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Summer is a time of fun, spending time with family and friends, and most importantly, grilling. Nothing says outdoor fun in the sun quite like grilling, and it can be a great way to bond with both your family and your friends. Weber makes some of the best grills out there, which is why we’ve compiled a list of the best Weber grills.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Weber Grill
- OUR TOP PICK: Weber 14402001 Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill
- RUNNER-UP: Weber 51010001 Q1200 Grill
- BEST WEBER GRILL FOR THE MONEY: Weber 44010001 Spirit II E-210
Comparison of the Best Weber Grills
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Who is Weber?
The Weber-Stephen company was first incorporated on May 8, 1893, as Weber Bros. Metal Works. In 1989, Weber opened its first-ever Weber Grill Restaurant in Wheeling Illinois. Unfortunately, this location was closed down in 2010, despite being remodeled in 2000.
The original round kettle charcoal grill was constructed by George Stephen, who, at the time, was a part-owner of the sheet metal shop in Chicago. He sought to improve upon the brazier that he had been using to cook with at home.
The grill was made using two half-spheres of sheet metal that were generally used as parts of the buoys that were built in his shop. Soon, he began marketing and selling the invention, which his neighbors dubbed ‘Sputnik.’
Due to the massive success of the grill in 1952, Stephen formed the barbecue subsidiary of the Weber Brothers factory, and in the late 1950s, he bought the factory and became its sole owner. He devoted his entire professional career to manufacturing and selling the Weber kettle.
How Does Weber Compare To The Competition?
One of the first things you will notice when browsing Weber grills is their steep price points in comparison to other grills. These prices are justified though - Weber is not extorting you! There are hundreds upon hundreds of good brands out there, and Weber is one of them.
Of course, Weber is not necessarily the best brand of grills out there, but they do produce top quality products that will provide you with many years of use and enjoyment. They are quite easy to track down, and replacement parts such as ignitors and flavor bars are readily available at most local stores.
Better grills are made from higher quality steel, have better burners that burn for longer, and are equipped with better grates. Weber is known for all of these things, which is why they stand out amongst the competition.
For the most part, cheaper grills work just fine in the first year or so, but after that, the chances of finding yourself frequently frustrated by them becomes quite high. You will end up wishing you had just spent the extra couple of hundred dollars on a Weber grill.
Grills that are of high quality, like those manufactured by Weber, easily last 10 years or more. A good grill is an investment that will pay back tenfold on your dinner table.
Willy's Top Picks - Best Weber Grills
Here are the top 3 best Weber grills:
Review of the Best Weber Grills
Now that we’ve looked at some of the Weber company’s history, and how Weber grills stand out amongst the rest, it’s time to get into the meaty stuff - reviewing the best Weber grills.
Best Overall:
Weber 14402001 Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Many people who purchase this classic model from Weber say that it is everything they expected from a Weber grill, and more. They complemented its sleek and simple design and found it to fit perfectly into their backyards. The feature on this grill that seems to catch everyone’s eye is its removable ash collector. You no longer need to fuss and make a mess when trying to remove the ash from your grill from a day of barbecuing - the Weber 14402001 does it all.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This grill is the epitome of Weber’s quality and convenience. Its super sleek and simple design is extremely unobtrusive, making it perfect for just about any yard - back or front. Its versatility is what made it stand out to us. This Weber grill can be used as both a smoker and a grill, making it perfect for pretty much any outdoor activity.
Who Will Use This Most
Perhaps this is a bit of a cop-out, but the Weber grill really can be used by anyone. As we’ve mentioned, it is super versatile and can be used as both a grill and a smoker. This is a perfect option for family gatherings, parties, camping, and a lot more. You can’t go wrong with this grill.
Bottom Line
If you are in the market for a high-quality grill that can serve many purposes, this grill from Weber is for you. The removable ash collector makes cleaning this grill a walk in the park, and its hinged grates make convenience the forefront of this product.
Runner up:
Weber 51010001 Q1200 Liquid Propane Grill
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Many consumers who live in places like apartments and condos found that this was the perfect grill for them. It fits perfectly onto apartment patios or balconies, which makes it the perfect option if your apartment allows for the use of gas grills. Most people also found that this grill was compact enough to bring on the road, making it perfect for camping and road trips.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The unique, compact design of the Weber 51010001 is what made it stand out to us amongst other grills. It is super compact and unobtrusive, which makes it perfectly suited for a wide variety of activities, from camping, to road trips, to even using them on your apartment patio or balcony if you are able. The Weber 51010001 is one of the most versatile grills on this list.
Who Will Use This Most
The Weber 51010001 is best suited for people who are in need of a compact grilling solution. We do not recommend that you use this as your grill for cooking large amounts of food, as this is, of course, quite a small product. It is better suited for those who live in apartments, or who want a way to grill when on road trips or camping trips.
Bottom Line
The Weber 51010001 is the best compact grill from Weber. It is super convenient, featuring an electronic ignition start, making it perfect for those who want a compact, unobtrusive way to grill. This is a perfect choice for people who love camping, road trips, or just want to be able to grill in their apartment.
Best Weber Grill for the Money:
Weber 44010001 Spirit II E-210
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers say that the Weber 44010001 provides the ultimate home grilling experience. Its large structure makes you feel like you’re piloting some sort of vessel, and it comes with enough functionality to make it great for a variety of purposes. This grill was built to last. The large grilling surface means you are able to grill several foods at once, making it great for parties and events.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Weber 44010001 stands out to us because of its sheer heft. This is one of the largest grills on our list. Its large grilling surface allows you to cook quite a lot of food at once, making it great for gatherings and events. This is also the best grill in terms of cost, as you get a lot of functionality while still being quite inexpensive (in grill terms)
Who Will Use This Most
The Weber 44010001 is perfect for those looking for a premium grilling experience without breaking the bank. It is quite large and has a large grilling surface to match, meaning that you will be able to grill a number of foods simultaneously. This is what makes it great for people who like to host parties and gatherings.
Bottom Line
It goes without saying that you should not buy this grill if you are living in a small home, like an apartment or condo. It is not even going to fit through your door. This is the grill for people who have access to a large backyard or outdoor space, and who can safely manage venting.
Best Weber Gas Grill:
Weber 57067001 Q3200 Natural Gas Grill
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
The Weber 57067001 is the best gas grill that Weber has to offer. It offers years of use without showing signs of wear and tear, and is a natural gas grill, meaning that you can finally make use of that natural gas connection in your home. Buyers also found that this grill had one of the fastest heating times out of a lot of grills, meaning you will be ready to cook in a flash.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It may be a little obvious, but the Weber 57067001 stands out to us because it is the only natural gas grill featured on our list. Natural gas grills burn cleaner than the wood used with other grills, meaning that they are far more environmentally friendly and produce less carbon dioxide than that which is emitted during the burning of natural fuels like wood.
Who Will Use This Most
Because the Weber 57067001 is a natural gas grill, it is more environmentally friendly than most other grills available today. This makes it great for those who are looking to reduce their carbon footprint but still want an enjoyable grilling experience. This grill also packs a large grilling surface for its size.
Bottom Line
If you want an environmentally friendly solution to grilling, the Weber 57067001 is the way to go. It produces far less carbon dioxide than grills that use natural fuels like coal and wood. It is also a very portable grill, while still maintaining a large enough grilling surface to cook a number of foods at once.
Best Weber Portable Grill:
Weber 1141001 Go-Anywhere Gas Grill
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
The Weber 1141001 is perhaps the most portable grill on this list, if not at least the most compact. Buyers found that this grill was perfect for a variety of outdoor and traveling activities, from tailgating, to road trips, to camping. It is also a great option for those living in small accommodations like apartments, if they are permitted to.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Weber 1141001’s super sleek and small design is what made it stand out amongst competitors, at least for us. As the name “Go-Anywhere’ suggests, this grill is perfect for traveling, camping, and road-tripping. It does not consume much space and is able to fit into the trunks of most cars.
Who Will Use This Most
As we mentioned previously, the Weber 1141001 is probably the most portable grill on this list. It is super compact and lives up to its ‘Go-Anywhere’ title. It is capable of fitting into most trailers, which makes it well suited for traveling activities like camping or tailgating.
Bottom Line
If you are someone who enjoys grilling on your camping trips but does not want to fuss with having to pack a clunky grill, the Weber 1141001 is your best friend. Like we’ve said so many times before, it is super lightweight and portable, while still maintaining great durability, making it perfect for camping and road-tripping.
Best Weber Charcoal Grill:
Weber 15502001 Performer Deluxe Charcoal Grill
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers felt that the Weber 15502001 is one of the most visually appealing grills that Weber has to offer. On average, it took customers just over an hour to assemble, making it one of the fastest assembly times of the grills on this list. The most popular feature of this grill amongst buyers was its huge grilling surface, which made it great for cooking lots of food at once.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Weber 15502001 seems to offer the best of every world, with a large cooking surface, quick assembly time, and aesthetically pleasing design. This is a great grill for new buyers looking for a simple grill, and for those who are in the market for a replacement grill and are not looking for something overly complex.
Who Will Use This Most
This grill from Weber is suitable for pretty much anyone. It is premium in quality without being super complex or high-tch, and is aesthetically pleasing as well, meaning it will look great in any yard or patio. It is also a good option for those who are looking to replace their old or worn-out grills.
Bottom Line
The Weber 15502001 is a great standard grill, with the added benefit of having the premium feel and quality that Weber products are known for. It is compact without being tiny and features a large cooking surface without being totally obtrusive. You can’t go wrong with this one!
How To Use A Weber Grill
It is commonly said that the heart of grilling is found in grilling techniques. Experts understand what they need to do to manage their grill, which is what sets them apart from the masses. Of course, recipes are important, but it is the technique that matters the most. Here are some steps you can follow to become a grilling master.
Preheat Your Grill
Start by preheating the grill. Do this with the lid closed for 15 to 20 minutes. The temperature underneath the lid should reach around 500°F when the coals glow red, or if your gas burners are on high. The heat helps to remove bits of food stuck to the grate by loosening them.
Keep Your Grill Clean
If there are small pieces of food stuck to your grate, and the grate is hot, use a stainless steel brush to clean them off. Not only does this step improve sanitation, it also prevents more food from sticking to the grate. You will need to replace your brush if you notice bristles stuck to your grate.
Have the Lid Down as Much as Possible
Keeping the lid down as much as possible helps keep the grates hot enough to sear your food. It also speeds up cooking time and prevents your food from becoming dry. Additionally, keeping the lid down traps smokiness that develops when fat vaporizes in the grill. Finally, it prevents flare-ups, as the amount of oxygen reaching the flame is limited.
Refer to the YouTube video below if you’d like a more visual explanation of the steps mentioned above.
How To Clean A Weber Grill
- Scrape or brush off any carbon that has built upon the underside of your lid, when the grill is cool. After that, brush the cooking grated in order to remove any leftover bits of food from your previous grilling session.
- Clear the burner tube ports of debris and rust by brushing across them using a clean brush. Be sure not to brush down the length of the burner. Use care when brushing around the ignition electrode, if the ports are extruded.
- Using a scraper, chip away any debris that has built up along the sides of the cookbox, as well as the bottom. Push all of this debris into the grease tray.
- Replace the drip pan after wiping it out.
How To Clean Weber Grill Grates
Caring for your grill grates: The maintenance is the same for both stainless steel and porcelain-coated cast-iron cooking grates. It is recommended that you preheat your grill to around 500°-550°F before each use. Once the grill is preheated, brush the grates with a stainless steel brush, and then adjust the control knobs to the temperature you desire. It is common for food to stick to new grates. The more use your grates get, the more they are broken in, making food less likely to stick to them.
Preventing rust: It is important to clean your grates before each use. If you plan on using a marinade, you should try to get as much liquid off as you can before placing the food onto the grill. If you are using a BBQ sauce, wait until the last 10 minutes of grilling before putting it onto your food. Using too much marinade, or applying BBQ sauce too early, can burn the sugar and cause a dark color and foul taste.
Cleaning tools: Weber manufactures a wide variety of cleaning tools that are specifically designed to make cleaning your grill and grill gates much easier.
How To Clean Weber Gas Grill Burner Tubes
- You will need to get your hands on a clean stainless steel bristle brush. Before you begin cleaning, ensure that your grill is off and is completely cool.
- Remove the cooking grease and flavorizer bars from the grill.
- Clean each tube individually.
- Gently scrub the burner tubes in an up and down motion. It is important not to brush up and down the length of the tubes.
- Once each tube is cleaned, place the tubes and flavorizer bars back into the grill.
In conclusion, it is clear to see that Weber makes some of the most premium quality grills available today. Their range of products are versatile and can suit just about any need you might have. There is no wrong choice when it comes to a Weber grill!
People Also Ask
Sometimes grills can be perplexing. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions regarding Weber grill, so you don’t have to ask them yourself.
Where are Weber Grills Made?
Weber grills are manufactured in the United States and have been since 1952, when George Stephen built his kettle grill from a buoy.
How Old is my Weber Grill?
The serial code of your Weber grill can be found on its lid damper. This will help you determine how old your grill is.
Are Weber Grills Really That Much Better?
While there is no one grill that trumps the rest, Weber has been known for producing some of the best quality grills available today. Of course, you can find cheaper versions on the market, but they likely won’t deliver the performance that Weber grills do.
How to Identify Weber Grill Model
The serial number on Weber grills are located in the upper right-hand corner of the owner’s manual. Older models have a barcode beneath the stainless steel cover.
How Long do Weber Grills Last?
Base Weber grill models last about five years if the grill is well kept, and around three if the grill is not properly looked after. The burners can generally last for about ten years.
Can You Cook on a Weber With the Lid Open?
The lids on Weber grills are designed to circulate barbeque smoke around the food before it vents. Cooking with the lid open releases all the delicious flavor stored in the smoke.
Can You Leave the Vents on a Weber Open?
A good thing to do is to start with the bottom vents open, then close each part slightly to get the coals burning the way you want them to.