Weber Original Kettle Review: The Ideal Charcoal Grill for Beginners (2024)

Cooking with charcoal brings exceptional flavor to everything from grilled steaks and salmon to slow-cooked pork and even grilled pizza. And when you think of charcoal grills, it’s hard not to think of the Weber Original Kettle Grill.

As a grilling enthusiast, I can easily spot the iconic domed design of the original Weber kettle grill and love its simplicity. Taste of Home Test Kitchen grilling expert Catherine Ward loves that it’s straightforward and simple to use and performs well while cooking a variety of foods, maintaining an even temperature throughout use.

For those reasons and more, it earned a top spot on our list of the best Weber grills. Through extensive testing, here’s what we learned about this go-to charcoal grill.

What is the Weber Original Kettle?

The Weber Original Kettle grill is a cooking tool that is fueled by charcoal. There are three colors to choose from, each with a diameter of 22 inches. At 39.5 inches tall, it doesn’t take up very much space, making this top grill ideal for smaller backyards or patios. It is constructed from porcelain-enameled steel with a dome-shaped design for great heat retention. And just like its name, it has remained very similar in construction to the original Weber charcoal grill, holding the same tried-and-true design (with a few upgrades!) for over 70 years.

Weber Original Kettle Features

The Weber kettle grill is built with three main components: the bowl-shaped body, the legs and the lid. The sturdy legs are equipped with two wheels making it easier to move the grill if needed. On the top, there is a built-in thermometer so you can check the temperature of the grill at a glance. Ready to check what you’re grilling? There is a hook to hold the lid so you can be hands-free, and the interior cooking grate is hinged to make it easier to add more charcoal if necessary while you have the grill open. You can also use a variety of Weber grill accessories with this grill for versatile use, such as the brand’s pizza oven kit.

Though small, there are a few hooks to hold your grilling tools so they’re nearby, along with an ash catcher which makes it that much easier to clean the grill and dump ash after use.

How We Tested the Weber Original Kettle

The first evaluation in our testing was ease of assembly. Before any charcoal could be added and lit, the legs needed to be attached to the body of the grill. The Test Kitchen found this step to be difficult, but once the legs were attached all other assembly steps were simple and straightforward. The Test Kitchen loved that the lid fits very tight and the three legs were sturdy, without the lid sliding off when moving the grill.

After assembly, grilling expert Catherine Ward took over. She found that it took about 10 minutes for the coals to be ready to cook after using a chimney to add hot coals. Three cooking tests were performed, including cooking a steak, a whole cut-up chicken and slow-cooking baby back ribs.

TASTE OF HOME

The steak was cooked on a high heat of 450 degrees to sear it on each side for one minute and covered to cook for four minutes in between each sear. The steak had excellent color with a good sear and appetizing grill marks without too much char. The chicken was cooked at 350 degrees for one hour to produce a golden color and great texture, while the ribs were cooked at 275 degrees for three hours. During both of the longer cooks, the top and bottom vents were adjusted to help maintain the desired temperature. Because there is no silicone handle for protection when opening the top vents, Catherine found it crucial to wear heat-safe gloves or use tongs when adjusting the vent.

After cooking, Catherine found that clean-up was rather easy: cleaning the grill grates with a grill brush and dumping the ash catcher.

To further evaluate the Original Kettle, we sent it home with Senior Shopping Editor Katie Bandurski for long-term testing. Katie and her family have since used the Weber to cook brats, burgers, chicken, steak, veggie dogs and potatoes.

“When it’s 90+ degrees outside during the summer, I love being able to cook outside so I don’t heat up my house even further,” Katie says. “This grill has a lot of smart features. I like the temperature gauge, but I especially appreciate the canister that collects the ashes. My previous Weber had an open tray that let them blow all over in the wind. This is much cleaner.”

KATIE BANDURSKI/TASTE OF HOME

Everything Katie has cooked has turned out beautifully, with char marks and a signature charcoal-kissed flavor. “Weber makes quality products. With the right care, I’m confident this grill will last us for many summers,” Katie says. “I only wish I had splurged on the green or copper-colored version!”

Pros

• Simple to use thanks to intuitive design
• Holds consistent steady temperature
• Doesn’t take up much space
• Two wheels for mobility
• Approachable price point

Cons

• Side table would be helpful
• No silicone handle on top vents

FAQ

How do you clean a Weber Kettle?

It’s important to keep a grill clean for safe use. The grill grates should be scrubbed with a grill brush to remove stuck-on food and debris. The ash catcher should be emptied regularly.

Can you smoke in a Weber Kettle?

Smoking means cooking food at a low temperature for a long time while using some sort of hardwood to infuse flavor. With the right configuration, it is possible to smoke on a Weber Kettle grill. The item you’re cooking needs indirect heat and the vents need to be adjusted for a low and slow temperature, around 225 degrees. Once the charcoal is hot enough to start cooking, you can add a few small chunks of hardwood with the coals to provide smoke. While other smokers, such as Traegers, allow you to set the temperature and let the grill do all the work, this process will require a pretty consistent watch as you’ll likely have to add additional hot coals to maintain temperature for a long time.

Why You Should Trust Us

The Taste of Home Test Kitchen tested this Weber Original Kettle grill, along with other Weber grill models, with grilling expert Catherine Ward taking the lead. The grill was thoroughly evaluated for assembly, performance, design and ease of cleaning.

I am a writer specializing in food and lifestyle, with a specific passion for outdoor cooking and grilling. While I love to keep my eye on the latest food trends and kitchen gadgets, my primary focus is on established products. I strive to recommend items that are worth the investment and will last, including pizza ovens, fire pits, grills and smokers.

Product Comparison

The Weber Original Kettle grill is a straightforward charcoal grill. With its intuitive design and great heat retention, it’s an excellent choice for beginners and grilling enthusiasts alike. While testing Weber gas grills and other Weber charcoal grills, the test kitchen found that this grill performed comparatively to Weber’s Performer Charcoal grill, just without the convenient side shelf and four wheels that can be found on that grill. The brand’s small-space-friendly Weber Spirit II E-310 gas grill and its larger Weber Genesis E-325 earned top ratings for ease of use and performance when it comes to gas grills. Both of these grills are quick to start, easy to use and provide great heat retention, but they certainly come at a higher price point. The lower price point of this kettle grill makes it more approachable and even a wonderful gift for the griller in your life.

Final Verdict

The Weber Original Kettle grill has been a popular charcoal grill for decades, and that’s for good reason. Its simplistic design is attractive, and it provides exceptional heat retention whether you’re using charcoal to sear meats at a high temperature or cooking low and slow. While the top and bottom vents are convenient for managing temperature, it’s important to remember that the top vent does not have a silicone coating, so heat-safe gloves or tongs should be used to avoid direct contact with high temperatures.

Where to Buy the Weber Original Kettle

Fired up to start grilling with charcoal? The Weber Original Kettle grill can be found at Amazon, Weber, Walmart and BBQ Guys, starting at $219. We tested the 22-inch kettle grill, but you can also pick up an 18-inch version.