Weber Performer 22 vs Weber Spirit E-325
Quick take: The Weber Performer 22 costs $50 less; the Weber Performer 22 offers more cooking space (363 vs 360 sq in).
| Spec | Weber Performer 22 | Weber Spirit E-325 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$449 | ~$499 |
| Rating | — | 4.5★ (4,144) |
| Type | Charcoal Grill | Gas Grill |
| Cooking Area | 363 sq in | 360 sq in |
| Max Temp | — | — |
| Fuel Type | Charcoal | Propane/Natural Gas |
| Build Material | Porcelain-Enameled Steel on Painted Steel Cart | Porcelain-Enameled Cast Iron Grates / Porcelain-Enameled Steel Lid |
| Hopper Capacity | — | — |
| Burners | — | 3 |
| WiFi / App | No | No |
| App control | No | No |
| Meat probe | No | No |
| PID controller | No | No |
| Side burner | No | No |
| Rotisserie | No | No |
| Searing | No | Yes |
| Dimensions | 45 x 40.25 x 28 in | 48.3 x 26.6 x 46.2 in |
| Weight | 69 lbs | 98 lbs |
| Warranty | 10 years bowl and lid, 5 years One-Touch system, 2 years remaining parts | 10 years |
Pros & cons
Weber Performer 22
- ✓A fixed side table and bottom shelf turn a kettle into a workstation — the single biggest usability gap in the Original Kettle line
- ✓Weber Works side rail takes snap-on tool hooks, bins and holders rather than aftermarket clamps
- ✓Hinged cooking grate flips on either side so charcoal can be added mid-cook
- ✓Built-in lid thermometer and Tuck-Away lid holder come standard
- ✓Same 363 sq in grate and 22-inch accessory compatibility as every other 22-inch kettle
- ✗No more cooking area than a $149 Original Kettle 22 — the entire $300 premium is cart, table and hardware
- ✗Weber does not list the gas-assist ignition that defined the earlier Performer Deluxe among this model's features
- ✗At 69 lbs and 40 inches wide it needs real storage space and does not travel
- ✗Painted steel cart is warranted for 2 years against the bowl's 10, and is the part that rusts first on a kettle cart
Weber Spirit E-325
- ✓Sear Zone gives a genuinely hotter strip of grate without stepping up to the Genesis line
- ✓Porcelain-enameled cast-iron grates hold heat far better than the wire grates on sub-$400 grills
- ✓10-year warranty across cookbox, burners, grates and Flavorizer bars, not just the cookbox
- ✓4.5 stars across 4,144 reviews on Weber's own store is the deepest review sample of any grill in this batch
- ✓Compatible with the Weber Crafted frame kit, so it can take a griddle or pizza insert later
- ✗31,000 BTU total is modest for three burners — a full grate of food recovers heat slowly
- ✗No side burner, so sauces and sides need a second appliance
- ✗Open-cart design with an exposed tank rather than an enclosed cabinet
- ✗No thermometer beyond the analog lid gauge, which reads dome temperature not grate temperature