I recently returned from New York after attending the annual Weber preview for us media types. We had a nice lunch at 11 Madison and I got to met the new VP of Product Development and see what Weber will be releasing for 2010.
First some numbers. Weber, as you might know, does some of the most thorough statistical gathering in the industry. According to the most recent surveys grill buying is down, no surprise there, but the price people are willing to pay for a new grill is up. Of all grills purchased (gas, charcoal, portable, etc) the price went up from $188 in 2008 to $203 in 2009. This is partly due to a decline in portable grill sales and an increase in full sized grill purchases, but also to people looking for better quality and more features like side burners, rotisserie kits, and infrared burners. We will have to see if this trend continues.
Weber is not introducing much in the way of new products for 2010. On the grill front, the only new grill is the One-Touch Platinum (pictured). This 22 1/2 inch kettle sports a functional cart with four legs, two wheels, and two large work tables. The lid is designed to roll back, similar to the design on the performer. This new charcoal grill addresses many of the ideas consumers what, chiefly the workspace. The question is at $299, how many people are going to be willing to pay $120 more for this grill versus the standard three legged One-Touch Gold. And if you are going to spend this much, why not pay the extra $50 and get the Performer with its even larger, continuous workspace and gas powered charcoal ignition.
Next year will also see some design changed to the Weber Performer, a new series of dressed up Spirit Gas Grills, two new low priced cookbooks, a wood burning firepit, and a host of accessories.
In the next few weeks I will try to get through all these changes so you can be informed about your next grill purchase.
Photo: Weber-Stephen Products Company
Comments
Thanks, Derrick for the new update on Weber. I noticed today that the 22.5″ WSM price dropped over $70 on Amazon. I wonder if that’s a factory reduction or an Amazon deal. Interesting 2010 pricing, as you said. Thanks again.
An interesting arguement about the difference in cost between the platinum and the gold when in reality, with exception of the work tables, are similar BBQs. Something i also bring to attention in my article…
http://www.riversidegardencentre.co.uk/promotion.php?id=7f1171a78ce0780a2142a6eb7bc4f3c8
I was also intrigued to read how far Weber go in terms of statistical gathering. It would be interesting to know what other reseach they conduct before releasing the year’s models and why they decided on releasing only one brand new model this year…
I just purchased a One-Touch platinum and absolutely love it! Nothing beats a Weber.