New weber grill help?


 
C

CGariepy

TVWBB Fan
I've had an old charcoal grill for years....well it's finally about done......

I have a WSM and I love it....I'd like to pick up a new weber for grilling and keep my smoker for smoking....I know I can use my wsm like a grill but I prefer to keep it separate.

any recommendations for a new weber?

I have a family of 4 and we frequently entertain peeps....I'd say I grill 2-4 nights a week from april through sept.

when I grill its either for 4, 6, or 8 peeps. On average I'd say 6....I love to grill everything possible....

please shed some advice.

thanks,
chris
 
I guess I could consider gas but I've used charcoal for years and feel sort of like it's a step backwards

chris
 
Pretty hard to beat the convenience of a gasser like a Genesis, but the Performer is probably your best bet if you have the time. Horse for courses.
 
I was thinking the performer or the ranch kettle.....Holy big bucks for the ranch kettle.................

I looked at the weber site, and it has the desc of them....does the table come with the performer?

looks like that may be my ticket.
 
I have the Performer with propane charcoal start, and I love it. Yes it has a bigger footprint, but the table is so useful. The hinged grates are a must. I've cooked everything from chicken to cake on this bad boy and it never fails.
ry%3D480


I have an 18.5 smoker that I use for low and slow, and I have other Webers, but the Performer always comes out first.
 
Cgariepy;
The Weber Performer with gas start is THE charcoal grill, for sure. When I bought my first Weber I didn't realize how important the "table" on the performer was. I bought the OTG. It's a fine grill but I shortly added the table, the charcoal baskets, and had about as much money as the Performer costs but it wasn't a Performer (the grill part is identical but the cart is so dern convenient).

I found a Performer on Craig's List and have been in "grillin' heaven" ever since. The gas start (I use it with a chimney), the hinged grates, the cart table, and the lid holder make this a VERY nice piece of gear to use and when you take everything into consideration it's a REAL DEAL!

Keep on smokin',
Dale53:wsm:
 
My first thought is Performer. But if you're concerned about space, you might want to think about a 26" kettle. You lose the gas assist and side table that the Performer has, but you gain a fair amount of real estate. Yes, a Ranch would be cool, but they are HUGE and so is the price tag.
 
If you still have the Rancher on the table you could look at getting a Performer and a second kettle for when you need the large surface area. The cost of the Rancher is much higher then having 2 kettles, plus most of the time you probably only need one kettle going. Have you looked a the cost of replacing the grill grate on the rancher, pretty high. You could also pick up a second kettle on CL if you want some savings. I don't see Performer on CL very often. Good Luck
 
If you like to grill everything (most the food for dinner) then I would like at the 26" or the Ranch Kettle if cost is not an issue. For years i used a 22" for my family of six and entertaining - for the life of me i don't know how i did it once I got the Ranch Kettle. Now, with the ranch i cook direct and indirect. Put the side dishes on the grill (veggies/potatoes/etc) and the main course(s). I have had 4 flank steaks, 20 chicken breasts and a ring of sausages at one time on the ranch using just one chimney of charcoal in the middle. Awesome flexibility. That said, I have 2 22" at a beach house that i get going at the same time for large family cooks. My brother has the 26" and loves it b/c it gives him flexibility, but didn't pull the trigger on the Ranch for $$$$$ money sakes. I also have a gasser, but I find charcoal is just as convenient if you get the coals lit early while prepping.
 
I have two Weber gassers an 18.5 WSM, a mini 14.5 and a performer with gas assist. If I could only keep one hands down it would be the performer. With the gas assist it's just about as easy as a gasser and it can pretty much do it all, and that table sure comes in handy
 
I don't think you should get a performer.....I think you should get TWO performers! I have two on my patio along with the WSM and the lady of the house has a gasser. The gas assist, table and charcoal bin....hard to beat.
 
If you do (and you should) get a Performer, make sure you get the new 2015 model. They just came out this month, and I got mine in my truck as we speak.
 
M Crooks look in the charcoal kettle section on 2015 performers there is some great photos to show the diffs I believe some people will sell there old to get the new version.
 
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M Crooks said:
Whats the new with the new model?
Click to expand...

Handles are bolt on - and the lid handle has a heat shield on it
The Tuck Away lid bail is bigger, so allows for the lid to be swung farther back, totally perpendicular to the ground
Electronic ignition for gas assist.
New stainless steel ash catcher with "improved" attachment
New placement of therm/vent on lid
New rubber wheels
Comes with gourmet cooking system grate
Table is painted steel

I just sold my Blue Performer yesterday, and new one is going to be assembled tomorrow. I'll post pics.

Here's a link:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00MKB5V1A/tvwb-20
 
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