The Weber Master-Touch Charcoal Grill 26″ is a larger version of the Original Kettle 22″, and adds some nice features. Instead of just slots on the bottom through which ash falls onto an open tray, the Premium has an enclosed receptacle attached to the bottom to capture and hold ash so it cannot blow around. It comes off quickly for easy disposal of ash. Master-Touch 26″ also comes with a stainless steel hinged cooking grate that accommodates Weber’s optional Crafted Accessories such as griddles and pizza stones.
In 2015 Weber made a few changes to some of their classic kettles. Master-Touch 26″, formerly One-Touch Gold 26.75″, has new nylon handles. The lid handle adds a protective heat shield between your fingers and the lid. The side handle now has useful, integrated tool hooks. Previously the legs just popped into brackets. Now they are secured to the body with spring loaded pins, which also enables them to be easily removed. This big 26 incher comes with two char-baskets to hold and easily move charcoal under the grate to create hot direct and cooler indirect zones. Although the name changed from 26.75″‘ to 26″, Weber specs declare the cooking grate size is unchanged, (did you know it’s always been 24.4″ diameter?), and cooking capacity remains at 508 square inches.
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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