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Forget charcoal lighter fluid. No more electrical starters. The Performer charcoal grill uses a gas assist to light the coals fast.
The Performer grill with Touch-N-Go gas ignition has been redesigned for 2005 with a taller profile. It also features a 22 1/2" porcelain enameled bowl and lid with a dual purpose thermometer, a Tuck Away lid holder, Char-Basket fuel holders, and a heavy duty plated hinged cooking grate.
The cart is updated with a thermoset work table, heavy duty steel cart frame, a CharBin charcoal holder which holds up to 20 lbs of charcoal, wire bottom shelf, factory assembled stainless steel One-Touch cleaning system with a removable black aluminum ash catcher, and three molded tool holders.
The Performer uses 14.1 oz or 16 oz disposable propane bottles, which are good for up to twelve 10 minute ignitions (tank not included). Limited 10 year warranty.
Customers most agreed on the following attributes:
from Thousand Oaks CA on 8/23/2008
I prefer charcoal to gas and this is a nice, simple, efficient unit for general family grilling
from Thousand Oaks CA on 8/22/2008
Used 3-4 times a week. I prefer charcoal to gas
and this grill does everything I need it to.Only negative is the hard surfaced wheels which is a minor irritant
from St Louis Missouri on 8/21/2008
This is an especially well designed product. I have 1 of these and the prior model and I have (so far) given 1 as a gift. I do wish the new model had a place to hang the grilling surface -- I used an "S" hook and hang my on the end opposite the actual grill.
from wisconsin on 8/21/2008
The Weber Performer is an excellent BBQ grill. Everything on it is designed perfectly for ease of use. I really like the propane lighting system, and the "on board" charcoal bin. It is very sturdy and manuverable, and the working table is a good size. You have an excellent product here Weber. Nice job.
from Palo Alto, CA on 8/21/2008
This is my 2nd Performer. The first lasted 8 years. Improvements to worktop, ash collection and charcoal storage. I really like the charcoal flavor and slow-cook indirect method for ribs & roasts.
The box arrived in a week, in great shape with a very attentive delivery service who transported it to the back patio. Assembly was straightforward, with the pieces well-packed and all accounted for! No tank or hose connection included, so be prepared.
from Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada on 8/21/2008
Perfectly designed and easy to assemble with top quality materials. Lights the coals efficiently and the coals remain hot for a long time.
from Kearneysville, West Virginia on 8/18/2008
I use the grill quite often because meat tastes better off the grill and cleanup is a breeze. The Weber performer light s immediately, you just have to wait for the coals to turn grey. Cooking time is quick when you want it quick and efficient when it needs to be low and slow. Cleanup is a breeze with the easy to use cleanup ash catcher. The cart adds so much versatility to this grill, between the tool handle and the countertop, you can keep everything in front of you for easy access. The best part is the holder for the lid. This was always the draw back on Weber grills, now its a gem by setting the lid on a tilt thanks to the handle on the cart.
Considering the shipping was free , I received the grill in 10 days, so no complaints. Driver was friendly and inspected the package before he left.
from Charlotte, NC on 7/29/2008
This grill was easy to assemble and starts up and gets the charcoal going in no time. Which is very important for our family of five in order to get dinner to the table fast.
Unfortunately, while putting it together, the lid slipped and fell. A bit of the enamel split of and there is already rust visible.
from San Jose, CA on 7/27/2008
We love the Weber Performer. We bought it for our deck and love IT! We've used it every evening since we've had it. Summer grilling at it's best. Easy ignition without losing the benefits of charcoal grilling! Easy to clean, easy to use and fabulous results!
from Texas on 7/18/2008
We love this grill. We've had a small weber for years but wanted to upgrade. We love charcoal, but honestly the starter fluid is messy and nasty-smelling. This adds all the flavor of charcoal without the chemicals, thanks to the unique propane-started charcoal system. The rack it is on is amazing, with its fold-out charcoal bin, bottom rack, tool-holder and table area for prep.
The delivery was fantastic; they made an appointment with me but showed up a little bit later than our time. The delivery guy opened the box so I could inspect the product and was extremely helpful.
from Tennessee on 7/15/2008
Perfect grill if you love charcoal flavor and the ease of gas lighting! We love it.
Quick delivery. Easy to assemble.
from Jackson, WY on 7/15/2008
Husband wanted charcoal flavor. Wife wanted gas convenience. Gas ignitor does the work and coals are ready in 20-30 minutes. No fussing over toxic newspaper smoke, matches or chimneys. We are now "Avid Grillers".
from Freeport, IL on 7/14/2008
We use this product almost 4 times a week. My husband says this is the best grill ever and will never own another. It easily lights the chacoal with the little camper propane and the food does not taste like lighter fluid which you get with other charcoal grills. This is because none is needed. He said next to his Harley Davidson leather jacket, this it the best gift he has ever received.
from Russellville, Ar on 7/12/2008
Very happy with this product. Assembly was easy enough. The propane lighting system works perfectly. Grill is ready to cook on 20 minutes after stepping onto the patio. Being a lifelong gas grill user I am still adapting to the vagaries of charcoal cooking but I can tell already I won't be going back to gas.
The storage bin is good to have. High quality materials used throughout. Form, fit, and function are all first rate.
from santa barbara, ca on 7/9/2008
Gas grills don't have the same flavor as charcol grills. This charcol grill is the best ever invented. My husband barbecues daily and this one is by far the best ever invented. It's even easy for me to light. The charcol bin is very convenient, and the ash bin is easy to clean. There are no negatives with this grill. It is great!!
from San Diego on 7/9/2008
For the past 30 years we have used and loved Weber charcoal barbecues. The Performer barbecue just takes a good product and makes it better. The gas starter is terrific and assures that the coals light easier and faster than they did with chimney or electric starters.
My husband and I were thoroughly amazed at how easy it was to assemble the barbecue. All parts were clearly marked and the instructions were very easy to follow.
Our grill was backordered and took about a week longer than we had anticipated, but the customer service department got us information and a tracking number so that we were able to look for its arrival.
from Martinez GA on 7/4/2008
I got this grill as Fathers Day present and I love it.
from Columbus, Ohio on 7/1/2008
with the gas ignition for a charcoal grill, lighting it is a snap!
from Breckenridge, CO on 7/1/2008
Lighter fluid is the worst part of grilling. Glad to be done with it without losing the advantages of grilling with charcoal.
from Ijamsville, MD on 6/28/2008
We bought our first "Performer" 18 years ago. We finally broke down and got a him a new one for Father's Day this year. He was very surprised & happy - but said the old one still has some life in it!! LOL!!!
Incredible! Shipping was free and the shipper called before delivery to confirm when they would deliver. What more can you ask for?
from Portland, OR on 6/27/2008
I have used the Weber Performer every night since we put it together. I am thrilled with it.
from Ann Arbor, MI on 6/26/2008
I have used this grill about a half dozen times in the first two weeks of owning it, and am impressed by the ease and simplicity of the ignition system. From the basics like hot dogs and burgers, to cooking chicken with indirect heat, a very versatile and fun to use grill. Highly recommended!
This grill was put together in less then a half hour. I wish I had this grill years ago. Gas grills are for beginners.
This grill rocks.
from Waldoboro, Maine on 6/8/2008
My only complaint about this great grill is that after four grilling sessions I am now faced with cleaning the lighting tube and gas orifice every other time because the flame is too low or it backlights. While it may be a small price to pay for using the grill, it was an unexpected one and diminishes what could have been a 5 star grill.
from Timonium, Maryland on 5/21/2008
My husband and I usually cook out almost everynight of the week during the spring and summer months. But the only thing we didn't like about our OLD weber kettle grill was lighting it. But with the performer it so easy and lights within 5 minutes. I love the work area and the bin that holds the charcoal.
from Kansas City, MO on 5/12/2008
I love this grill. My 14yr old daughter and I assembled it in about an hour and we're not mechanically gifted. It works great; you put some charcoal (has a great hopper to hold the bag of briquets) in the grill, turn on the gas/hit the ignition, and after a few minutes the charcoal has caught and you can turn off the gas. Coals are ready in about 20 mins. No charcoal chimney or lighter fluid needed. The side prep area is roomy, attractive, and cleans up easily. Three friends who have seen my grill in action have decided to purchase one as well. [...]
from Fredericksburg, VA on 4/17/2008
This is very nicely designed grill, both functional, attractive, and compact. We don't grill that often, so we didn't want to spend a lot of money on a huge grill with features we really wouldn't use. This is just right - it gives you the best of the charcoal and propane grill types. We love it!
from great falls mt on 3/21/2008
i love this product easy to use and cooks great
from Union Grove, AL on 11/10/2007
I use this product when I am grilling for my family and gatherings. From cooking for two or a twenty pound turkey.
Things that are great about it are cooking slow with indirect heat, or fast with direct heat.
Things that are not so great are that it requires an operator because it doesn't do it by itself.
from Destin, FL on 9/21/2007
I have used Weber grills for over 30 years and they are the best!
from Texas on 4/20/2007
This grill is the best Weber I have owned in my 25 years of grilling. Weber got it right when they introduced the gas assist starter in the charcoal grill. I have always preferred charcoal over gas for the heat source. The obvious disadvantage of using charcoal is the prep time required. The gas assist starter solves that problem. With this grill the prep time is almost as convenient as using a gas grill.
The cooking area, and the work table allow for some large meals to be prepared with this grill. The space required for this product is a concern for those with small patios or decks. This unit obviously takes more space than the typical Weber Grill.
I am enjoying my Performer Charcoal Grill and would recommend this product to anyone that likes to cook with charcoal, and likes the convenience of gas.
great grille to use wood charcoal and water soaked wood chips for flavor, makes everything taste better. only thing that would make this better is a cooled beer holder.
I have had this basic model for almost 19 years. I often tell folks it is one of the best purchases I have ever made. Although I use it for grilling, I mostly use it for smoking. I taught my son to make great barberque on it when he was just 10. Now I will buy one for him to use at his own home. If you do not know how to smoke...Buy this and learn.
I used the predecessor to the Webber Performer for 15 years. Never ever a problem. I once had to get a new lid because the wind blew it off the deck and bent it. It worked great from the day it was delivered - already put together - until the day I gave it away. This grill made the best Rib-Eye Steaks, Lamb Chops, and just about anything else my wife told me to cook on that grill.I found nothing to dislike. It was expensive 15 years ago at $[...] + Tax and $[...] to be put together and delivered; however, in retrospect, that was the best $[...] I have ever spent. We cooked on this grill in the middle of winter when I had to "Dig Out The Grill" before digging out my driveway.A terrific grill! Ours was Green. My wife has already told me to get a new one - in Green of course.