Weber's New Charcoal Grill is a Game Changer
Weber’s 22-inch Performer Smart Charcoal Grill, which is slated to go on sale this spring, takes aim at the biggest barrier to entry people have with charcoal. While many prefer the smokey charcoal flavor of a charcoal grill, most can’t get past the challenge it presents when it comes to controlling temperature. As a result, most end up sacrificing flavor for convenience by going with a gas grill. The new 22-inch Performer Smart Charcoal Grill may just change all that by marrying old school kettle grill design with smart technology that automates temperature control.
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Marrying Classic Tech With New Tech
In form, this smart version of the Performer is very similar to its predecessors. At its core is the same 22-inch kettle grill that hasn’t changed much since George Stephen debuted the first Weber kettle grill in 1951. The Performer is a classic kettle grill that sits in a wheeled cart with a built-in prep table. Vents at the base and on the lid help with temperature control.
The big difference with the smart model is the digital thermostat and fan that’s built into the bottom of the grill. Similar to a pellet grill, you can set your desired temperature on the thermostat and the fan will adjust air flow to maintain that temperature automatically, allowing you to go on your merry way. There’s no hovering over the grill or fussing with vents.
A side benefit of this tech is that it also helps start the grill faster. A Rapidfire assist feature uses the internal fan to blow air over the cookbox to stoke the coals, eliminating the need to use a separate chimney starter.
It’s important to note that you can also use the Performer without any of these features, which you’ll want to do if you’re cooking burgers and steaks or any other grilling that requires an open lid.
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Robust Smart Controls
The digital controls, which include two probes for meat ports and a knob for adjusting temperature, are WiFi ready and work with the Weber Connect app. That means you can control temperature settings and monitor the internal temperature of your food via a smart phone while you lounge on the couch or make a run to the grocery store.
In short, it’s a game changer for charcoal grilling. By adding “set it and forget it” tech, Weber has essentially expanded the Performer’s cooking capabilities from BBQ grill to include full fledged smart smoker.
Is it Worth it?
The Performer was already one of the pricier charcoal grills on the market at $450. The Smart version of the grill is $600. While that price may seem a little steep, it’s worth the additional cost for the versatility and ease of use it offers. If you already own a 22 inch Weber grill, you can simply add Weber’s new Smart Ring to it to gain the same capabilities.
There are other smart grills out there that burn charcoal (or hardwood). Masterbuilt has had the Gravity Series smart charcoal smoker for years. I’ve used it extensively, and it’s a wonderful smart smoker, but you can’t grill over it with direct heat. Kamado Joe last year launched the Konnected Joe digital charcoal grill and smoker that also uses a thermostat and fan to automate temperature control, but it comes at a premium price ($2,000). Given the versatility of this smart Performer and Weber’s reputation for making grills that last a long time, this upgraded smart Performer is well worth the investment.