Just step outside on a summer day and odds are you are going to smell someone in your neighborhood grilling. If you were to take a closer look at the grills in your community, nine out of ten of them would probably be Weber grills. This brand has worked long and hard to develop high-quality grills that can make delicious food, regardless of your budget or preferences. Of course, finding the best Weber grill can be a bit tricky because of their fantastic lineup.
To put together this listing, we took the time to highlight the most essential features that you need to consider to find the best-rated Weber grill for your next cookout. We started with the size of the grill since this will determine where you can put it and how much you can cook with it. Next, we looked at the BTUs since this tells the types of meats you can grill. Finally, we looked into all the extra features like warming racks and electronic starters, as these will make grilling that much easier.
We spent tens of hours reading through hundreds of user reviews to find a comprehensive list of the best Weber grills for the money on the market today. This also allowed us to do in-depth reviews of each model. Of course, if you aren’t ready to make your final purchase, be sure to read through our detailed buying guide so that you can be a fully informed buyer.
More features: 4 color options; folding side table; 90 sq. in. warming rack
If you are in the market for the best Weber grill overall, then this just might be the right model for you. To start off with, this grill has a huge cooking area. This larger cooking area turns it into an absolute workhorse when it comes to grilling large quantities of food at one time, making it the perfect grill for large gatherings. To go along with this large cooking area is a good sized warming rack as well. This warming rack keeps all of the meats that you have cooked piping hot very simple. It also features two different burners, which gives you some flexibility in what you can cook.
The next big positive for this model is that it puts out a very high number of BTUs. The two burners give it the ability to crank out up to 26,500 BTUs, which is some of the highest on the market for a grill of this size. Since the grill can get up to a high temperature very quickly, it is easy to cook even more substantial pieces of meat with ease. The built-in thermometer makes reading that temperature simple, too.
Something else that makes it such an easy-to-use grill is the folding side table. When not in use, this foldable table makes the grill’s footprint much more compact, which will allow for easier storage. When this table is folded up, however, is when it truly shines. This excellent table provides extra prep space for food as well as a storage spot for your grilling tools.
The only real concern with this otherwise excellent grill is that it is very complex to assemble. It will take several hours to put together on your own, so be prepared to spend some time setting it up before you use it.
More features: 8-inch rubber molded wheels; heat shield on the handle; built-in lid thermometer
Weber first broke into the grilling world with their first charcoal grill back in 1952. Since that time, they have continued to improve upon their original design. This model is the culmination of all of those years of hard work and ingenuity. This grill has a very large cooking area for a charcoal model. It will allow you to cook for as many or as few people as you want to, all while providing plenty of flavors.
Since this is a charcoal grill, it makes sense that it is relatively easy to maneuver. Though it is a bit oversized to be used as a portable grill, moving it from place to place is rather easy thanks to its two oversized and rubberized wheels. It also has casters that allow it to be swiveled. This maneuverability makes it a great option if you don’t want to keep it in the same location all year round, or you just want to move it out of the weather if it rains.
As you would expect from a Weber grill, this model is straightforward to clean. All you have to do is scoop out the old ashes and scrub it a bit with a brush, and it is as good as new. The lid, which can be a bit tricky to get into place when you first start using it, has a built-in thermometer which makes finding the right temperature a snap. The handle has a heat shield to protect your hand, and it even offers a side table for meal prep and storage, making this an awesome option if you are looking for a charcoal grill.
More features: porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grates; cast aluminum lid and body
If you are someone who has a limited amount of space but still wants to grill delicious food, then this might be a good option for you. Though this grill is small, and as such, has a small cooking surface, it still has a lot of the same features that the larger grills come with.
For instance, this model has porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grates, which is something that many larger propane models feature. These cooking grates are not only very easy to clean, but they allow for a more even distribution of heat in comparison to stainless steel ones. This even heat transfer makes it that much more simple to grill up delicious food, which is always a big plus.
Though this model is certainly not fit for some grilling assignments due to its low BTU output, it is more than capable of grilling up standard picnic fare, such as hotdogs, hamburgers, and barbecue chicken. This versatility means it’s an excellent option for anyone that has a smaller outdoor space to cook, or anyone who wants a lightweight option for camping or tailgating.
Aside from being nice, lightweight, and portable, the smaller size of this grill helps to make it very easy to store away when it is not in use. The overall dimensions are quite compact. You shouldn’t have too much trouble keeping this grill stored safely away in your cabinets, closet, or your garage. That way, it will be out of your way until you are ready to fire it up and make a delicious meal.
More features: porcelain-enameled lid; adjustable dampers; One-Touch cleaning system
There is an old saying that goes, “If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.” This phrase certainly applies to this model, which is the exact same as the original grill the company pioneered back in the 1950s, with some minor modern tweaks. This model is a nice combination of size and portability. Though the cooking space is pretty big, the overall size of the grill is not so large that it would be difficult to find a place for it in your backyard.
As with other Weber charcoal models, this one is very easy to move into different positions depending on where you want to do your cooking. It has two oversized wheels that make moving over smooth or rough terrain pretty simple. You just need to make sure that the grill isn’t hot when you go to move it, however, since you will need to tilt it back to get it rolling.
One of the things that helped make Weber such a revolutionary company was it’s easy to adjust dampers. These vents allow you to decide how much air can get in or out of the grill, which makes controlling the temperature pretty simple once you get the hang of it.
One of the modern touches for this model is its porcelain enamel lid. This material is elementary to clean, and completely impervious to rust. While it is still recommended to keep your new grill covered, you shouldn’t panic if it gets wet every once in a while. The cooking grates, however, are a different story. Unlike the grates on their propane grills, Weber has continued to use stainless steel ones with this charcoal model. These grates will, unfortunately, rust up very quickly if you don’t keep them clean, so be sure to clean them off regularly, so they don’t wear out.
More features: lid hook on the side; one-touch cleaning system; ash catcher
Much like the previous model on our listing, this charcoal grill is basically the exact same one that Weber first came out with in the 1950s. The main difference with this grill, however, is that it is a bit smaller. This smaller size is helpful in a couple of ways. First off, since it has less cooking area, this grill is much easier to maintain than a larger model. Smaller grills are also effortless to keep lit, even if you don’t have a ton of experience using one.
Since this grill has a smaller overall design, it is an excellent option if you intend to go tailgating or camping, as long as you can fit it into your vehicle. It is relatively lightweight, and its large wheels make rolling it into position quite easy, as long as it isn’t hot already.
As with all of Weber’s charcoal grills, this one comes with an ash catcher. This catcher serves as a depository for any charcoal or food that has been burnt completely. It also serves as a method for keeping the grill from getting so covered in ashes that it cannot function properly.
One of the only downsides to this smaller model is that the ashtray can be a bit tricky to remove. The tray tends to get stuck and needs a bit of wiggling to get in and out of place. Obviously, this isn’t too big of an issue after you get the hang of it, but be prepared to spill some ashes on your first few attempts until you figure it out.
More features: Touch-N-Go ignition; removable ash catcher; removable LCD cook timer and built-in lid thermometer
While keeping a keen eye on the legacy and tradition of their grills has helped Weber create a culture of high-quality grills, they have also not been happy to sit on a good idea and keep the status quo. Throughout their history, Weber is a company that has not been afraid to try new and inventive ideas to give their customers, especially those who are true masters of the art of grilling. This model is a great example of this high level of innovation.
To start with, it has a nice large cooking surface. Thanks in part to its oversized support system and easily maneuverable wheels, this charcoal grill can handle a bit more weight. This limits its portability, but more than makes up for it with extra features. Unlike almost every other charcoal grill, this model has a large table attached to it that helps to make meal prep and tool storage much easier.
While the overall function of the grill is relatively straightforward and traditional, this grill also comes with some new technological advancements. First off, it has a built-in and removable LCD timer and lid top thermometer, which makes keeping track of cooking times simple.
The other big innovation is an electronic ignition system. It is usually only found on gas models and, in theory, should make starting the charcoal somewhat worry free. This is, unfortunately, not always the case, as this ignition system is sometimes tricky to utilize properly. While you can certainly try this system out, be sure to have a backup starter on hand, just in case.
More features: has a 105 sq. in. warming rack; side tables with integrated hooks
Natural gas models are not that easy to find. However, this fuel is continuing to get cheaper and cheaper as companies find faster ways to harvest it from under the ground. This cheap running cost helps to make this a very economical grilling option, as long as you can hook your grill up to it successfully.
This grill has a lot more going on for it, however, than just the fact that it uses natural gas. It has the largest cooking surface of any of the Weber models that we looked into. It’s a big reason that this would be such a good choice if you are looking to cook for a lot of people all at once. The two side tables also help to make this feel like more of a grilling station than some of the other, smaller models out there.
To go along with its large cooking area, this grill also has three burners, so you will be able to really crank out the heat. In fact, this model can put out up to 30,000 BTUs, which makes it a great choice if you are looking to cook larger pieces of meat at one time.
As you would expect with a newer and larger grill, this model can be exceedingly difficult to put together. There are lots of different steps and hundreds of parts that need to be fitted together just right. While it might cost you a bit more, it will not be a bad idea to have this grill put together professionally to save you some time.
More features: glass-reinforced nylon frame; removable catch pan; 6-foot grounded cord
One of the biggest issues with grills is that they cannot be used indoors. This is obviously true if you are using a gas or charcoal model. Both of these grill types put off noxious fumes that would make grilling indoors very dangerous. You also don’t want to use one of these grills if you live very close to your neighbors. If this sounds like your situation, then this electric grill might be just what you need. Since it uses electricity to run, it won’t put off any fumes whatsoever, except for the delicious aromas of the food you are cooking.
Since this model doesn’t use canisters or charcoal briquettes, it is exceptionally portable. All you need to do is make sure that you have a grounded outlet to plug it in to and you will be good to go. The cord is even six feet long, so you don’t need to worry about finding an outlet that is too terribly close.
Something else that makes it such a portable grill is its lightweight, compact design. This grill is nice and small, which is perfect for apartment dwellers, camping, or tailgating. It is even small enough to fit into a cabinet when you are not using it.
Of course, with this smaller size, you also need to realize that this grill has a smaller cooking surface than some other grills. It is also missing a temperature gauge, which could make grilling foods to your preferences a bit trickier.
More features: Tuck-N-Carry lid lock (doubles as a lid holder); porcelain-enameled lid and bowl
Even though Weber grills are usually a bit more expensive, they are worth it, in the end, thanks to their quality design and long-lasting nature. That doesn’t mean, of course, that you need to break the bank in order to find one to fit your needs. This model, for instance, is a budget-friendly charcoal option that will still allow you to make delicious meals on the grill.
As such, you won’t be able to grill a whole bunch of food at the same time. Thankfully, whatever you do choose to grill on this model will come out just as good as if you made it on a larger grill.
Since this grill is built to be moved from place to place, it should come as no surprise that it is quite compact. While this compact design does make transporting the grill much easier, it is also a bit of an issue. This grill is quite short, which might make using it on the ground a bit tricky. It is also missing an ashtray, so you will need to clean it out manually every once in a while to keep it running correctly.
More features: two burners; porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grates; handle light; electronic starter
If you are just getting into grilling, then this might be a great option for you if you want to use a propane unit. Since this grill isn’t made with the same materials as other propane models, it is a bit on the cheaper side. This also means that it is a bit more challenging to keep clean, so be prepared to clean it regularly to prevent it from breaking down at all.
This grill is quite lightweight and easy to maneuver but has a larger than average footprint. This makes the unit exceptionally well-balanced and sturdy. It has a pretty large cooking area, so you shouldn’t have any issue making enough food for a big family or a party of friends.
Another awesome feature that adds to the model’s attractiveness is its exceptional ignition system. All you need to do is open up the propane tank and push the igniter switch, and the grill will start right up. The two burners are also easy to control, and the temperature gauge is very easy to read.
This grill also comes with large side tables and a handle light, which make meal prep and tool storage that much easier. These different parts are hard to put together, however, so it might be in your best interest to get some professional assistance so that you can simply focus on grilling delicious meals.
In this buying guide, we will go through everything that you need to know to find the perfect grill for your needs. We have also taken the time to answer some frequently asked questions, so be sure to check those out as well if you still aren’t clear on any key details.
The first Weber grill was made by a man named George A. Stephen in 1952. George invented this grill out of necessity. At the time, the only grills available were open grate models that didn’t have any lids, which limited the amount of control over the temperature that a grill had. This caused many meals to burn or be undercooked. Since these grills had no lids, it was also easy for them to be extinguished by wind or rain.
George worked at a metal works, which specialized in making buoys. One day, on his way to work, he thought how the shape of a buoy would make for a good grill. So he took a buoy and cut it in half. From there, he added a cooking grate, three leg stand, and a handle on the lid. With the help of a neighbor, he also added ventilation holes to let enough air in order to keep the charcoal lit.
George then took his grill on the road and demonstrated its usefulness at hardware and grocery stores. The public was incredibly impressed by the high quality of the design and how easy the grill was to use. Before long, George couldn’t keep up with production on his own and bought the metal works that he worked for and changed its production towards making his grills.
Ever since that first charcoal grill, Weber has built a long and proud reputation for making high-quality and easy-to-use grills. Their grills have been proven over the years to be not only great cooking tools but also ones that will last for years and years. They also stand behind their products, offering long warranties and guarantees as to the quality of their devices. As well as being the inventor of the kettle grill, Weber has also introduced many other innovative features to the grilling market, such as their flavorizer bars on their gas grills. These features, when combined with Weber’s high-quality design and materials, make it easy to see why this brand of grill has been and continues to be, so popular.
As you can imagine, there are tons of features that you need to consider when you are looking for a new Weber grill. In this section, we will go through everything that you need to know to make sure you find the perfect grill for your needs.
The first thing that you need to decide upon is the type of grill that you are looking for. There are three basic types that you can choose from when it comes to Weber grills. You can either select a gas, charcoal, or electric grill. Each of these grills will offer you different advantages and disadvantages over the others, so make sure to weigh each option before you make your final decision carefully.
After you have decided upon the type of grill that you are going to select, the next thing that you should take into consideration is the total cooking area of your new grill. The size of the cooking area on a grill has a direct correlation on how much food you can cook on it at any one time.
If you are looking to cook for larger gatherings or have a bigger family, then a larger grill is going to be a better choice. If that is the case, then you might want to go with the Weber Spirit II E-310, which has enough cooking space to feed the whole neighborhood. On the other hand, if you are only hoping to grill for yourself or one other person, then you can probably save a bit of money and get by with a smaller model. If that is what you are looking for, then a model like the Weber Q1400 just might be the right choice. This grill is small enough to fit on your kitchen counter, all while still being able to produce delicious grilled meals.
Something else that you will want to decide if you need or not is a warming rack. As the name suggests, this is an extra rack that fits inside of your grill above the actual cooking surface. This rack can be used to keep food warm after it has been cooked, thus freeing up the main cooking surface to allow you to cook more food. This rack also helps to keep food fresher for longer, since bugs can’t get to it and the food won’t cool off, making it taste as though it just came right off of the grill.
Obviously, this feature is more suited to anyone that is going to be cooking for larger gatherings of friends and family. If you are only cooking for yourself or a limited number of people, then you probably don’t need to spend the extra money on a warming rack. If, however, you are the neighborhood grill master, or just the designated cook at parties, a warming rack, as you would find on any of the gas models Weber offers, might not be a bad idea.
If you are going to get the best Weber gas grill for your needs possible, then you are going to want to consider the number of burners you want or need carefully. Basically, the more burners a grill has, the quicker it will be able to heat up. Having multiple burners will also allow you to cook more than one type of food at a time. Since different food items need different temperatures, being able to set various heat levels on your grill is a big advantage, especially if you are looking to cook for a large group of people all at the same time.
Of course, this is not the only big benefit to having multiple burners. If you get a grill like the Weber Spirit II E-210, which has two burners, then you will be able to use your unit for more than just grilling.
By only using one burner at a time, you will actually be able to use your grill very much like a standard oven. You simply have to heat up the one side of the grill by only using one burner and then place whatever you are trying to bake on the adjacent side. In this way, you will be able to use your grill for cooking pretty much any kind of food you want to. A three burner model, like the Weber Spirit II E-310, can also be used in this manner. Of course, with a three-burner grill, you will be able to get the right temperature even faster.
Something else that you will want to take into careful consideration if you are buying a gas grill from Weber are the number of BTUs that you need. BTUs are the scale which heat is measured in, so this is something that you will want to pay special attention to when you are grill shopping. The higher the number of BTUs a grill can produce, the quicker it will heat up, and the more versatile it will be when it comes to cooking larger pieces of meat. If you intend to use your grill for cooking lots of different meats, then it makes a lot of sense to go for a gas model with a higher number of BTUs, since this will allow you to cook a wider array of foods.
On the other hand, those extra BTUs are going to end up costing you a bit more upfront. If you are only looking for a grill to use on the weekend with your friends to cook the kinds of foods that you would expect at any standard picnic, such as hamburgers and hotdogs, then you can probably save a bit of money and shoot for a grill model that has a lower level of BTU output.
The overall dimensions of your new grill should be based on several different factors. You need to decide upon the best size for your living situation and whether or not you will ever transport your grill to use at different locations.
When it comes to picking a grill by its overall size, the first thing that you want to consider which size will fit best for where you live, if, for instance, you are an apartment dweller with no balcony, then you are going to have to get a smaller sized grill. Of course, if you live out in the country and have a large deck, you can certainly get a larger model like the Weber Performer Deluxe 22-Inch Charcoal Grill, since fitting its larger dimensions won’t be an issue.
The second thing that you need to consider as far as the dimensions of your new grill are concerned is whether or not you are ever going to be taking it anywhere. Larger grills, like the Weber Q3200, are pretty tricky to move from place to place, making them better for stationary setups. The Weber Smokey Joe Premium 14-Inch Portable Grill, on the other hand, is perfect for taking along with you, no matter if you are going camping, tailgating, or are just going to a family get-together. Its smaller size makes it much easier to pack up and travel with, which makes it one of the most portable models on the market.
As with any large purchase, you need to make sure that your investment is covered before you buy. That is why, before you buy your new Weber grill, do your best to fully understand their warranties. As we have mentioned before, Weber is a stand-up company that will fully support you if something happens to your grill within the warranty time frame.
Make sure that you read through the warranty information for your new grill as carefully as possible. While each grill has a warranty, different parts are covered for different amounts of time. For instance, the Weber Original Kettle 18-Inch Charcoal Grill’s bowl and lid are covered for ten years, while the cleaning system and plastic components are only covered for five years each. All of the remaining components are only covered for two years. Each grill is covered similarly, so be sure to read through the warranty for the model of your choice carefully.
Weber grills are known for their innovative design, high-quality materials, and easy-to-use functions. They are also a company that is constantly adding new features to try and make your grilling experience that much better. Here are several different add-ons that you might want to try out with your new grill.
When it comes to buying a grill, you are going to have to pay a little bit more to get a high-quality product. That is definitely the case if you are looking to get the best rated Weber gas grill, regardless of whether you want a gas, charcoal, or electric model. Since this is such an important purchase, you will want to make sure to maintain it the best you can so that it lasts a good long time. Here are some maintenance tips to help keep your grill running for years to come.
Plain and simple the Weber Spirit II E-210 is the best overall grill from Weber. It is very easy to start and get up to the right temperature thanks to its accurate thermometer. This grill has two different burners that put out plenty of BTUs to cook pretty much anything. Plus, the flavorizer bars and porcelain enameled cooking grates allow you to create mouthwatering meals every time. We highly recommend that you check out this wonderful grill.
The Weber Performer 22-Inch Charcoal Grill is probably your best bet if you have your heart set on a charcoal grill. This grill is very simple to operate and maintain and will allow you to cook juicy and delicious food for you and all of your friends.
Finding the best Weber grill is all about finding the best model for your particular needs. If you are looking for a great portable model, for instance, then the Weber Q1000 is an amazing option. Even though this propane grill is small, it is just as easy to use as a much larger model and has plenty of key features to help you make the best meals possible while away from home.
