When it came to assembly, the only direct comparison we could make was between the Weber and the Napoleon. Both models shared a similar overall design, but the Weber model was comprehensively superior. With simple instructions and a minimal need for tools or acrobatics, Weber has clearly refined its engineering to maximize simplicity.
It’s also a lot compared with the Weber’s 363-square-inch cooking area. Weber’s original kettle remains its most popular grill today, but in the 60-plus years since its invention, the company has expanded. The Weber name is stamped on propane gas grills, smokers, electric grills and portable grills. There are sub-products under each category, each at different price points, and all with different features.
The most-premium of the kettles adds Gourmet BBQ System grates , a warming rack and char-baskets. Built to Last- Charcoal Weber Grills feature a tried and true design and solid engineering. Weber believes in the quality and craftsmanship of their grills, and offer the warranty to back it up.
Those designs offer attractive versatility, but they’re also expensive—$350 at minimum, and the most popular and best-regarded styles run twice that or more. And Salvaggio weber charcoal grill noted that wood pellets simply don’t produce the searing heat you need to make perfect burgers or steaks. Our experiments ran the gamut from grilling burgers to smoking .
A heat shield just beneath the heat-resistant glass-reinforced nylon lid handle prevents you from burning yourself. The enclosed ash catcher below the grill body is a major upgrade in this version and makes cleanup much easier . Pellet grill lovers will love the SmokeFire, which has a temperature range between 200 and 600 degrees. Its porcelain-enamel finish helps with heat retention, while also preventing future rust and cracks. The SmokeFire has flavorizer bars like the Spirit grills, and there’s a SmokeBoost option to infuse an extra dose of smokey flavor at the beginning of a cook.
It’s certainly true that the Weber Kettle’s fire can be tricky to control, especially when compared to pellet grills and kamado smokers. It’s simply not as fuel efficient and heat insulated as fancier grill styles like those. Still, you can buy plenty of aftermarket products designed to make life easier. First, I filled a charcoal chimney 75% full with briquettes and ignited them. Then I replaced the grill grate and dropped my spatchcooked bird on the cooler side . One downside to this grill is the ash pan, which can only be emptied by reaching into the grill and lifting it up and out of the kettle.
If you prefer meat that’s more well done, you can extend the cooking time, or sear and finish cooking in an oven. They’re bulkier, the assembly is more involved and you’ll likely need more fuel to keep the larger space at a high temperature. Our results, however, were almost as good as with the kettle-style Weber, so if you’re interested in a cart-style charcoal BBQ, this is your best bet.
They control airflow through the grill, allowing you to easily manage the cooking temperatures of your Kettle. Simple construction means there aren’t too many parts to assemble or too many features to handle while cooking. A vent on the lid controls airflow and a well-designed ash tray beneath the Weber grill facilitates easy cleanup.