Meat from the Nexgrill was delicious, with just a bit more flavor than the Weber. Between them, I’d say it largely depends on your budget and what style of grill you prefer for other meats like burgers or steak. For our tests, each grill gets a full chimney of lit charcoal and a 6-pound chicken opposite the coals for indirect heat. For this review, I focused on the top-rated Gold and Platinum Medal winning models from the AmazingRibs.com database of almost 600 searchable equipment reviews. The list below spans a range of features and prices, including both newer models and well-established leaders in the field. Weber provides the dimensions of a grill’s primary cooking area, secondary cooking area, (including side burners and warming trays), and total cooking area.
Grill grates are typically made with stainless steel, cast iron, and enamel, each with their pros and cons. A. Because it offers the easiest operation, a Weber gas grill is usually the best option for beginners. To start the grill, you only have to turn a few dials and press the ignition weber charcoal grill button, and your grill is ready in minutes. Cleanup is also easy, so you might be inclined to grill more often than if you had a charcoal model. When you’re choosing among the different types of Weber grills, opting for gas, charcoal, or electric is really a matter of personal preference.
A. Weber doesn’t permit converting a propane gas grill to a natural gas model due to safety concerns. The process would require disassembling the grill and gas components, which can be very dangerous and may not result in a functional grill. For the same reason, Weber doesn’t allow conversion from natural gas to propane either. A revamped model with a larger grilling space and solid price point. The difference between the two was largely in the crispiness of the skin, with the Weber producing the superior results.
Our rib experience with a few of the other grills was far from ideal. At times, the inside of this grill hit temperatures as high as 400 degrees F. And sadly, the ribs it produced came out burned, charred and overdone.
The 357 PRO wouldn’t be a Hasty-Bake without their classic adjustable-height charcoal tray that can be raised and lowered with a crank. The coals can move from 14.5 inches to 2.5 inches away from the cooking surface for serious direct infrared searing, a lot like a classic Santa Maria-style grill. Energy at the food level reduces rapidly as the coals move away, so this is a very effective temperature controller.
Leaky grills are harder to control and get rated accordingly. To dial in my target cooking temperatures accurately, I use multi-channel digital thermometers with temperature probes clipped to the cooking surface. Charcoal grills usually don’t have as many bells and whistles as gassers, but I assess whatever goodies are included, particularly ash removal systems. This multi-level charcoal grill from KamadoJoe features a thick-walled, heat-resistant ceramic shelf that locks in smoke and moisture when cooking.
Overall, it’s a fantastic grill for a fair price considering its features. If you’re new to the world of charcoal grills, this is an easy, user-friendly option that you can grow into as you become more experienced. There’s a 560-square-inch cooking surface for grilling and smoking, plus you can keep an eye on your steak remotely via the app. Thanks to its smart design, ashes fall into a bucket at the hopper’s base, and cleanup is as easy as opening the door to empty it. Make grilling season easier on yourself and clean your grill at the start of each grilling session, not at the end.
I assemble products, measure temperatures, slam lids, turn dials, kick casters, study warranties, take pictures, and cook a lot of food. For grillers looking for a popular model with a modest amount of storage space, there’s the Weber 22-inch Performer charcoal grill. “The Weber Kettle 22 really is the perfect charcoal grill for weekly use. It has space for making 13 burgers at once, and hooks for hanging grill tools, along with a small shelf for keeping food nearby. This is the proper way to use a charcoal chimney to get your coals going. Many Weber gas grills feature side burners, which you can use for whipping a sauce or grilling vegetables while you prepare meat in the main cooking area.
In her spare time, you’ll find her planning her next trip, reading historical fiction, and seeing as much art as she can squeeze into a weekend. Ribs cooked weber gas grill on the Nexgrill had lots of bark but were juicy and tender inside. Stack your charcoal briquettes in two rows of two deep along the inner wall of the grill.