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Of the many brands of grills on the market, Weber is one of the best, thanks to its reputation for making reliable and durable high-performance gas and charcoal grills.While choosing a Weber grill is a no-brainer, there are many different models to choose from, from Weber’s classic charcoal kettle grills to its high-performance gas grills to its newer smokers.But what makes Weber such a great grill brand?What types of grills does Weber offer?Read on to learn more about the best Weber grill options on the market.
Weber’s product line is diverse, and the company makes charcoal, propane, and wood pellet grills.Next, learn more about the different types of grills Weber offers, and what to consider when shopping for a grill.
Weber is known as the inventor of the charcoal grill (it’s the company’s logo, after all), so it’s only natural that the company’s charcoal grill will be one of the most admired products on the market.Its line of charcoal grills ranges from the popular Smokey Joe 14-inch grill to a premium 22-inch charcoal grill.Webb also makes a charcoal grill, which has a ceramic body and a charcoal smoker.
While Webb may be best known for inventing the kettle charcoal grill, its propane gas grill is just as popular, if not more popular.The company’s line of gas grills includes the mid-range Spirit line, the high-end Genesis gas grill, and the high-end Summit grill, which includes a combination of built-in and freestanding grills.
While not a huge part of its business, Weber also offers high-end wood-fired pellet grills in two sizes and an electric grill designed for portable use.
When choosing a grill, paying attention to size is key, as it determines how much food can be cooked at one time.Grill size is usually measured by the size of the cooking surface.One of the best ways to determine size is to consider how many people your grill needs to hold.About 200 square inches of cooking space is suitable for one to two people, while 450 square inches is suitable for a family of four.Larger families and frequent entertainers need grills with 500 to 650 square inches of cooking surface.
Weber Charcoal Grills consist of an enamel-coated steel body that bakes at 1,500 degrees Fahrenheit to withstand high temperatures.The company’s gas grills are made of stainless steel, aluminized steel or cast iron.Construction varies depending on the price point of the grill.While Weber’s Spirit series uses bent sheet metal for construction, the company’s high-end Genesis series consists of thicker, stronger welded beams.Weber uses stainless steel rods (charcoal) or enameled cast iron grate (gas) as the cooking surface on the grill.
Larger Weber gas and charcoal freestanding grills come with wheels, making them easier to move around the patio or deck.Weber’s charcoal model, as well as some of its gas grills, have two wheels on one side that users can move the grill by tilting back.Its high-end freestanding gas grills are mounted on large casters that allow users to roll them on smooth surfaces.
Webb is known for integrating innovative technologies into its grills that improve performance while making it easier to use.For example, Weber’s gas grills include its GS4 system, which includes an igniter that sets the temperature for the entire grill at the same time, high-performance burners that last longer, and burners that reduce burn and improve flavor by evaporating juices. Metal bars, and a convenient grease management system under the firebox.Most of Weber’s gas grills are compatible with the IGrill 3 app connectivity technology, which consists of a small Bluetooth unit on the front of the grill.The unit connects up to four compatible meat thermometers (sold separately) to the smart device, allowing chefs to monitor meat temperature remotely.
Weber’s charcoal grills have trays under the bottom grill vents to collect ashes.Smaller grills, like the Smokey Joe, have simple little metal trays, while larger models, including their premium charcoal grills, have systems that allow users to sweep ash from the bottom of the grill into the trap.The catcher can be removed, eliminating the need to move the entire grill to catch the ash.
While most of Webb’s large grills have wheels, that doesn’t make them portable.The wheels on these larger grills are designed for transport over short distances, such as from one side of the patio to the other.Weber does have a range of portable grills, including the smaller Smokey Joe and Jumbo Joe charcoal grills, the Go Anywhere collapsible charcoal grill, and the Weber Traveler small gas grill.These grills are compact and lightweight enough to fit into the trunk of a car for transport to campsites, parks or tailgating events, offering 200 to 320 square inches of cooking surface.
In addition to grills, Weber also sells a variety of grill accessories, including high-quality grill covers, chimney starters, cookware, grill kits, scrapers, and cleaning kits.
The grills below include some of the best grills Webb has to offer.The list includes classic gas and charcoal grills the company has produced over the years, as well as some of Weber’s latest releases, including its pellet grill and smoker line.
Webb introduced the first kettle grill nearly 70 years ago.Over the years, the company has continued to improve on the original design, which is why today, one of its best-selling grills remains its 22-inch kettle grill.In addition to its sturdy construction, Weber’s Classic Kettle Grill solves the problems that make charcoal grilling such a headache – ash removal and temperature control.
A mechanical sweeper on the bottom of the kettle directs ash through bottom vents into a large-capacity ash collector that is separate from the grill for easy disposal.These same bottom vents, as well as sliding vents on the lid, also effectively control the temperature.And, when the temperature starts to drop, Weber can easily add fuel while grilling with the hinged grate.Other nice design touches include a heat shield on the lid to keep the handle from heating up, and two large wheels for maneuvering the grill around the patio.
Dollar-for-dollar, it’s hard to top the Weber Spirit Propane Grill range.Of the Spirit grills, the E-310 is probably the best.Featuring three burners with ample 30,000 BTU output on a 424 square inch cooking surface, this model also features Weber’s new GS4 cooking system with high performance burners, an advanced ignition system, “flavors” sticks and a grease management system.It also supports Weber’s iGrill 3 app for connecting to a thermometer system.
With a few notable exceptions, the Spirit II performs similarly to its Genesis line counterparts, which feature a slightly larger grill surface and better build quality.Given that the Spirit II is hundreds of dollars cheaper, that’s a real deal.One complaint was Webb’s decision to place the water tank on the outside of the grill — a twist on the original Spirit design.While this design opens up storage space under the grill and makes installation of the water tank easier, it leaves the water tank exposed and compromises the aesthetics of the grill.
Those in need of more cooking surfaces than Weber’s Spirit line should consider upgrading to the company’s Genesis line, the Genesis II E-310.Compared to the Spirit, this model has about a 20 percent increase in the main cooking surface (513 square inches in total), and includes a number of attractive additions, including an ignition system, seasoning sticks, and a grease management system.
It has a similar output to the Spirit, with three burners delivering 39,000 BTU of heat to its ceramic-coated cast iron grate.The structure is stronger, with welded beams replacing the metal sheets that make up the frame of the Spirit grill.The grill is also compatible with Weber’s iGrill 3, which uses a thermometer that connects to a phone app for real-time temperature monitoring.
The problem with many small charcoal grills is that they are difficult to use.Not so with the Smokey Joe, which has been one of the most popular portable grills on the market since its debut in 1955.The Smokey Joe is essentially a scaled-down version of the Weber’s full-size kettle grill, with vents on the bottom and lid for temperature control.Its 14-inch cooking grate provides about 150 inches of cooking space, enough to handle six burgers or a few steaks.The lower grate lifts the charcoal from the bottom of the grill for optimal airflow, while the small tray under the lower vent collects ash for easy cleanup.
The entire grill weighs less than 10 pounds, making it ideal for camping, tailgating, or beach trips in the back of a suitcase or truck.One challenge for the Smokey Joe is its lid, which doesn’t attach to the body for transport.
Weber’s SmokeFire range is undoubtedly an auspicious range of pellet grills.Most pellet grills are smokers simply because pellets do a good job of maintaining a consistently low temperature, but often can’t achieve the high heat required for grilling.The SmokeFire range changes that, with a design that maintains smoking temperatures as low as 200 degrees or searing temperatures as high as 600 degrees, making it an effective grill and smoker.
The grill also offers advanced monitoring through its Bluetooth temperature monitoring system, which allows users to remotely view any of the grill’s four probe thermometers on a smart device via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.SmokeFire also has other innovative features, including SmokeBoost, which burns particles at low temperatures, forcing them to smolder and producing more aroma-inducing smoke.
The Weber Original Kettle is one of the company’s best models thanks to its classic design and the ability to easily control the temperature and maintain it after grilling.If you’re looking for a gas grill, then consider the Weber Genesis II E-315, which has over 500 square inches of cooking space and many extra features to make grilling easier.
Building a list of top Weber grills involves looking at every model the company makes, including gas, charcoal, electric, and pellet grills.In addition to their design and ease of use, we also considered size, including the size of the cooking surface.For Weber’s gas grills, preference is given to models that provide enough BTU output to fit the size of their grilling surface.We also looked at grill performance, construction, and special features, such as smart temperature monitoring, especially as they relate to the price of the grill, favoring those with the best value for money.
Although the Weber name is more expensive than other grill brands, it’s for good reason.Webb has a great reputation for the durability of its grills.The material that Weber uses may increase the overall price of the grill, but it will last longer than smaller grills, helping to make up for the cost difference.Manufacturers’ grills, whether gas or charcoal, also consistently perform well, with excellent heat output and distribution and easy temperature control.
Whether it’s making post-grill cleanup easier with a removable ash collector or being able to monitor the progress of a sizzling steak from the comfort of your living room couch with a Bluetooth-enabled meat thermometer, Weber grills offer many uses. Its easier to use features.The Weber grill is also one of the more stylish grills, and many of the company’s most popular models are available in a variety of colors, including black, stainless steel, and green.
If you’re wondering how to clean your new Weber grill, or how long you want your grill to last, read on for answers to these and other questions about your Weber grill.
Use a stainless steel grill brush to clean the inside of the grill and grill.Use a plastic scraper to scrape any buildup on the deflector or rod.Next, use a stainless steel brush to clean the burner tube below the heat deflector.Finally, inspect the inside of the cooking compartment and scrape off any debris or residue that could cause a fire.
If you have a Weber pellet grill or smoker, purchase pellets designed for grilling.Although Weber sells its own pellets, most brands of grill pellets will work.Granules usually come in different types and can infuse food with different flavors.
Because Weber grills are designed to withstand temperatures well above what the grill can actually achieve, opening it for extended periods of time will not damage the grill.That said, if you forget to turn off the gas grill, you could end up causing the tank valve to go into bypass, a safety feature that reduces gas flow.Once in Bypass, the temperature of the grill will not exceed 300 degrees.If this happens, you will need to go through a process to reset the valve.
While it’s possible to hose down a Weber grill, or even power clean it, it’s probably not a good idea to do so.Washing a Weber grill with pressurized water can force water into cracks and crevices, which can lead to rust.Instead of using a hose, scrape up the buildup with a wire brush, then wipe the grill with a damp cloth.
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