This year, Weber is introducing a new version of their popular Performer Charcoal Grill. The new version is just like the classic one, but without the gas powered ignition system. You will light the charcoal just as you would with any other charcoal grill. Why did Weber do this? Weber is increasing the price of the Weber Performer. This new version, losing its most revolutionary feature, will cost the same as the old version. Just to make sure that you and I are confused, this new grill will be known as the Weber Performer Charcoal Grill, and the old grill, with its new, higher price tag, will be known as the Weber Performer Charcoal Grill with Touch-N-Go Gas Ignition. The prices of the two Performer grills is now $299USD and $429USD.My question is, for those of you who have a Performer, is the gas ignition system worth this much money? Would you be willing to buy a Performer without it? What are your thoughts?
Image: Weber-Stephen Products Company
Comments
For an extra $129.00 I think I’ll stick to lighting my own charcoal. old newspaper & a charcoal lighter starter tube is all I need.
I bought my gas performer about 5 years ago & am extremely satisfied with it. I bought it because it was Weber’s “new” baby and it was touted at the time as not having to not use fluid. Also, at the time the charcoal weber did not have the table attachment nor the container. I have not had to replace the butane since I purchased it. I would buy it again. I’m a grill/barbecue freak though, I have 10 frills. Including an original “Japanese” Kamado, they’re made in China now.
I have been using the Performer for several years now. The butane starter is a nice feature, but for $130? Not sure. I have to watch it very closely as it is easy to leave on too long and I have to keep bottles on hand. Seems a couple pieces of paper in the chimney is just right. It would be a tough choice if I had to choose all over again. $50 difference would be a better price. All in all, I love my Performer.
I love my Performer, but cannot justify that price increase. I am starting to worry about Weber.
I have owned the Weber Performer with the ignition system for about 4 years now. I stopped using the ignition system after 2 years and converted to using the standard chimney system. The main reason for this is because I had about 5-6 bottles portable bottles of empty propane that I had to dispose of and you can’t place them in your standard trash bin. They require a special place and handling to dispose of and it also costs money to purchase propane. The way I decided to get around all of that and avoid paying money for the propane is by buying a Weber chimney. Remove the top grate, place the charcoals inside, some newspaper underneath, light it, and about 20 minutes later you’re ready to go. Dump the charcoals in the two bins, put the top grate back in place and I usually allow the chimney to rest and cool on the top grate. It’s free and no hassles afterwards of empty propane bottles and additional costs. When I opted for the the $10 Weber Chimney I thought about maybe connecting a big propane bottle via hose to the system. But I decided against it, because the Performer’s Car has limited space underneath 2) the bottom shelf seems to weak to support it, and 3) it would be against manufacturer’s specification’s as it was designed for the portable propane bottles. Maybe they changed that over the years. But the biggest advantage of the Performer is all that space you have on the top table. I can place my steaks, mesquite wood and have plenty of space. Great grill, we have had it for years…
$429 is just way too high. For the extra $130, I could have a machine shop retrofit a much better burner than the Weber unit and I’d have enough money left over to stock up on charcoal while I’m at it. For $429 I’d expect a 26″ version of the Performer WITH the ignitor. Get on that, Weber!
Vince, I too got tired of trashing those disposable propane tanks. I got a filler adapter by Mr. Heater and I refill the disposable bottles from the big 20# tank. I still toss the disposables after about a dozen or so refills but in the mean time I’m saving money and not worrying about disposal.
And I always use my Weber charcoal chimney to start the coals… just stick it right over the burner. It cuts the time to light the coals about in half.