I received this grill as a Christmas present and was more than pleasantly surprised.I've always been a fan of the Weber.I recyled my original 18.5" Weber after 20 years.Assembly took aboutan hour. The instructions have no words, just follow the pictures.The package comes with a small plastic thumb wrench to install the nuts for the handle and fasten the kettle to the frame.All you need to supply is a phillips #2 screwdriver and a rubber mallet.
1.) The price point places this grill between the Gold 22.5 Series and the Performer series.
2.) No more flimsy tripod legs that have a tendency to come out of the kettle base when you move the grill. There are two nuts that fasten the kettle to the side supports on the main frame.
3.) The frame is made of bent steel tubing.The lower half of the frame is connected to the upper half via two black metal clamping connectors secured with two screws each.When assembling the lower and upper halves of the frame, there is a slight offset in the connector assembly clearly shown by a hand lifting the partial assembly in the instructions.If you have to put effort into screwing the parts together...you are assembling it incorrectly.I can see where this will cause some people problems when they claim that their parts arrived to them incorrectly tapped or stripped.My advice:take parts A and B of the clamping metal connector and just start the screws so you can gage the amount of effort it takes to close the clamps.There are also two adjustable feet opposite the wheels that will allow you to level the frame to take out any wobble on uneven surfaces.
4.) Side Tables: Hard thermoset weather resistant, heat resistant plastic.There are two metal standoff clips that are to be installed with self tapping screws on each table.These clips will prevent a hot lid from touching the tables.Pay attention to the instructions and the orientation of the pictures.
5.)The lid has a built in thermometer 150 - 600 deg F.The handle for the lid is attached at the lip of the lid with two nuts.Lift up on the handle and the lid rolls back on two plastic rollers factory attached to the bottom kettle.The lid will eventually rotate back to rest on the two metal standoff clips mentioned above.You never have to completely remove the lid, it just rotates/rolls back and leaves plenty of room to access the entire grill.
6.) Wheels: Hard weather resistant, heat resistant plastic.You'll need the rubber mallet to install the retaining nuts for the wheels...just line them up and give it a good whack.
7.) The bottom rack is a nice feature, it stays solidly supported within the frame.
8.) Ash catching assembly.You have to snap the assembly collar to get the tabs to hook into the leg stubs in the kettle.Don't bend it too much, just deform it gently and work it in.
9.) The ash sweeping vane assembly was factory installed.
10.)Unit comes with two char-baskets, charcoal grill support, and hinged cooking grate.
I don't know why this product is not on Weber(-Stephen) website yet as of 1/2/10. This certainly is a noticeable upgrade from the Weber Gold series and it is definitely a winner in their product line.Solid construction.Solid company.I've always been a fan, but now I have another reason to love my Weber.
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Weber-Stephen 1361001 One-Touch Platinum Charcoal GrillProduct Description: Black. 22.5" porcelain enameled lid and bowl. 363 sq. in. of cooking surface. Heavy duty, plated steel hinged cooking grate, factory assembled, stainless steel, One Touch cleaning system. Tuck away lid holder. No rust aluminum vent, removeable high capacity ash catcher, large front mounted glass reinforced nylon handle, crack proof all weather wheels. Built in thermometer, 2 thermoset work tables, wire bottom shelf, heavy duty steel cart frame, 6 tool hooks, and 2 charcoal basket charcoal fuel holders. Limited warranty. Dimensions: 41.2 H. x 50.1 W. x 26 D.
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If I had been able to see one of these smokers in the store I would not have bought it.It seems poorly made and doesn't fit together very well.But since I bought it and went to the trouble of putting it together, we gave it a try.It works! We've used it every weekend since we got it - ham, chicken, sausage - everything is great.I don't know how long this thing is going to last, but I'm going to use it until it falls apart - then buy something else.
