Barbacoa Electrica 2

In Barbacoa Electrica we introduced the Bosch TFB4650 electric barbecue, and gave it a stern grilling. Verdict: mwah, not hot enough, and that Engineer Jansen had ordered lava stones, and would try again.

Here we are. The lava stones were put into the device. They fit nicely under the heating element.

Go!

Chicken thigh, meat side

Chicken thigh, skin side

Lamb chops

Verdict

It's a bit better with lava stones. You need to preheat them, 10 minutes. 

There is a downside too: you need to clean and dry the stones, they get quite greasy.

All in all, charcoal is much preferred over this device. When there's watermelon we'll do the ultimate test. If it manages to properly grill that all complaints will be retracted.

H2O!?

While cleaning, engineer Jansen, observant as he is, noticed an inscription "H2O". On closer inspection also a vertical line, and below that the cryptic word "MIN" was noticed. 

Aha, this barbecue is supposed to be run with a layer of water! Probably against overheating, although so far overheating is not too great a concern. 

This is exactly why you would need an instruction manual, but so far none was encountered, even though Bosch always has manuals. But not of this one.

I guess the lava stones already protect the underside against overheating, although the PKU375CA1 and PKU375N14E! have a dish with water under the heating element, specifically there against overheating. (So: water - lava stones - heater - grid - chicken thighs, fish, waffles) 

Not sure if it is a great idea to have lava stones and water in the same tin. The TFB4650 has an extra external heat shield UNDER the tin, a sheet of metal that is clamped onto the stand. We may try adding some water some time. Maybe it's even easier to clean the bbq then.