Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-Inch Charcoal Grill Review And Rating

The Weber Original Kettle Premium 22″ Charcoal Grill is the same basic kettle body as the Original Kettle 22″, but 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. Premium also comes with a useful hinged cooking grate that allows you to easily replenish coal without removing food. Premium models have a lid thermometer. These antique heat indicators are inaccurate. Pick up a digital thermometer and you’ll see an immediate improvement in your grilling.

In 2015 Weber made a few changes to some of their classic kettles. Premium 22″, Formerly One-Touch Gold 22.5″, 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. AND, Premium 22″ is available in black, copper and green! Although the name changed from 22.5″ to 22″, Weber specs declare the cooking grate is still 22.5″ diameter with the same 363 square inch capacity.

Weber 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 BBQ 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. The curved bottom of the bowl reflected very little heat. 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.