For our tests, each grill gets a full chimney of lit charcoal and a 6-pound chicken opposite the coals for indirect heat. But the biggest problem is that the instructions completely overlook what we found to be a potentially dangerous design flaw. The Napoleon’s vent assembly consists of two metal collars, one inside the other. When you invert the assembly to screw it to the grill, the inner collar can slip down unnoticed and prevent the screws from attaching to the grill body.
Charcoal is easy to pick up at just about every grocery store, home improvement store, or gas station, so you won’t need to make a special trip. But you’ll need to have a charcoal starter on hand, will have to wait for everything to cool down before you can dispose of it, and need to deal with the messy ash afterward. The difference between the two was largely in the crispiness of the skin, with the Weber producing the superior results.
She is perfectly happy to leave all that behind to be a full-time kitchen-gear nerd. The Weber grill has three legs—an inherently stable design, because having three points of contact means the legs will automatically “find their weber charcoal grill level” even on bumpy ground. That said, the Napoleon model’s four legs felt just as stable, and more stiff, on a garden-variety concrete patio—and also allowed Napoleon to install a big, square shelf underneath the grill.
A few twists of the knobs, and I can have a high-heat zone, medium-heat zone, and low-heat zone at the ready. There are many approaches to how to clean a charcoal grill, but while it’s still warm, you can use a brush, scraper, or block to remove grease, drippings, and fuel residue. Here are some of the best grill brushes and cleaning tools we recommend. Another popular method, which should only be conducted while the grill is cool, is using a spray cleaner.
We were really impressed with the meal created using this grill, especially the quality sear marks it left on veggie shish kebabs, hanger steak, zucchini slices, and marinated chicken breast. Though we did miss the true smoky flavor that can only come from wood and charcoal. The authenticity of charcoal grilling started with the Original Kettle® Series grills, invented by Weber? His idea was that the rounded cooking bowl with a lid was the key to success. The ultra-durable, porcelain-enameled lid and bowl are uniquely designed to retain the charcoal’s heat, while dampers are easily adjusted for precise temperature control. The only real learning curve to cooking on a charcoal grill is fire management, but the built-in thermometer makes that easier.
A cover will protect your grill from getting stained by rain and rusting. Ribs cooked on the Nexgrill had lots of bark but were juicy and tender inside. We dismissed the many cheaper knockoffs of the Weber kettle, including models by (or branded as) Kingsford, Char-Broil, PizzaQue, and Grill Zone. They’re not much cheaper than the Weber, and the quality just isn’t there. If the ash catcher is even slightly warm, the ash inside is still a fire hazard. We backed this reporting up with comprehensive research—the in-depth, professional reviews at AmazingRibs.com being a standout source—and hands-on time with grills at the big hardware chains.
That doesn’t mean all charcoal grills are created equal, however. This is a superior grill to most on the market — it’s built to function and to last, and it’s worth every penny. First, you’ll find ample space on the steel cooking great for weber charcoal grill a whole lotta food. You could readily cook half-a-dozen steaks at once or enough burgers to feed a baseball team, including the relief pitchers. Retailing at around $200, this grill is well-priced considering the upgrades from the original.
Weber kettles combine traditional design with an innovative production. Made of steel and coated with porcelain enamel, the bowl and lid are formed exactly right to allow heat to circulate around the inside of the grill for even cooking. The porcelain enamel is baked on at approximately 1500°F ensuring that your grill will not only withstand the heat, but also resist rust and burn through.