Weber Original Kettle Premium 22 vs Weber Q 1200
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Quick take: The Weber Original Kettle Premium 22 costs $50 less; the Weber Original Kettle Premium 22 offers more cooking space (363 vs 189 sq in); the Weber Original Kettle Premium 22 reaches a higher max temp (700 vs 500°F).
| Spec | Weber Original Kettle Premium 22 | Weber Q 1200 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$229 | ~$279 |
| Rating | 4.7★ (8,653) | 4.6★ (7,712) |
| Type | Charcoal Grill | Gas Grill |
| Cooking Area | 363 sq in | 189 sq in |
| Max Temp | 700°F | 500°F |
| Fuel Type | Charcoal | Propane/Natural Gas |
| Build Material | Porcelain-Enameled Steel | Cast aluminum body and lid, glass-reinforced nylon frame |
| Hopper Capacity | — | — |
| Burners | — | 1 |
| WiFi / App | No | No |
| App control | No | No |
| Meat probe | No | No |
| PID controller | No | No |
| Side burner | No | No |
| Rotisserie | No | No |
| Searing | Yes | No |
| Dimensions | 22.5 x 27 x 39.5 in | 40.9 x 16.5 x 15.5 in |
| Weight | 32 lbs | 31 lbs |
| Warranty | 10 years | 5 years |
Pros & cons
Weber Original Kettle Premium 22
- ✓It's the default 'just get a Weber kettle' answer in owner discussions for a reason - sear, roast, and even smoke with the snake method on one $170 grill
- ✓The porcelain-enameled bowl and lid shrug off rust and weather, and it's common to see 15-20 year old kettles still cooking every weekend
- ✓Two-zone cooking is dead simple - bank coals to one side and you get a searing zone and an indirect zone that handles everything from wings to whole chickens
- ✓The Premium's hinged grate lets you add charcoal mid-cook, a big quality-of-life upgrade over the base Original Kettle
- ✓The sealed high-capacity ash catcher and One-Touch sweep make cleanup a ten-second job instead of a shovel-and-dustpan chore
- ✓Charcoal reaches searing temps north of 700°F that no pellet grill can touch, with real charcoal flavor
- ✓At 32 lbs it's light enough to roll anywhere on the patio or throw in a truck for camping and tailgates
- ✓The mod and accessory ecosystem (Vortex, rotisserie rings, Slow 'N Sear) is enormous, and cheap parts keep it running forever
- ✗Charcoal has a learning curve - lighting a chimney, managing vents, and juggling two-zone fires takes practice versus push-button gas or pellets
- ✗There's no thermometer probe, WiFi, or automation of any kind - long cooks mean checking vents and fuel by hand
- ✗363 sq in fills up fast for parties - a couple of racks of ribs or 13 burgers is the realistic ceiling
- ✗Holding a steady 225-250°F for a long brisket is doable with the snake method but fiddly, and wind or rain will swing your temps
- ✗Every cook starts with lighting charcoal and ends with ash disposal, which adds 20-30 minutes versus turning a knob
- ✗The lid thermometer sits high above the grate and can read 50°F off from food level, so serious cooks add a grate probe
- ✗No side tables or prep space - you're balancing tongs and platters on a nearby table
- ✗The Master-Touch is only about $70 more and adds the GBS hinged accessory grate and Tuck-Away lid holder, which makes the Premium a slightly awkward middle child
Weber Q 1200
- ✓Heavy cast aluminum construction retains heat far better than thin portable rivals
- ✓Porcelain cast iron grates produce genuine sear marks
- ✓One of the most-reviewed and highest-rated portables on the market
- ✓Fold-out side tables and electronic ignition are rare at this size
- ✓5-year warranty and decades of parts availability
- ✓Compact enough for balconies where full-size grills are banned
- ✗Single burner rules out two-zone or indirect cooking
- ✗189 sq in maxes out around four people
- ✗Burns through 1 lb canisters fast - the tank adapter hose is a near-mandatory extra
- ✗Regulator low-flow lockout after canister swaps is a common owner annoyance
- ✗At $279 it costs more than some full-size 4-burner grills