I've had a variety of grilling / bbq products. Primarily Weber, given their history of solid products and great customer service.
I've always been a charcoal purist. Apartment living, however, has made me consider propane as a primary heat source for grilling. I recently bought the Weber Q220. It's a nice product, but it just doesn't get as hot as I need it to. So I sold my Q220 and decided to go with what I really wanted, which was this Weber Performer.
It's not petite - it takes up a good 3-4 feet width-wise and it's about 3 feet high.
Charcoal had always previously required me to get a chimney starter, as I'm not into soaking my briquets with lighter fluid. That meant a lot of smoke and wait time as I waited for the coals to get hot.
The Weber performer, however, uses the little, easy to find propane tanks (hardware stores, your local drugstore's seasonal merch section) to blast the coals with propane-powered fire in 10 mins. The coals are ashen-grey and ready to go. The grill gets over 600+ degrees F so you can really get a solid sear on whatever you're cooking.
The whole setup is solid and well thought out. The one touch lighting system works like a breeze and the cook-top / prep area is a huge benefit, as is the tilt-out charcoal holder.
The only thing I'd suggest: google Craycort cast-iron grates and get a 22.5 inch cast-iron grate for this. It's a bit expensive at $85 but it's worth EVERY PENNY. If you've done a lot of grilling, you know you need cast iron to retain heat and really sear your food. I did and it makes this setup into the ne plus ultra of all charcoal grills and remedies the only weakness of this setup, which is the stainless steel grates that it comes with. Ditch those for Craycort's cast iron grates. You'll be glad you did.
I love this product as much as I can love an inanimate product. And that's a lot.
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Weber 1427001 Performer Charcoal Grill, GreenProduct Description: Equipped with an innovative Touch-N-Go gas-ignition system, this charcoal grill allows for all the benefits of cooking with charcoal, but without the hassle of messy, unpredictable start-ups. Simply push the button to ignite the charcoal briquets--no more lighter fluid, matches, or anxious waiting necessary. The start-up function requires a disposable 14.1- or 16.4-ounce LP cylinder (sold separately)--a 14.1-ounce tank provides up to 12 10-minute ignitions and a 16.4-ounce tank provides up to 14 10-minute ignitions. Outdoor grilling enthusiasts will also appreciate the durable plated-steel hinged cooking grate, which offers a generous 363 square inches of space for anything from barbecued ribs and corn on the cob to fresh salmon or summer vegetables from the garden. Even more, the grill provides an attached Thermoset side work table with plenty of room for platters, condiments, and sauces; three tool hooks for keeping a spatula, tongs, and turning fork or brush within easy reach; and a lid-mounted thermometer for monitoring the heat at a glance. Other highlights include a 22-1/2-inch porcelain-enameled bowl and lid, a rust-proof aluminum vent, a Tuck-Away lid holder, and a glass-reinforced nylon handle, as well as a heavy-duty steel cart frame, a wire bottom shelf, two crack-proof all-weather wheels for smooth transport, and two locking casters. When finished cooking, the grill's stainless-steel One-Touch cleaning system and removable black aluminum ash catcher ensure easy clean-up. Two Char-Basket charcoal fuel holders come included, plus a weather-protected CharBin storage container that keeps up to 20 pounds of charcoal dry and ready to use. Not sure what to grill first? Weber throws in a cookbook with a variety of delicious ideas. Durably built for long-lasting performance, the charcoal grill measures 28-1/2 by 50-1/4 by 40 inches.
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yes, this grill cover is expensive, but it stands up to subzero weather and does not melt in the summer heat.This is more than just a dust cover for a grill.I purchased my own about 5 years ago and it is still going strong.The best part is that it has kept the surface of my perforer out of fading rays of the sun.I say you would be foolish to not buy a cover for your grill, and you would be smarter to pay the extra now if you are able to, because the other ones will rip on the edges.and investment well worth it to cover your cooking investment.
