The Weber Original Kettle 22″ Charcoal Grill has 363 square inches of cooking surface and sells for around $100. It is the basic unadorned low price Kettle, and a perfectly fine cooking tool just the same. Ash is swept through the vent holes in the bottom under the grill by a lever beneath the bowl and it drops into an aluminum pan. This grill is excellent for all types of cooking from searing steaks to smoking ribs.
In 2015 Weber made a few changes to some of their classic kettles. The Original Kettle 22″, formerly One-Touch Silver 22.5″, has a new nylon lid handle that adds a protective heat shield between your fingers and the lid. Previously the legs just popped into brackets. Now they are secured to the body with spring loaded pins, which also enable them to be easily removed. Although the name changed from 22.5′ to 22″, Weber specs declare the grate is still 22.5″ diameter with the same 363 square inch capacity.
Weber BBQ Kettles enjoy evergreen popularity from one generation to the next because they are durable and you can cook just about anything you want on them. Pile up coal on one side to sear steaks or set up 2-zone roasting, Build a nice even bed of coal for general cooking. Add a Slow ‘N Sear and make great smoked ribs and brisket. The tight seal between the lid and body makes the dampers very effective and provides excellent heat control.
Let’s debunk a myth: The parabolic shape of the Weber Kettle is not a more efficient heat reflector than other shapes. By far the vast majority of the heat is radiated directly from the surface of the glowing coals with some more reflected from the sides. Very little heat is being reflected off the curved bottom of the bowl. There is a solid barrier in the way: The bed of coals. Any heat that hits the bottom of the kettle just bounces back into the coal pile. So the parabolic shape of the kettle is no more efficient than a square box.
Weber offers their kettles in a variety of sizes and colors.
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