New 2026 Performer Smart Charcoal Grill video


 
John Burns said:
Hey Cory, yes, that's correct. The new line of Performers will not have a gas assist option or charcoal bin. The gas assist ignition certainly was a cool feature, but it was prone to clogging up and required maintenance that a lot of people simply didn't want to perform. That caused it to be a bit of a pain point on Performer w/gas assist models. A lot of people would also start out using it and then simply switch over to using a chimney starter. The charcoal bin was a great idea, but since it didn't have a lid it left charcoal a little bit open to the elements, and usually ended up as a glorified garbage can for many people. That's not to say it couldn't do it's job well as a charcoal bin, but many people simply didn't use it as one.
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Two things here, I had performers for over twenty years and only had to clean the fuel spark tube once, and I have lived in there locations.
Two the trash can was a great storage for tools,wood chucks gloves for people who do not have outside storage as apartment dwellers .
But if they were to install deeper storage drawers , and shevels that would work
 
Derrick H said:
I love that Weber is making using charcoal a bit easier and less intimidating for newcomers. Gas assist and the digital temperature setting features will bring in and keep a lot of people into the hobby. Also for even the experienced, the features make it a bit easier, especially those of us getting older.
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Derrick, there is no gas assist on the new performers they discontinued it. Actually going backwards IMO.
 
So I see the performer available on line. Wife has approved purchase of yet another grill. I am not so interested is the smart version but I am trying to decide if 7 more inches to the table is actually worth the $200 difference in cost.

Thoughts?
 
Mark Foreman said:
So I see the performer available on line. Wife has approved purchase of yet another grill. I am not so interested is the smart version but I am trying to decide if 7 more inches to the table is actually worth the $200 difference in cost.

Thoughts?
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This is me the whole point of buying the Performer was the table talking about the old model it is incredibly useful can't imagine giving up 7" on the table. If you don't care about the smart stuff and like many people here have a smoke just bought the G2 and have 2 Lightings the new one took away the gas assist and I would never give that up. Plenty of people don't care about it, I don't use the charcoal bin for charcoal keep mine inside my unfinished space in the basement but others have used it for a trash bin again at least you get it.

If buying new and you decide the old model then if I was buying new this one is the one I would get beautiful color. If you hit the link look at the bottom looks like if you sign up they give you 10% on fully priced items which I believe they have priced it that way. So your not paying anymore for this one then one you bought elsewhere but you get a special color.

 
Also I wanted to add the new one with the short table does not have wheels on both sides only one side so you need to lift it on one end to move it. That would not work for me as its on my pool level under covered space so when I am cooking I move it out from that space into the open which is easy as it has wheels on both sides no need to lift one end. If you spring for the 200 bucks for the large one they did give you wheels on both sides.

One other thing the Weber Deluxe has the gourmet grate so if you want to use a vortex you can as you can remove the middle piece say you needed to add more charcoal or whatever. The new non smart performer with the short table does not have that its just their hinged grate.
 
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Kevin L (NKY) said:
Two things here, I had performers for over twenty years and only had to clean the fuel spark tube once, and I have lived in there locations.
Two the trash can was a great storage for tools,wood chucks gloves for people who do not have outside storage as apartment dwellers .
But if they were to install deeper storage drawers , and shevels that would work
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Respectfully, my limited experience aligns with this. I’ve only had a Weber kettle since this summer, an SSP, and having refurbished/ restored it, it is my favorite of the 7 cookers I have on the patio. I’m going to buy everything I can parts wise as I can to keep this going as long as possible. Already getting prices on powder coating the frame lol.
 
I understand that to a purist, the temp control is a gimmick, but personally I would use it on long cooks. Having one of these, especially after giving up on - and selling - my Spider Huntsman, might move me back toward more charcoal bbq and less reliance on pellet grilling. I know prices are rising, and Weber has to face reality, so I am not so down on the price. I just wish I could pay even more but have 304 stainless cabinetry instead of that attractive, but I am afraid doomed to rust out, painted steel.
 
David-B said:
looks like some ACE hardware stores already have at least a display model in store, the small table version looks to have enough space to work with .
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I would try to see it in person where you could see the difference from the small table compared to the large one. To be honest it looks pretty small to me.

As Mark stated it appears the one with the long table is 7" longer which is alot.
 
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Jon Tofte said:
I understand that to a purist, the temp control is a gimmick, but personally I would use it on long cooks. Having one of these, especially after giving up on - and selling - my Spider Huntsman, might move me back toward more charcoal bbq and less reliance on pellet grilling. I know prices are rising, and Weber has to face reality, so I am not so down on the price. I just wish I could pay even more but have 304 stainless cabinetry instead of that attractive, but I am afraid doomed to rust out, painted steel.
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I agree. Never thought I would use the Billows on my WSK as much as I do. I use it all the time now for any long or overnight cooks and it works great. It has basically made my WSM obsolete. I just don't use it anymore..... I will keep it for traveling or camping as the WSK won't function for that.
 
David-B said:
looks like some ACE hardware stores already have at least a display model in store, the small table version looks to have enough space to work with .
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Just watched the video for the second time. I am not sure I like the table insert system. With the cover plate installed, I can see floor thru the slots for removing the table filler plate,

If you have the big table performers, a spill will drip onto the storage shelf. I’ve decided to hold off buying one till I check it out a bit more,
 
Todd K Wisc said:
I agree. Never thought I would use the Billows on my WSK as much as I do. I use it all the time now for any long or overnight cooks and it works great. It has basically made my WSM obsolete. I just don't use it anymore..... I will keep it for traveling or camping as the WSK won't function for that.
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Speaking of a WSM, I wonder if they plan on rolling out a fan accessory for it? Maybe a “smart” model as well.
 
David-B said:
looks like some ACE hardware stores already have at least a display model in store,
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I was at my local Ace today. Didn't see it, but they were doing a bunch of rearranging pallets everywhere.

Asked the helpful hardware man as I was checking out, and he said they received one last week but were waiting for some floor space.
 
Mark Foreman said:
Just watched the video for the second time. I am not sure I like the table insert system. With the cover plate installed, I can see floor thru the slots for removing the table filler plate,

If you have the big table performers, a spill will drip onto the storage shelf. I’ve decided to hold off buying one till I check it out a bit more,
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I'm not sure if the non "smart grill" has the insert or not. I'm thinking this is only for the more expensive model
 
Its a clean looking Performer, I wish this smaller one still had the option to fold the side table down like the Performer 22"
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My Performer 22 is the grill I use the most, added Billows for temp control & it works perfectly. Not as buttoned up or clean as this new one.
 
Cody Bratton said:
So they have eliminated the gas assist and dry storage compartment altogether? That is a bit of a bummer, I love the gas assist, but I suppose with all the options for chimney starters having a propane canister is not longer practical? The charcoal bin was what made me initially want the performer over a standard kettle. The table was just an added bonus!
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There is a larger version but yes it looks like the storage bin has been left out.
 
Mark Foreman said:
Just watched the video for the second time. I am not sure I like the table insert system. With the cover plate installed, I can see floor thru the slots for removing the table filler plate,

If you have the big table performers, a spill will drip onto the storage shelf. I’ve decided to hold off buying one till I check it out a bit more,
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This is meant to accommodate the Weber Works system of tray inserts
 
MLiebler said:
Speaking of a WSM, I wonder if they plan on rolling out a fan accessory for it? Maybe a “smart” model as well.
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To me that would be natural extension of the technology. Weber must know that folks have been modding their WSM for better temperature management why would they want another company to get that income if they have the technology and can sell it themselves.
 
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