Thoughts on New One Touch Platinum


 
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Sean H

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I picked up a new One Touch Platinum a couple of months ago. I've done several cooks on it, and so far I think I like it.

Pros:

1. I like the tables on either side. Even though they're smaller, it's much more useful to me, as I have a WSM and an OTS parked on either side.

2. The lid slides to the back, which makes working the grill much easier during cooking. I've used to slide-aside lids, and I just don't like them as much.

3. I get hotter temperatures during cooking. I use this for grilling or higher-heat indirect cooking, so it has been perfect for those needs.

Cons:

1. It seems that construction quality has really taken a dip on Weber grills. Parts seem just a touch flimsier, and the enameling is not nearly as strong as it used to be. Still better than most of the competition, but now it seems they're trying to live off the good name the quality of the past has built.

2. On a similar note, the tabs inside the grill for the charcoal grate are angled down too far out of the factory to effectively hold it in place.

3. I don't like the positioning of the ash catcher/sweep. That's just a personal preference.

Overall, though, I really like this thing, and I'm glad I went with it over the Performer.
 
My momma told me if I didnt have anything good to say...don't say anything at all. For all the cons you listed...I'll second that.
Ive heard this grill is being discontinued...if thats true, it doesnt surprise. But if the grill works for you, thats all thats important.

Based on the prices, I would think the Performer would be the clear choice for a little bit more money.
 
They look nice, the only thing I didn't like when I checked one out was the sliding lid. It just seemed like it slides all over the place and needs a little better design. I like the placement and size of the front handle and vent on top though.
 
I didn't think I'd like the vent on top, but turns out it's working pretty well. The lid is a little strange, but once you find the right placement it doesn't move around a lot.

Price really wasn't a consideration for me. I had enough Amazon points to pay for either, but this was more practical for my purposes. Now that I have this I'm saving up Amazon points for the Performer to phase out my OTS.
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Sean,

To be honest, at times I'm really amazed that Weber can have so much success by re-packaging the same base grill, with wide price differences for convenience features. There are, what, four different existences of the 22 inch kettle (pick your color and options for the two most expensive).

1. Basic OTS ($89-$99)
2. OTG (~$149) <add extra handle, charbaskets, hinged grate and ash dumper>
3. OTP (~$249) <OTG + add color options, thermometer, side tables and leg/stand upgrades>
4. Performer (~$279-$329) <larger table, gas assist (some models) thermometer & charcoal bin>

With as much as a $200 (or more) price difference between the OTS & Performer I'm surprised there aren't any aftermarket table options available for the kettle (like you see everywhere for the ceramic kamados).

With all this said, I'd still love to find a "brick red" One Touch Platinum at a great closeout price!
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My buddy has the platinum and I got a good look at it. I think it's a pretty nice grill. Aside from the price, I think it's a good functional grill. I thought the lid sliding back is pretty nice and it seems to work good. I had no trouble sliding it back or getting it back on the grill I'm not sure what the fit issues you guys were having. I'm not sure what you find wrong with the enamel? His seems fine, it's not chipping off or anything. He is a one grill kind of guy so it seemd like the perfect one for him. If I found one for the right price I would certainly give it a try.

Hey Tyler there is a guy up here in Chicago that has a brand new Platinum for sale almost every week on craigslist. Thats where my buddy got his. They are usually between $185 and $215. He sells the brick red one for $215. He said he works at weber. Maybe you need to take a ride.

The Platinum is still in the 2012 catalog so it is not discontinued just yet. Besides in 20 years Jeff will be racing somewhere to get one of these oddball grills. Someone on craigslist will have a brick red for $50 bucks but it will be half rotted and missing the handle, and everyone will be so excited that he got one because they will be so hard to find
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Brian
 
FYI, when I talk about construction quality, I'm speaking of all Weber grills in general, not just this one. I've bought brand new Smokey Joes in the past 6 months, too, and they are a bit less well-built than the OTS and WSM I bought nearly two years ago. In that time, I've noticed that the etching on the vent went from reading that it was manufactured in Illinois to simply designed and engineered there. I wonder if that has something to do with it.
 
I absolutely love my Platinum and am so glad I chose it over any other Weber. To me, I think it is just the perfect balance of full functionality and style.

The two tables with 6 hooks is awesome. I absolutely love how the lid just eases right back and includes a therm in the lid, although I use my Mav 732 for cooks where precise temps matter.

I am also a huge fan of the overall styling ques, from the silver/grey frame to the big massive wheels and then how the darker grey lid handle is flanked by the large grey table surfaces on both sides. It just looks big, stylish and sexy.

Sorry, but I've always thought the Performer has looked too old man-ish, un-balanced and just reminds me of a street cart for some reason.

That may be a blasphemous statement to most on the board, due to their popularity, so I don't mean to offend.
 
I would guess it's a dud because of the high price. It is very functional, but it's a lot of money. I don't think anyone could deny it is very useful with two tables and six tool holders. It is as functional than the non gas performer. I would assume the performer is popular because of the gas ignition. That's certainly why I got mine. If it came down to it between a non gas performer and a platinum for virtually the same price I would go with the platinum for sure. I agree with David, the platinum certainly has some nice design elements. Maybe if they fit the platinum with the gas assist it would be a pretty great grill.


Brian
 
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Brian O'Neal:
I would guess it's a dud because of the high price. It is very functional, but it's a lot of money. I don't think anyone could deny it is very useful with two tables and six tool holders. It is as functional than the non gas performer. I would assume the performer is popular because of the gas ignition. That's certainly why I got mine. If it came down to it between a non gas performer and a platinum for virtually the same price I would go with the platinum for sure. I agree with David, the platinum certainly has some nice design elements. Maybe if they fit the platinum with the gas assist it would be a pretty great grill.


Brian </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I agree with everything you said here.

I like the platinum a lot but it's just priced too high for me. I feel like that with a lot of Weber's stuff. It all costs about 20 percent more than I feel like it should be.
 
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