From its modest roots Weber grew to be an internationally recognized name in the grilling world. The company grew from a small band of devotees to a massive business, pushing the edge of food technology at a time when backyard cooking was a rapidly growing fad. Stephen and his growing family, which eventually included 12 children, frequently gathered to enjoy food cooked on the grill.
The grill’s main cooking area is 604 square inches and it comes with side shelves, wheels and a space for firing coles with an electric starter. It also has two dampers, whereas most kamado grills have just one, according to Consumer Reports. To my childhood mind, firing up a Weber charcoal grill had existential significance.
Upon extinguishing the coal and allowing the grill to cool down, you canclean the gratesusing a scraper or wire grill brush. If needed, you can take the grates off and soak them in soapy water for a few hours to loosen up burnt-on food and grease. Once they’re clean, make sure to oil them using a rag or paper towel to prevent rust.
That’s a reflection of the Weber’s excellent ability to control how much heat your charcoal briquets are putting out, which you manage by adjusting the vents underneath the grill and on top of the lid. While not an amazing grill by any means, it’s easy to use and offers a better grilling experience than what you’d get with a cheap portable grill . With a price tag well below $100, this is also the kind of grill you could have shipped to a vacation destination and wouldn’t have to feel bad leaving behind.
The wood on the 1970s and 80s versions really classed things up. Then, I called my friend and resident AoM meat-cooking consultant, Karl Engel, and asked him to show me the ropes on how to cook with it. After enjoying the sound of a newly birthed charcoal fire, we’d stand around the grill and watch the flame slowly get smaller and smaller, and the charcoal get whiter and whiter. For portable bbq this review, I focused on the top-rated Gold and Platinum Medal winning models from the AmazingRibs.com database of almost 600 searchable equipment reviews. The list below spans a range of features and prices, including both newer models and well-established leaders in the field. We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process.
The appliance was composed of a metal box or tray to hold the coals with a grid iron resting above. But the open-top design of these devices left the meat vulnerable to weather. Big winds could kick up ash or set the precious meat ablaze, and rain would fill the grills with water.
The grill has two convenient folding side shelves and utensil hooks. 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. “It reflects heat well, but we haven’t been able to prove it reflects heat any better than a square or a rectangle,” says Kempster, noting that the interior of kitchen ovens are rectangular. Grill efficiency lies in other design details, he explains, such as the positioning of the grates and air dampers.
If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Max Good is the vice president and director of equipment reviews for AmazingRibs.com. Widely considered the leading authority on residential, outdoor cooking equipment, Max has written for Serious Eats and Casual Living, and is often interviewed for a variety of programs and publications. Prices and availability of products and services are subject to change without notice.
Nicholas McClelland is an expert on all the topics that will help you have a great summer, from grills to whiskey to golf. He graduated from The Missouri School of Journalism and has been testing products and writing for The Spruce Eats since weber genesis 2 April 2019. In the 1950s, George Stephen, Sr. worked in sales at Weber Brothers Metal Works, which his father ran at the time. He often worked on fabricating and selling innovative products, including mailboxes and fireplace equipment.