What Kind Of Weber Grill Do I Have

The Weber Grill Is Still The King Of Grills

One day about a year ago, I got a call from my neighbor, Rick. He was packing up his pick-up truck and moving cross-country, and he asked if I wanted his old Weber kettle grill.

I already had a gas grill, which was all gleaming metal and sharp lines, so reflexively, I told him no, I did not want his dusty old charcoal grill. I was using the gas grill almost every night, and it could be manipulated to meet any grilling need. Why would I need this half-barrel that looked more like a trash can than a gourmet cooking device?

Almost immediately after declining Ricks offer, I started thinking about that Weber. Using only a gas grill seemed close-minded, like choosing to only use a microwave oven despite the existence of stoves. Somewhere inside of me, my inner caveman yearned to set fire to a pile of coals and throw some meat atop the glowing embers.

So I called Rick right back and told him if he hadnt already found a home for that Weber, I would gladly welcome it to my backyard menagerie. By the time I came home from work, that bad boy was parked on my back patio, ready to go.

And Ive used it pretty much exclusively ever since.

At the end of the day, all I need to cook food is heat. There are certainly methods that are more efficient or easy, but having the opportunity to sit in front of a fire blasting away inside my Weber kettle while I wait for time to take its course is a delicious opportunity. And thats really all I need.

Best Overall Charcoal: Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill

• Tried-and-true cooker makes amazing food

• A cost-conscious option

• Ash catcher makes cleanup a breeze

• Charcoal fuel takes more effort than gas or pellets

• Small to medium cooking space

• Wheels are small

The Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill is a classic option for anyone who loves grilling with charcoal, and you can’t beat the reasonable price for such a well-made product.

This kettle grill has a 22-inch diameter, and it can hold up to 13 burgers at a time on its 363 square inches of cooking space. The lid and bowl of the grill are porcelain-enameled for superior heat retention, and the lid has a built-in thermometer and aluminum dampers. When cooking, the grate has a hinged design that makes it quick and easy to add more charcoal, and the angled lid hook allows you to conveniently hang the lid on the side of the grill, saving you from having to place it on the ground.

Another feature that makes the Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill great is its one-touch cleaning system, which sweeps ash into a removable high-capacity container for easy disposal. The grill also has integrated hooks on its outer handles, as well as durable wheels for better mobility.

Dimensions: 39.5 x 22.5 x 27 inches | TotalCooking Area: 363square inches | Type: charcoal

“Maintaining a consistent temperature is crucial, and the Weber does this better than any other in its price range.” Nicholas McClelland, Product Tester

Size And Cooking Capacity

Weber grills come in a variety of different sizes and the size of the grate will determine how much food you can cook at any given time. When purchasing a Weber grill, youll want to determine how many people you want to feed and what type of food youll be cooking most often.

If youre feeding a small group, you can get away with a smaller grill. But if youre often feeding a large family or cooking large items such as ribeyes or rib racks, youre better off with a larger grill. When choosing your grill, pay attention to the size of the total cooking area, which is typically measured in square inches.

Webers portable grills are generally about 150-250 square inches, which will feed one or two people. Webers electric grills range from 180 to 280 square inches, which will feed one or two people as well.

Weber charcoal and gas grills tend to be larger and can feed more people at once. A Weber charcoal grill can range in size from 250 to 1100 square inches, comfortably feeding anywhere from two to upwards of five. And a Weber gas grill will be anywhere from 500 to 1,000 square inches with the ability to feed large groups and families.

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General Rule For Choosing Grill Size

Well get more into the details of choosing sizes, but start with this easy calculation: For every person you want to cook for, allow around 72 square inches of grilling space.

This means that you would want to get something with at least the following minimum sizes:

• Three people: 216 square inches
• Four people: 288 square inches
• Five people: 360 square inches
• Six people: 432 square inches

In many cases, people will round up to the next hundred to ensure that they have enough space.

Grilling things that are too crowded leads to less tasty results and more cooking problems. Extra space is an essential factor to consider adding.

Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill 22

Best charcoal grill

Reasons to avoid

The Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill 22-inch has a grate thats big enough for a whole mess of hamburger patties. However, because its easy to adjust the heat by opening and closing the vents in the bottom and in the lid, this grill is remarkably versatile and can definitely go beyond burgers and brats. It can turn out a perfectly seared medium-rare porterhouse or thoroughly-cooked chicken with a crispy golden-brown skin. The grate is hinged on both sides so its easy to add more briquets if youre having a party and turning out hot dogs throughout the evening.

Extras include a thermometer in the lid and hooks for hanging up your tools. A heat shield underneath the lid handle makes it easy to lift without singeing your hand, and the lid rests on the side of the grill while you flip the steaks or baste the ribs. Underneath the kettle, theres a big bucket called an ash catcher you use a lever to sweep the ashes into it and then its easy to remove and empty without leaving a trail of ashes along the way. The only thing missing are side tables for holding a platter.

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Outfit Your Backyard With The Perfect Pick For You

Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the bestproducts youcan learn more about ourreview process here.We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.

The Spruce Eats / Chloe Jeong

• Why Trust The Spruce Eats?

There’s a reason Weber is nearly synonymous with classic, quality grills. The brand has been around since the ’50s, when the founder first invented the kettle grill. Since then, the company has kept the iconic bowl-shaped charcoal grill but also introduced gas grills, electric grills, wood pellet grills, and morenot to mention a range of grilling accessories, from grill thermometers to briquettes.

Weber is known for smart design, solid construction, and generous warranties, whether you’re in the market for a spacious stationary grill to cook for a crowd or a lightweight, portable option fit for camping, tailgating, and more.

Here are the best Weber grills on the market.

Stainless Steel Vs Porcelain Enamel Grates

Your grill grate is the very surface where youll lay down your precious meats and other grill ingredients, so the way its made as well as the materials it is made from matter a great deal. Generally, there are three kinds of grates in quality grills stainless steel, pure cast iron and porcelain-enameled cast iron. Whats the difference? Lets find out.

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Jim Pfefferle Pewaukee Wi

Date Code: C

I rescued this bad boy from the back porch of my sisters place, where it had gathered dust since my fathers passing five years ago. Before looking, I was pretty confident it would be a C model, since my Dad was always trying out new grills and loved Weber products. I now consider this WSM a family heirloom.

When To Replace Your Grill

Most grills come with two different kinds of warranty. One for labor, which can range anywhere from zero coverage to two years, and another much longer warranty for parts. That coverage often lasts for the entire lifetime of the product, and includes all the essential pieces like burner, cooking grids, and exterior housing. But how long your grill lasts also depends on how well you take care of it.

If the cost of repairs are more than 50 percent of the price of a new grill, its time to consider buying a replacement. Rust or cracks in the firebox are an indication that your grill is not worth keeping. If you find cracks in the gas hose and regulator then you will have a gas leak, so you should at least replace those parts, if not the entire grill.

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A Bumpy Start For Weber Pellet Grills/smokers

Before I start to introduce what I think are the best Weber reviews currently out there, we do need to discuss the issues that Weber has had with their Gen 1 SmokeFire pellet grills and the limitations that the current Gen 2 SmokeFire pellet grills still have in my opinion. My first article on the Weber SmokeFire pellet grills discusses some of the problems that users experienced with the early models, so if youre not aware of the problems users experienced, I recommend checking that out.

I do also have an article on the differences made to the second generation models, hence my Gen 1 vs Gen 2 SmokeFire article which has corrected several little problems with the first generation models. However, as I also discuss in that article while I think Weber is making excellent pellet grills, especially for their price point, as a pellet smoker the user needs to be made more aware of their limitations.

Now, below Ive included some Gen 1 Weber SmokeFire reviews, even though if you purchase a SmokeFire from a dealer today they should only be selling Gen 2 models as Weber recalled Gen 1 units for modifications to take place. However, if you are purchasing a SmokeFire second-hand from eBay etc, it may very well be a Gen 1 unit and you need to understand what youre getting.

What Size Grill Do I Need

It will depend on the number of people that you want to cook for at one time, as well as the number of dishes that you wish to prepare.

Before you try to determine what size grill is going to be best for you, first think about how you want to use it.

Do you plan to host family and friends? Do you only want to be able to cook a small, intimate meal?

Your answers to these questions will affect the final grill size, so its essential to consider these factors early on in the process.

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What Is The Problem With Weber Grills And How Can I Fix It

Rusting is a major problem with many grills, even those manufactured by top tier companies like Weber. The problem lies in the way these grills have to be built. There is obviously no way to completely avoid the rusting problem which causes rust to form on the surface, but there are several ways you can prevent it and maintain the goodness of your grill.

The problem with grills is that, more often than not, there will be humidity or water left on the grates when you either cook or clean Weber grills. This moisture on the surface, when allowed to store in a cool or dry place results in heavy rusting on the surface. However, what people dont know is that even high temperatures are a major cause of rust. Rust is basically an oxidized form of iron. So when the heat is enough for the reaction to take place, the iron reacts with the oxygen in the air and forms rust causing the surface to look dismembered.

Where Is Model Number On Brinkmann Grill

The model number should be on the front page and will usually be listed on the bottom of each page. Even if you dont have your manual, thats fine too! Look for a small metal plate or label with certification information on it, including your model number. These plates are usually on the back of each grill.

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Inside Of Lid Is Peeling

If the inside of your grill lid looks like its peeling, the issue is caused by grease buildup. The burned-on grease has turned to carbon, which is now beginning to flake off. Because the cookbox is made of cast aluminum and is not painted, it wont actually peel on its own. Cleaning the lid will resolve the issue.

What Kind Of Barbecue Grill Accessories Are There

Brush and Tool Cleaning

The grill brush is an everyday grilling accessory. One form of accessory is cleaning brushes and tools, although they are critical. When you’re done grilling, use these items to get rid of any leftover food, grease, and filth. So you can keep your barbeque in good operating order for many grilling sessions, you’ll be able to rely on these products.

Tools for Cooking

Other common grilling accessories include cooking utensils. Grilling tools and accessories are grouped under tongs, brushes, spatulas, meat thermometers, and similar items. Culinary utensils developed specifically for grilling have long handles so that you can reach over the scorching surface of your barbeque and handle your food more efficiently.

Grill Baskets

More compact grill baskets fall under the accessory category of grills. These metal baskets, usually constructed of stainless steel, help cook foods that could otherwise slip between the grill’s grates. They are beneficial for individuals who like to grill vegetables, shellfish, and other products in addition to the standard cuts of meat, poultry, and hog on the barbecue. Grill baskets can transport food from the BBQ grill to the tabletop because they are lightweight and easy to carry.

Accessories That Protect

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Best Overall Gas: Weber Spirit Ii E

• Even heating surface and few flare-ups

• Compatible with Webers iGrill 3

• Easy-to-read fuel scale

• Grease management system makes it easy to clean

• Price tag is steep for three burners

• No side burner

If youre looking for a well-built gas grill to sizzle your steaks and serve up perfectly charred hamburgers, the Weber Spirit II E-310 is our top pick for a gas grill.

The Weber Spirit II E-310 offers three burners with an output of 30,000 BTUs per hour, and it features the brand’s GS4 grilling system, which includes improved ignition, porcelain-enameled “Flavorizer” bars, and an efficient grease management system. The grill has 529 square inches of cooking space across its enameled cast iron cooking grates, providing plenty of room for all your burgers, steaks, and veggies, and there are tables on each side of the grill area, one of which can be folded down.

This grill’s open cart design provides additional storage space for your favorite tools, and it has integrated hooks on the side tables, as well. The grill is available in several colors, and it has an easy-to-read fuel gauge next to the propane tank to let you know how much fuel you have remaining. Our tester said its performance, advanced design features, and warranty make this “worth the splurge.”

Dimensions: 45.5 x 52 x 24 inches | TotalCooking Area: 529 square inches | Type: gas

Lid Closure And Headspace

Finally, it is also important to consider how well the lid closes and what kind of headspace is inside the grill.

If the lid on the grill doesnt create a good seal, heat will escape from the grill while you are cooking.

Seeping heat will cause the temperature to fluctuate while grilling, and that is something that grill masters should avoid.

Look for a lid that opens easily but stays closed tightly to ensure that you get the best cooking experience.

Additionally, consider what kind of headspace there is inside of the lid when it is closed.

To be able to cook a rotisserie chicken or a full turkey on the grill, you will need to have enough headspace.

Some smaller at-home grills have very little room on top. Therefore, you need to consider if expanding headspace is important to you or not.

Generally, you should look for a grill with at least 12 inches of headspace.

Find out if any included warming racks are removable as well they will cut into available headspace if they are not removable.

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Broil King Build Quality

When you fire up your first steak, burger, or sausage using a Broil King, youll notice that the build is solid and sturdy.

Thats because all Broil King gas barbeque grills are manufactured in their North American locations by North American workers. Broil King has manufacturing locations in Dickson Tennessee, Huntington Indiana, and Waterloo Ontario.

Most of the components that make up a Broil King gas grill are fabricated by North American craftspeople using North American steel. Broil King proudly states that their grill cook box, shelves, and steel carts are 100% North American made.

Broil King gas grills arent made entirely in the US, though. If you read between the lines, it seems that some of Broil Kings grill components are sourced globally.