This model is marketed as a grill and smoker, so we had high expectations for it in both categories— and it delivered. The PK300 is thoughtfully designed, with a lid that hinges open but can be removed entirely with ease, too. And the lid, when closed fully, creates a strong seal imperative for smoking success. With a hinged charcoal grate, it was simple to adjust and add coals during the cooking process. Although starting a charcoal grill requires a little more skill and labor than gas, it’s made easier with the right tools and a quick primer.
Brand-new grillers may struggle with maintaining an ideal temperature, but the efficiency and quality of the design will please experts and those looking to make the switch from gas grilling. It’s also ideal for large families or anyone who regularly cooks for a crowd. The only real learning curve to cooking on a charcoal grill is fire management, but the built-in thermometer makes that easier. Maintaining a consistent temperature is crucial, and the Weber does this better than any other in its price range. You can thank the porcelain-enameled bowl and lid, which are heat retention pros, for that.
If you’re someone who has never smoked meat before and you look at the lid thermometer, you might panic when you see 400F on your lid thermometer. The short of it is – the Weber Kettle is what I believe to be one of the best grills and even smokers to exist, especially at a fair price-point. Karl likes to spread the charcoal so that it covers about half of the kettle. We didn’t have a charcoal starter on hand this time around, so we used some firestarter gel from Hasty-Bake. It doesn’t evaporate quickly like traditional lighter fluid and doesn’t give your meat that gross lighter fluid taste.
Interior temperatures had a greater swing, jumping up to 300 degrees F during periods of cooking. While its ribs came out tender and juicy overall, the exterior bark had a few burnt spots. For our tests, each grill gets a full chimney of lit charcoal and a 6-pound chicken opposite the coals for indirect heat. We also compared how each of these grills performed in our grilling tests and evaluated other parts of the user experience, such as vent control and assembly. After testing and reviewing it for over 6 months, I can safely safe I’m a big fan of the Slow N’ Sear, however, I don’t think it’s absolutely necessary to make smoking feasible on a charcoal grill. Having said all of this, this upgrade is not necessary to smoke on the weber kettle.
When he’s firing up his charcoal, Karl likes to shove all of it to one side of the kettle. You can spread the briquettes out across the bottom once they’ve transformed into hot coals. The other day as I was cooking burgers in a far more antiseptic fashion on my gas grill, I started waxing nostalgic about these Weber Grill-related memories of mine. I decided I wanted to try cooking on one myself, to see if it was as good as I recalled. Creating a three-zone fire on my gas grill is incredibly easy. A few twists of the knobs, and I can have a high-heat zone, medium-heat zone, and low-heat zone at the ready.
As with all charcoal grills, your briquettes or lumps rest near the bottom of the bowl on a grate that keeps them off the base of the pit to allow airflow. We looked for charcoal grills with good heat retention, but that also allowed for easy airflow adjustments through dampers and vents or other functions like an adjustable charcoal tray. The weber portable grill main cooking grate is actually three separate pieces that can be lifted off of the grill for access to the charcoal tray—which has holes big enough to brush ash through. Below, a slide-out ash tray/shelf/drawer runs the entire width of the grill. Retailing at around $200, this grill is well-priced considering the upgrades from the original.
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. Weber sells one for its 22-inch kettle, usually for about $40. The Weber grill has three legs—an inherently stable design, because having three points of contact means the legs will automatically “find their level,” even on bumpy ground.
Our experts lean toward lump charcoal due to the lack of additives often found in briquettes. BBQGuys has the largest selection of charcoal Weber Grills available, and our BBQ experts are standing by 7 days a week to answer any questions you may have about this iconic brand. We can help you find the Weber grill that will keep you and your family cooking for years to come.
The lifespan of any grill is affected by several factors including cleaning frequency, maintenance, amount of use, weather, and the overall environment where the grill is located. There is an abundance of Weber owners who have been using the same grill for decades. Your mileage may vary, but with proper care and maintenance you can expect your Weber grill to last for many years.
Weber’s grill covers cost close to $100, while these off-brand ones are barely a quarter of that. They’re waterproof and tear-resistant, and feature beefy velcro straps that secure below your grill, ensuring that a wind storm won’t weber charcoal grill leave your Kettle exposed. Plus, in addition to Kettle covers, Kingkong also makes covers for Weber’s Genesis and Spirit gas grills. After you’re done grilling (and things have cooled down), you should always empty your ash tray.