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While the canonic design of the Weber kettle hole grill may not have changed that much in the more than 70 class since its debut , it ’s still one of the most popular charcoal gray grills on the market , and for sound reason .
I quiz Weber ’s Premium kettledrum grill to see for myself whether it hold up up to its pedigree . I found this improved version of a intent that dates back to the 1950s is still one of the best , if not the best , all - aroundcharcoal grillsyou can corrupt .
Photo: Tony Carrick for Bob Vila
Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill: At a Glance
Rating:9.4/10
SPECS
PROS
CONS
Get the Weber oxford grey grille at :
What is the Weber Premium charcoal grill?
The Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill is characterized by the bulgy shape of its cook box and hat . The boiler sits on top of a alkali equipped with two wheels for maneuvering the grill short distance around a deck , patio , or yard .
Inside the kettle is a 22 - inch - diameter preparation grating that gives you 363 square inches of misrepresent airfoil , representing the mid - range sizing of Weber ’s timpani grills , which also includes 14- , 18- , 26- , and 37 - inch models . My Weber Premium fall in classic Weber Shirley Temple , but you’re able to also find them in cop and fleeceable .
A vent on the lid and another at the base of the cook box allow you to control flow of air through the grillwork , regulating how red-hot the charcoal burns and hence the level of heat inside the grill cooking chamber .
Photo: Tony Carrick for Bob Vila
There are several features you ’ll find on the Weber Premium that are n’t present on Weber ’s other kettle grill , the most notable of which is the large removable ash - catching organization settle at the infrastructure of the cook box . Other features you ’ll find only on the 22- and 26 - inch Premium let in a high temperature carapace for the eyelid handle and a build - in thermometer .
Assembly
Unless you purchase the Weber Kettle grill prebuilt from a big - box computer memory , you ’ll ask to put it together . As grills go , assembly is fairly gentle . Weber uses the third - party Bilt app , which gives you animated , 3D , footstep - by - step instruction .
I found that the app made assembly easier and quicker than using traditional newspaper command . I had the whole matter together in about 30 minutes . While I strongly advocate using Bilt for fabrication , if you ’re more comfortable with old - school report didactics , those are included as well .
Lighting and Heating Up
As with most grills , there is a learning curve when grilling with theWeber Premium . I made the mistake of place too much charcoal in the kettle on my first cooking attempt and finish up with more heat than I — or the nutrient – could handle . The grill became so hot that I could hardly bear getting cheeseparing enough to flip my hamburger patty .
Weber only recommends loading the Premium with 40 briquet for cooking with direct heat ( Warren Burger and steak ) and just 20 briquettes for make with indirect heat ( wimp and dense pieces of meat ) . While those amounts may not look like much when you ’re loading them into the kettle , I find they are indeed the optimal amount for grilling .
After the grill is dilute with oxford grey , lighting it is n’t difficult . Weber recommends using achimney - style fledgling , which is a great accessory to have . However , you may also apply a fire starter or even lighter fluid if you do n’t have a lamp chimney starter . Once the grill is alight and its bottom blowhole clear , the grillroom only takes about 15 to 20 minutes to preheat .
Photo: Tony Carrick for Bob Vila
Cooking Performance
The Weber Premium performs very well . It heats the cooking surface equally and give up you to keep in line just how live the charcoal burns by adjusting the vent located on the hat and base .
During my examination , I cooked burgers , steak , and boneless skinless chicken breasts . I had no problem getting the grill surface hot enough to sear a good insolence on my burgers and steaks while keeping the substance inside nice and juicy . I had similar success with chicken after setting up the grille for indirect heating . And , of course of study , since this is a fusain grille , the food for thought came out with plenty of smoky flavor .
While the fudge aerofoil on the Premium is limited to just 363 square inches , it ’s large enough to feed in a fellowship of four or even for a small gathering on holidays . There ’s also just enough space to split the cook open into two separate zona for direct heat and collateral heating .
Photo: Tony Carrick for Bob Vila
Premium Design Features
With the exception of a few minor ailment , I found theWeber Premiumto be a very well- contrive wood coal grillwork — both for cooking and cleansing . For starters , the cooking - grating flexible joint loose so you could add charcoal for longer barbecuing efforts , and a bracket handily hold the lid so you’re able to have both hand barren to incline to the food . It also let in a build up - in thermometer on the lid to supervise temperature and a heat shield that keep the lid handle from getting hot .
The Weber Premium also crap cleaning the ash tree out of the bottom of the grill much easier , thanks to the large metal ash collector that sit at the base of the James Cook box — one of the kettle grill ’s most attractive feature .
Here ’s how it works . The same lever tumbler that opens and exit the bottom vent also move three little metal blades on the root word of the kettleful . As you move the lever , the blades sweep ash through the bottom vent holes into the ash backstop . When the day ’s barbecuing has conclude , simply move the lever back and forth a few times to sweep the ash tree into the catcher , detach the ash tree catcher from the base , and dump it into the trash . This dim-witted yet effective design , which is n’t available on Weber ’s smaller kettle hole grills , make water the Premium worth its high price shred .
One gripe I have with the Weber Premium is its small wheels . The Premium feel unstable and top - grievous when I attempted to twine the grillwork across my terrace . At one point , I most dropped the lid . I found myself like the Weber would suit the larger rack that are on its22 - inch Master - Touch grill , which costs more , on the Premium to add constancy .
Durability
I ’ve tested dozens ofcharcoalgrills of varying brands and have yet to find one that offers the level of durability that Weber does , and that ’s also the case with its Premium grill . The full Captain James Cook box is coated in a thick porcelain - enamel coating , which Weber say it bakes on at around 1,500 degrees to ensure it can stand up up to acute estrus .
From what I ’ve experienced , that holds true . Over years of using various Weber charcoal grill , I ’ve never experienced extensive shedding or break away paint , corrode on the grill body , or rusting on the stainless steel grates that Weber use for its oxford gray models . Weber also uses grueling - gauge sheet metal than other gas grills , which I found induce it less likely to warp or dent .
Is the Weber Premium worth the money?
With a retail Mary Leontyne Price of around $ 220 , the Weber Premium kettle grill is among the most expensive charcoal grill on the market . Yes , there are larger barbecue out there that propose more talkative cooking aerofoil than the Weber Premium for the same Mary Leontyne Price or cheaper . With a Weber , though , you ’re flummox superior carrying into action and durability .
TheWeber Premiumuses thicker metal than most other charcoal gray grills , and its thick finish of enamel pigment declare oneself longer rusting resistance than most other oxford grey grills . Add to that the aforesaid design features that make the Weber easy to use and clean , and the Premium is well worth its steeper price tag .
Should you buy the Weber Premium?
Whether the Weber Premium is the correct grill for you calculate on your grilling predilection and the size of it of your backyard barbeque . While it ’s idealistic for a family of four or little party , its 363 square inches of cooking aerofoil may not be enough for larger cookouts . If you need a charcoal grey grillroom that can handle the cooking tariff for the neck of the woods 4th of July blowout bash or your next mob reunion , then you ’d be better answer by a larger barrel - style charcoal grillroom , like the laborious - dutyDyna - Glo .
That say , the Weber Premium do better than most and boasts features that make it promiscuous to expend and clean . Its especial build quality and opposition to rust fungus also means it will almost doubtlessly outlast its rival .
Where to Buy the Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill
Meet the Tester
Tony Carrick is a independent writer specializing in home improvement , landscaping , technology , nursing home security , and pattern . His articles have been have on such sites as Popular Mechanics , Futurism , Field & Stream , 360 Reviews by U.S. News & World Report , Domino , and more . Carrick has conducted rigorous ware examination on everything from power tools to house protection systems to backyard grills . With each review , his end is to serve readers determine whether a intersection meets their demand and if it is or is n’t worth its price tag .
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