Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-Inch Charcoal Grill Review: Is This Classic Grill Worth It?

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Some outdoor cooking appliances depend on complicated electronics, multiple burners, and specialized fuel. The Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill takes a simpler approach: a round porcelain-enameled bowl, a durable cooking grate, adjustable air vents, and the unmistakable flavor of charcoal.

Although its basic shape is familiar, this Premium model adds several practical upgrades. These include a removable ash catcher, a built-in lid thermometer, a hinged cooking grate, tool hooks, and a convenient lid hook.

Can this traditional kettle grill compete with modern gas grills and dedicated smokers? This review examines its cooking capacity, heat control, construction, cleaning system, advantages, and possible limitations.

Quick Overview

The model featured here is the 22-inch Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill in green. Different colors may be available, with prices varying by selection.

Its notable features include:

• 22-inch kettle-style charcoal grill
• Capacity for up to 13 burgers made with a Weber burger press
• Porcelain-enameled bowl and lid
• Plated-steel cooking grate
• Hinged sections for adding charcoal
• Built-in lid thermometer
• Rust-resistant aluminum damper
• One-Touch cleaning system
• Removable high-capacity ash catcher
• Angled hook for holding the lid
• Glass-reinforced nylon handles
• Integrated hooks for grilling tools
• All-weather wheels for mobility

These features make the Weber suitable for everyday grilling, indirect cooking, and basic smoking.

Classic Kettle Design

The Weber kettle’s rounded shape is more than a styling choice. It helps reflect and circulate heat around the food when the lid is closed. This creates a cooking environment that can handle both fast, direct grilling and slower, indirect cooking.

With direct cooking, the food is placed over the hot charcoal. This setup is useful for burgers, hot dogs, steaks, kebabs, and other foods that cook relatively quickly.

For indirect cooking, the charcoal is arranged on one or both sides of the bowl while the food is positioned away from the coals. Closing the lid allows the grill to work more like an outdoor oven. This method is useful for chicken, ribs, roasts, and larger cuts that require additional time.

It is also possible to use the Weber kettle for smoking. Arranging the charcoal carefully and adding suitable wood chunks can produce a lower, slower cooking environment. It will not provide the automatic temperature regulation of a pellet grill, but its versatility is one of the product’s strongest qualities.

Cooking Capacity

Weber states that the 22-inch grate can hold up to 13 burgers when the patties are made with a Weber burger press. Real capacity will depend on the size of the food and whether part of the surface is reserved as a cooler zone.

The grill is spacious enough for many families and small gatherings without being excessively large. It can handle an ordinary weeknight meal while still providing enough room for a backyard barbecue.

Anyone regularly cooking for very large parties may require a bigger grill or an additional cooking surface. For most households, however, the 22-inch size offers a good balance between capacity, charcoal consumption, and storage space.

Heat Control and Airflow

Charcoal grills do not have temperature knobs like gas grills. Heat is managed using the amount and position of the charcoal, along with the upper and lower air vents.

Opening the vents increases airflow, helping the charcoal burn hotter. Partially closing them reduces airflow and can lower the cooking temperature. Closing the vents after cooking also helps extinguish the remaining charcoal, although the grill must still be left undisturbed until everything has cooled completely.

The Weber includes a rust-resistant aluminum damper on the lid and a lower vent controlled through the One-Touch system. Learning how these controls work may require practice, but they provide considerable flexibility once understood.

The built-in lid thermometer offers a quick indication of the temperature inside the grill. Because it measures the air near the lid rather than the exact temperature beside the food, serious grilling enthusiasts may still want a separate grate-level thermometer and a food probe.

Hinged Cooking Grate

The plated-steel cooking grate includes hinged sections that can be lifted during cooking. This allows additional charcoal or smoking wood to be added without removing the entire grate and all the food.

This is particularly helpful during longer cooking sessions. On a basic grate without hinges, adding fuel can become inconvenient and potentially unsafe. The hinged design makes the Premium model more practical for indirect cooking and smoking.

The grate should be cleaned after use and lightly maintained according to Weber’s instructions. Replacement grates and other accessories are widely available, which may help extend the grill’s useful life.

Porcelain-Enameled Bowl and Lid

The bowl and lid use a porcelain-enameled finish designed to retain heat and withstand high grilling temperatures. Weber also states that the finish resists rust and peeling.

This construction helps the kettle maintain a stable cooking environment while protecting the steel underneath. However, it is still wise to avoid striking or scratching the enamel with hard objects.

A fitted cover can provide additional protection from rain, dust, and outdoor debris. The grill should also be stored in a reasonably protected location whenever possible.

One-Touch Cleaning System

Cleaning loose ash is one of the less enjoyable parts of charcoal grilling. The Original Kettle Premium attempts to simplify the process with Weber’s One-Touch cleaning system.

Moving the lower control rotates internal blades across the bottom of the bowl. These blades direct cooled ash through the vent openings and into the enclosed catcher underneath.

The removable, high-capacity ash catcher is an important upgrade over an open ash plate. It helps contain ash on windy days and makes disposal cleaner. Some residue may still remain inside the bowl, so occasional manual cleaning will be necessary.

Ash and charcoal can remain hot for many hours. Never empty the catcher into a trash container until the contents are completely cold.

Lid Hook, Handles, and Mobility

Because the lid is completely removable, Weber includes an angled hook that allows it to hang from the side of the bowl. This prevents the user from having to place a hot or dirty lid on the ground.

The glass-reinforced nylon handles are made to tolerate the demands of outdoor grilling. Integrated tool hooks provide a convenient place for tongs, a spatula, or other lightweight utensils.

Two all-weather wheels allow the grill to be moved around a patio or yard. It remains a freestanding kettle rather than a full cart, so there are no large preparation tables or storage cabinets. A separate outdoor table may be useful for plates, seasonings, and uncooked food.

Assembly and Learning Curve

Some assembly is required. Many customers describe the process as manageable, but others report that fitting the legs and attaching certain components can be frustrating. Reading the instructions fully and organizing the hardware before beginning should make the job easier.

Charcoal grilling also takes more practice than turning on a gas burner. Beginners must learn how much charcoal to use, how to create heat zones, and how to adjust the vents.

A chimney starter is one of the most useful optional accessories. It can light charcoal evenly without requiring lighter fluid and may reduce preparation time considerably.

Customer Feedback

At the time this review was prepared, the Weber Original Kettle Premium displayed a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from more than 12,000 global ratings on Amazon. It was also listed as a number-one bestseller in the charcoal-grill category.

Customers frequently praise its cooking quality, heat retention, construction, versatility, and relatively simple cleanup. Many owners appreciate being able to use the kettle as both a conventional grill and a basic smoker.

Common criticisms include assembly difficulties, the absence of side tables, and the learning curve associated with controlling charcoal. A few users also consider the grill’s overall height lower than they would prefer.

Advantages

The Weber Original Kettle Premium offers several benefits:

• Excellent charcoal-grilled flavor
• Suitable for direct and indirect cooking
• Can be used for basic smoking
• Good capacity for families and gatherings
• Porcelain-enameled bowl and lid
• Hinged grate makes adding charcoal easier
• Adjustable dampers provide useful heat control
• Enclosed ash catcher simplifies cleanup
• Built-in thermometer offers quick temperature monitoring
• Replacement parts and accessories are widely available
• Wheels make it relatively easy to move

Possible Disadvantages

Potential limitations include:

• Charcoal takes longer to prepare than gas
• Temperature control requires practice
• No built-in side table or storage cabinet
• Assembly can be awkward
• The lid thermometer does not measure grate-level temperature
• Charcoal and replacement accessories add ongoing costs
• Cleanup is easier than on basic kettles but not completely mess-free
• The grill must cool fully before it can be covered or moved into storage

Essential Safety Considerations

This grill is designed strictly for outdoor use. Burning charcoal produces carbon monoxide, an invisible and potentially deadly gas.

Never operate a charcoal grill inside a home, garage, tent, vehicle, enclosed porch, or other confined space—even if doors or windows are open. Place it on a stable, noncombustible surface away from structures, dry vegetation, and flammable materials.

Children and pets should remain away from the hot grill. Heat-resistant gloves and long-handled utensils are also recommended.

Who Should Buy It?

The Weber Original Kettle Premium is ideal for people who enjoy traditional charcoal flavor and want one grill that can handle burgers, steaks, chicken, vegetables, ribs, and occasional smoking projects.

It is also a good choice for beginners who are willing to learn basic fire and airflow management. Experienced outdoor cooks may appreciate the simple construction and the wide selection of compatible accessories.

People who prioritize instant ignition, effortless temperature adjustment, or completely hands-off cooking may be happier with a gas or pellet grill.

Final Verdict

The Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-Inch Charcoal Grill combines a proven design with genuinely useful upgrades. The enclosed ash catcher, hinged cooking grate, built-in thermometer, lid hook, and tool hooks make it easier to operate than a basic charcoal kettle.

It cannot match the push-button convenience of a gas grill, and mastering its airflow takes some practice. In return, it offers excellent versatility, strong heat retention, traditional charcoal flavor, and enough cooking space for many families and backyard gatherings.

Its outstanding customer rating suggests that the familiar design continues to satisfy a large number of owners. For anyone seeking a durable and versatile charcoal grill, the Weber Original Kettle Premium remains a compelling choice.

Check the latest Weber Original Kettle Premium price and availability on Amazon:

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Note: Prices, ratings, colors, specifications, and availability may change. Confirm the current product details and local outdoor-fire regulations before purchasing or operating the grill.