The Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill is a solid, basic charcoal grill. It features a porcelain enameled bowl that measures 22 inches in diameter and a cooking area that measures 363 square inches. Assembled, it measures 38.5 in x 27 in x 22.5 in and is lightweight. This grill features a hinged cooking grate made of plated steel. Cleaning is easy with the removable aluminum ash catcher. The newly designed lid handle includes a heat shield for your comfort and has a built in thermometer, which allows you to keep track of the temperature of the grill.
The Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill is an updated version of an older grill, with several small but important changes. Aside from the newly updated heat shield lid, the redesigned aluminum legs are held together with a spring loaded push pin. The old grill did not have this feature and some felt the legs were wobbly. The ash catcher has also been redesigned to facilitate the opening and closing of the vents at the bottom of the grill. The Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill has excellent airflow and by positioning the coals at the side instead of the centre of the grill, one can manage indirect cooking by placing the meat in the centre of the grill. Assembly is easy and fast and although big in size, this grill is relatively lightweight.
Pros of Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill
- Quality construction
- Improvements to grill design
- Customer service
Several reviewers mentioned that they had purchased cheaper models from hardware stores, only to have them break down and not cook well. The construction of the Weber was universally praised, from the depth of the cooking drum to the quality of the materials.
This charcoal kettle grill is a classic design that has been around for a long time- one reviewer mentioned owning an older model that was over forty years old. One might wonder how to improve a classic design that has stood the test of time, but the small adjustments made by Weber were praised. The spring loaded push pin aluminum legs and heat shield handle were specifically named as thoughtful improvements made after feedback from customers.
Although some owners had issues with components of The Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill arriving slightly damaged, all praised the customer service from Weber and the promptness with which replacement parts were sent.
Cons of Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill
- Poor packaging resulting in minor damage
- Instructions
Some owners of the Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill were disappointed to discover the enamel was distorted- this was noted on the inside, as well as on the outside by the handle. Others received damaged goods due to poor packaging- for example, bent handles, dented legs, missing a caster wheel, etc. When contacting customer service, owners were advised to send the product back so a replacement could be sent. Most were satisfied with this, although some complained that Weber should look into changing the way this grill is packaged to prevent future damages.
Although assembly was quick, the provided instructions include only images with no accompanying text. It took some owners a bit of guesswork to figure out which way components such as the legs and handle fit together.
Summary
The Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill is a slightly updated twist on a classic grill from a quality American company. Minor tweaks to the classic design result in boosting a good looking grill that cooks quality food from good to great. The only potential issue keeping this grill from being five stars from all reviewers is minor packaging issues, with some components arriving with slight damage. The aluminum legs were singled out as prone to arriving with dents. However, when this occurred, customer service was prompt and helpful. If you are in the market for a charcoal grill, this is an excellent option.
