Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill, 22-Inch, Black Review (2026)

Who this grill fits

This is Weber's step-up 22-inch kettle, built for a backyard cook who already knows they like charcoal flavor and wants the convenience upgrades over the base kettle. The 22-inch diameter and 363 square inches of cooking area handle roughly 25 burgers or a mixed cookout of proteins and vegetables in one session, enough for a typical family gathering. Because it is a kettle, it sears steaks over direct heat and just as easily bakes a whole chicken or ribs low and slow with the coals banked to one side and the lid on. It suits someone with patio or yard space who does not mind the extra time charcoal takes to light and clean up compared with turning a knob on a gas grill.

Specs and design explained

The grill measures 39.5 inches tall, 22.5 inches wide and 27 inches deep with the lid closed, and it centers on a porcelain-enameled steel bowl and lid that resist rust and scratching better than bare steel. A plated-steel cooking grate is hinged, so you can lift each side to add charcoal mid-cook without removing food. Three rust-resistant aluminum legs support the bowl, two glass-reinforced nylon handles help with lid removal, and two all-weather wheels make repositioning easier on a patio. A built-in lid thermometer and adjustable lid and bowl dampers let you dial in temperature for searing or slow roasting. The One-Touch cleaning system sweeps ash into a high-capacity catcher underneath, and a bottom wire rack gives a spot to stage a chimney starter or tools.

Living with it day to day

Assembly involves attaching the legs, wheels and handles, which most owners finish in under an hour with basic tools. Daily use means lighting charcoal in a chimney starter, arranging it for direct or indirect heat, and using the dampers to hold your target temperature, a routine that takes longer than a gas grill's instant start but rewards you with a deeper charred flavor. The hinged grate is the detail owners notice most, since it removes the hassle of lifting a full grate off just to top up coals. Cleanup is straightforward thanks to the One-Touch system, which lets you swivel a lever to dump spent ash into the catcher instead of scooping it out by hand, a real time saver after a long cook.

Trade-offs against rival kettles

Weber's Premium trim adds the One-Touch ash system and other small conveniences over the standard 22-inch black kettle, which is otherwise the same basic grill for less money if you do not need those extras. Compared with the same Premium kettle in green, the only real difference is finish color, since materials and cooking area are identical. Against other brands entirely, few kettle grills match Weber's parts availability and warranty depth, which matters if a grate or damper ever needs replacing years down the line. The clearest limitation next to any kettle is the lack of attached side tables, so you will want a small cart, table or shelf nearby to hold plates, tongs and a spray bottle while cooking.

Verdict and who should look elsewhere

For a straightforward charcoal grill that can sear a steak and smoke a rack of ribs without buying two different cookers, the Original Kettle Premium remains a dependable choice backed by Weber's long parts and warranty support. The hinged grate and ash management system are genuine upgrades that make regular use less of a chore. Cooks who want instant on and off heat with no charcoal cleanup should look at a gas grill instead, and anyone needing built-in prep space or storage should consider a kettle with a cart or a different grill style entirely. For classic backyard charcoal cooking in a compact footprint, this kettle remains a strong pick.

Frequently asked questions