10 Things To Know Before Buying A Weber Grill

Weber is one of the world’s most respected and well-known barbecue grill brands. So it’s safe to say that buying a Weber grill is a good decision for any barbecue enthusiast looking for a high-quality, dependable tool with which to create delectable, mouth-watering culinary masterpieces for family and friends. Choosing a Weber grill is the easy part. Now it’s time to decide on what specific grill to purchase, out of a plethora of choices.

Follow our handy guide to narrow down your choices and let us help you find the grill of your dreams! Shall we?

1. Where To Find Weber Grills

Weber Grills are very easy to find. They’re at every large retail store that sells home goods such as Lowe’s and Home Depot. They are found at Costco, Walmart, and many more. You can also buy Weber grills online. Of course, the Weber website has everything related to Weber grills and products all in one place.

2. Types of Weber Grills

There are four main types of grills, Gas, Charcoal, Electric, and Pellet. All four types are fine for providing you with delicious barbecue fare that will satisfy friends and family alike. There are important differences with each type. We’re here to help you navigate the important first choice of your grilling adventure. Weber has got you covered no matter what type of grill you are looking for.  

Gas Grills

Gas grills are the most popular type of grill sold. The main selling point of a gas grill is the ease at which one can start grilling in a short period of time. Just turn on the gas burner and in no time the grill is ready for some food! Controlling heat levels during cooking is simple and easy with dials in the front of the unit. Gas grills are great for beginners and experts alike.  

Charcoal Grills

The O.G. of barbecue grills! Charcoal grills don’t need a lot of extras. The charcoal fuel will provide all the delicious flavor you need to enjoy your barbecue. It takes more time to heat up the charcoal briquettes than it takes to heat a gas grill, typically thirty minutes or more. Charcoal grills don’t give you as much control over heat distribution.

Electric Grills

Electric Grills can be used anywhere there is an electric outlet. They can be used inside the house as well as outside. But they offer the least flavor of all types of grills on this list.  

Pellet Grills

Pellet grills are versatile, as they can be used as smokers as well as grills. They are very high quality and tend to be a little pricey compared to some of the other types of grills on this list. The special wood pellets can be hard to find in some places, and they are more expensive than other sources of fuel. But these grills are definitely growing in popularity.  

3. Heat Sources

There are 7 sources of heat for your grill. The grill you choose will be designed for a certain type of heat source. Do your own research and find the heat source that works best for your tastes. 

Charcoal Briquettes  

When you think of a backyard barbecue, this is the fuel source you are likely thinking of. The smell they produce is unmistakable as well as unforgettable. Some grilling enthusiasts believe that briquettes result in better flavor than using any other heat source. Others disagree. Be aware of the use of lighter fluid to start the burning process with charcoal briquettes, which can leave a chemical flavor on your food. 

Hardwood Lump Charcoal

This heat source is lesser known than its more popular cousin. Hardwood Lump Charcoal is made using a blend of hardwood and typically has no chemicals or fillers added. This results in a cleaner wood flavor that is gaining popularity with grillers everywhere.  

Natural Gas

This source is typically used for larger gas grills that are permanent fixtures in the backyard. The natural gas is connected from the house to the grill. Natural gas is cheap and is a great source of heat for grilling.  

Propane

Propane gas is a popular choice for barbecue grills everywhere because it is easy to buy and use. The cost of gas is particularly affordable compared to other types of cooking fuels. Propane tanks can easily be bought or rented and are easy to attach to your gas grill. And setting up a propane tank is not as much of a hassle as installing a natural gas source.  

Wood Pellets

Pellet grills are gaining in popularity for a variety of reasons. They use all-natural wood pellets that are made of compressed wood shavings. Grillers can buy wood pellets made of different types of wood, so they can easily pair the meat on the grill with the wood flavor that goes best with it.  

Wood

Wood is the classic fuel source for cooking outside. Even before there were fancy barbecue grills available, people were using wood for its abundance and its flavor. Nowadays you don’t have to use logs to get that classic wood flavor in your food. You can use wood chips with a gas grill for old-fashioned wood flavor.  

Electricity

Electric grills are a good option if your space for grilling is confined, or you want a quick and easy meal for a limited number of people. They are often smaller and lighter than other types of grills. 

4. Indirect Heat vs. Direct Heat 

If you would like a lot of different cooking options and more flexibility when you are grilling, then a gas grill would be an excellent choice. You can perform cooking techniques on a gas grill that are difficult to replicate on other types. These techniques can make any beginner look like an expert chef behind the grill. 

One of the hacks we really like is using direct heat and indirect heat. Understanding the difference between them will automatically place you in the upper echelon of grill masters. Direct heat cooking is when your heat source is directly under the food, typically using higher temperatures for a short time. Indirect heat is when you cook your food adjacent to the source of heat. On a two-burner grill, one burner is turned on, and the other off. This is when you want to cook low and slow. Direct vs. Indirect Grilling: The Differences & When to Use Each (bhg.com) 

5. BBQ, Grilling, and Smoking. What’s The Difference?

In a nutshell. Barbecue means cooking over heat low and slow. Grilling means cooking over heat hot and fast. And smoking means cooking with smoke low and slow.  

6. Weber’s Got a Grill For Every Budget

Whatever your budget, you’ll find the perfect grill for you on the Weber Grill website. Their portable Q Series liquid propane grills start at around $250 What is the Difference Between Propane and Liquid Propane? | Burning Questions | Weber Grills and the high-end Summit Series gas grills top out at nearly $5,000. In between are the Spirit Series and the Genesis Series.

Weber has an excellent selection of charcoal grills for under $500 each. Except for their kettle and Kamado lines which are a little pricier, going for up to $2,000 plus.  

Weber’s wood pellet grills are in the $1K – $2K range. Their electric grills are all under $1,000.

7. We’ve Got Recipes!

Lots of great recipes for your grilling pleasure? Interested? We got what you want right here! Check out our BBQ archive and try them all!  You can also research different brands and become a barbecue aficionado! 

8. Accessories Galore!

You’re gonna need accessories to go along with your new grill, and Weber won’t let you down. They offer everything you can think of, and some things you can’t think of when it comes to improving your grilling experience.

9. Healthy Eating

Some of you are making a commitment to eat healthier. Using a grill is not an automatic violation of your good intentions to be healthy. Remember, vegetables and fruits can be a tasty part of your grilling menu. Asparagus with grill marks is very delicious! Some people say watermelon is great with grill marks, too. Okay, I’ll try it!  

10. Weber is #1

If you’re into safe bets, buying a Weber Grill is probably the safest bet out there. They are universally recognized as the best grill brand, or at least one of the best brands. Have fun deciding on your new grill!  And check in every so often for new tips and advice.