So how does a charcoal grill for under $200 perform? The Weber Original Kettle 22-Inch Premium is a solid choice for any barbeque enthusiast.
Find out why you should create space for this little grill in your back yard.
Weber Original Kettle Charcoal Grill
A versatile grill that will handle indirect heat cooking, smoking, and you can even add attachments for rotisserie cooking.
- Cooking Area: 363 square inches
- Weight: 32.3 pounds
- Price Range:$$
Overview
You will need the following to assemble the grill:
- Philips Head Screwdriver
- Rubber Mallet
- Minimal DIY Experience
Assembling the unit should take roughly half an hour.
Key Specifications
- Category: Charcoal Grill
- Dimensions: 39.5 x 22.5 x 27 inches
- Weight: 32.3 pounds
- Cooking Area: 363 square inches
- Material: Stainless steel & Aluminum
- Dampers: Adjustable
- Portable: Lightweight, wheels, carry handles
- Built-in thermometer: Yes
- Color: Black
What did we like?
Easy to use
The Weber Original Kettle 22-inch Premium is precisely the kind of grill you can fire up and bbq with little or no prior experience. The insulated grill also maintains a consistent temperature so novice cooks don’t have to worry too much about burning the food.
Good Quality Build
Despite being a small, cheap grill; the Weber 22-inch Kettle is not flimsily built. It sports a rust-resistant aluminum damper, plated steel grates, heavy-duty wheels, glass-reinforced nylon handles, and porcelain-enameled bowl.
This is a grill that you can expect to use for many years to come without problems aside from normal wear-and-tear.
Portable Charcoal Grill
This grill weighs a mere 32.3 pounds so it is easy to carry. It has convenient carry handles and two rear wheels for even easier transport. This is precisely the kind of grill you can take tailgating or to a camping trip.
Great Features for the Price
The rear wheels, detachable ash catcher, adjustable damper, and built-in thermometers are all great features to have on a charcoal grill. This Weber may be an inexpensive model but you get more value than you pay for in terms of features.
What did we not like?
Despite its great features and impressive temperature control, there are a few things that aren’t quite right about the Weber Original Kettle.
Lack of Dedicated Charcoal Access
We appreciate the design constraints but a dedicated charcoal access door is always a welcome feature. You have to swing open the cooking grate to insert the charcoal. This is inconvenient if you have to add coal mid-cooking.
The good news is this is a well-insulated grill so it is highly unlikely you will need to add coal while cooking.
Misplaced Lid Thermometer
A lid thermometer gives you control over your cooking temperature so it needs to be accurate. Unfortunately, the thermometer on this model sits at the very top of the lid which is a little too far from the actual coal to give an accurate reading.
This isn’t a problem for the most part but it can be an issue if you need to cook with precise temperatures.
Final Thoughts
The Weber Kettle series is certainly nostalgic and has been featured in famous movie scenes for decades. It is more than just a familiar grill. This little charcoal grill does a great job searing steaks and cooking meat and vegetables evenly.
It is also a versatile grill that will handle indirect heat cooking, smoking, and you can even add attachments for rotisserie cooking. The small grill has a surprisingly generous cooking area that will fit a whole turkey.
You get a lot more than you bargain for with the Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-inch. The manufacturer was not stingy with useful features, good quality construction, and overall positive cooking experience despite the grill’s low price.