Enamelled steel bowls with a parts catalogue going back decades.
The kettle grill has not changed shape since 1952, which is the whole argument. Porcelain enamel fused to steel does not rust through, there is no burner assembly to corrode and no electronics to fail, and the parts that do wear out are the grate, the ash catcher and the wheels. All three are still sold for grills built in the last century, which is a longer parts horizon than most appliances manage in their first decade.
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At a glance: Charcoal grills picks compared, with buy links
The shape has not changed since George Stephen cut a buoy in half in 1952, and that is why a grate, a leg, a damper or an ash catcher for a grill from the 1970s is still a catalogue item. Porcelain enamel fused to steel, no burners, no igniter, no circuit board.
The 22 inch kettle is the default for a reason, but on a small balcony or for two people the 18 is the one that fits and the one you will actually light on a weekday. Legs, dampers, grate and ash catcher are all catalogue parts, same as its bigger sibling.
18 inch, fits a small balcony
Porcelain-enamelled bowl and lid
One-Touch cleaning system
Catalogue replacement parts
No electronics
Product photograph, Weber
Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill, 22 inch
The Premium adds a hinged grate, a lid thermometer and an enclosed ash catcher to the standard kettle, and the hinged grate is the one worth paying for: it lets you add charcoal without lifting the food off. Everything underneath is the same enamelled steel with the same parts catalogue.
Eighteen inches is enough for four people and small enough to carry one handed, which is the combination that makes this the camping and tailgate kettle. Plated steel grate, enamelled bowl, and a lid that locks down over the handle for transport.
A full 22 inch cooking area with the legs replaced by a lid lock and a carry handle, which makes it the kettle that goes in a car boot. Same enamelled bowl, same damper control, and it uses the same replacement grates as the grill on legs.
The shape has not changed since George Stephen cut a buoy in half in 1952, and that is why a grate, a leg, a damper or an ash catcher for a grill from the 1970s is still a catalogue item. Porcelain enamel fused to steel, no burners, no igniter, no circuit board.
The 22 inch kettle is the default for a reason, but on a small balcony or for two people the 18 is the one that fits and the one you will actually light on a weekday. Legs, dampers, grate and ash catcher are all catalogue parts, same as its bigger sibling.
18 inch, fits a small balcony
Porcelain-enamelled bowl and lid
One-Touch cleaning system
Catalogue replacement parts
No electronics
Product photograph, Weber
Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill, 22 inch
The Premium adds a hinged grate, a lid thermometer and an enclosed ash catcher to the standard kettle, and the hinged grate is the one worth paying for: it lets you add charcoal without lifting the food off. Everything underneath is the same enamelled steel with the same parts catalogue.
Eighteen inches is enough for four people and small enough to carry one handed, which is the combination that makes this the camping and tailgate kettle. Plated steel grate, enamelled bowl, and a lid that locks down over the handle for transport.
A full 22 inch cooking area with the legs replaced by a lid lock and a carry handle, which makes it the kettle that goes in a car boot. Same enamelled bowl, same damper control, and it uses the same replacement grates as the grill on legs.
22 inch cooking area, portable
Tuck-N-Carry lid lock
Porcelain-enamelled bowl
Shares grates with the full kettle
No electronics
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Product photograph, WeberTop pick
Product photograph, Weber
Product photograph, Weber
Product photograph, Weber
Product photograph, Weber