When you invert the assembly to screw it to the grill, the inner collar can slip down unnoticed and prevent the screws from attaching to the grill body. That happened to us twice before we figured out what was going on. If it had been full of hot ash, we would have had a real problem. Its construction is simple and solid, and the materials—rust-proof aluminum legs, porcelain-coated steel weber q for the body, and a nickel-plated steel grill—are designed to last. And while the basic design has barely changed since 1952, Weber has added helpful new details over the years—this latest iteration has convenient tool hooks on the side handles, for example. Add that to its solid warranty and well-regarded customer service, and it’s hard to see a better value for the $175 cost.
Our last test is grilling barbecued ribs, specifically baby back pork ribs. This style of cooking requires strict temperature control over a period of multiple hours. Ideally, a quality charcoal grill will keep its fire humming along as close to 225 F for as long as possible. Updated the last year 2021, the $119 Nexgrill Cart-Style Charcoal Grill is a compelling alternative to the Weber, especially if you prefer a cart-style backyard cooker. That design gives you a handy side tray and more cooking surface room.
In 2017 Weber also started using this code scheme on some Genesis II grills made in China. Simply locate the grill’s serial number and compare the first two letters to the values in the table below. The serial number is usually found on a sticker found on the back of the grill or inside the enclosed storage cabinet, or sometimes on a bar code weber q on the chassis under the control panel. Also, the serial number can often be found on the cover of the grill’s Owner’s Manual, if available. You may have noticed the dot stamped into the damper of the dual-coded 2013 AT/CN 14.5″ WSM shown above. The dot indicates that this smoker was a pre-production version not intended for retail sale.
We cooked burgers on the Napoleon grill with the cooking grate at its highest level, which was pretty far away from the briquettes. Each grill did a great job searing the chicken leg quarters while still leaving them juicy on the inside. The Oklahoma Joe’s Kettle Grill and Weber Original Kettle Grills gave the chicken skin the deepest sear. There’s nothing weber q quite like the smell and taste of a charcoal grill in the summer. Charcoal grilling takes a bit more time and attention to get things just right, so when you choose to use a charcoal grill for a barbecue, everyone knows you mean business. For the size, price, and performance, we’re not sure you can find a more valuable, more easily portable charcoal grill.
Add its solid warranty and well-regarded customer service, and the Weber Kettle Premium Grill is the best value going. Its line of charcoal grills ranges from its popular Smokey Joe 14-inch grill up to its 22-inch premium charcoal grill. Weber also makes a charcoal kamado grill, which has a ceramic body, and a charcoal smoker. In 1979, Weber introduced a one-letter alphabetic code representing the model year of Weber charcoal grills. The code was stamped into the lid damper of each charcoal kettle; for the Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker, the code was stamped into the lid damper and all three charcoal bowl dampers. The Weber kettle grill has been around since the early 1950s, so chances are good you’ve eaten a burger, a hotdog, or a steak cooked on one.
Up top, you’ll find a single vent offset from the center of the lid to help you control the out-flow of smoke. Right at the peak of the dome is a nylon handle with a heat shield to keep you from burning yourself when you lift the lid. The Original Kettle is a practical barbecue for straight-up grilling — searing and finishing steaks, chops, fish, veggies, and more. Plus, its generous size and ample room under the lid make it easy to roast large items over a longer period. Clean the inside of a grill as well as the grates using a stainless steel grill brush.