 excellent grille |
| Review Date: July 24, 2010 |
| Reviewer: jhbolis, |
| I received this grille as a father's day gift. When the box(huge) came my wife didn't want want to hide it so when I got home that night 'surprise". I inherited the original Weber kettle grill from my dad, who bought it around 1980 and I have faithfully used it all these years(2010). I was hoping for a gas grille for the convenience. With the ease of putting it together and learning about how AWESOME this grille really is,I am so happy that I am a proud owner of the Weber Performer. The grille is quality built like the original I used for 30 years. The features of the grille are all functional and well thought out. I don't even have to worry lugging the charcoal from the garage and back every time. The baskets that hold the burning charcoal are ingenious, I can move them around according to the food I am cooking. The "doors" on the grill grate make it even easier to move the baskets while grilling. The propane fired "one touch" lighter is a cinch to light my baskets of charcoal. the work table is large enough to fit utensils, platters and various other items vital for grilling. Yes, I believe that Weber has designed an as close to perfect charcoal grille that is humanly possible to mankind. |
best grill I've owned
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| Review Date: July 23, 2010 |
| Reviewer: J. Richardson, Rio Rancho NM |
This is a fantastic grill, with all the features of a gas grill, but the flavor benefits of charcoal. Everything you need is there including a push button ignition lighter. The table is larger enough, the grill is more than ample and you can grill direct or indirect with easy charcoal addition for slow cooking. The ash can is another
great feature, and is easy to empty and hold probably enough for 4-5 uses. The easy to use propane tanks screw right on, and last for about 12 starts. Some people connect a hose to a bigger tank, but I find the disposable canisters more convenient. There really are no negative I can find, and would highly recommend to any bbq nut.
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One of the best grills ever made...
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| Review Date: June 12, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Jaronimo, NJ, the garden state |
I say this is ONE of the best grills ever, only because I already said that the Weber One-Touch Gold is the best grill ever in a previous review. These are both fantastic grills, but now that I have a Performer, with its added features, I will have to say it might be better than my Weber Gold. Why? Here are my reasons...
It has a gas ignition system. So I no longer have to use my Weber Chimney Starter which works great, but 5 minutes of gas burning under my pile of charcoal is much easier. Plus its one less piece of equipment I need cluttering up my garage.
It has a decent sized work area. The tabletop area on the Performer is very handy. My Gold does not have a shelf, so I keep it near a small table and use that as a work area. Thats one less piece of furniture I now have cluttering up my deck.
It has a thermometer on the lid. I love that feature! Normally I remove the lid, hold my hand over the coals, and start counting seconds to try to figure out what my temperature level is. Since I no longer have to heat up my hand to check temperature, my beer stays colder when I hold it. How can you put a price on a feature that important?
It has a wire lid holder instead of a small hook welded to the inside of the lid. I was okay with the hook lid holder but my wife always had a problem getting it lined up. I know, why is my wife even touching the grill? The Performers wire lid holder hangs the lid much higher, and is actually pretty handy if it is windy because it blocks the wind much better than the hook type lid holder which hangs the lid pretty low down on the kettle.
It has a storage area. I know the storage area is designed to hold charcoal, but I store my charcoal in the garage because when it is stored outside it tends to absorb moisture from the air. In the garage it stays nice and dry. I use the storage area to store some tools and I roll up the grill cover and store it there when I am cooking.
There is only one negative comment I have about this grill. Weber should have stayed with the 5 lb propane tanks. I am not a fan of using the 1 lb disposable propane tanks. There are two ways around this problem, the first is to get a hose and adapter so you can connect to a 20 lb propane tank. Or you can get a Propane Tank Refill Adapter and then use it to fill up the 1 lb disposable bottles from your 20 lb propane tank. That is what I do and I am able to reuse the disposable bottles over and over again.
In my opinion a Weber charcoal grill is superior to any other charcoal grill I have ever used. Maybe something even better will come along one day, but I cannot imagine what they could do because the Weber is already charcoal grilling perfection.
Now all I need is to get a Weber Kettle Rotisserie and I am all set. Fathers day is coming, are my sons paying attention???
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Still great 1 year later
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| Review Date: June 8, 2010 |
| Reviewer: J. Martinez, Tallahassee, FL |
I bought this grill last year to replace and old one that had rusted out (not a Weber). I needed a working table and it had to be charcoal. This grill not only met but exceeded all expectations.
The wheels roll very easily, the table is easy to clean and durable, nothing has rusted in the past year, and the different methods of cooking on this will keep the chef busy trying new things for a long time.
The gas starter works great and lasts for about 10 starts. The camping gas cylinders are cheap so I always keep spares. The rotisserie attachment fits with no problem.
Everyone who comes over for a cookout wants one of these. After a year of weekly use I still wouldn't buy anything else. |
Best Charcoal Grill Hands Down
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| Review Date: May 27, 2010 |
| Reviewer: David A. Siegrist, |
| I cannot say enough good about this product. I purchased it on Amazon back in 2005 and it has survived harsh PA winters, a 700 mile move to IN and still gives me a great consistent performance (pun intended) I must admit it took me a while to figure out how to manipulate the temp, but that is the fun of cooking with a live fire. If you are looking for a quicker way to enjoy a charcoal prepared meal this is the way to go. nothing has gone bad on this product. The only issue has been a self caused crack in the table surface (which was quickly replaced for FREE by weber customer service). One thing that you must remember is that when you purchase a weber, you are not purchasing a grill only, but you are getting a wonderful customer support team that backs it up. I will never purchase any other brand of grill. |
Very disappointed.
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| Review Date: March 20, 2010 |
| Reviewer: BJ, Illinois |
We had a Weber Performer for years and absolutely loved it. Unfortunately it finally rusted through, so the husband went out and picked up another one. When he brought the new Performer home, I was horrified at the cheapness of the materials on the new Performer as compared to our old one. Everything is plastic instead of stainless steel (and our stainless still looked like new after many years - no cover used). The wheels are hollow plastic, open on backside. The bottom wire shelf is just that - thin wire. The charcoal bin, although under the plastic work surface, is open and exposed to blowing rain or snow. And to top it off, the whole blasted thing is just plain ugly.
I'm sure the kettle and starter will perform as our old one (thus the three stars). But as far as the cart and the $350 price tag for the package, WEBER SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THE QUALITY. |
Great to go back to charcoal
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| Review Date: February 11, 2010 |
| Reviewer: M. Melkonian, Charlotte, NC United States |
After years of owning a Weber Spirit gas grill, I made the choice to go to charcoal and have been very satisfied with this grill. Weber has done their best to rid the charcoal grill of many of their drawbacks; lighting the charcoal, cleaning up the ashes, and not having an associated prep surface. The only drawbacks that remain are 1:clearly charcoal takes longer to light/prep before cooking (most people including me always rush this step and are disappointed with charcoal, by the time people take the burgers off the charcoal is really just getting going, be patient) 2: controlling the temp is not as easy or should I say takes more practice than a gas grill, but perhaps this is this is actually a positive as it makes cooking more of a skill.
Shipping was not a problem, I make sure to see that products comes from Amazon directly rather than a third party that I don't know. Sorry Amazon, I know you had to readjust your business model by becoming a broker for third parties but I think your customers would be happier if you held all your affiliates to the same shipping/return policies, or just make the third party completely on the back side so customers feel as if they are only dealing with Amazon, I think it would be better for your brand, I mean you don't walk into Walmart and get told to go buy the item you want from Target.
Price was same at big box stores, but without sales taxes that makes it a deal to buy here. Take advantage of that while you can it's only a matter of time before those politicians of either party get their hands on internet purchases
Although mine was not damaged, Weber should think about more aggressive packing material, I think the issue here is corporations are used to shipping multiple units on pallets to big stores vs to individuals. I think the packing requirements when companies ship to individuals needs to be kept in mind.
Easy assembly/intuitive instructions, took me a minute to figure out that the big curved metal rod is just a match holder. Fit and finish is what I expected. The enamel finish should hold up well if my Weber Spirit is any indication, it's been out in the sun/rain uncovered for 14 years and still holding up well, I have no intention of covering this grill, it's a nuisance I don't need and am willing to see how this one holds up.
One reason to think about Weber brand is the availability of repair parts, again I've kept my Weber Spirit grill going replacing the grates, ignitor, flavor bars over the years. The grill is 14 yrs old and I can still go to hardware store and get parts, good luck doing that with other brands.
One reviewer said the small propane tanks aren't avail at big box stores, they probably just looked in wrong location, they are usually by the tools section sold with the intention of plumbers using them, you can pick one up there very easily (make sure it's the propane kind)
The bottom vent adjuster works but the design could be improved as it just doesn't quite go round enough to sweep all the ashes, I find myself knocking the sides to get the ashes further down, as well the vent wholes are not covered but for the last 15-20 degrees of adjustment, a simple angling of the vent wholes would make vent adjustments more gradual and precise (Weber you can pay me royalty checks for that idea). The ash collector works well and has stayed dry even in heavy rains. Closing all the vents does extinguish the charcoal that can then be used again, was worried that air getting in from the gas lighter would be a problem but it is not.
The gas lighter works well, just don't forget to turn it off after 5 min or you'll waste the gas. The valve in it could be better as one time I came back to find I had not shut it hard enough and a small flame was still being produced under the grill
The charcoal holder is a nice feature and has kept the charcoal dry. This reminds me as well, in the end the cost of fuel is going to be higher for charcoal, as normally I pay $20 for a tank of propane that can last months vs $8-10 for charcoal for several cooking sessions.
Now my Weber Performer and Spirit are happy side by side, so whenever I want that extra restaurant quality flavor that only comes from charcoal it's ready to go, but sometimes you can't beat the quickness of gas. Weber should think about a combo gas/charcoal grill, Nexgrill had one at Lowes but I worried about the quality and availability of parts. |
They Thought Of Everything
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| Review Date: January 10, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Jonathan Hopkins, the Rockies |
Let's see, I think I've had my Weber Performer for a couple-three years now, and I can only add my agreement to the hundreds of laudatory reviews already on here. The aspect that stands out most to me is just how much thought -- how many features -- the astute griller sees evidenced in this product. Weber (one of the few 'big companies' I feel strongly positive toward) went over this one with a fine-toothed comb in the planning stages, and it has paid off marvelously. Expertise is reflected at every turn, and I won't here attempt to compile a list of specifics (see other reviews which have). The only 'new' thoughts I can think to add to the discussion are:
- I wish Weber would come out w/a limited edition 26.75" Performer Grill. (Although, on second thought, I like the 'Smokenator' accessory, which then would not match the jumbo kettle -- and something tells me they're not going to make a monster version of it to fit such a rare diameter.)
- I don't know why all the pictures of the Performer show a big ol' propane tank attached to the gas-assist starter w/a hose (!). I much prefer screwing in a handy little Coleman one-pounder (the small dark green bottles) directly. I find it lasts plenty long, and who wants to deal with a hose? You're only firing it up long enough to get the coals going. Plus if you need to move the unit (& roll it), having a separate container off to the side makes it 10X the hassle.
- Oh, and if while cooking you hang your grilling utensils on the conveniently-placed hooks provided, do be advised that the family dog will most likely make a beeline for them and 'clean' them for you. Yick! |
Pull the trigger
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| Review Date: January 9, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Justin W, |
I waited an entire year before I finally purchased mine. Being a frugal person who already owned a perfectly good (One Touch Gold) kettle, I just couldn't justify the extra money. One day I saw it on sale with free shipping so I took the plunge.
Now that I've been using it for a couple years, I can tell you my only regret was waiting an entire year before pulling the trigger. This grill is everything it says it is, and I love it. I use this grill several times a week. I use it for grilling, rotisserie cooking, AND (my favorite) smoking. If it died (which it won't anytime soon because it's built like a tank) I would buy another one tomorrow. |
When will it be summer again
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| Review Date: December 18, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Paul Ohlhaut, |
I love this grill. My family and friends will attest to that. We use it almost every weekend and some weekdays during the Spring and Summer months. It makes charcoal grilling fast. There are two minor complaints:
1. The knob that controls propane for heating coals broke after a year. But after calling Weber they shipped a replacement which I installed, all at no charge. So not too bad.
2. There is only one level for cooking, so you have to be careful to control the temperature. It took a little bit to master, but this grill will get very very hot and quick by default, leading to food burning. The trick is to heat up less coal then you would normally use, and slowly feed more coals in as time goes on while you are cooking. |
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