For charcoal purists, we recommend the Weber Jumbo Joe 18″. And never, ever use your charcoal grill in an enclosed space. Burning charcoal produces carbon monoxide, an odorless, deadly gas. Indoors, it can overwhelm and kill in minutes, without warning. For the same reason, don’t let your charcoal grill sit out in the rain, as the resulting lye will quickly corrode any metal it touches.
You can also use the grill to slow-roast whole chickens. The new grill design resolved all the pain points for consumers back in the 1950s, Kempster explains. The enclosed dome shape sealed in the smoky barbecue flavors and gave backyard chefs better heat control while cooking their meals. The lid also allowed backyard cooks to easily snuff out the coals when they were done cooking and prevented the barbecues from filling up with water.
We gave Spark a Platinum Medal for pushing the envelope of product capability while maintaining high standards of design and workmanship. 3) Tell us everything we need to know to help such as the type of cooker and thermometer. Dial thermometers are often off by as much as 50°F so if you are not using a good digital thermometer we probably can’t help you with time and temp questions. Webers are not cheap, but when you consider that they last decades, the price is easy to justify.
Easy to Clean- With the patented One-Touch Cleaning System in Weber Grills, charcoal ash can be removed quickly with one hand. The porcelain-enamel blast-fired coating allows for effortless removal of soot with just some soapy water. Ace Rewards members are eligible to receive free delivery on orders of $50 or more. I do wish they had given this premium model bigger, better wheels.
When it came to assembly, the only direct comparison we could make was between the Weber and the Napoleon. Both models shared a similar overall design, but the Weber model was comprehensively superior. With simple instructions and a minimal need for tools or acrobatics, Weber has clearly refined its engineering to maximize simplicity. The legs and ash catcher slot effortlessly into built-in sockets and lock into place with idiot-proof spring pins—not a bolt or screw in sight.
The actual cooking grates, meanwhile, are slightly different. The bowl and lid on the 22- and 26-inch models are constructed of porcelain-enameled steel. It also holds its heat well, so you shouldn’t need to add coals as often as you might with a lesser model. The Weber name is inextricably tied to backyard barbecues, but that wasn’t always the case.
Not to beat a dead burger, but the aforementioned thermometer really did help me manage my fire better. The Weber also features a hook on the inside of the lid, which you can use to hang the lid off the side of the grill. This eliminates the temptation to put the lid on the ground, which can singe portable bbq a circle in your lawn. Small hooks on the grill’s side handle are ideal for hanging tongs, spatulas, or a towel. While the Weber is a very basic cooker, it does have a few helpful features. There’s the elevated ash catcher, which makes dumping the remnants easier than with the original model .