Weber Performer Deluxe Review – Introduction
Page Contents
The Weber Performer Deluxe (15501001) charcoal grill has a unique Touch-N-Go gas ignition system that takes the hassle out of starting a charcoal grill and gets your briquettes lit at the touch of a button. Based on Weber’s iconic kettle grill design, it also features heavy-duty “Gourmet BBQ System” cooking grates that come in two parts. It can be paired with the Weber Gourmet BBQ System collection. When the cooking is done, the clean up is no longer inconvenient or messy because of the One-Touch Cleaning system of the porcelain enameled bowl, as well as the high-capacity ash catcher.
Weber History
Weber has been around since 1952 and is one of the most respected, and most well-known grill manufacturers out there. Founded by George Stephen, his family sold the majority of the company to a Chicago investment group in 2010. Ownership may have changed, but quality and performance has not.
In 2015, Weber began renaming a few of their products to clarify their product mix, and introduce new models in a concise way. The products that got renamed were not modified in any way, so that level of quality and familiarity is still there! What was the Weber Performer Platinum 22.5″ is now known as the Performer Deluxe 22″. The grill diameter is 22.5″ for both, so you’re getting the same 363 square inch capacity.
The Performer Deluxe is souped-up version of the original Kettle 22″; Weber put it on a nice cart, and added a one-touch charcoal ignition system, which makes firing up your grill as easy as a gas grill.
This is it gentlemen, this is THE 22 inch Weber Performer Kettle grill outfitted with electricity, combustible gas, and so much man cred it should come with a metal business card.
Weber Performer Deluxe Key Features
- 22-inch diameter porcelain-enameled bowl and lid
- 363 square inch cooking area
- Electronic Touch-N-Go gas ignition system
- Aluminum steel One-Touch cleaning system
- Removable, high-capacity, aluminum ash catcher
- Removable LCD cook timer and built-in lid thermometer
- Hinged grilling grate with interchangeable center part
- Two charcoal trays for indirect grilling
-
- The versatile Weber Performer Deluxe
-
- Accessories and a workspace – Weber Performer Deluxe
-
- Heavy duty Weber Performer Deluxe is great for gatherings
-
- Push button ignition for charcoal – use to light the briquettes then shut off for cooking
-
- The iconic Weber top damper
-
- Handy storage bin for storing charcoal
-
- Easy to clean ash bing
-
- Weber Performer Deluxe integrated timer
Out of the Box
Shipping weight for this Weber model is 99 pounds so it does need some work to get to where it is going. However, it is packed very efficiently and effectively. It comes with everything you need for all of your grilling endeavors, so you do not need to go out and buy more accessories. Once the grill is assembled you are ready to get cooking.
Setting Up The Weber Performer Deluxe
The grill is very user-friendly and simple to put together. It generally takes between 35-60 minutes to fully assemble with the detailed visual instructions. Plus, it comes with a great warranty if anything were to go wrong. It has two over-sized wheels and two lockable casters, which is a configuration we really like.
BBQ Grilling Performance
This is an excellent grill. Weber has a reputation for putting out a great product, and the Performer Deluxe is no exception. Being able to achieve the taste of grilling with charcoal with the convenience of a gas start up makes grilling possible any night of the week. Two char-baskets hold your charcoal, and you place them close together when firing them up the gas ignition. Afterwards, you can keep them together for direct grilling, or spread them far apart for creating cooler indirect zones. The included pair of charcoal briquette baskets make it really easy to use the right number of charcoal on the first try, fire them evenly, and set them as far apart or close s you need for indirect heating one you’ve given your steaks a nice searing, or preparing for the long-haul smoking or roasting meals. We were tickled that we lit this charcoal grill with the electronic-start gas ignition, without any of the downsides, and in a much less messy way then we’re used to.
Features Galore
The table top is a great work space for anything that needs to be done on the side. There’s a bottom grate shelf for storing other accessories, and a tub to hold extra charcoal and keep the briquettes from being exposed to the elements. This grill also has a built-in thermometer which allows you to get a set temperature and slow roast without going through too much charcoal, but we always recommend a digital thermometer to get correct temperature readings for the meat you’re cooking.
There’s a center cutout that allows you to replenish your charcoal, or insert accessories like a pizza stone, wok, or griddle. These features you a lot of flexibility in the way you cook.
The nylon lid handle also features a heat shield, so you won’t burn your hand when you open the kettle’s lid. There’s a wire that protrudes from the side of the kettle to hold the lid while you have it off the grill so that you don’t have to put it on the ground. The lid fits tightly around the grill, and the top vent works with the bottom vents to allow you to create just the right temperature and environment to get the performance you need out of the grill. Heat retention is fantastic. The bottom assembly that houses the dampers doubles as an ash catcher, and it’s easy to remove and dispose of ash without making a mess.
Final Thoughts
So, why would you want a $400 charcoal grill? Quite frankly, the Weber Performer Deluxe is the Cadillac of kettle grills. Weber made their name with this these grills over sixty years ago, and now they’ve perfected it. The materials are top notch. There are no exposed welds or joints that can rust. A large storage bin can keep your charcoal out of the elements and ready to feed to the grill. The briquette baskets inside the grill can be positioned however you want to create direct or indirect heat. Weber’s One-Touch ignition uses gas to get the briquettes going, reducing the overall amount of time you need to spend preparing your food. The wheels with two locking casters make it easy to position and put away, while the work space is a nice and needed addition, as other Weber kettle grills don’t have that luxury. The ash catcher and lower vent system keep your ash in place until you’re ready to empty it. With all of these features, it’s possible to load, start, cook your food, and clean the grill without ever getting a bit of charcoal on your hands. With the available accessories, this extremely effective grill becomes a very versatile grill. The Weber Performer Deluxe is the ultimate realization of George Stephen’s iconic design.
Weber Kettle Comparison Tool – Drag and Drop Models to Compare
Drag
Here
Drag
Here
Drag
Here
