If you’re looking for a quality, time-tested grill on a budget then look no further than the Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill.

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DESIGN + VERSATILITY | Trusted Weber Design

When you hear the brand “Weber” you immediately think quality. Weber is one of the oldest and highest-quality producers of grilling equipment in the world. The Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill is the closest design to the Original Weber Kettle, but with a few (very convenient upgrades). With the same kettle body, the Weber Kettle Premium has an ash collection system, a plated steel hinged cooking grate, and is a tad bit bigger than the Original Kettle. Instead of 18 inches, the Weber Kettle Premium is 22 inches with a cooking area of 363 square inches, enough to hold around 17 burgers, pretty comparable to other charcoal grills.

Weber is one of the oldest and highest-quality producers of grilling equipment in the world.

The Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill also comes in a variety of awesome colors other than the traditional black. Copper, black, crimson, and green are the new lineup. The outside is still coated with porcelain enamel, perfect for preventing rust and many years of wear from the elements. It also comes with two heavy-duty rubber wheels for easy portability.

Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill Review

SAFETY + DURABILITY | Made to Last for Decades

When grilling it’s important to use safe grilling practices. The Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill is slightly safer than the Original Kettle due to some small but thoughtful safety features. The lid handle now has a protective heat shield so you don’t grill your knuckles on the lid. Also, before the legs of the Original Kettle simply popped into brackets and weren’t really held into place by anything. Now, the legs are secured to the Kettle body with spring-loaded pins. The spring-loaded pins also enable the legs to be easily removed for easy storage and transport and make the legs more sturdy and less likely to just fall off like with the Original Kettle.

The lid handle now has a protective heat shield…

Durability is about the same as the Original Kettle and stands up to some higher-end charcoal grills we’ve reviewed. The spring-loaded pins that attach the legs make the legs sturdier and less likely to fall apart. There are also rust-resistant aluminum dampers on the top and bottom of the body of the Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill, making it more resistant to rust over time. This grill is stamped from one sheet of steel, causing fewer seams and weld lines, ultimately preventing it from rusting anytime soon. Many grillers have said they’ve had their Weber Kettle for decades, and you can expect no less with the Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill.

Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill Review Heat Damper

Top and bottom heat dampers

PERFORMANCE | Many Thoughtful Features

Ease-of-Use

One of the greatest things about the Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill is its simplicity. When it comes to charcoal grilling, you really can’t get any simpler. The easy, no-fuss design of the Weber Kettle Premium makes even beginners comfortable, with aluminized steel One-Touch cleaning system and a removable, high-capacity ash catcher. No letting ashes blow around in the wind, just allow ashes to be collected in the enclosed design, and easily remove it when it gets full to dump it somewhere discreetly. The side handles of the Weber Kettle Premium now have useful and integrated tool hooks for all of you grilling tool accessories.

Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill Review Enclosed Ash Removal System

Easy ash removal system

The easy, no-fuss design of the Weber Kettle Premium makes even beginners comfortable…

The grates of the Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill are also an easy surface to cook on. They’re plated steel so that your feast is less likely to stick (like with cast iron grilling grates) and are easy to clean by just brushing or scrubbing them off. The Kettle Premium also comes with a hinged cooking grate. This allows your food to stay on the grate while you add or tend to the coals underneath. Another useful feature is the lid thermometer – a stainless steel thermometer that lets you monitor the heat inside your Kettle. However, this isn’t always the most accurate way to measure grilling temperature, and we always suggest checking out a grilling thermometer for more cooking precision.

Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill Review Hinged Cooking Grate

Hinged grates for charcoal access

Best Features

Although the Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill doesn’t have any big fancy features, the features it does have are thoughtful and purposeful. This is a 22-inch diameter porcelain-enameled charcoal grill. The porcelain enamel helps prevent the exterior from rusting any decade soon. Also, because the Weber Kettle Premium is cast from solid sheets of steel, there are fewer crevices and weld-lines to rust through. There are two stainless steel dampers, one on top and one on the bottom, which allow you to control the heat with more precision when cooking.

Due to the kettle design of this grill, it’s versatile and able to grill, roast, smoke, or bake whatever…

Due to the kettle design of this grill, it’s versatile and able to grill, roast, smoke, or bake whatever food you wish! Very versatile and simple to cook your favorite foods and similar to other charcoal grills we’ve reviewed. The lid is able to provide a tight seal for locking in heat, and the Weber Kettle is known for its awesome heat control capabilities. Smoking and baking are popular uses for the Weber Kettle series, too. There are even some inserts and accessories that come with Weber Kettles that allow for more versatile cooking.

Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill Review Integrated Tool Hooks

There are 363 square inches of cooking space on the Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill, enough room to sear up about 17 burgers. This leaves enough space to serve up to 6 or more people respectively, perfect for family gatherings or parties. The lid handle has a protective heat shield so your knuckles don’t cook like your burgers, and the lid also comes with a thermometer, although we recommend getting a separate grilling thermometer for more precise heat control. Kettle Premium models also have a aluminized steel One-Touch cleaning system with a removable, high-capacity ash catcher. There is also nifty little took hooks that are integrated into the side handles.

Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill Review One-Touch Cleaning

One-Touch Cleaning System

PRICE + LONGEVITY | Budget Friendly

Longevity

Thanks to the simple design and clean features of the Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill, it is sure to last for decades. The lack of nooks, crannies, and crevices allow for minimal rust, and the newly designed legs with spring-loaded pins add extra hardiness to the Kettle Premium. The outside of this grill is coated with baked powder porcelain enamel, which is sure to hold up to the elements. However, it’s always recommended to either store your grill or keep it under a grill cover to keep it in good shape. Many users have had their Weber Kettles for decades, making it a lifetime grill that doesn’t wear down with heavy use.

Price

This is definitely a budget-friendly grill and is an awesome price considering its versatility and thoughtful features. It has a sturdy and hardy design that will last you all through your grilling years. It also has simple safety features that keep you safe while grilling and has features that allow for precise heat control and cooking in case you are a big-time griller. The Weber Original Kettle Premium  Charcoal Grill’s bowl and lid come with a 10-year no-rust warranty, the One-Touch cleaning system and plastic parts come with a 5-year warranty, and the rest of the package comes with a 2-year warranty. Not bad! Customer service is also very helpful and can be reached 7 days a week, 7 a.m. through 10 p.m.

This is definitely a budget-friendly grill and is an awesome price considering its versatility…

PROS

  • Versatile, simple, portable design
  • Weber Kettle design is trusted and time-tested
  • Budget-friendly without lacking quality
  • Easy ash removal system
  • Will last decades due to quality construction

CONS

  • No ash removal system
  • Thermometer not as accurate as separate grilling thermometers

THE BOTTOM LINE | Quality and Time-Tested Grill

The Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill is a spin from the iconic Original Weber Kettle, with a few thoughtful features. With the original Kettle design intact, the Kettle Premium has an enclosed ash collection system (super convenient and easy) as well as a One-Touch cleaning system. The lid has a shield so your fingers don’t get burnt while moving the lid, and the side handles have integrated hooks for grilling tools.

This grill can serve up to 15 people at a time. It’s simple to use but doesn’t lack versatility as it can grill, smoke, roast, and bake whatever your heart desires, similar to some other charcoal grills we’ve reviewed. There are also some great accessories for the Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill that could complete your grilling experience. Also, the price is almost unbeatable for a quality charcoal grill that will last you for decades and help you serve up some of the best-grilled meals you’ll ever set on your taste buds. If you love the idea of a Weber Kettle, but want a little more “oomph”, check out the Weber Kettle Performer.