Weber Performer Charcoal Grill Review

This charcoal grill was designed to be nearly as convenient as a gas grill. Pour in the charcoal, turn on the gas and push the ignitor button. Ten minutes later you are ready to grill without using lighter fluid. The ashes fall into a removable ash catcher to be cleaned out later. Other than the gas charcoal lighter, which uses disposable propane bottles, this is basically a 22 1/2 inch Weber Kettle grill for around $350. The big question is, is the added convenience worth more than $300? Once you've used it for a while, though I think you will think so. This is as convenient a charcoal grill as you will find.

Pros

Cons

The Weber Kettle grill is one of the most versatile pieces of outdoor cooking equipment ever invented. This 22 1/2 inch diameter charcoal grill gives you all that with the addition of a large cart, loads of workspace and a gas powered charcoal lighter. This added convenience makes this a very easy to use, almost mess free charcoal grill. Pour in the charcoal, turn a knob, push a button and you are grilling in ten minutes. No lighter fluid, charcoal chimneys or electric charcoal starters. All that is taken away by a single gas burner powered by 14 or 16 ounce disposable propane bottles.

The Weber Perform comes with a great ash catcher system that makes clean up easy. The second you take the last burger off this grill close down the vents and let the lack of oxygen kill the fire. This will stop the remaining coals from burning any further. Once the grill is cool give it a shake and pull off the ash catcher and you ready to go again. The coals left behind can be re-lit for the next cookout.

At its heart this is the famous Weber Kettle charcoal grill. About as versatile a grill as you can buy. Of course while a Weber Kettle will run you under $100USD, this unit costs around $300USD. If you have the money to spend and want a great charcoal grill, this is definitely a great grill. Otherwise you can put up with lighting your own charcoal and get the far less expensive Weber Kettle.

Aside for the gas assist ignition system, what I really like about this grill is the table space. It seems simple enough, but when you are loading a couple of racks of ribs onto the grill you'll find that the table at grate level is perfect. If you can afford this grill, it is the best you can buy.