Charcoal grilling produces the best-tasting barbecues. It’s an undeniable fact. Problem is, it requires a lot more attention than gas grilling, requiring you to be more active at managing the grill. The Weber 22-Inch Performer Smart Charcoal Grill is looking to change that.
Built around the traditional kettle grill, the backyard cooker combines the ubiquitous classic with a wheeled platform, a worktop, and, more importantly, some nifty electronics that automates some of the more laborious aspects of charcoal grilling. That means, you don’t have the spend the next hour watching over the darn thing, allowing you to do other chores around the house while your food cooks in the backyard.
The Weber 22-Inch Performer Smart Charcoal Grill is a smart grill that’s built around a classic kettle grill. The kettle grill is mounted on a wheeled platform that allows you to easily move it around, while providing a work table on the side where you can set down any tools, accessories, and condiments you’ll need when cooking up steaks, burgers, and anything else. Unlike a traditional kettle grill, you won’t need to fan the flames at any point. That’s because it has a built-in digital fan that you can use to easily adjust the airflow airflow and temperature levels by blowing air directly to the coals.
The fan is hooked up to the LCD Wi-Fi Enabled Controller to the right of the grill, which you can program to cook the food at any temperature of your choosing. When the temperature drops, it will automatically switch on the fan, then shut it off once it gets back to the desired heat levels. This ensures your food cooks at the right temperature the entire time, with no need to constantly check on the grill like you would on a standard Weber Kettle. Even better, the fan allows the air to circulate consistently throughout the cooking area, ensuring even browning and crisping.
The Weber 22-Inch Performer Smart Charcoal Grill has a Rapidfire Assist mode that uses the same fan to quickly preheat the grill, allowing it to reach desired temperatures a lot faster. The controller, by the way, has a large knob that you can use to make quick adjustments, although it also comes with a companion app if you want to manage the grill without having to stay out in the backyard. The app can also be used to monitor any compatible food probes (it has one included and two extra ports for additional probes), so you can see exactly how every food item on the grill is doing at any moment.
The side table is designed to accommodate drop-in accessories, while the side rail can also be reinforced with different snap-on gear. This allows you to customize the setup to your liking using Weber’s numerous available accessories. Other features include a bottom storage shelf, adjustable dampers for manually controlling temperature, an improved one-touch cleaning system, a hinged cooking grate, steel side table, a porcelain-enameled finish, and a tuck-away lid holder, so you don’t have to set it down on any surface.
The Weber 22-Inch Performer Smart Charcoal Grill is available now, priced at $599.
