Weber Performer Deluxe Charcoal Grill Review

With the Weber Performer Deluxe Charcoal Grill, cooking is made simple without lacking in flavor or experience.

DESIGN + VERSATILITY | Old and the New

Weber is one of the oldest and most respected grilling companies in the world, and for good reason. Weber grills produce some of the highest quality, easy to use, and effective grills and cooking equipment that you can find. As the popularity of outdoor cooking grows, Weber continues to deliver with quality, durable grilling equipment. The Weber Performer Deluxe Charcoal Grill is one of the best charcoal grills you can find because of its convenience, quality, and effectiveness.

It has a…cooking area of 363 square inches, enough to cook for about 6-10 people at a time.

The Weber Performer is a spin-off of the original and much loved Weber Kettle that’s been around for over 50 years. What makes the Weber Performer a step up from the original Weber kettle is that it sits on a stand with a table and tons of storage instead of the traditional three legs. It has a 22-inch diameter porcelain-enameled bowl and lid with a cooking area of 363 square inches, enough to cook for about 6 plus at a time. The dome-shape of the iconic Weber Kettles helps reflect heat back towards the cooking surface so that minimal heat is lost during grilling. The stand is sturdy and consists of a table with wheels, a storage bin for charcoal, and an easy enclosed ash removal system (no more ash blowing all over your guests during outdoor gatherings).

The Weber Performer Deluxe Charcoal Grill has a sturdy design and build that will last for decades. The body and lids are pressed from solid sheets of steel so there are no cracks and crevices to rust. Weber coats their kettles with durable powder that is baked on for a porcelain enamel that can face the elements and lasts for decades. The lid fits tight (optimal heat and oxygen control), it’s lightweight and has a simple no-fuss design. Also, there is a whole line of inserts (besides the grilling rack) that can be used for cooking almost anything, like a pizza stone insert, wok insert, and griddle insert.

SAFETY + DURABILITY | No-Rust Design

Safety is an important factor when working with outdoor cooking because you are literally “playing with fire”. The Weber Performer Deluxe Charcoal Grill burns charcoal as the main fuel but it does come with a small, one-pound gas canister for firing the charcoal up. It’s important to be aware of the gas canister and make sure that is being used properly, as gas can be a volatile cooking fuel. A great safety benefit of having the gas canister to aid with starting up your grill is that you don’t have to use lighter fluid which is one of the biggest causes for grilling fires and accidents.

A great safety benefit of having the gas canister…is that you don’t have to use lighter fluid.

One of the greatest benefits of charcoal is the ability to cook with higher temperatures, which also need to be monitored very carefully. A big part of cooking with charcoal (and gas grills) is the risk for flare-ups which can be easily handled with the Weber Performer Deluxe Charcoal Grill. The lid is easy to place back on in case of a fire and comes with a heat shield so you won’t grill your knuckles while working with the lid. Damper (vents) are easy to close to starve any out-of-control flames and also create a nice little window into the grill to make sure any crazy flames have died down before removing the lid to check on your food.

The durability of the Weber Performer Deluxe Charcoal Grill is a huge strength. Weber is known for their quality and durable products, and this grill is nothing but durable. A heavy-duty steel cart frame supports the kettle and comes with four wheels (two that lock) for easy portability. The body and lids are pressed from solid sheets of steel creating a no-rust design. Weber coats their kettles with durable powder that is baked on for a porcelain enamel that can face the elements and lasts for decades.

PERFORMANCE | Simple Yet Thoughtful

Ease-of-Use

One thing that makes the Weber Kettle Series stand out is its serious simplicity. No complicated knobs, bells, or whistles. Just simple grilling with quality equipment. The Weber Performer Deluxe Charcoal Grill sits on a steel cart that has a great workspace. A metal-painted table is perfect for setting plates, spices, and grilling tools on. Good luck finding things to store on the bottom metal rack because everything you’d normally need to store (like charcoal starters, charcoal bags, lighters, etc.) are all features that are included in this grill. A charcoal storage bin hangs conveniently off to the side of the frame.

Just simple grilling with quality equipment.

The Electronic Touch-N-Go Gas Ignition System is probably one of the best “easy” features of the Weber Performance Deluxe Charcoal Grill. This feature makes it super easy to fire up your charcoal. It also means you don’t need lighter fluid (huge fire hazard) or a fancy blow torch to start your charcoal. Just make sure your charcoal is positioned how you want it and simply press the starter button. Easy peasy. Another feature that helps ease the grilling experience is the backlit LCD timer that can be placed into the grill cart in its frame, or popped out to take with you while you’re waiting for your food to cook. Check out some of the best outdoor lounge chairs that’ll make waiting for your food to cook a little easier.

Removable grill timer

Best Features

A ton of thoughtful little features makes the Weber Performer Deluxe Charcoal Grill stand out above the rest. It has a simple no-fuss design that makes grilling a breeze, but it can still be used to grill, bake, smoke, or roast almost anything you can think of. Some thoughtful little features include a tuck-away lid holder, grilling tool hooks, an aluminized one-touch cleaning system, and a heat shield next to the lid handle in case you don’t feel like grilling your knuckles. A removable LCD cook timer is also included, making it easier to remember when to check and remove your food.

It can still be used to grill, bake, smoke, or roast almost anything you can think of.

The convenient side table, although simple, is a huge plus for this grill. This is a feature that many grills lack and will be much used during your outdoor cooking adventures. Another great feature that is a step up from the original Weber Kettle is an enclosed ash catcher to capture and hold ash so that it doesn’t blow around, something that’s becoming popular with other charcoal grills on the market. It latches on for sturdy attachment but is easily removed and has a handle for easy carrying and disposal. And did we say this ash catcher is high-capacity?

Large-capacity, removable ash tray

One other feature that stands out about the Weber Performer Deluxe Charcoal Grill is the built-in lid thermometer. For beginners that wouldn’t think to buy a separate grill thermometer, this built-in feature can aid with better grilling technique and temperature control. If you’re looking for stricter temperature control, you might want to skip on this feature and try out a separate grill thermometer. Still, this little thermometer links directly to the inside of the grill lid to give you a general temperature of the inside of the grill. Ultimately, tons of different grilling techniques can be used with the Weber Performer, like two-zone cooking, smoking, baking, and roasting. It’s big enough to fit whole birds (like turkeys, or chicken), large pieces of meat for smoking, and a good number of burgers or steaks for a crowd of 6 people or more.

PRICE + LONGEVITY | Lasts for Decades

Longevity

The simple design and porcelain enamel that covers the Weber Performer Deluxe Charcoal Grill makes it resistant to weather and everyday wear and tear. Many owners have had their Weber Kettles for decades before they start to show signs of wear. Because the lid and body are pressed from solid sheets of steel, this creates a no-rust design making it a grill that will outlast even higher-end grills. However, it’s never a bad idea to shelter your Weber Performer from the weather by storing it or buying a Weber Performer cover for it. This will help your grill last your entire grilling years, unlike some other charcoal grills we’ve reviewed!

Price

Because this is a vamped up version of the original Weber Kettle, the price is going to be higher but the features make up for the higher price. If you like the idea of the classic Weber Kettle but don’t want to skimp on convenience and quality, the Weber Performer Deluxe Charcoal Grill is the perfect match. It’s not out-of-this-world expensive, and by the time you buy all the features like a side table, charcoal box, a charcoal lighter and tower, and tool holders for a traditional Weber Kettle, you’ll have spent about the same amount (if not more) than the Weber Performer that already has all these features. With the Weber Performer, you’ll get all of these features and more.

By the time you buy all the features…for a traditional Weber Kettle, you’ll have spent about the same amount…

Also, the Weber Performer comes with awesome customer service and limited warranties. Weber has outstanding customer service that is available 7 days a week from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. CST. The lid has a 10-year warranty, the one-touch cleaning system and plastic components have a 5-year warranty, and all other parts have a 2-year warranty.

Push button start

PROS

• Seamless design helps prevent rust
• Cart has tons of storage and table space
• Original Weber Kettle design with ash removal system
• Super easy start with gas starter system

CONS

• Thermometer isn’t as accurate as separate grilling thermometers
• Not as portable as some other Weber Kettles

THE BOTTOM LINE | High-End Weber Kettle

Weber truly is thinking about your grilling experience each time they design a grill. With the Weber Performer, you have the ability to cook anything you can think of, from smoking, grilling, and roasting to inserts for pizzas, woks, griddles, and roasters, the sky is your limit. This grill has a huge amount of versatility for the price compared to other charcoal grills we’ve reviewed. If you like the classic Weber Kettle design but love the idea of simplicity and easy use, the Weber Performer Deluxe could be perfect for you.