Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident buying decisions. Whether it’s finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we’ll help you get it right (the first time). 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. She is perfectly happy to leave all that behind to be a full-time kitchen-gear nerd.
We suggest taking out the grill grates to scrub them, though, as cleaning them made the entire setup shake. Since the first Weber grill was released in 1952, they have been the biggest name in BBQ. From the Weber Original Kettle Grill to the latest Weber GENESIS Gas Grills and the SmokeFire Wood Pellet Grills, everyone immediately knows a Weber BBQ when they see one.
Shying away from going full-bore on the temperature yielded fine results in our cooking tests, with reasonably even cooking, but we never attained good searing or grill marks at this lower temperature. It’s weber bbq easy to clean, there’s little setup, and it’s lighter than its gas counterparts. Most of the Q-Series models use propane for fuel, but electric and natural gas options at a variety of BTU levels also exist.
In this example I want to compare the 22 inch Weber charcoal grill against similarly sized grills from two other High Quality brands, PK Grills and Napoleon. Prices are current as of April, 2021 but I have included links to the manufactures websites so you can check current prices if desired. The pop-up stand takes little effort to operate, and the wheels make moving the grill from the car to the cooking spot a simple task. The Traveler requires assembly, a job that took us about 15 minutes, and given its heat retention, it cooled quickly, making it easier to pack after cooking.
We monitored the grills’ temperature for the hour-long cook, and we noted the depth and evenness of browning at the end. A firebox—the lower half of the grill body, where the burners and grates are mounted—made from cast aluminum is rustproof and highly durable, likely to offer a decade or more of service. The Weber Spirit II E-310 excelled weber bbq at every test, producing the best hamburgers—deeply seared, evenly cooked—among all the grills we tested. And it outdid or equaled the competition in grilling barbecue chicken and whole roasted chickens with crispy golden skin. Perfect for those looking to save space, Weber electric grills are compact, durable and built to last.
The lid on your grill is not intended to only be lifted when you are checking on the doneness of your food. Chef Sean Brasel who owns a very popular meat market in Miami tells us the grill is your best device to control the temperature of your device to get your proper doneness. If you prefer a traditional charcoal barbecue, Weber’s range is made from enamelled porcelain that doesn’t rust and retains heat to ensure that your food cooks evenly. The vent is also made from anti-rust aluminium to allow the air to flow correctly. The global COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 had a deeply negative impact on everyone regardless of individual feelings about it. It had an impact on the barbecue and grilling world at large as well.
He used the grill frequently to cook for family and friends and sold a few of them, but it took several years and many grill iterations later for the business to take off. “As the story goes,” Kempster says, “he took it home, he fired it up with charcoal, and it didn’t work. The fire went out.” One of his neighbors was watching the spectacle and chimed in saying, “George, you gotta let some air in that thing,” according to Kempster.
Even worse, backyard chefs had to breathe in the excessive smoke from the grill top and the meat rarely had an even cook. The quick answer is that almost all Weber grills are worth the money. The value comes from the long term cost of ownership combined with amazing grilling performance. When Weber grills are compared directly against other brands of similar quality it becomes clear that the price of a Weber grill is very reasonable. In 2023, Weber launched its own line of standalone gas-powered griddles — a testament to the growing popularity of flat top grills.
The company made incredible sales early, but the problem with building high-quality grills is that they last. That’s great for customers but not great for a company looking for greater returns. Weber grills are made by grillers for grillers, and made to last and last. Whether gas, charcoal, pellets or smoking is your choice, Weber makes the grills you want.