of the Weber Lumin. Despite the rain – which as any Brit knows is perfect UK barbecue weather – the Weber Lumin performed well, proving that it can be used in any conditions. At its maximum, this BBQ can hit a high temperature of 315°C, which is enough for searing meat. It can also deliver a more gentle heat for slow cooking, more perfectly controlled than is possible with gas. However, if you are after a BBQ for entertaining at parties and you need space for cooking multiple things at once the Lumin is very limiting in terms of capacity. While it comes with plenty of clever features to switch up the cooking style these can only be used one at a time so you are committed to it until the BBQ cools down. By contrast, the Ninja Woodfire has loads of height under its seemingly east Asian-inspired industrial-style hood. To me, the Woodfire isn’t quite as appealing a looker as the Lumin Compact but then again the Woodfire looks more functional which, it turns out, it actually is.

My next experiment involved smoking a salmon fillet so I followed the instructions and replaced the left-hand grill top with the smoking tray and filled it with wood chips. Why Weber suggest the left side and not the right I don't know – I mean it’s not as if the left side of the heating element is a different temperature to the right. But anyway, Weber recommend starting on full heat for about 5 minutes to get the chips smoking and then reducing the temperature by turning the dial to the smoke icon. I’ve got to say, the results were really impressive – the fish was perfectly cooked and it definitely had a light texture and very pleasant smokey flavour. It has rather more basic controls than its competition, but even cooking and a great set of accessories in the box make it a success. Design and features If you’re looking for something to take on the road camping, hiking, or traveling then the Weber Lumin is a fantastic choice. It will give you a lot of the versatility of a full-sized grill in a compact and portable design that can go virtually anywhere.

When it comes to other styles of BBQs I must say I am a complete electric BBQ convert. Compared to cooking on a gas or charcoal BBQ it was easy to do, and I didn't have to worry about controlling any flames. It made barbecuing feel much more accessible for every meal, and less like a massive mission in planning since you could cook from frozen. However, if you are after that authentic BBQ taste that the more traditional Weber BBQs provide then the Lumin isn't for you. At its highest temperature, this heating element glows red hot and draws 2.2kW of power which is about the same as an average kettle. Despite the high power consumption, electric barbecues are generally considered the cheapest style of barbecue to run in the long term, and the best part is that they never run out of fuel so you can go on grilling till the cows come home. For its first foray into the electric BBQ world, Weber has decided to use a portable format. A grab-and-go device, the Weber Lumin can be set up and cooked on in minutes, and stored away when not in use. That’s a huge amount of versatility there, and it’s nice to see everything provided in the box. With the Smart-E, I had to use a separate cast iron smoker box for woodchips.

Another perk of the Weber Lumin is the fact that it is an electric grill. It’s a great option for people in condos or apartments that may not be allowed to operate a charcoal or propane grill in their living space. Additionally, the Lumin Stand allows you to convert the grill from a portable, table-top unit into a more full-sized, freestanding grill that doesn’t take up much space. I’d say that the Weber Lumin is probably the best portable, electric grill on the market today and is definitely worth considering if you’re in the market for an electric grill. Preheat the grill on the high heat setting for about 10 minutes, then reduce the temperature to the steam setting and add your food. Weber has launched its new Lumin electric range, which is its most energy-efficient barbecue**. Using as little as 43p for an hour of use (15 minutes of pre-heating, plus 45 minutes of grilling)*, the Lumin range is a great way to make the most of the summer and eat delicious food without too many extra costs. After every five uses, Weber recommends giving the whole BBQ a proper clean. The heating element can easily be taken out by removing two screws. You can then use the spatula that comes with the Lumin to scrape down the inside body of the BBQ. I found I still had some remnants of food that wouldn't budge, but I was able to take the whole inside of the BBQ out and give it a wash in soapy water in the sink. I did the same with the grill plates and couldn't believe how well they cleaned. They looked almost as good as new. It was one of the easiest BBQs I have ever cleaned. How does it compare to similar models and other Weber BBQs?Both of these electric grills provide roughly the same meal estate. The Weber’s split cast-iron grill grate measures 43cm x 28cm while the Ninja’s is 37cm x 28cm, give or take a millimetre or two. However, the biggest difference between the two – and this does have a bearing on how well each model performs when doing standard grilling – is that the Weber’s two-part grate is slated which means the juices from meats drip through to the hot element below, instantly vaporising and flavouring the meat in the process. By contrast, the Ninja’s grill grate is a solid griddle-like structure with raised grill-marking lines. This means the fats channel towards a drip tray and not onto the heating element below.