The charcoal briquettes form a line two coals wide and two coals deep. We also drop a few chunks of smokewood on top of the snake . On cart-style grills, we modify the snake to run in right angles to match their rectangular-shaped fireboxes. Next, we tested each grill’s medium heat cooking capability by roasting whole chickens.
I found that just pushing the leg in a little and then tapping the wheel covers on with a hammer (ball-peen, claw, or even a rubber mallet) worked. Before your first cook, Weber recommends letting a hot fire burn for at least 30 minutes to burn off any production residue that may linger from the manufacturing process. The best charcoal grill for steak searing in our lineup was the Weber Classic Kettle. The steak had nice grill marks while keeping a medium doneness on the inside. The worst was our Tacklife review unit, which didn’t hold much heat and didn’t sear while cooking.
You can spread the briquettes out across the bottom once they’ve transformed into hot coals. At a certain moment, Dad would decide that the charcoal was ready for cooking. On would go the grate, and an assortment of burger patties, hot dogs, and sausages were laid upon this culinary altar. A few twists of the knobs, and I can have a high-heat zone, medium-heat zone, and low-heat zone at the ready. Lesley Stockton is a senior staff writer reporting on all things cooking and entertaining for Wirecutter. Her expertise builds on a lifelong career in the culinary world—from a restaurant cook and caterer to a food editor at Martha Stewart.
It is a US federal crime to publish or distribute anything on this website without permission. Weber BBQ Kettles enjoy evergreen popularity from one generation to the next because they are durable and you can cook just about anything you want on them. Pile up coal on one side to sear steaks or set up 2-zone weber genesis 2 roasting, Build a nice even bed of coal for general cooking. The tight seal between the lid and body makes the dampers very effective and provides excellent heat control. The larger version of the Original Kettle Premium grill features a cooking surface that measures 508 square inches in total.
Their heat dampening system allows for excellent temperature control and longevity of fuel. Since Weber Grills released the iconic Weber Kettle Grill in 1952, they have become the biggest name in BBQ. For over 60 years, Weber has been a leader in the BBQ industry, and for good reason. Weber charcoal grills are tough, built to withstand years of outdoor cooking.
But once you factor in price, performance, and design, the Weber is the heavy hitter in the arena of charcoal grills. A high-end ceramic kamado grill, while a superior cooker thanks to its insulation, will run you $800 minimum. Barrel-style charcoal grills, while larger, can be more difficult to manage and harder to clean. There are cheaper versions of the kettle out there, but the Weber’s quality construction makes it a valuable purchase that should last you a long time. Although the Big Green Egg is at a higher price point than other traditional charcoal grills, “these ceramic cookers are almost a must for any backyard kitchen,” Jonathan Fox of Fox Bros.
That should give you enough space to accommodate 25 regular-sized hamburger patties. For a while, Weber-Stephens Products claimed the original kettle grill’s round body was superior to other grills on the market. “The unique dome shape reflects the heat evenly all around, just like a kitchen oven,” according to a Weber ad from the 1970s.